Secondly, this phrase is not just a racist slur which is the whole reason I added that link to the speech by Malcolm X. If you had a read of it, then you would see what it means in the social and political, non-racial sense. “House nigger” is not the same as “nigger.” “Nigger” is unquestionably racist and I would never have posted her comment if she said just that. I also would have addressed it with her in the hopes of helping her move beyond such thinking.

To be fair though, were both assuming what Ana means and doesn’t mean here. Maybe she meant it in a racist sense, maybe she didn’t? And so with respect to your concern, I will ask her to clarify—and if she meant it in a racist way then I will ask her to put it differently. In any case, I will ask her to explain what she means.

Let me make one thing clear though:

I don’t always like what people have to say here, but I will not deny their right to say it. And I will defend their right to speak when I’m told to suppress or censor them, whether or not I agree with them.

If worst came to worst though, I would consider deleting a statement and even banning someone from here, but I would first do my best to address the situation reasonably and maturely– and I can only hope that others would pay the same respect.

Ahni.

how can you say that “you will never allow this blog to become an abusive environment” and yet allow that term to be used - especially where the writer has no experience or understanding of the context of the people to which she is applying the term.

I have no issue with people challenging the perceived interests that others may have, but this should only occur in a reasoned manner.

I reiterate that Ana has no knowledge of the Ngati Awa experience of raupatu (confiscation) or the struggle to rise above that experience. She has no understanding of the long struggle to regain a strong and unified iwi identity. She has no knowledge of the decisions taken by the kaumatua and kuia (elders) of Ngati Awa over 25 years ago to follow this path. She doesnt even live in NZ anymore -she has chosen to go offshore and critiscise from afar.

So for you to allow her to degrade and denigrate those experiences is a sad indictment on what you seek to achieve.

That you are happy for terms like that to be used in a context and siutation where you yourself say have no knowledge is even worse. The comment was used as an insult not to further debate.

You’re right, “house nigger” is extremely offensive, but I think we have to consider the context she meant it in. Being a Maori Woman herself, I’m not sure she meant it in the racist sense–much like how Malcom X used the term to describe the conduct and position of various Black Brothers and Sisters in America. Maybe Ana would be interested in explaining a little further…

In any case, I think it would be a disservice to all of us if I censor this.

I say that because, with respect to both you and Ana, the purpose of this blog is to inform as well as to educate and empower people. Sometimes that means dealing with things that make us very uncomfortable, making us strive to take the higher road. Above all, that means learning from the situation. But what lesson can we learn here by just removing it from sight?

I will never allow this blog to be an abusive environment, and being in Canada I’m not in a position to say whether or not you or Ana are right or wrong, but I do know that if we can’t learn then we don’t grow—and if we don’t grow, then like a malnourished and starving tree, we’re in serious trouble.

Ana clearly has no idea about Ngati Awa, its struggles and its aspirations - and to perpetuate ignorant and offensive diatrobe of this nature does nothing for the debate around improving opportnities for indgienous people.

they are legislated by a gubbament act:

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa Act 2005

I stand by my comment of them and other Maori Tribal Boards being gubbament house nigger house pets

The comments made by Ana (July 25 2007) are without any standing. There is no truth to these comments whatsoever. The leadership of Ngati Awa come from the 19 hapu of Ngati Awa and have nothing whatsover to do with government. They are all volunteers. The bitterness displayed here, is that of an individual.

I was just talking to Ana –and this is what she had to say about the leadership of the Ngati Awa Tribe:

“yep gubbament house nigger house pets, using our fiscal cap and treaty extinguishment programme as some sort of experience.The official leadership are government cronies, consultants and the ‘leaders of corporate tribal boards. They live sweet whilst the vast majority of us struggle to survive. “

Those behind this gathering might as well have skipped the middle-man and just invited Stephen Harper and Jim Prentice to participate. There is no real difference.