In treaty training yesterday I was posed a hard question. What is really important to me? What is so important to me that I'd march for it. Hikoi to parliament?
I have personal wishes and wishes for the world. They are all idealistic and tree huggy, so if that's gonna bother you just stop reading now. What I hope for is that people will read and think about what really matters to them. What would you march for?
Here's what I wrote down at the course, under pressure of time constraints and limited space on a little card:
Global - Peace on Earth.
Keep the world safe, no global warming. Environment.
To do what will maintain the world for the next generation - an end to destruction.
National - A new flag, the silver fern represents all the people of New Zealand unified on the central stem.
Equal opportunities. Sustainable living, eco-friendly.
Personal - no judgement on people.
- no assumptions about people.
When I pass on where do I want my bones to lie?
How can I encourage mutual respect and politeness, but still allow for differences?
Moving forward. *
Respect for children, no more abuse.*
*These two were from other people on the course.
After that we marched through town to Parliament (9 white people with open minds, one Samoan and our Maori trainer watching our backs) and there we saw the remaining people there for the Civil Union Bill. Some of them were religious anti-Civil Union and at the front were the pro-Civil Union people. The signs the religious people held all talked of hate and Hell and wickedness. (Obviously religious people is just a term I'm using here, I don't mean to generalise about all religious people. Not all religions were represented and these guys are extremists in any case. Still, the ones left over when we came past were all religious.)
Here's what I feel about the Civil Union bill: It's a right. People who have a problem with it don't have to do it. Everyone who loves each other should be allowed to express it in an official ceremony that shows the world and represents their relationship by law. I think I've said this before, but it's not just for gay and lesbian people either, some heterosexual people have huge problems with marriage (and I'm not just talking about Lee here), because they don't like religion or they have been to some awful weddings or whatever. Why not have another option. Hey, the more inclusive the better!
Why prevent people from being happy? I'm glad it's gone through. It makes me happy to be a kiwi. Take your hate and turn it into positive energy. When I'm angry I've found I can use the energy to do house work. (Hooray! I've found a way to channel my anger!)
We went on to the archives and looked at the Treaty of Waitangi. It's all old and damaged and rat eaten. The atmosphere in that room is amazing. It's completely quiet and quite dark. Like you can feel the history right there in the room with you, like the importance is a palpable presence. The guy who trained us showed us the mark his ancestor made. A lot of the chiefs drew the symbol of their mokos to sign, since obviously they couldn't write. There are a lot of little spirals on that document. It's quite amazing.
It was an awe inspiring experience. I still can't quite believe how easy it is to see it. Just leave your bag at the counter and wander on through.
Here's another list I made last night of the things that are important to me.
Right, so. Who's gonna help me change the world? (Or at least New Zealand?)
Posted by jenni at December 10, 2004 02:42 PM