Waatea News Column: Ōpōtiki vs Subhuman vs Mogadishu
The glee that some on the political right are fanning the flames of racial disharmony with their descriptions of Ōpōtiki as Mogadishu or describing actions as ‘subhuman’ is ugly.
This language and framing of the recent Gang Funeral in Ōpōtiki is disgraceful and deeply counter productive.
Earlier this month, 54 African Union peacekeepers were killed in Mogadishu, last October 112 died with over 300 injured from 2 car bombs while last week 9 were killed in an attack and 20 wounded.
In Ōpōtiki some roads were closed, some burn outs done on motorcycles and a patched gang member rode on top of a car roof.
That’s Mogadishu is it?
By injecting the word ‘subhuman’ to describe the actions of gang members while mourning, the political Right in New Zealand have embarked upon a dark election campaign where fear and anger dominate our reasoning and clouds our understanding.
We need social policy based on best outcomes, not knee jerk vengeance based on bigotry.
First published on Waatea News.
I don’t get how those gangs on dirt bikes beat someone for accidentally cutting them off in traffic but have no qualms riding the wrong way down the motorway. Seems a bit hypocritical. Or the 2 on 1 thing (3, 4, 5 on 1), where a slighted member attacks from the front and someone else attacks the female from the back. Cowardly and unmasculine, and they flee the crime scene before the police arrive. Are they prepared to do some crime but not some time? A true citizen would be licensed for the road, wear a helmet and other suitable safety apparel (these come in all sorts of colours and styles and you can mix and match), and ride a registered and warranted street legal vehicle in a safe manner. Happy riding team!
Because dirty politics is alive and well.
Fear is the best way to get votes – and fear of brown people is always a winner here in NZ. Just look at the people who comment here and other blogs. They live to spread fear and hate to get their greedy mates in nact into power.