Pre-Christmas fieldays are always nice to get into the swing of summer. Mind you, I’ve always enjoyed the shows, whatever the time of year.
The family had the pleasure to be at the Clevedon show today. And meanwhile, yet another Fatima (always loved the name) felt her beliefs held against her in the workforce.
While we wondered the Showgrounds and reached the market to browse some leather hats, a man and woman were speaking troublingly loudly about something bothering them, attracting a bit of attention in an otherwise overwhelmingly pleasant and peaceful atmosphere; it was their uncouthness that stood out, from the otherwise comforting orderliness of the bagpipe band and orderly animal shows across the field at the time.
I was finally drawn in and it was the woman’s turn to speak: she proceeded to tell the man how unacceptable the Burqa was, given the symbol of oppression it is, and how it was just not right in NZ. She made a couple of typical staggering generalisations and to her credit finally realised her present company, and quickly moved on.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and even moreso, where I was hearing it. Late night comments online or talkback callers to Leighton Smith’s show, maybe. But, to have such arrogant ignorance intrude into the beautiful surrounds of the Clevedon Showgrounds on a beautiful day. Or more to the point, to have it intrude into a farm culture known for its unassuming commonsense and a old-fashioned unwritten standards of decency — not just about how to have a passionate conversation with another person without attracting undue attention, but about how to talk about other human beings, let alone those who may be in the immediate vicinity!
I reflected tonight on my naivety in being so shocked. After all, it is the reality of loss of such values of decency all-round, that is a valid concern for us all. Much of the gentleman/womanly courtesy, loyalty, generosity (including of spirit) is missing today generally.
And so, many of us may find the burqa a little startling, or weird, yes. But here’s what is really weird, though: the burqa is hardly even a feature of our society. You would be lucky to see one in a year or more, depending of course on where you live. Yet, for something so minuscule, so rare, so unimportant and insignificant, just the “b” word itself has become a symbol….of what?
A symbol of our frustration with not knowing what exactly to know or feel about people from the Middle East (which by the way is not where most Muslims come from!) It has become a much needed scapegoat for our unwillingness and inability to be a little more self-aware — ironically — of our world.
Countries like Malaysia and Indonesia aren’t that far away. Even Fiji has a sizeable Muslim population. Yet media and government action and inaction respectively has meant the public is saturated with negative information on the one hand, and told to live quietly alongside Muslim neighbours on the other!
It’s no wonder a few of us are starting to get a bit testy. Considering how much negativity there has been about Islamic peoples over the decades, and now ISIS and refugees from some unknown land coming to our shores without us being educated at all about their background, it is no wonder that a small underbelly of people can’t see past the Muslim headgear!
Murder and mayhem gets the media ratings and Muslims are never too not far from a lot of it. It’s not as if Saddam, Bin Laden or ISIS were ever explained to be less than ideal or atypical Muslims!With the underbelly of racism that already exists, a few decades of intense media negativity during information-age content saturation takes it toll!
We’ve done well with playing fair in NZ thus far, but with ISIS, John Key talking about watch-lists, and not a lot of positive awareness around the Syrian refugees etc we now seem to be rearing a bit of that head that shows us to be as ignorant about the common people now part of our society as any other multicultural society.
To maintain civility and objectivity in the face of being filled with negativity about such people, we wil have to learn about them — and that will enrich us all no end. Until then, I sense that post-ISIS and as more migrants actually stand up for themselves in such discrimination cases, there is a phobia about what the hijab/niqab stands that is threatening to emerge.
So perhaps we shouldn’t blame ourselves? Because, confused by an innumerable number of issues including of course migration and refugees, all leading back to this anti-Western religion, the Burqa seems to be the right scapegoat at the wrong time, for our frustrated ignorance about this unsettling covering: let’s face it, as most of us wear less and less (not just due to the weather) here we have people still dedicated to covering entirely, apparently in defiance of our values.
Rather unnerving. And when they come out and demand all sorts of rights and can’t take a “no, sorry, we don’t employ head-scarfies” from kiwi businesses, we really think it’s time to put them in their place!
It doesn’t help that in today’s society, what it means to have a religious conviction — a firm belief and dedication to that belief — is not something that is even discussed often publicly, let alone shed in a potentially positive or even neutral, light. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Humanists, Atheists all are committed to beliefs and in many cases, practices. Yet, many — including Muslims, are as Kiwi as anyone can get. It’s true that many of us have not yet had a chance to befriend but that’s only because they number a meagre 50,000 in NZ — and that tells you how out of proportion we make these issues: molehill-come-mountains!
And it doesn’t help that society in general appears to be degrading in its standards of decency. The contrast between elegant neatly dressed women showing well-groomed and well-behaved animals in the background to the two loud-mouths was an interesting snapshot of fading Kiwi values. While we need not all dress in white frocks and stockings, we recognise that dress is an important form of identity and pride — whether in one’s culture, religion or background otherwise. We recognise that we have values and standards which we hold ourselves to first and foremost, and we are not quick to dismiss, but open to learning something new with a degree of fairness and good spirited interest.
I was accused of lecturing the NZ Herald about its shortsighted editorial on tolerance. We need to employ freedoms to remind mainstream media of how much is left to be desired by their roles in bringing different peoples together in positive engagement and awareness in our troubled world. If they’re role is to be critical in this day and age, just on-reporting international carnage without a corresponding positive role locally only confirms the assertion that corporate media is merely interested in profits, regardless of its impact.
If that is be the case, we have a corresponding interest in adding perspective and proper paradigm to their reporting, but also much more widely encouraging cultural communication and awareness. More than anyone, the government has seemingly failed miserably in its duty to provide existing inhabitants with any useful information about 20-30,000 of its recently new co-inhabitants, even in the face of unparalleled global negativity.
Let’s start with knowing — and maintaining — our own true values of decency, fairness and willingness to learn. Surely that is the key to not only our sporting success and rural culture, but also to holding on to what really is important. And you never know: if the rest of us practice what a few of us loudly (and badly preach), we are likely to achieve a NZ diverse in every way, but united in our core traditional values.
Judging by your previous blogpost, Cottonsocks, I’d say some on the Left need to lift their game on tolerance as well!
Thanks Priss. Can you elaborate a little? Keen to hear your views.
Too many in our dominant pakeha culture view racism (or a denial of racism) through the lens of their own privilege. Being white, anglo, and an English speaking person lets you set the agenda and define what is or isn’t racist.
Your previous blogpost a fair number of pakeha trying to set the definitions of racism, irrespective of how it might affect those of different race, religion, ethnicity.
Some little thing that I might overlook may be considerably more damaging to another person who does not hold the characteristics of the dominant, euro-centric culture.
I think that’ll do for starters.
There is no need to “set” the definition. Racism is “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior”
Ah, thank you! More than adequate an explanation. Glad I asked for it! I was confused initially. Yes, paradigms are critical. (I eventually had to post something to “Merrial” about her paradigm too, in my first post.)
The Islamophobe come Hijab-o-phobe is certainly likely to be unsympathetic to Maori self-determination or that of any indigenous / oppressed people; as they run through life via their own lens and based on their own ethno-centric paradigms, little outside that paradigm matters or occurs to them!
Well said, Cottonsocks. We have a long way to go in this country when it comes to tolerance of other cultures!
Thanks Sam.
I never thought we would be saying what you just did about how far we have to go, but there was no ISIS, no refugees etc back then!
I work with kids and I was horrified by some of their racist, and particularly xenophobic, conversation today. I don’t think I could stomach their views on burqas and muslims. Some of the next generation, already infected with the poisonous hatred and misunderstanding of their parents. It was a sad moment and I hope my response made them think.
Keep up the struggle Nominous. Sounds interesting!!
I am pro compulsory Maori in school, I am pro separate Maori seats in govt, local and state as the representative of the Maori take on things, I am pro debt being settled for Maori via Waitangi tribunal, I hope I can forever walk freely on any beach in this country.
I am an atheist so please do not ask me to respect religion, I don’t. You can wear whatever you like, but please, I retain the right to object to people getting round with their faces covered, I find that impolite.
I’m not going to demand it be changed by law, but I do ask those who cover up to that extent to remember where they are and what the norm is here.
I do not expect any law to passed against that anymore than I expect the law to demand drunk young woman at public gatherings like race meetings to put on more than a long singlet, but I would like to.
On the employment thing, you aren’t supposed to discriminate against people on a number of grounds, religion being one of them, but as I said on another article if I was looking to employ as an atheist, I would probably not employ anyone strongly religious, if I knew them to be, as we’d probably just plain not get along. Thing is, most religious people are fairly well disguised (though there are cues) but the woman in Muslim head dress advertises her religion, and gives someone who was less than enthusiastic about employing someone religious, a real head’s up, don’t they.
Seriously I don’t know that you will ever get a neat blending of religions and non religions, I really don’t. I look forward to the day (that I doubt I will see) that mankind grows up enough to be able to do away with imaginary friends.
Hey that’s how I see it, best that be acknowledged as well.
Topics for future Cottonsocks blogs:
Problems of non-muslim minorities in muslim countries.
Muslim rape gangs in European cities.
Muslim destruction of cultural heritage, for example the Bamiyan Buddhas.
Honor killings.
Female genital mutilation.
The muslim tendency to murder cartoonists and filmmakers.
Mohammed’s instruction to his followers: “When you meet the unbelievers, cut off their heads and cut off the tips of their fingers.”
Naaa, don’t you know Muslims are the ones being horribly oppressed?
John
Any idea on the make up of the worlds refugees? Might help the sarcasm.
Harry, is that the craziness of Islamophobia I’m picking up off you? Please say it ain’t so. (I won’t believe you even if you do.)
“Islamophobia” is a rational reaction to a violent, misogynist totalitarian ideology that calls itself a religion and has clearly stated it intends to conquer the world.
Bigotry is never ok, Harry. I’ve no doubt that extremists from all religions and political spectrum justify their own bigotry by calling it a necessary “rational reaction to a violent, [misogynist] totalitarian ideology”… Fighting bigotry with bigotry has never worked anywhere in the world and I doubt if it ever will.
Hey Harry. If your talking about IS. You should relies that IS have no ships or aircraft, or factories to make them. So your former argument is weak at best. New Zealanders have been practicing Islam for in New Zealand for decades. Get over it boi
Harry, that’s the kind of bigotted belief that led to WW2 and 6 million jews, gypsies, etc, sent to the gas chambers. You sure you want to run with that??
Harry, careful, your phobia is getting the better of you.
Harry, anything for you my dear friend; here’s goes:
1) Blog 1
Problems of non-muslim minorities in muslim countries.
Are you talking about Saudi Arabia? Just say it. No one agrees with Muslim countries’ treatment of Muslims. Are you aware of the plight of south Asian Muslims in Arab countries for example. On the other hand, if you’ve got a Western passport you get treated like royalty.
Are you taking about wanting to booze nude in the middle of Makkah while you’re doing business there? Yeah, afraid not, Harry — they do have standards.
Let’s not get carried away though: numerous Muslim countries from Turkey to Malaysia have vast numbers of people well settled and going nowhere.
2) Blog 2: Muslim rape gangs in European cities.
I believe you are referring to the 2-3 cases in the UK involving some South Asian men? Lets say there’s many more. From Muslim countries too let’s say. Well, they’re called criminals.
Apparently, the Roastbusters are Kiwis, Harry!!!! Yikes!!!! No, surely not from that good sort of Down Undee fair dinkum young gentlemen?! Hopefully, a few bad apples?!
3) Blog 3:Muslim destruction of cultural heritage, for example the Bamiyan Buddhas.
You’re badly out of touch here Harry: there’s been widespread destruction of heritage sites across the Middle East throughout the Arab “Spring”.
The difficulty for your simplistic world is that these were all Muslim sites: mosques, Saint tombs, holy sites. By the way, it’s happening right in Arabia itself to significant Muslim sites.
Such people do call themselves Muslim, and some of them may have sympathy for ISIS.
The good (or perhaps bad) news for you Harry is that they represent around 10,000 — many very temporary, lasting days or weeks, from 1.5 billion.
4) Blog 4: Honour killings.
Harry, you need to get out a bit more. Yes this happens in Pakistan, but it also happens across the ditch in China.
5) Blog 5: Female genital mutilation.
Ditto, Harry: yes it happens in African Muslim countries but also right across African Christian ones, and across Asia also.
6) Blog 6: The muslim tendency to murder cartoonists and filmmakers.
The problem with such a topic Harry is that it might come across as a bit OTT. You see, there was the idiot and murderer who murdered a fellow idiot who printed something idiotic. What I mean about the topic being a bit OTT is this: as there are 1.5 billion Muslims across a “hundred n one” countries, and far less cartoonists and filmmakers, by your proposed topic there cartoons and films should have long been extinct because there would be no one alive to create them. I may have to give this topic some further thought, Harry. You?
7) Blog 7: Mohammed’s instruction to his followers: “When you meet the unbelievers, cut off their heads and cut off the tips of their fingers.”
I thought about whether this was a bit OTT also, given that virtually all of the 1.5 billion Muslims live alongside unbelievers — and have done for one thousand five hundred years without losing fingernails. Given that Islam spread from Arabia by trade to Africa and Asia and that it has remained in these continents and has continued spreading since.
And yes we all do worry about ISIS interpretation of the Koran — which is nearly as bad as yours Harry.
But I went off on a bit of tangent on this one Harry, to reflect on something else: where do you get all this rubbish from? And, do you not think before posting, for yourself? Or are you some extremist fanatic who pathologically regurgitates without using the human faculties God has bestowed upon you?
Which, come to think of it, gives me a new topic to blog about:
– Kiwis who’ve been taken hook line and sinker by Islamophobic extremists, online.
Harry, wriggle out of it, mate!
Nice try at deflection, Ms Socks, but the fact remains: if I draw a cartoon of the rapist, pedophile and mass murderer Mohammed (PBUH), a lot of Muslims will want to kill me, and the majority of their co-religionists would support that.
Islam is not the religion of peace, it’s the religion of pieces.
Really? How many? What number of “majority”? I’d love to see your stats on this.
I’ve no doubt there are fanaticsw in Islam. Just as there are fanatics in fundamentalist “Christian” churches. Or fanatical jews.
Do you know that the Bible actually commands Christians to kill all “witches”?
Yup;
Exodus 22:18
So, do you expect me to condemn all Christians for a command to commit murder because of something written over two and a half thousand years ago?
Fact of the matter is that there are fanatics everyone, and the cloak of whichever religion they wear is secondary to that aspect of human nature.
Sorry, Harry, but your attempts at fear-mongering and smearing an entire religion is wasted.
Hello everyone,
In the wake of the attacks on Paris, much has been said about the need to remember that ISIS are the ones refugees are fleeing. And the need to remember who we are fighting: a few crazies who ISIS either recruits or directly or indirectly convinces to do something so heinous.
There’s also the other reminder: that men (and a few women) in power in the West are making conscious decisions everyday to risk the killing of this many innocent civilians — and more; just not in white western societies, but in olive, broken down ones (and many such as on this blog have rightly pointed out who has funded the breaking down of these societies).
I also wanted to add an excellent speech from across the ditch, very simply pointing out ISIS’ warfare against us is only really psychological. That is why discussions like this are so important — to remind each other not to get carried away with the news.
Link to speech: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/waleed-aly-hits-out-at-isis-over-paris-attacks-calls-them-weak/story-fn948wjf-1227611388541
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