It's Astronomical to be a Child in South Auckland!

Little bodies with colourful (sometimes multiple versions of the same) school bags scrambled around trying to find seats on the Big Round Wheeled Bus. Giggles, smiles, soft laughter; a bit of shoving and pushing going on, there was definitely excitement in the air. Year 2 level, six year olds of Randwick Park School - Manurewa, were on their way to visit the Auckland Stardome Planetarium and Observatory in Epsom, Auckland. They've been learning about the Solar System, galaxy, stars, moons and planets for about three weeks, and it was finally time for some touching, feeling and seeing experience - and the Stardome is the place to go.

Whilst the little humans were rushing around busying themselves with the task of getting the best seat and ensuring they sat next to their mates, teachers were eye-balling them like hawks. One in particular caught my attention (I was volunteered by #6 to be a Parent Helper without my consent), and this was mainly due to the way she reacted (and the children reacted to her) to the children. She was the giant hawk hovering over its prey. When she spoke yelling and screaming (I will be sending the Principal this link), I felt very unease. They were just excited six year olds for God's sake! It is naturally how little humans act when they are excited, especially if they're going to experience something they've never been exposed to before. But alas, every time a little human so much as squinted or squealed she was furious and madly running after them. I decided to be quiet about it. Let the other teachers observe her and sure enough I noticed that they too were giving each other silent looks of disapproval. Ms Hawk then decided to give a pep talk to a few students behind my seat with #6, (I could tell she was glad her mommy was there, as it mean't Ms Hawk will not be bothering her). Ms Hawk eyed up a tiny little human who had become too excited and forgotten that she was not suppose to talk while the teacher was talking. "Listen up Randwick Park Level 2's - You are representing Randwick Park and South Auckland today. When you go to Stardome, you have to be on your best behaviour so we can show those people, that we have good manners in South Auckland OKAY!"
WOW. The children sat there doing their best to remain silent and calm (I've never met a 3,4,5,6,7,8 year old who can stay calm and perfectly still for over 3 minutes - unless they were eating, sleeping or secretly going over your important stuff). I thought they did remarkably well considering, they were trying to put on a lid to contain their young untamed wild emotions.

I sat there gazing at their tiny forms in a sea of brown dark faces, silent but eagerly looking up to their white palagi teachers. I found myself feeling sorry for them; wanting to gather them in my arms and explaining to them, that they were far too young to worry about such expectations. I counted that about three different teachers gave pep talks and they all said the same thing and I felt my heart going out to the young ones. They must have not understood at all the source behind their teachers expectations. "You have to behave because you are representing South Auckland".

At the age of six, these children were having to learn that South Auckland, the place they call home, the only place they've come to know in the short period of their early days in society, is normally associated with certain stigmas and stereotypes of society.

South Auckland has had its fair share of negative publicity with gang culture, street crimes and violence for as far back as 60 years ago. Well before I moved to New Zealand with my family. As the more condensed area for Pacific Migration, it is also usually associated with Pacific Islanders and Maori populations. There are a lot of Palagi (European/white)populations and generations of families who choose to call South Auckland their home, but they're pretty much forgotten once you hear the words South Auckland. The funny thing is, statistics show that places like West Auckland are reeking of 'P Labs', but there's not much stigma or stereotyping that they have to face, is there? Whether that is due to the fact that Europeans outnumber brown populations there, is arguable.

But nevertheless, the fact is, South Auckland children today, are burdened with a huge mission and responsibility. The new generation are having to make up for the wrongs of youth and young people who lived through South Auckland in its more troubled times. Six year olds are being trained day in and day out, that they represent South Auckland and it was up to them to portray a better, trouble free, violence free image of the district. Six year old or not, you are soldier of this mission and you must suit up or face consequences.

This is absolutely outrageous and as a parent, I find it extremely troubling.
We should not be teaching our kids that they come from a bad place. We should instead embrace that South Auckland has come a long way and its now in an era of far better days. Still a lot of work to be done, yet its taken a huge quantum leap in the education, sports, economy and development of its residents. We see and read of so much that South Auckland youth and residents are achieving at and doing well at, but unfortunately, its often tarnished by stigma.

Last week, I took to the Orakei Basin with my family to watch my 14 year old daughter compete in the Inter-Schools Outrigger Regatta. It was her first time in the paddling sport and we were just as excited as she was. I was dumbstruck with pride, and it was not just for my daughter, but for all the youth from her College - Manurewa High, who made the squad. In total my daughter's team and division had 12 races altogether. Eight of which they won, and the rest, they came in second place and third. At certain stages of the races, Manurewa High were outstanding on the water, coming through the finishing line first, back to back, and often, they had three boats in a heat, back to back. 'Manurewa High' was ringing and echoing in the air around the Basin, as the commentator tried to catch his excited breath, and giving extra attention to and credit to the Manurewa teams for their outstanding efforts. In the end, they won Trophies for three different divisions, they won second places, and third places, and they won the Trophy for the 'Most Spirited and Well Behaved Team/Squad' of the Regatta. Interestingly enough, the commentator announced over the microphone, that although 'others' wouldn't agree, but he felt that this was best team of the day. That's stigma between the lines for you.

Did the students retaliate or called out names (unlike some Auckland based schools that were right next to us). Nope. They silently followed their teachers back to their tent, folded and packed up everything, put it all away in their bus, and then they gathered and huddled in a circle and prayed. Their teacher (God bless her soul and South Auckland needs more like her), in a brave voice addressed her students and told them, of just how proud she was of them. That yes, their Senior boys didn't get the Trophy, but considering that the whole squad were Juniors and Intermediates (Seniors are not allowed to compete at any sports at MH - their focus is mainly on academic studies), and they paddled against International and Club paddlers (attending other schools), their effort was extremely outstanding and right up there with the professional paddlers. That in itself was something to be proud of and they 'should hold your heads up'.

South Auckland students everywhere are excelling in sports, academic, arts and cultural education. We need people who want to embrace the good and the positives, and just let go of the negatives. We need people to celebrate everything good about South Auckland and discard the bad.

We need people who see a six year old squealing and laughing to take it for just that, and not link that behaviour to all the stigma that has been linked with South Auckland.

South Auckland, is a beautiful place for Pacific Island and Maori children to be raised. I have heard of so many stories of brown folks trying to integrate their children into 'white' schools and having to face that stigma associated with PI every other day. I commend them for venturing into hostile zone, for the only solution to stigma is to continue to make ourselves known, and prove that there's more to South Auckland than meets the eye, or ears in this case. But lets leave the little ones to grow into their home and make the decision for themselves, as to how they view South Auckland - much of that view will be formed from what the older generations and leaders influence them to think. In South Auckland, my children enjoy the benefits of living in a brown appreciated era. Other children like them in South Auckland are comfortable to embrace their culture and language in their schools, church and at home. South Auckland is a beautiful multicultural place to live; and squealing screaming or laughing, six year olds are just six year olds.

On that note - Good luck with your selection into the MH Nationals squad #1. (14 Yr old).

To my dear Child(ren) - you are no fairy tale!

I can be quiet impulsive when I get passionate about an idea. Once something hits my head, and I feel my loins heated with the fire of desire and willpower, I have to do it. My body will willingly follow the call of my mind and heart, whether it liked it or not. I would jump into it wholeheartedly, guns blazing, heart on my sleeve, all cards on the table. Yes, I'm a sensitive creature. I like to act on my feelings and the desires of my heart. I live to explore the root cause of every emotion that runs through my veins and my mind. I guess I'm trying to justify, that when I became fixated with the idea of creating little wonderful bundles of joy, who would be just like me in every way, (beautiful, well behaved, obedient, and did I say beautiful, artistic, creative etc. ), I jumped into it with full force. When I first became a mother, the experience is unlike any other. The turmoil I put my parents through, particularly my dear father, was insurmountable. But I'm not going to write about that, that's all water under the bridge now. I am going to focus on the beautiful journey that led to your birth. At first you were just a lump, then a hump and then I became a massive human balloon. Literally. I used to rub my stomach every night, and talk to you from outside the womb, to try and still your kicking. My every movement became measured. Too much could cause a cramp, pull a muscle or upset you. I started sleeping on my side every night, for nine whole months, because lying flat was no longer possible and may run the risk of suffocating in my sleep, because you my dear were sitting on top of air supply and everything else. Nine months, I had never had so much water trips in between short periods. For the first three months, I waited and waited for some signs of morning sickness, nausea and vomiting. Nothing came. I thought I had made a mistake. But no, the daily black outs confirmed it. I fainted every other two days. Whilst I was sitting on the table having a meal, or waiting to see the doctor, or just walking around the house. It was extremely frustrating not to have control of your mind and body. I was furious that darkness could come and go as it pleases, and leaving me with bruises everywhere, especially on my face. Was I fearful of my safety? No, I was really stubborn about it. I was more terrified for yours. I was terrified of losing this tiny form within me, growing within my womb and stretching my body in all sorts of places. I was terrified, because I knew, if I were to lose this being, it would be the end of me. The fear helped mellow out my irritations and annoyances. From being hot, to being too heavy, waddling around like a penguin (literally), to not fitting my clothes anymore, not being able to wear high heels (back then I could wear them six inches like no-one's business), and just being so damn bloody hot. I had never showered so much in my whole entire life. Probably took 15 - 20 showers a day. Especially nearing the full term of pregnancy. Oh and the eating. I started to eat and eat and eat and eat like food was running out the next day. I forgot about weight and looking like a super model. No, I had far too important things to worry about. I had a little being inside of me, kicking and fighting for its very own survival. With every pull I became fiercely protective. Sometimes vicious, and savagely aggressive. Especially towards the nurses when it was time for your long awaited arrival. (I made sure I apologised to them later), because that wasn't me. I was not me at all. That was some demonic woman from somewhere deep in the chambers of my being. That woman, would only come out four times later, after the first time. She was a hell raiser that woman. Uhh umm. Oh yeah. She cried a lot the first time. Then she quickly realised that tears won't get her anywhere, so she stopped crying and started blowing, and blowing and huffing and puffing. Then came the pacing, up and down, round and round the hospital labour rooms and grounds. She tried her best to stifle the cries that were about to surface from within her blowing pipes. At first she was able to keep them at bay. Unfortunately for her, the closer the pains got and the longer they lasted, the less weak her defences became. When she finally let go, she was vehemently roaring. Her Siva was coming to its climax, and she started to swirl and twirl. Calling on the powers that be, on the blessings of her ancestors, on everything she loved and held dear to her innermost core, she called on her faith and she danced. There were some (a lot really) G-rated words in between but I think she was pretty much forgiven. It was her first time after all. Nurses, weren't too forgiving after the third one came though. When her Siva came to its full circle, it took one last yelp to open up the womb doors for your entrance. Choooooohuhuhu! There you were, rosy pink cheeks, the softest gentle skin I had ever touched. Black soft curls crowning your head. The tiniest little fingers and toes I had ever seen or touched. The most beautiful of all God's creation that I had ever feasted my eyes upon. You were perfect. Flawless. A divine intervention. A miraculous miracle. No miracle that I could have ever imagined could come close to what or how I felt that moment I held each and everyone of you in my arms. It was precisely that very moment, that I forgot every little annoyances of the times I had to carry you inside of me for nine whole months. I forgot everything but the overwhelming love that took over me. At that very second, I knew, that of all the things I had done in my life, I must have done something right, to deserve having you, holding you, without flaw nor worry. Just perfect life breathing bliss.