Everyone has a role to play

In honour of Waitangi Day, I wanted to share a conversation that I had with a friend who had immigrated here from Asia with her family at 3-years-old.

This conversation popped up randomly in my head as I was reading 'Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black' by bell hooks. [Which if you haven't read it - I highly recommend reading it!]

To provide some context without ruining the book for some, Hooks in a specific chapter called 'Class and Education', talks about her experience as an African American English Major who is studying at Stanford University. While she was there, she was confronted by the idea that as a young African American woman who was born into poverty in a small town in Kentucky; she was attending a university where most people - with the exception of the workers - were materially privileged. [Relatable? Yeah same sis]. Hooks puts forward the notion that Education ought to bring people closer to their homes and communities rather than separate them. Ultimately, Hooks discusses topics such as education, systems, values, institutions and class differences.

And so, it got me really thinking about the conversation that I had with my friend who had immigrated to New Zealand about the topic of Decolonisation.

I can just hear some of you saying, 'Ohhh, here we go. Where are you going with this Veisinia? Hooks is talking about education not decolonisation'.

Just wait for it.

I promise, it'll make sense.

My friend was congratulating me on my mahi and how she had been sharing my work, in which she describes as 'decolonising institutions and honouring Indigenous practices' with others.

I remember sitting there and thinking, 'Is that what my work is? I mean sure, my work is heavily influenced by the idea that I am privileged enough to be in positions and spaces where I can share space so that the untold stories of young people are shared. I guess, I am also here to work collectively together with other young people to ensure that plans, policies and strategies are reflective of community and people. And I guess, I am also here to honour the Treaty as much as I can because my Māori friends shouldn’t need to do it on their own but decolonising institutions?'

I had never categorised my work as a means of decolonisation until she got me really thinking that in hindsight, I guess I am contributing to the process of the decolonisation of Euro-centric spaces, institutions and Western practices.

I replied by saying, 'Well I think you're doing the same. So technically we're both decolonising these spaces'.

She responded by saying, 'Nah, I'm just trying to get a degree and a normal job. I don't think I have enough validity to say I'm decolonising these spaces.'

I remember getting really upset by her comment.

It wasn't that her comment had offended me directly but her comment had opened my eyes to the realisation that not everyone can see themselves in the concept and movement of decolonisation.

It was as if she was equating the act of decolonisation as one that needed to include the creation of a mass march or the obtainment of a position of power.

However, the act of decolonisation comes in different shapes and sizes.

Yes, they are all of those things but they're also some of the most smallest and simplest acts as well.

The moment we speak up about an issue or a concept that goes against one's values that are shaped by our past and background is the moment when we participate in the concept of decolonisation.

Everyone has a role to play in decolonisation.

There is no criteria for validity.

There is only humility.

Because the reality is that decolonising these spaces is not about isolation rather, it's about working collectively together to break down a system that doesn't serve us all.

It seems that over time, people have only seen decolonisation as an act in which only a particular group or class can participate in.

In which, I guess many would argue that it is.

However, it's made many of those who see decolonisation as an act that only a specific class or race can participate in, appear as seat warmers.

I want to bring up a quote that I saw in a museum which I think is really fitting for this post;

First, they came for the Socialist, and I did not speak out -

because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionist, and I did not speak out-

because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -

And there was no one left to speak for me.

What I'm trying to say here is that you don't have to be apart of a particular race or class to justify your participation in the act of decolonisation. Your existence in a space that doesn't serve values that reflect your background and community; is a subliminal act of decolonisation.

No one is asking you to lead a protest.

No.

I; however, am going to have to ask you to take off your shoes and check your privilege at the door before you come in.

Because, a simple, 'Hey. Maybe we should honour the Treaty' here and there or 'Hey. We should change how we talk to people', can go a lot further when we recognise our role in the concept of decolonisation.

Because like Education, the act of decolonisation is about bringing people closer together rather than separating them.

Decolonisation is about humility.

Decolonisation is about sharing space.

Decolonisation is about recognising your privileges.

And decolonisation is about recognising that in order to ensure that these spaces are working for all, we need to understand that our role in the act of decolonisation is one of significance.

No more justifying your lack of participation within the movement of decolonisation as one of, 'well I'm not so-and-so; so I'm not going to say anything', because the moment 'they come for you and there is no one left, who is going to speak up for you?'

So, if you’ve made it to the end of this blog post, understand that the next time you want to second guess your validity in a conversation, movement or space; ask yourself what exactly are you needing validation for?