Hello List members, Kia Ora Koe Max,
In a previous posting I wrote
"Perhaps the subconscious thought patterns of a conquered race manifest as
a difficulty to articulate, and a barrier to the birth of increased
knowledge emerging in the people of that race."
And you wrote
"You have to go first over your own personal barrier, e.g. in the case of
New Zealand, like any white person (Pakeha), and then you have to go over
the racial barrier, meaning you have to internally go against the subtle
image that is being presented by the white mainstream, that you as person
of color (Maori) are not as capable in doing that as the white
mainstream".
I have reflected deeply on this and believe that I have overcome both of
those barriers. For many Maori people however, the portrait painted in
the film "Once Were Warriors" is still the normal way of life. Many of my
people have yet to rationalize that much of the reason for their plight,
is as you have so eloquently outlined.
In my previous posting I highlighted the fact that the government has seen
fit to set in place a mechanism to recapture many of the principles
outlined in the "Treaty of Waitangi", seen by many New Zealanders as the
document upon which our nation was founded. I also outlined in general
terms the reconstruction of our education system. Both these initiatives
contribute to our ability to learn "as a nation".
I am happy to say that many Maori organizations and individuals have
embraced the new education system. They are using it, to have recognized,
skills that are uniquely Maori, that add value to New Zealand as a nation
and instill a sense of worth in the people who acquire the qualifications
under this system. They are also using it for 'mainstream' skill
acquisition as well.
So although there is still resentment by Maori people, learning is taking
place. The part that I am playing in this scenario, an "emergent
bifurcation from chaos", is very small in the general scheme of things. I
realize however, that I must continue to aid people, Maori in particular
to overcome the barriers outlined at the beginning, if we are to continue
our learn as a nation in the never ending story of humanity.
Regards,
Dennis.
--Dennis Rolleston <Dennisr@ps.gen.nz>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>