The Viewpoint: The Humility of a Coloniser
THE HUMILITY OF A COLONISER
I attended a seminar recently where there was a presentation on kindness in science. Kindness in all things is a goal I aspire to, but as I commented to the presenters at this seminar, kindness is boundless but my capacity is not. Is there a way to say ‘No’ with kindness?
It is especially difficult as a Māori. Our industry is committed to partnering with Māori as evidenced by the partnership agreement signed each year since 1995 between LIANZA and Te Rōpū Whakahau professional associations, with the goal of providing mutual support and to set a visible example of the partnership principles described in the Treaty of Waitangi.
When it comes to the commitment to the Treaty, it often feels like the work is being carried by one partner heavily supporting the other. Or, to put it bluntly, if there is a Māori impact, Māori staff are called upon to provide advice – regardless of their position in the organisation and regardless of the level of expertise required to meet the request.
I know when I’m going to be faced with a question that requires my advice as a Māori outside of my routine responsibilities because it is always preceded by the phrase: ‘You can absolutely say “No”!’
But I never do. Is it kindness that drives my actions? More than likely. I find it difficult to disappoint people. I think most people do. We are hardwired to be generous and we derive more satisfaction from an act of generosity and making others happy than we do in satisfying our own desires.
Another argument in support of sharing, according to Justice Joe Williams, is that Māori need to share our wisdom and knowledge to ensure that it will not be lost.
However, watching an exchange between Jerry Seinfeld and Trevor Noah in a Netflix series made me wonder if there was something more to this behaviour. When Jerry asks Trevor if he can perform with him in South Africa, Trevor responds in this way:
How can I say no? You have the humility of a coloniser. It’s like you’re holding the gun, and you’re saying to me, as the native on the land, do you think we could share this land?
It is a hilarious moment, I won’t deny it. But humour has an uncanny way of revealing uncomfortable truths.
South Africa has quite a different history to New Zealand. This is not to suggest violence and brutality are not characteristics of New Zealand’s colonial history, but we can’t expect to directly compare the New Zealand experience with the South African one. Still, I find myself drawn to this comparison. Only, instead of being armed with a gun, the coloniser is armed with privilege.
Organisational structures are built around colonising systems by privileging, protecting and rewarding those who follow western beliefs, principles and practices, and penalising those who do not (e.g., Māori). When Māori ask for assistance, we do not have that same system supporting
us. When we try to advocate for one, or push against the current one, we get labelled difficult, demanding and obstructive. The path we advocate for challenges this power structure, yet all we are asking for is equitable access to the system.
Which makes the comment ‘You can absolutely say “No”!’ the embodiment of colonial humility. The fact of the matter is, as the partner holding all the power, when you come to me with your request layered in privilege, I simply cannot say no. Because I am not just saying no to you. I’m saying no to the system that privileges you, and that will have repercussions.
And, until those structures are decolonised and privilege dismantled, any actions to support Māori will be undermined.
You, the individual, are not personally responsible. Of course you are not. Because the thing about privilege is, the privileged don’t see it. How can I hold you accountable for behaviour that is invisible to you? I can’t. Nor do I want to.
That is not the purpose of this article.
The purpose of this article is this: the fact of the matter is, I will never turn your request away, and not because I feel pressured by privilege but because I genuinely want to help. I want to witness the transformation of non-māori who embrace a Te Ao Māori perspective. I want to share our wisdom so that it is not lost. But mostly, I want to share our wisdom because if we do so enough, maybe we can start to influence the system to change.
Manuhiri Huatahi; is the Maori Academic Engagement Advisor at the University of Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau. Manuhiri develops strategic relationships and partners with the Māori Academic Community and the Faculty of Arts to align Libraries and Learning Services – Te Tumu Herenga, with strategic research, learning and teaching objectives.