So I was rude, abrupt and dismissive of Denis’ opinion. Guilty on all accounts. But he had to be challenged. If he was looking for a sympathetic ear to reinforce his perspective, he emailed the wrong person. However, I believed he did what I hoped he’d do and had a look at the issue from another perspective.
Here’s his response, which I didn’t include in the original “Our nation is becoming unhinged – an email exchange” blog so as not to cloud the debate.
Denis said:
Thank you Kelvin – I appreciate this information and will think it through carefully.
It seems to me Maori and Europeans need to learn more about how each group works and thinks… and learn to respect the important stuff. Perhaps newspaper articles on different aspects of culture?
I think it must work both ways … and how do we solve the problem about people not being able to do things like: walk on top of the mountain if you are a mountain climber and this is something that they normally want to do and other stuff like that?
There must be a way that would be mutually satisfactory. But we must learn to understand and respect each other better and also to live together in harmony … don’t you agree?
It seems you are in a very good position to initiate some new ideas in this direction. That would be fantastic. Again, I appreciate your excellent reply.
Go for it and all the best — Denis
It sounds to me Denis has a lot to learn, but is humble enough to admit it.
It would seem from Denis’ response, he’s not as precious and blinkered as some of our right-wing contributors are.
Good stuff.
It would seem from Denis’ response, he’s not as precious and blinkered as some of our right-wing contributors are.
… and probably a bit more genuinely colourblind than many of the left wing ones…
Fancy you righties getting more upset about Kelvin’s reply than the guy did himself.
That’s priceless stuff right there.
and how do we solve the problem about people not being able to do things like: walk on top of the mountain if you are a mountain climber and this is something that they normally want to do and other stuff like that?
This is not just an issue associated with mountains in this country. For example, Kangchenjuna (world’s 3rd high point) is considered sacred by local peoples in the Indian state of Sikkim – and walking on its summit would be akin to sacriledge.
Those who undertook the first climb, among them George C. Band, took the position that they would only ascend as far as it took until there was an easy path to the summit (although they actually ended up about 1.5m below the summit).
So there is always possibilities in terms of working arrangements.
…how do we solve the problem about people not being able to do things like: walk on top of the mountain..
There isn’t a problem to solve with that, is there? Given that no law prevents him from climbing an NZ mountain and standing on it? If he means “not being able to gratuitously disrespect Taranaki without someone calling you a prick for doing it,” he really just needs to harden the f*** up.
I catually think that Denis represents a large proportion of NZ society – and people like Denis are the ones that get sucked in my Ansell/Brash billboards focused on racial/cultural division, when this is NOT the direction we should head.
Good food for thought Denis – thanks for playing.
good on ya Denis
Both races side by side in unity!
People do things that offend me every single day. Cyclists nearly ride straight into me on a river footpath designed for pedestrians, without ringing their bell or saying excuse me. People vote for the National Party and say they think John Key is wonderful. Gang members get swastikas tattooed visibly on their forearms. Lots of things offend me and annoy me every day. But none of these things are against the law, are they? And nor should they be. I might be offended, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not important and my subjective beliefs on cultural norms are no more valid than anyone elses, so I’m expected to demonstrate tolerance, discretion and restraint. So let the Christians enjoy their BBQ on top of a mountain, and everyone else can just pretend they didn’t notice, tut tut under their breath, and get on with their life. For goodness sake, there are more important things to be offended about, like wars and famines and climate change.