tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209493946963010404.post7381369915975779692..comments2024-02-25T10:43:07.698+13:00Comments on STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS: An Opinion Piece By - Brian Turner - Mainland PoetAlden Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06601028197387499096noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209493946963010404.post-40262942216506765402014-10-29T12:07:07.310+13:002014-10-29T12:07:07.310+13:00I don't think Brian Turner is in any danger at...I don't think Brian Turner is in any danger at all and I am sure he can "Cross the street in peace". <br />You write "Sadly enough cultural sensitivities still are everywhere" - and you are correct, there certainly are. I guess they will always be around so long as the hurts of the past are passed from one generation to another or as in the Middle East many of these issues directly affect peoples every day lives. <br />One of the fortunate things concerning colonisation in New Zealand is that those concerned (the colonisers) were aware of the bad deal indigenous peoples in other colonies had had to contend with and how negative the effects of that colonisation - This is why "The Treaty of Waitangi", a treaty enshrined in British Law was instituted. It was hoped that this treaty that gives guarantees to Maori would help to mitigate some of the more negative aspects of colonisation. Of course land was still taken and in many ways Maori were treated unjustly - but this Treaty has meant that in contemporary times the Treaty of Waitangi is a legal framework in which redress to historical injustice can be remedied in the courts and backed by the law of the land.<br />In the 1990s a special "Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal" was instituted and Maori tribes bought cases of injustice to be heard by the Tribunal. Many Maori tribes has 'settled' disputes regarding land seizures and have been compensated many millions of dollars for historical injustices - The whole process has not been without controversy but the tribunal has been a legal way of redress for past wrongs and has worked pretty well. I personally think that Democracy, non segregation (as opposed to racial segregation in South Africa and the USA), The Treaty of Waitangi and intermarriage are the ways that huge issues have been able to have been addressed.<br />Big problems remain, and there is still racism, but at least Maori and Pakeha are talking to each other in this country.Alden Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06601028197387499096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209493946963010404.post-2255244754742770912014-10-29T11:07:36.801+13:002014-10-29T11:07:36.801+13:00Brian Turner is one of my favourite New Zealand Po...Brian Turner is one of my favourite New Zealand Poets. He has a deep, deep love of this country, especially Central Otago where he lives, and this is very evident in his poetry.<br />I guess his voice is a bit of a rallying point for Pakeha people like myself who also love Aotearoa New Zealand - especially Northland where I now live and the Canterbury / Banks Peninsula area where I was bought up and where I had those important formative experiences.<br />I agree with him that you don't have to be Maori to have a deep love and spiritual attachment to the natural environment here in New Zealand. <br />Ranginui Walkers attitudes are understandable because he brings the deep, informed, intelligent and educated understanding of a Maori academic who understands fully and deeply the impact colonisation has had on Maori language and culture - and there has been much injustice. But in terms of the issue of spirituality,the fact is this - the landscape of any country has an impact on the psyche of its inhabitants and for one group to claim exclusive rights to those sentiments is factually wrong in my opinion. Alden Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06601028197387499096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209493946963010404.post-87462556826253412152014-10-29T03:58:03.014+13:002014-10-29T03:58:03.014+13:00Not an easy peace regarding language and content. ...Not an easy peace regarding language and content. Can Brian Turner still cross the street in peace? I hope so. Sadly enough cultural sensitivities still are everywhere. See for instance the “Zwarte Piet” discussion in the Netherlands and the slave trade past of the West-Indische Compagnie that suddenly popped up. This opinion peace gives me more insight in the New Zealand cultural and political situation. Thanks.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16337494349546448043noreply@blogger.com