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
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).
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