Political Faux Pas

You may be tired of my whinging and complaining by this stage of my blog, but if you're still hanging in there after all that negativity, you're probably going to be able to handle a great deal more. Good for you, you crazy masochists!

I think it's high-time I addressed the Melissa Lee issue. I know, I know; this thing has been played out by the various media corporations dominating our airwaves for the past few months now.

But it's important to place concerted focus on Ms Lee's comments simply because it perfectly encapsulates the stereotypes that belittle South Auckland.

I won't bore you with details that you've probably been hit over the head enough with already, but Lee's comments are a clear indication of the views many Aucklanders share on their Southern neighbours.

But in denigrating and dehumanising South Auckland and its citizens repeatedly, how can we honestly want to initiate beneficial change and success for the area?

What about all the good things South Auckland has to offer, such as its phenomenal sporting achievements, or its rich cultural heritage? But no, these things leave news agencies with little real news to report, who choose to feature instead only its crimes and misgivings.

Murder and gang-related violence is a nation-wide problem, and is not a problem limited to South Auckland. Moreover, specific racist insults on various websites and other areas of media are aimed at Pacific and Maori peoples, which is an entirely more insidious concern altogether.

Whatever happened to our accepting and multicultural-centric attitude we so highly-touted only a few years ago, New Zealand? Have we forgotten what it means to be a Kiwi in the pursuit of global recognition, of wealth and freetrade agreements?

To achieve any real measure of change in South Auckland, we must first demonstrate that we have the tolerance and desire to actually incite it.