Ideology in Action
“Whoever controls the images, controls your self-esteem, self-respect and self-development. Whoever controls the history, controls the vision.”
~ Dr. Leonard Jeffries
Examples in Aotearoa of a white supremacist ideology circulating in public space, the media and elsewhere. Updated regularly…
Anger at Maori welcome
New greeting signs in Whanganui
From the article published Wednesday, October 5, 2011:
The prominence of the Maori language in new signs welcoming visitors to Wanganui has drawn an angry reaction from some Wanganui District councillors and an apology from the mayor.
Mr Laws said he objected to the signs because the Maori greeting took precedence. “I don’t have a problem with the Maori greeting – it’s the prominence of it I dislike.“
For Michael Laws the image is jarring. Not only is it a sign, but for him its a sign and a worrying one – of the privileging of all things Māori into a place that is not naturally or rightfully theirs – on top. Like Paul Holmes’ outburst before him, he invokes a hierarchy of power that is not being followed and calls for others like him to assist in restoring their rightful place.
* * * * *
You’re welcome in your own country as long as you stay in the cupboard. Don’t come out unless you are needed for a tourist brochure. Go to any,, any NZ travel page or ad and you see the Maori. As long as the Maori, have no say, it’s all good. It’s like the Indians in Canada and the U.S., they are used only for tourism ads. Other than that the State really dislikes them.
Absolutely, useful for spectacle but little else. And always frozen in time (traditional ceremonial dress) so that the message that these are ‘backward’ people is reiterated globally. Blech.