Cut out racist talk

Naca Nabutu, Nasinu

I totally agree with the sentiments expressed by the Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, on racist talk.

We should not look at issues from a racial perspective because it is morally wrong and will not eliminate our problems. When we get a cut, the blood that comes out is all red no matter which race we belong to. In his own infinite wisdom, when God created us, he made sure that certain physical characteristics are the same like the colour of our blood.

We have different blood groups and people of the same blood group can donate blood across ethnic and cultural divides. An iTaukei can donate his blood to his Indo-Fijian brother if they have the same blood group.

When we go to the hospital for treatment, do we object when a doctor from a different ethnic group or religion comes to attend to us? Of course not, we just want to be seen by a doctor.

When we are waiting for public transport, do we catch a bus or a taxi driven only by someone from your ethnic group? Of course not, we just want to get to our destination as fast as we can.

When we want to eat in a restaurant, do we go to the one that is only staffed by people from your ethnic group? Of course not. It does not matter who is serving you. All you want is a nice meal.

Does it matter that a pilot of an aircraft or captain of a ship and crews belong to your ethnic group? Of course not. You just want to go from point A to point B safely. So what’s all this fuss about this indigenous issue?

We recognise that the iTaukei are the indigenous people of the land.

They, their land and natural resources, culture and customary practices are protected in the Constitution.

No one can take those away from them. But we are all equal when it comes to national issues. We are equal before the law and God. The Holy Bible says we are all God’s children and we are all equal before him. He loves each and every one of us. He does not divide us. He unites us and wants us to love each other and live together peacefully.

Despite this some people talk about doing the opposite in the name of indigenous rights. Let's all work together and focus on the issues that unite, us not divide us. Those who are engaging in the politics of fear and division are doing it to suit their own political agenda.