| This weekend saw a showdown between two tribes of contemporary gender politics: those in favour of progressing transgender rights versus women wishing to defend their spaces. It’s a debate with huge passion, outrage and consequences.
The figure at the centre of the clash was the British “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” Posie Parker, aka Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, who attempted to hold a “Let Women Speak” rally at Albert Park in Auckland on Saturday. She was forced offstage by a counter-rally for trans rights and has fled back to the UK.
Saturday’s clash of cultures is a sign of where politics is heading in New Zealand – towards a fully-fledged culture war. This is something normally more associated with American politics – but also increasingly in places like the UK.
The Ugly opportunism of culture wars
There was an element of pantomime on both sides over the last week. Posie Parker thrives on controversy. She might be complaining now about her treatment in New Zealand, but by holding her rally in a public place like Albert Park she was provoking opposition and stoking tensions, hoping to become something of a martyr.
She won. She made global news, fuelling publicity in the UK and US markets where she carries out her main fundraising. She will now be even better equipped to push her particularly toxic form of gender politics.
Likewise, those opposing Parker were rather opportunistic in arguing that she is a fascist and that her beliefs were such a danger to the public that she had to be banned from the country.
They must have known they were giving the previously-unknown visitor huge amounts of free publicity and therefore helping get her views out to a wider audience. As broadcaster Heather du Plessis-Allan argued yesterday, “Parker’s opponents made sure that she was in the news most of the week”, and “They helped her spread her message. They played right into her hands.”
The Greens represent one side of the polarised divide. MP Golriz Ghahraman tweeted on her way to the rally: “So ready to fight N*zis”. Co-leader and Government Minister Marama Davidson put out a video to say that she was “so proud” of the protesters. And obviously wearing her hat of Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence she used the event to declare that only “white cis men” commit violence. Such messages will go down very well amongst the party’s support base, which is increasingly sensitive to the need to make progress on gender issues.
Will culture wars dominate the 2023 general election?
The New Zealand Herald’s Fran O’Sullivan wrote on Saturday that “The ‘culture wars’ are set to be a defining issue in the 2023 election.” And she bemoans the Posie Parker tour dominating politics in a week in which the Treasury and the Reserve Bank confirmed “that New Zealand will tip into a technical recession this year”.
According to O’Sullivan, the “rainbow community leaders went into overdrive” producing “an illustration of how quickly a cultural issue can consume public discourse.”
The implication is that the public is going into an election campaign in which there will be less debate and focus on addressing the cost of living crisis. And last week the Government released a major evaluation of their latest progress in eliminating child poverty – which tragically showed that real progress had been made. This vital issue was completely overshadowed by the Posie Parker visit, providing a warning of what type of issues might dominate the public sphere in the lead-up to the general election.
Who benefits from a heightened focus on cultural issues?
The two parliamentary parties stoking the culture wars are Act and the Greens. Those parties will gain a much higher profile if cultural issues keep rising to the fore. The Greens will pick up middle class supporters whose main focus is on social justice issues, while Act might be able to pick up more anti-woke working class supporters in provincial New Zealand.
Squeezed in the middle are the major parties of Labour and National, who are desperate to stay out of it all, aware that middle New Zealand is less enamoured by such debates and concerns. Labour, especially under new leader Chris Hipkins is trying to shuck off the woke association the party developed under Jacinda Ardern. Likewise, Christopher Luxon is trying to get rid of the reactionary image National sometimes had under Judith Collins.
On the outside is New Zealand First, with Winston Peters trying to get into the culture wars game. He’s positioned himself, along with Act, as being opposed to the woke elite’s focus on what he calls social engineering. Peters gave his State of the Nation speech on Friday in which he claimed: “There is a full-scale attack being waged on New Zealanders’ culture, identity and sense of belonging.” He complained that nowadays “there’s an awful tribalism in New Zealand politics”.
Peters pushed all the buttons on the culture war issues – claiming that the education system was the victim of “virtue signalling tinkerers”, and that government departments were more focused on relabelling themselves with Māori names than actually doing the mahi. Co-governance was also targeted as an elite agenda that would take away the “one person, one vote” Western tradition of democracy.
What are culture wars anyway?
There’s a whole new terminology that needs unpacking and defining in the new landscape of culture wars. We have been through versions associated with the “progressive” side of this debate such as political correctness, cancel culture, identity politics, and now “woke” politics. To what extent these terms are useful continues to be debated. Perhaps the better term for the milieu of more middle class progressive demands is “social justice politics”.
Much of it is associated with leftwing politics but, in reality, the left is divided over culture wars. The “cultural left” side tends to be connected with more elite, educated, and middle class activists. The more traditional, or working class orientated “old left”, is still focused on economic inequality and improving the lot of those economically disadvantaged as a whole, with a focus on universalism and civil rights.
Even the term “culture war” needs some unpacking. New Zealand lawyer Thomas Cranmer provides the following useful definition: “In essence, they are political conflicts that revolve around social and cultural issues, such as gender, race, sexuality, religion, and identity. The term was coined in the United States during the 1990s to describe the heated debates that were taking place between conservatives and progressives over issues like abortion, affirmative action, and gay rights. However, the scope of culture wars has since expanded to encompass a wide range of issues, from free speech and cancel culture to critical race theory and the role of the media in shaping public opinion.”
Problems of an escalating culture war
According to Act Party deputy leader Brooke Van Velden, New Zealand risks becoming “a divided society where cancel culture spirals out of control.” Similarly, in the weekend James Shaw pointed to the Posie Parker controversy, and said “Her arrival is the kind of risk that metastasises into broader political violence.” He told Newsroom that “There’s a real possibility we will see some form of political violence this year and someone will be injured, or worse.”
Democracy might also be harmed if the culture wars dominate this year’s election. An ugly fight over transgender politics, co-governance, or race relations would be one that alienates many voters, and reduces participation in politics. Some of the public will turn away in disgust, confusion, or fear about culture wars. The intolerance and outrage that often occurs in these debates can make ordinary voters feel unwelcome taking part in discussion and debate, or even in voting.
This doesn’t mean that the issues at the heart of culture wars are unimportant or should be suppressed. For example, there are vitally important issues and reforms that need to be progressed in terms of gender and transgender rights.
This is also a point made well by Thomas Cranmer: “it is important to note that culture wars are not inherently bad. They can provide an opportunity for different groups to engage in meaningful dialogue and debate over important issues. They can also bring attention to marginalised communities and push for greater social justice and equity.”
However, he points out that culture war debates often lack genuine, good-faith engagement: “The problem arises when culture wars become polarised and divisive, with each side demonising the other and refusing to engage in productive dialogue. This is where New Zealand currently finds itself.”
Solutions to culture wars: Critical thinking and open debate
The main problem in culture wars arise when there is no room for nuanced discussion, openness or a willingness to learn from others and opponents. Overall, there is a need for healthier debate and engagement in New Zealand politics.
This is something political columnist Janet Wilson wrote about in the weekend, arguing that we have a declining culture of critical thinking and open-mindedness: “That growing inability to think critically enables what Illinois University Ilana Redstone calls The Certainty Trap, that sense of self-righteousness that comes with having brutally judged, then condemned and dismissed, someone with whom we disagree. And when it comes to political debate, Redstone says The Certainty Trap holds us back and puts up walls.”
We need to develop our skills, Wilson says, “that includes being open-minded, having a respect for evidence and reason, being able to consider other viewpoints and perspectives, not being stuck in one position, as well as clarity and precision of thought.”
Similarly, Thomas Cranmer argues that we will deal better with culture war issues when we foster a culture of humility and tolerance: “all parties, regardless of their political affiliation, need to be willing to engage in constructive dialogue and debate over important issues. This also means that we need to be willing to listen to the perspectives and experiences of those who may hold different views from our own.”
Leftwing activist and blogger Martyn Bradbury attended Saturday’s rally and counter-rally and was appalled by both sides. He says: “Right now the entire community need to actually step back and consider how the militant cancel culture element of the debate has alienated everyone else and created the environment where Posie Parker can thrive.”
New Zealand is facing huge problems which require critical thinking and debate. We won’t be well served if such political debate and the upcoming election are highjacked by the hate and tribal opportunism we saw over the weekend. |
Not sure how supporting woman can be toxic gender politics!
“The protesters on the rotunda were overwhelmingly men. Not men in dresses as you might expect at such an event (although there were some) – just ordinary looking men. They shoved women, they screamed in our faces, they leered at us, and they tried to forcibly topple over a section of steel gate onto the women sheltering from them on the other side of it.
As we were completely surrounded, we could not escape. At one point I contemplated climbing out over the seats to exit the rotunda, but the rotunda is surrounded by rocks. I wasn’t confident that I wouldn’t get accidentally or purposefully shoved and fall onto the rocks and get trampled. At this stage had grave concerns for my personal safety and the safety of my 11 week old baby. I kept thinking if they surge, if I fall, if I get trapped under that fence section, if I get punched – I could lose this baby. I kept asking myself – where are the police? How can I get out? What can I do?
I texted my husband who wanted to come and get me – but how? There is no way at that stage he would have been able to get to me and besides, there was no way he’d get there in time. I asked him to call 111. It took him 8 minutes to get through to them and the police told him there were police already there and more on the way. This was patently false. There were no police as far as the eye could see, there were none on the way and I saw none when I finally did manage to get out. And the protesters knew it – you could tell. They knew they could act with impunity. You could tell they knew that had the blessing of the media, the Government and now seemingly, the Police. At one point someone pointed their flag at one of the ladies up there with us. She grabbed it and it broke. He then used the shard to try jab her in the stomach. I had to dodge out of the way to avoid getting accidentally stabbed with it. I’ve never been so scared.”
https://aboldwoman.substack.com/p/trans-activists-make-women-terrified
Not up to the usual standard of analysis.
Womens rights campaigner toxic?
Big value judgement there.
Also it’s not ACT vs greens with Labour and Nats staying removed, Labour is neck deep identity politics and anti white male culture war.
National is mincingly politically correct but yes too scared to take a stand on anything.
This isn’t left vs right, this is the “progressive left” being taken over by identity politics and attacking any outgroup that disagrees, even itself.
This is poisonous and completely coming from what was the left of politics.
The left refuse to own their own anti free speech authoritarian mess.
You omitted to mention the role which politicians and government- captured New Zealand media played in lying about Kellie-Jay Keen and portraying her as an anti-trans activist. Only Sean Plunket’s ‘Platform’ spoke what appears to be truth. She is a pro-women activist.
You may support children being subjected to gender re-alignment surgery, but Kellie-Jay does not and nor do many of us.
You may agree with Green Party leader Marama saying that she was proud of the protestors but many of us were not. They disgust us.
You may think that a biological male can be turned into a female, and then be reversed again following a change of mind, but many of us do not.
You may be scared of women’s voices having a platform, but many of us see the silencers as much scarier, and what’s more, in Auckland they were people who would be women for more reasons than you may care to think about.
Once again this is the politics of division, but we are not all as foolish as the politicians even if women keep having to scramble to be heard against the baying of the maddened mob.
Thank you to all the commenters on this post.
Wake up Martyn. There is nothing toxic about the women trying to Speak Up. We are being shut down with intimadation, slurs threats and gas lighting. The scenes above are what happens when we lift our head about the pulpit to try and have a voice. We will be shut down, brutally, violently
40 million of government woke $$$$ buys media – nothing about Marama thinking all violence is from cis, white males, and actually very little about her accident (with apparently a Maori motorcyclist).
Nothing about what Posy actually said.
Instead of media being objective and tell both sides, call them by their name, ‘Speak up for woman’ they call her an anti trans activist.
Seriously, I have not even heard her mention trans at all! But how could you, as she was not allowed to speak. She actually is heard instructing the NZ woman beside her to turn her T-shirt inside out, presumably so she would not be attacked by the mob.
This is gas lighting in action. Last week the Greens we’re talking about political violence, no doubt coming from the “NAZIS”tm.
What they aren’t telling you is that they are the “NAZIS” tm, but rebranded asthe “GREENS”tm.
PP 100%
Pro Wahine. Punch, Punch.
https://archive.ph/7QH77
Remember how James Shaw was punched in the face, once, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/402681/jail-for-man-who-assaulted-green-party-co-leader-james-shaw.
Well what are police doing about this? This lady is in her 70’s. Or is it now ok to punch woman if they deserve it in woke NZ? Just like the kids getting a hiding. All good.
Funny, all I saw was the Poser’s security detail barging it’s way through a packed crowd, they were the violence. There was no brawl.
Also Poser’s team failed some basic security rules too. Don’t get surrounded and have a clear escape path, especially if you plan to rile up a crowd who aren’t your supporters. The band rotunda was a bad idea. Someone didn’t think that through, lucky the crowd was so controlled. If the crowd was actually violent, as some have suggested, their client would have suffered more than having their dignity bruised.
Here’s a little experiment you can try if you want to have some fun. Head down to a South Auckland bar, walk to the bar and shout something loud & racist, then walk back out the front door. You can then compare your experience with that of Pansy Parker. Do it and see if you can spot the difference, you may learn something about what violence looks like.
It’s time for a new environment and climate focused political party.
Attention to the climate crisis is just too important to be eclipsed by wasting energy in identity politics.
The current Green Party has long gone off-mission.
Winston has dipped his toe in the water to see how the race card plays out for his last tilt at power .
Winston has always been good at timing and understanding the public. However not sure that people can get past the slippery, lack of ethics from his side kicks. Also their Dino position on the environment is a turn off but saying that, mobs attacking woman while being incited to do so, is also a big turn off.
Posie Parker protest: Christopher Luxon says right to free speech must be protected
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/486755/posie-parker-protest-christopher-luxon-says-right-to-free-speech-must-be-protected
Nothing from the other parties about protecting free speech, or even decrying the violence at the event where 70 year old woman were punched out (no arrests), Juice throwing, trans activists Rubashkyn, originally from Colombia. No arrests.
As we know from Tarrent and Samsudeen, attacking others in NZ, is fine as long as you have an ideological reason for it. NZ is becoming as the destination to live if you have high needs and where tolerated!
Look another ‘poor’ refugee seeking refuge here. I’m sure he is sorry for his mistakes, or actually not sorry and in denial about them. But NZ immigration, security and refugee councils doesn’t mind. In 20+ years of debate his family can mooch off the NZ taxpayers (free everything to refugees here) and make a mockery of it to his victims family.
Canada suitcase murder: Mother ‘shocked and angry’ that daughter’s killer is in NZ and fighting to stay as refugee
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/canada-suitcase-murder-mother-shocked-and-angry-that-daughters-killer-is-in-nz-and-fighting-to-stay-as-refugee/4WV4EYP5DRFHDC2WFTGX4FH2BY/
“They must have known they were giving the previously-unknown visitor huge amounts of free publicity and therefore helping get her views out to a wider audience.”
Maybe, but it also sends a strong message that these ideas are not tolerated in New Zealand, and judging by the over 300 comments on a previous post, a wider audience already holds these views and a pretty comfortable with voicing those opinions in public, in a way they wouldn’t with racist or anti-Semitic views (you keep those for safe, private spaces, don’t you?).
It also sends a strong message that if you bring your Alt-Right, Hate Speech speaking tour to New Zealand, there will be push back.
Posie Parker has cleverly triggered the extreme trans ideology stormtroopers into violence, intolerance and hysteria.
NZ is getting very bad press overseas and there will be an antiwoke backlash coming at the general election. More harm has been done to trans rights by their own people.
Well done.
Yes, they should all stay in the closet and not make a fuss, so everyone else can pretend they don’t exist?
‘Perhaps the better term for the milieu of more middle class progressive demands is “social justice politics”’
No not at all, this is not social justice this is “critical social justice” arising from a misapplication of critical theory.
Social justice = equality, universalism, civil rights, 2nd Wave Feminism, critical thinking
Critical social justice = equity, relativism, 3rd and 4th Wave Feminism, critical consciousness
Critical social justice or woke is a cuckoo in the progressive nest. Distinguish between the two or the backlash is going to throw out the baby, bathwater, bath and rubber ducky making genuinely progressive politics unpalatable for decades.
The New Zealand Herald’s Fran O’Sullivan wrote on Saturday that “The ‘culture wars’ are set to be a defining issue in the 2023 election.” And she bemoans the Posie Parker tour dominating politics in a week in which the Treasury and the Reserve Bank confirmed “that New Zealand will tip into a technical recession this year”….
The implication is that the public is going into an election campaign in which there will be less debate and focus on addressing the cost of living crisis. And last week the Government released a major evaluation of their latest progress in eliminating child poverty – which tragically showed that real progress had been made. This vital issue was completely overshadowed by the Posie Parker visit, providing a warning of what type of issues might dominate the public sphere in the lead-up to the general election.
We realise, of course, the tragic part was that we failed to notice this report of real progress in the brouhaha of the culture wars which illustrate how the emotional and personal whim can overtake the thinking part of our brains.
Rudyard Kipling is bound to be regarded as passe’, old-fashioned, dating back to Brit colonialism etc. But he wrote some fine words in one of his poems named ‘IF’ And ‘if”, that tiny word, has so much power that it could explode or mend our human society.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46473/if—
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
And also limit the dangers from the path we might follow in Douglas Adams’ story:
Douglas Adams
“There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.”
― Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2397-there-
If we can find a better ending to our lives and world?- Let’s soldier on in the hope!
The group… disappears from the ship and ends up at Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Milliways is built on a ruined planet and depicts the instant the Universe ends. Guests enjoy a meal as they watch the Universe explode.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
https://www.pluggedin.com/book-reviews/restaurant-at-the-end-of-the-universe/
I thought that was a typo for “no real progress.”
Folks this link is interesting
Check out-
https://youtu.be/tLXdoqXbC6k
@Katy Pai
Wow. Thanks. Another truly horrific part of the overall agenda.
Another source of information about the Pharmaceutical industry for those still able to read books is Robert Kennedy Jnr’s book ‘The Real Anthony Fauci.’
The Labour here Party is trying to sneak in a bill to kick start the outlawing of natural remedies in favour of advanced medical technology.
Add the following information and understand the plight of the human animal.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24388187
http://e.hormone.tulane.edu/learning/wildlife-effects.
Gee all the hypocrites are speaking with a fiorked tongue posies got what she deserves. We don’t need people like her thinking she can come here and stir shit tramp on people and then fuck of home to the UK. Her country has there own problems we don’t need her coming here putting already marginalized people down.She has a right to speak and NZers have a right to protest. I see our right wingers aren’t happy yet they didn’t say much about the covid protesters causing havoc in our city nor did they say much when our female politicians were receiving death threats bloody bunch of hypocrites.
Yes let us cancel cancel culture!