Just one week ago Hone Harawira roundly criticized the “cycle of violence” that is brutalizing Maori whanau. "Never mind pointing the bone at anyone else, and never mind the platitudes,” he said, “We have the power to make a difference, we have the numbers.” He then went on to propose all 21 Maori MPs work together, across party lines, to come up with some solid solutions. The response of Labour’s Maori MPs has been faint.
This week Toby Curtis, spokesperson for the whanau of three of those accused of abusing the toddler Nia Glassie, announced that his whanau are going to openly approach and deal with and to other members of their very large whanau whanui who they believe may also be abusers.
Did you know and do you care that both these men had put these ideas out there? Or do you prefer to believe that the whanau of abusers are uncaring and that Hone is using the racist injustices against aboriginals as a red herring to distract from the terrible injustices against our Tamariki?
You know, it’s a largely hard and thankless task being an activist for the under-dog, especially in the face of the prevailing social climate that would prefer everyone sat down and shut up. I dedicate this poem to all those men and women who stand up and speak out.
This week Toby Curtis, spokesperson for the whanau of three of those accused of abusing the toddler Nia Glassie, announced that his whanau are going to openly approach and deal with and to other members of their very large whanau whanui who they believe may also be abusers.
Did you know and do you care that both these men had put these ideas out there? Or do you prefer to believe that the whanau of abusers are uncaring and that Hone is using the racist injustices against aboriginals as a red herring to distract from the terrible injustices against our Tamariki?
You know, it’s a largely hard and thankless task being an activist for the under-dog, especially in the face of the prevailing social climate that would prefer everyone sat down and shut up. I dedicate this poem to all those men and women who stand up and speak out.
He Wahine Toa –
Body carved cleanly and curved like a Crown,
Body carved cleanly and curved like a Crown,
Nursery of new life in its cyclical round.
Bold and bodacious,
Groovy and gracious –
Woman
He Tane Toa –
Body braced strongly for the sneaky blow
Sent special D by those you know
Laughing and loud,
Woman
He Tane Toa –
Body braced strongly for the sneaky blow
Sent special D by those you know
Laughing and loud,
Pukana proud –
Man
History's high waves sweep your shores like a song
Man
History's high waves sweep your shores like a song
Smashing rivers of right over rocks of wrong
Shattering spray lifts and drifts away.
Arced through the shimmer hangs a shining hope
God’s promised token like Maui’s strong rope
Sign of a future both sunlit and sure,
Lightening on faces of foes set in frowns
Who flit through the fight in the cloak of the Crown
Greedy and rotten their people forgotten.
Fight those behind them with God-given skill.
Wielding the Word whose power can kill
Sharp as a knife yet offering life
Laughing and loud
Pukana proud
Man
Fight hard and strong and persevere
Pukana proud
Man
Fight hard and strong and persevere
Fight for a future free of fear
Lovely loquacious
Bold and bodacious
Woman
Bold and bodacious
Woman
2 comments:
This is brilliant, ngamihi
the work pictures of this poem work. delicious words.
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