History debauched by colonial invader

RE Welsh Labour’s original support for the historical trust Cadw wanting to erect a sculpture the iron ring at Flint castle.

As a Welsh man living in New Zealand for many years and for the last two decades living with my partner a Maori and amongst Maori, the similarities in terms of our mutual treatment and historical neglect become apparent. They too have seen their history debauched and re written by a colonial invader, like Wales their history seldom taught in schools.

The English King Edward invaded Wales and created a string of castles, the iron ring, we the Welsh had no rights of movement or access to any type of sustainability. Anyone who defied the rules was hung or even worse. This was a penal code similar to those introduced in Ireland much later. In more modern terms it was not much different from apartheid in South Africa.

The question is why would the Welsh historical trust wish to celebrate or symbolise such oppression? Would the Irish build a monument to Oliver Cromwell who massacred thousands at Vinegar Hill? Would Lenin and the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution erect a statue of the Czar? So again why would Cadw (meaning keep) propose a symbol of our own repression?

Their excuse states it “encourages debate”. The success of the petition and the outrage speaks for itself. In truth they are guilty of lackeyism. This is nothing to do with debate. When do we get off our knees?

Maori in New Zealand experience the same arrogance their reply in this context is “tinorangatiratanga” This simply means independence.

Meredydd Barrar Kaitaia, New Zealand (formerly Treharris)