2015 RACE UNITY SPEECH AWARDS
BIG CHANGE STARTS SMALL
KIMBERLY D’MELLO, YEAR 12, AQUINAS COLLEGE, TAURANGA
What you doing this weekend?
Putting up a retaining wall
Doing it yourself?
Nah gonna get some bloke in
Argh Come on Mate do it yourself
Hey Joansee
Huh??
Give us a hand with the job Saturday
Mate your dreaming!
Aussies…
No surprises there
MITRE 10 Ad?? No! That’s what you think. This is actually a propaganda task, an underlining subliminal message, despite the slight dig at the Aussies, for race relations in New Zealand. It’s ‘do it yourself ‘ attitude, don’t wait for someone else. Do it yourself. Don’t get someone else to fix the problem… Do it yourself. DON’T rely on the Aussies, Do it yourself!
Wouldn’t it be cool if we built bridges between cultures rather than building walls to contain our differences? We are aiming at building those bridges of Race Unity. So are we gonna get some bloke in? Come on Mate DO it yourself!
New Zealand has its own identity. We have come this far.
A progressive nation in so many aspects, which the world looks towards.
To analyze our rock star economy
To marvel at our low unemployment
To be astounded by our low crime rate
To be surprised that WE..made the Lord of The Rings Movies
To be astonished by what our SMALL country can do!
Edmund Hillary, Kate Shepherd, Ernest Rutherford. We know these New Zealand’s who were an example for the rest of the world. Who were examples of BIG change starting small. SO who are our modern day agents of change?
Why when it comes to race relations is New Zealand content to go with the flow, uphold the status quo, shake our head. No.
In the spirit of these Big change New Zealanders, let’s also be groundbreaking! This time for Race Relations.
So are you ready to leave your mark? After all He waka eke noa. We are all in this together.
BUT HOW?
Big change starts small. Not always with small steps, sometimes with small people.
If youth were to have a greater influence in steering the waka named Aoteroa into becoming a more harmonious nation, I suggest ONE SIMPLE SOULTION!
The Road code…
After all as youth this is something we are all schooled upon.
16…You finally hit the sweet sixteen. What does that mean for some of us? Freedom! Liberty!! That’s right, getting our drivers license! What comes with our driver’s license. The road rules!
Us youth are generally down with the road rules. I mean some of us speed a little but I think that if the road rules were applied to race relations, a little speed would do us some good. So what are the Road rules?
Give way to racial tolerance and open mindedness.
Don’t you dare park your prejudice on those broken yellow lines.
When you see a stop sign. STOP. In fact never roll through a stop.
Stop at ostracization
Stop at bullying
Stop at taunting
Stop at pressuring
When you see a yellow light. A warning sign. Stop what you are doing as soon as you can! If you feel your behavior could lead to danger in harmonious Race relations then stop!! And apply the give way rules.
However Green means GO GO GO
Go to the Holi festival with your college or Uni friends! Thousands of New Zealanders are already doing so. Why not you? GO and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. GO to the lantern festival. Go and look for Matariki during the Maori New Year. Seek our culturally diverse experiences because YOU have a green light.
Jut because some of us are cars, some motorcycles and some heavy vehicles doesn’t mean we all aren’t allowed to merge like a zip. SO you merge into your new society where we can all drive. Or LIVE on this earth in harmony.
After all, the worst thing someone can do is honk the horn. If someone is honking at you just remember to drive on in the pursuit of race relations in New Zealand.
SO how would youth steer Aoteroa if we had the chance? It’s easy! In the only way we know how. By following the road code for racial harmony.
When looking at the road of Race n New Zealand, the Treaty has often been seen as a roadblock, a detour, and a car accident. Whilst there have undoubtedly been injustices for Maori throughout Treaty history, we need to look at the good that comes from this monumental document. It has provided us with common ground, a point to move forward from and a chance to give voice to both sides of the conflict. It is a founding document for Race unity.
Today 175 years later, words that caused disharmony based on misunderstanding, Rangatiratanga, mana and taonga now empower New Zealanders to form common understanding and to take shared responsibility as Kaitiaki of Aoteroa. This being an example of how all members of the human family, whether peoples or governments, cities or villages have become increasingly interdependent. Hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved.
Small words. Big Impacts
Small Changes. Big Impacts
It’s time for our youth to take charge. Big change starts with me. Big change starts with you.
In this society we have 2% of separation for our 50 shades of different colors.
We need to be a country with all colors as one family!
So come on New Zealand. Do it yourself!
DIY IT’S IN OUR DNA!