This week's winner is Jamie Pickford, of Dunedin. He receives a copy of the book Dick Frizzell - The Painter (Godwit). The letter about the use of exclusive language and race relations in New Zealand was published on Tuesday.
Exclusive language
"We", "our" and "my people" are all powerful words that tend to exclude those who don't fall under that umbrella. Rachel Wesley, from Otakou marae, used all of these words to make it clear to the reader that she is defiantly looking out for the Maori people and is doing all she can to future-proof for their next generations.
I find it disturbing that one ethnic group in New Zealand believe they have the right to exclude all other ethnicities and continue to lay claim to everything and anything. My people and I feel excluded in our native homeland when we continually hear these segregating comments. We are natives of New Zealand, as are our ancestors and their ancestors. I wish Rachel and her people well in getting donations to build their new marae. My people and I will focus on how to better the whole of New Zealand and all the ethnicities that live here.
Jamie Pickford
Dunedin
