Busytown by Jolisa Gracewood

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Busytown: Front, man

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  • Matthew Littlewood,

    I have nothing to add to this discussion except to say that was a very well written column, Jolisa. And funny, too.

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report

  • Tamsin6,

    Argh. I have just read a letter in the DomPost online, where basically the author is saying we shouldn't be offended by Paul Henry asking that the Governor General should look like a Kiwi, because we all know kiwis look a certain way - not like Sir Anand. I feel dirty for having read it. I can't argue with these people, it just makes me feel tainted.

    For the record, as a kiwi living in NZ, I can detect another kiwi accent at about 50 paces, and I don't much regard what the person looks like before (usually figuratively) throwing myself at them and screaming 'Hail fellow kiwi, I am so homesick, speak New Zealand at me!' in a slightly deranged fashion. The last person (looking quite bewildered) had been living in London for 8 years and was quite surprised that his accent was so still so clear. He LOOKED like his parents or grandparents might be Chinese, but I knew he was a kiwi like me, and so he turned out to be.

    London • Since Dec 2007 • 133 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Bad Wolf...
    maybe Affront Man is a more apt title?

    ...these may be the final days, as P Henry mutates into Fenrir - the wolf that eats Odin at Ragnarok...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Dinah Dunavan,

    I would like to nominate Georgina Beyer for GG.
    I can think of so many ways that she reflects the many faces and aspects of the people of ANZ.

    Dunedin • Since Jun 2008 • 186 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Wouldn't that be fantastic, Dinah? She really is multifaceted - perfectly suited for the job.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    It surprises people I talk to overseas when I describe just how non-white NZ truly is.

    Dunedin is still pretty white, particularly once you get about 4 blocks from the university. For those that are talking about how white kids are the minority in their childcare, the reverse is definitely still the case here.

    An ex of mine from Los Angeles who was a melting pot of ethnicities said it was very noticeable just how white Dunedin was.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    That's nothing. It's amazing what happens when you cross the five metres that separate Berhampore from Island Bay.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    I've looked at life from both sides now...
    after a raft of letters in The Press defending Bob Parker as only having one vote and therefore not responsible for all the "bad things" that have come down from on high in Christchurch.
    Someone wrote in pointing out that therefore he couldn't be responsible for any good things that
    had happened either!
    Brilliant! Well done that person...
    Occam can still razor laugh...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    For those that are talking about how white kids are the minority in their childcare, the reverse is definitely still the case here.

    No doubt. And most of the enclaves in Auckland, apart from South, are like that too. I don't actually feel that comfortable in them though, I guess you get used to diversity. Same in Australia, a place I think is pretty racist by comparison. But I always lived in the poorer inner suburbs, surrounded by Italians, Indians, Vietnamese, and it felt normal to me. Bugger all Aborigines though, I just never saw them, which always freaked me out a little.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    For those that are talking about how white kids are the minority in their childcare, the reverse is definitely still the case here.

    No doubt. And most of the enclaves in Auckland, apart from South, are like that too. I don't actually feel that comfortable in them though, I guess you get used to diversity. Same in Australia, a place I think is pretty racist by comparison. But I always lived in the poorer inner suburbs, surrounded by Italians, Indians, Vietnamese, and it felt normal to me. Bugger all Aborigines though, I just never saw them, which always freaked me out a little.

    Oh, absolutely, Ben. There are, for sure, areas of Auckland where, let's just say, multicultural diversity ain't the norm.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Bugger all Aborigines though, I just never saw them, which always freaked me out a little.

    I got the same feeling during my brief time in Canada - Toronto and Victoria. You almost wanted to go ask where they hid the indigenous people away.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    So imagining a perfect world where Paul Henry is sacked, leaves or joins a cult.
    Who should replace him ?

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    I think Russell would be fantastic but he's too busy. I would also love to see James Coleman back on the telly, although he may not be a fit.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Sonia Braid,

    Great post, Jolisa, and big ups to Ben for his stance too. I've ventured into the bowels of TVNZ on occasion and always managed to depart feeling slightly icky. I could never quite put my finger on it.

    It's not only PH spewing forth. I picked up the latest copy of The Listener (oh, why did I bother?) to discover the Black page perpetuating sterotypes about "smiling bowing" Japanese. *Sigh* One day one of my 'sleeper' daughters who don't look remotely Asian (but lay claim to a quarter of their DNA coming from their Japanese grandmother) will catch a racist by the tail and give them a good shaking.

    Queen of the CBD • Since Nov 2006 • 9 posts Report

  • Ray Gilbert,

    Who should replace him ?

    How about link Francis the Talking Mule. Replacing on talking ass with another.

    Since Nov 2006 • 104 posts Report

  • Tim Michie,

    Well Mr Ed's doing alright over on Maori TV but he always talks horse sense...

    John Drinnan's rounds up the lastest media impact in his Herald column - I'm with Willie Jackson on his comments.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report

  • andin,

    Bugger all Aborigines though, I just never saw them, which always freaked me out a little.

    You didn't make it to Redfern then?

    But really the Aborigines millenia-old lifestyle perfected to live in the harsh Australian weather just doesn't work in a city.
    And no effort was ever made to assimilate them in any way, shape or form. And if ever there is a constant reminder of the ugly face of colonialism, the treatment of Gondwana's indigenous people is it.
    Decimated is the only word for it.
    Anyway I think they don't feel welcome in places which were once their domain. Its changing but slowly now.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Decimated is the only word for it.

    Patiently awaits the onslaught of pendantry.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    Is it possible to have an onslaught of pedantry?

    A 'vigourous assault, or attack' of pedantry?

    I don't think you've used quite the right word there, if I may be so picky.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    See what I did there? :)

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    .

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    .

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Patiently awaits the onslaught of pendantry.

    It seems the world has moved on...

    decimate
    verb (often be decimated)
    1 kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of : the project would decimate the fragile wetland wilderness. the American chestnut, a species decimated by blight.
    • drastically reduce the strength or effectiveness of (something) : plant viruses that can decimate yields.
    2 historical: kill one in every ten of (a group of soldiers or others) as a punishment for the whole group.

    USAGE Historically, the meaning of the word decimate is ‘kill one in every ten of (a group of people).’ This sense has been superseded by the later, more general sense ‘kill or destroy a large percentage or part of,’ as in: the virus has decimated the population. Some traditionalists argue that this and other later senses are incorrect, but it is clear that these extended senses are now part of standard English. It is sometimes also argued that decimate should refer to people and not to things or animals such as weeds or insects. It is generally agreed that decimate should not be used to mean 'defeat utterly.'

    self fulfilling prophecies...

    A 'vigourous assault, or attack' of pedantry?

    vigorous surely...

    perhaps it could be a barrage of pedantry

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    .


    pendant




    (danglin one)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    It seems the world has moved on...

    Oh, I'm with the OED, it's just that there's always some cretin who gets up in arms. I shall proceed to drink to their unexpected absence in this case. (It must be that one in ten chance.)

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Jolisa,

    (danglin one)

    Sacha, I'm going to have to modify yer danglin[g]...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

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