The reluctance of the church hierarchy to address historical claims of child abuse has been like a festering sore. It won't go away and those who suffered at the hands of church abusers continue to demand answers and want someone held accountable.
Reputational damage, and credibility lost, is hard to regain and repair. My friend seems to suggest it wasn't so much a vote in support of same-sex marriage, rather a vote to stop the discrimination of the gay and lesbian community experience. They continue to be harassed, and persecuted in many countries. Often tortured and murdered.
Whatever the reason, the voters supported same-sex couples having the same right as anyone else to marry the partner of their choice.
Sometimes people just get sick of seeing other people put down and often ignored because they hold different beliefs, have another world view or live a different lifestyle. From my experience most people are decent and caring.
We know we all have to make an effort to get on with one another. I would hate to think we would ever get to a "group think" situation, everyone conforming and thinking alike. We can live side by side respecting our differences.
This week I received a call from a councillor of another city. He said he hoped the Te Arawa Partnership Proposal would be supported by our council. The following day it was. Eight votes to five. He floored me by saying. "Your council appears similar to mine". That is, I asked. "I work with some of the nicest racists you could ever wish for".
I said to him it's a funny thing about people who are prejudiced, bigoted and racist, they themselves don't know it. They can justify their take on things because they believe their belief system is the one and only. And why not? It's hard when you don't know what you don't know. When you don't have, or think you don't need, someone to guide and assist you to see things from another person's point of view.
That's why this week in particular I think how lucky I was to have had Theo Netahio Tait in my life for 23 years. I think of all the time and effort he put into encouraging, coaching and supporting me to learn and understand another world view.
That of Maori. I must have been the ultimate test. He was well aware of my Pakeha upbringing when we met. This never deterred him, thank goodness. He would encourage me to always do the right thing "even when no one is looking".
When no one, outside of council was looking, I saw and heard how Te Arawa's issues are given scant attention when they come to council. Never given the same weight of consideration as all other matters.
The disrespectful and snide remarks, put-downs and undervaluing of their world view.
This week if I could have I would have put two hands up to vote to bring to a halt this blot on our political landscape.
-Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.
