Posts by Alec Morgan
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Hard News: Mandela, in reply to Hebe,
Agree Hebe, Mr Espiner makes some cogent points. The Stuff comments section confirms that the dark “don’t know, don’t wanna know” kiwi stereotype is still with us.
One says John Minto should go to RSA and hopefully stay there. Another–“but whether or not the South African Government would actually allow him through customs. I bet they wouldn't. If he's so desperate to go, he should call 0800 QUANTAS and have his credit card handy, just like the rest of us.”Of course John Minto has already travelled to South Africa as a private citizen in the 2000s which visit included Robben Island and various towns and cities which informed his views of the post Apartheid scenario as he has outlined since and in the last few days. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11169600
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Hard News: Mandela, in reply to Geoff Lealand,
Peruse “Dancing on our Bones” by Trevor Richards and you will get an idea. HART had a London office at one stage and Trevor became a virtual diplomat flying around Africa for several years to this conference and that. The book is Wellington centric in regards 1981, though an excellent history of Apartheid sport from the beginning, and only lightly touches on the mass actions in Auckland led by Auckland HART under the guise of umbrella group MOST–Mobilisation to Stop the Tour.
He seemed to later prefer the backroom while Hone and Minto kept to the loudhailer and police lines, maybe just a case of visibility. But, the wonderful diversity of the anti racist movement (e.g. Artists Against Apartheid) also held some significant political differences along organisational and tactical lines.
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“so”
As in beginning every sentence imaginable with, particularly used by academics, ‘go to’ people and other media fronters. -
Hard News: Mandela, in reply to Joe Wylie,
My recall was Hiwi trod a bit too softly for some given his official position during his time as the third Race Relations Conciliator (nowadays commissioner). Even Ross Meurant later recanted a bit too in various forums on the “clowns” and various other police matters and culture.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10737389 -
Hard News: Mandela, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
I would not want the likes of Ross Meurant, Hiwi Tauroa, Ron Don, iwi that welcomed boks onto their Marae or thousands of other thugby supporters at my funeral if I was Mr Mandela unless they had gone through the most excoriating process of redemption. But given his later reputation Nelson might be ok with them attending.
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There are various reasons John Minto does not need to go despite my signing the petition. If some one has to go (and they do symbolically in international bereavements) perhaps he should. But.
Modesty, historic differences with the ANC and John’s personally observed state of RSA today due to their unfortunate neo liberal hangover are several realities. Really if a government figure has to go it should ideally be Hone Harawira leader of Auckland Patu squad in ’81 and nowTe Mana. He is the only actual government rep with any credibility beyond office holding for such a representative role. Hone don’t forget was the sole NZ politician to attend Aussies “Sorry” day, no one else had the rap or balls to attend.
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One occasion where some tasteful namedropping may be permissible. Didn’t meet the man but his eyes seemed to meet everyones at least once, but sat just a couple rows back from Nelson Mandela as he addressed several hundred ’81 tour veterans during a poignant function Nov 13 1995 at St Mathews in the City.
Still keep my invitation card and a fading photo of him. Informality was the tone but with the church lighting it was a special day indeed. The Security slrs were busy that day but the police were very respectful indeed to those of us some of them remembered only too well.
Drummer Fred Faleauto, very ill, made it to play “One Brotherhood Aotearoa” with Herbs (billed as past and present) and then the band backed Tigilau Ness on “In the Ghetto” -no not the Elvis song. In that winter of ’81 few would have imagined Mandela free let alone RSA leader speaking from the heart to our motely crew of crash helmet wearing activists including the backroom people that helped the anti racism movement function. An argument between factions at the time–stop the tour vs an ongoing movement dealing with post colonialism and racism in ‘our own backyard’ has obviously been resloved in the latters favour. Feel like a playlist coming on of all those great songs mentioned above.
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Hard News: Narcissists and bullies, in reply to stephen clover,
This is all volatile enough without you adding a here-say allegation sunshine.
The poster Bomber removed illustrated how a lot of people are feeling today.
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As well as societal rape culture this has to be about Police culture. NZ Police and the various subsections of it have formidable surveillance and forensic ability, yet when it comes to these young women they seem to want the investigating done for them and the case virtually wrapped up before they will go there.
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Hard News: Narcissists and bullies, in reply to Joe Wylie,
A bitter laugh Joe, but fitting for how many feel at the moment.
“Eat more, root more, drink more piss!”–’81 Springbok Tour Red Squad training chant–which sentiments lurk not far below the surface of Police culture today, and the “Hales” link upthread, jeez.