Identity Crisis
Identity Crisis............June 2016
I do not respond well to being called a Kiwi – it puzzles me how this moniker could have attained such over-use. Typical New Zealanders are disappearing as rapidly as Kiwi birds these days and I am struggling to retain my identity. I think the farcical flag debate of recent times highlights the threat of being engulfed by severe Kiwi-itis. Every time someone suggested we add a Kiwi to our flag, I shuddered at the prospect of transforming our national emblem emblem into a design for public transport upholstery fabric or nursery motive. We are already overloaded with Kiwi living, Kiwifruit Kiwiana, Kiwi Bank, Kiwi clubs, comic Kiwi images on soft toys, stamps and so on.
What other nation would accept the naming of it citizens as birds, animals or even vegetation. Ponder these – Galas for Australians, Moose for Canadians, Baldies (Bald Eagles) for Americans, Badgers for British, Nessies for the Scots. I can't resist conjuring up coconuts or bananas for various a name systems of lesser countries.
We have the reputation for being the world’s most prolific flyers, as avid travellers. Compare this with our drab brown flightless bird, stumping short-sightly on its lethal legs, thrusting its beak in the ground all night as it meanders through dark forest floors.
Can't see the connection, I have to confess. When did it start? Some say during the Second World War, others think international sporting events sparked Kiwi-mania. I do remember a set of New Zealand stamps issued for the 1974 Commonwealth Games, all sporting cartoon Kiwis in comical poses.
I am a born and bred New Zealander, entrenched enough to identify with such so iconic figures as – Ed Hillary, Peter Blake, Kiri Tekanawa, Fred Hollows, Neil Flynn, Billy T James, and Helen Clark. With the alarming overload of recent immigrants from diverse cultures, it is difficult to maintain a New Zealand identity. I have South African migrant friends - understandably trusting they were coming to a Christian Commonwealth country. Last Christmas they wrote to the newspaper, saddened at the lack of Christmas decorations and celebrations in Auckland. Why, they asked, when there is ample funding for Asian New Year and Diwali Festival?
I recall letters written to our local newspaper lamenting the unfairness of cancelled modest funding by a justifiably upset loyal Scotsman. By Auckland Council, for a celebratory community event featuring all things Scottish, loved and enjoyed by us all. Knowledge of that discrimination made me indignant and angry.
The mass-migration wave swamping the world, has gone too far. Many countries and cultures have become losers in this manic mixing. For example, how would tourists feel, visiting Holland, envisaging a Tulip farm with windmills, Dutch cheeses, fair-featured girls in clogs, colourful costumes and white-winged caps, to encounter new owners, bearded turbaned Shiks or grey-clad Chinese nationalists?
While travelling across the southern United States, I was dismayed to find many Texan ranches teeming with unexpected herds of various African antelopes, zebras and gazelles, on the new sporting spreads for game shooters.
Radical complaints from me, perhaps, but I'm now on the same wavelength as the revered jet-setting Dalai Lama still enjoying worldwide hospitality and passing profound comments where-ever he touches down. He is now expressing concern and cautioning European countries to stop mass immigration or lose their cultural identity, which would also be a great loss to himself, would it not?
Recently my doctor commented that feeling like a stranger adrift in one's own country is becoming increasingly common for young and old alike. Stress and uncertainty caused by accelerating change is difficult for all people to accept.
I think the fact that the majority of young people voting in the flag referendum, chose to keep our current flag, is an important indication that tradition, culture and core values are anchors to us all.
I still need to be identified as a New Zealander.
What other nation would accept the naming of it citizens as birds, animals or even vegetation. Ponder these – Galas for Australians, Moose for Canadians, Baldies (Bald Eagles) for Americans, Badgers for British, Nessies for the Scots. I can't resist conjuring up coconuts or bananas for various a name systems of lesser countries.
We have the reputation for being the world’s most prolific flyers, as avid travellers. Compare this with our drab brown flightless bird, stumping short-sightly on its lethal legs, thrusting its beak in the ground all night as it meanders through dark forest floors.
Can't see the connection, I have to confess. When did it start? Some say during the Second World War, others think international sporting events sparked Kiwi-mania. I do remember a set of New Zealand stamps issued for the 1974 Commonwealth Games, all sporting cartoon Kiwis in comical poses.
I am a born and bred New Zealander, entrenched enough to identify with such so iconic figures as – Ed Hillary, Peter Blake, Kiri Tekanawa, Fred Hollows, Neil Flynn, Billy T James, and Helen Clark. With the alarming overload of recent immigrants from diverse cultures, it is difficult to maintain a New Zealand identity. I have South African migrant friends - understandably trusting they were coming to a Christian Commonwealth country. Last Christmas they wrote to the newspaper, saddened at the lack of Christmas decorations and celebrations in Auckland. Why, they asked, when there is ample funding for Asian New Year and Diwali Festival?
I recall letters written to our local newspaper lamenting the unfairness of cancelled modest funding by a justifiably upset loyal Scotsman. By Auckland Council, for a celebratory community event featuring all things Scottish, loved and enjoyed by us all. Knowledge of that discrimination made me indignant and angry.
The mass-migration wave swamping the world, has gone too far. Many countries and cultures have become losers in this manic mixing. For example, how would tourists feel, visiting Holland, envisaging a Tulip farm with windmills, Dutch cheeses, fair-featured girls in clogs, colourful costumes and white-winged caps, to encounter new owners, bearded turbaned Shiks or grey-clad Chinese nationalists?
While travelling across the southern United States, I was dismayed to find many Texan ranches teeming with unexpected herds of various African antelopes, zebras and gazelles, on the new sporting spreads for game shooters.
Radical complaints from me, perhaps, but I'm now on the same wavelength as the revered jet-setting Dalai Lama still enjoying worldwide hospitality and passing profound comments where-ever he touches down. He is now expressing concern and cautioning European countries to stop mass immigration or lose their cultural identity, which would also be a great loss to himself, would it not?
Recently my doctor commented that feeling like a stranger adrift in one's own country is becoming increasingly common for young and old alike. Stress and uncertainty caused by accelerating change is difficult for all people to accept.
I think the fact that the majority of young people voting in the flag referendum, chose to keep our current flag, is an important indication that tradition, culture and core values are anchors to us all.
I still need to be identified as a New Zealander.
Comments
Post a Comment