As an Irish Kiwi, I could never be represented by a flag with that Butcher’s Apron in the corner. It flew over Ireland when British imperialism put our people through a Late Victorian Holocaust, a famine genocide where millions died and millions more were dispersed through diaspora.
The origins of the Irish community in Aotearoa and Australia spring from that trauma. The Butcher’s Apron was flown by State forces that crushed the revolutions of 1798, 1848 and 1916, and flew over my head as we endured the military occupation and repression in the North of Ireland through thirty years of deathsquads , civil rights violations and slaughter some call “Troubles”.
The flag that makes my heart rise in Aotearoa is the red, white and black of the Tino rangatiratanga of the Maori people, and the red flag of the international working class. The red on both of these flags has a deeper spiritual symbolism than the blood that the Butcher’s Apron is soaked in forever.
Joe Carolan is a Unite Union Official
“The flag that makes my heart rise in Aotearoa is the red, white and black of the Tino rangatiratanga of the Maori people, and the red flag of the international working class. The red on both of these flags has a deeper spiritual symbolism than the blood that the Butcher’s Apron is soaked in forever.”
jaysus Joe boy- ya hit the nail on the head there!!!
If we had any maturity in this country at all, we would be pushing for the first flag of New Zealand – the 1835 United Tribes flag. You know, the declaration of independence that preceded the Treaty of Waitangi.
correct. if we need to change the flag that would be my choice too
[Unacceptable language, Peter. – ScarletMod]
What’s that Peter? I missed that last comment. Could you repeat?
😉
“It’s the same old theme since nineteen-sixteen
In your head,
In your head they’re still fighting”
😉
It’s the same old theme since nineteen-sixteen
In your head,
In your head they’re still fighting
Putting the Tino rangatiratanga flag on the Ballot paper had as much chance as Key having a road-to-Damascus socialist conversion: between nil and zero.
The Tino rangatiratanga is anathema to them Right, a reality which the flag consideration panel was all too conscious off.
Jeez, imagine having a real choice of alternatives to “Old Blue”, instead of ferns, stars, and multi-coloured pyramids?!
Not in this life-time. Not with this government.
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