While I can understand your point of view re: use of the term "new zealander", I'm inclined to disagree. Maori come from overseas, right? And they brought their customs to NZ. So did the Europeans. We all (the majority, at least) celebrate Christmas and birthdays and European customs. These were originally (and, for some people, still are) religious festivals, but that religion came from Europe/UK, and not, as far as I'm aware, from the Maori. So we all have different customs, from our respective heritages. Therefore, we're not actually much different. So why must Maori and Pakeha be divided? New Zealander is, yes, a nationality, but altogether I believe it's an ethnicity for anyone who lives here for the required amount of time and doesn't spend their life in a sect. We all grew up in the same culture (with variations, but basically the same), and therefore we're all pretty similar as far as influences are concerned. We have our little quirks, but then, so do Maori.
So, the point of this little rant is (assuming there is a point), that dividing up people on the basis of their skin colour is offensive to me. Sure, there are some people who like to put themselves down as "Maori" and "New Zealand European" and "Pakeha", but I believe there ought to be an option for those who dislike labels of that sort to choose "New Zealander", considering that we are, after all, of that ethnicity. Ethnicity. Or do you think we are all that dissimilar?
But, other than that, I think this is a very well-thought out essay, and you ought to get full marks. :) You are free to write "pakeha" on your census, and I'm free to write "new zealander" on mine, and therefore it is, in the end, up to the individual.
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Date: 2006-03-07 04:37 am (UTC)So, the point of this little rant is (assuming there is a point), that dividing up people on the basis of their skin colour is offensive to me. Sure, there are some people who like to put themselves down as "Maori" and "New Zealand European" and "Pakeha", but I believe there ought to be an option for those who dislike labels of that sort to choose "New Zealander", considering that we are, after all, of that ethnicity. Ethnicity. Or do you think we are all that dissimilar?
But, other than that, I think this is a very well-thought out essay, and you ought to get full marks. :) You are free to write "pakeha" on your census, and I'm free to write "new zealander" on mine, and therefore it is, in the end, up to the individual.
End of multiple parentheses.