Letter to Students 04 November 2008

Dear Reader

It is Wednesday night, and I can’t believe so much time has passed since I last wrote to you.  Tonight, we heard that Barack Obama is the first African American to be elected President of the United States, and this is such good news for the world at large. He is Chicago’s favoured son, and has slammed the door on the belief that it is impossible for disadvantaged blacks to rise to power in America.  Fifty years ago, the black population living in America did not even have the right to vote, so there have been massive changes in this past half a century.  Last night, our family watched a documentary on the life of Martin Luther King, and there are so many similarities between these two great men. I only hope that history does not repeat itself, and Obama does not meet the same terrible fate as Dr King who was shot down in the prime of his life.  Martin Luther King was a natural orator and motivator who led the movement which brought about so many long awaited rights for black Americans, having fought for entitlements which were taken for granted by the white communities. President elect Obama is a similar orator, a pacifist who wants to work with all parties to put the United States of America back on track. He has an incredibly hard row to hoe. I find it hard to believe that the great capitalist state is in such dire economic straits.  Advocates of a socialist or communist state must smile as they see the state having to bail out the greedy capitalists who have bled the country dry for the past century.  New Zealand has its own election this year, this Saturday in fact, and many people are saying that we need a change of government in these troubled times.  I am of the opposite belief in that I consider that New Zealand is actually bearing up very well in these difficult days, and why should we rock the still stable boat?  America has voted for change, but to a more socialist style of government.  I actually see the only change from the old guard for the National Party is John Key, but the line up behind him have been there in parliament for years. 

However, you are probably not so interested in the politics of New Zealand, although if you live here, it is important that you have an overall understanding of the views of every day Kiwis and the political system under which we live.  I agree with the views of Martin Luther King when he said that we need to look after our neighbour, because if they are poor, they pose a risk to our safety if their stomachs are empty and we have the food they need.  We want to live in a safe society, and I believe that the Labour government ensures that people have enough money to put food on the table, and do not plot to steal their neighbour’s hard earned meal.  The National party wants to introduce six hundred more police into the police force, but I believe that this is because under their capitalist system with the encouragement of entrepreneurship, and benefit for those who make money, the country will need to have more police to protect us from the increased number of have-nots.  There is a delicate balance between making money for one’s family and friends, and looking after the wider community as well.  I am a socialist at heart, although I also believe that we should not have people who bludge of the welfare state.  Striking the balance is so terribly difficult.

Whatever views on politics you have, the most important thing is that you actually have an opinion.  We are lucky that we live in a democratic system, and have the right to vote.  So many countries fight so hard for this right, and are denied it at every turn, and we must not take this right for granted.  I hate the apathy which pervades certain parts of our society.  We have to be interested in our society, or we may lose our precious rights.

In all the turmoil throughout the world, we still live in a relatively stable country.  I read in the newspaper that so many people yesterday turned out in large numbers to dress up to the nines in Dunedin, and bet on the Melbourne Cup.  Bets to the tune of eight million dollars were placed on this Australian horse race which stops so many people on both sides of the ditch, the Tasman Sea.  My sister borrowed one of my hats and went off with her partner to Wingatui on the Taieri Plain to watch the races till the Melbourne Cup was shown on the big screen.  My sister and I are not gamblers, and I haven’t heard what my sister thought of her big day out.  What do you think of gambling?  I think it is a scourge in our society, and I was very opposed to the casino in the Southern Cross hotel when it was first proposed for the city.  I can not see the benefit in gambling at all, and only see the pain it causes.  I know of one professional woman who became addicted to gambling to such an extent that she lost her house, her inheritance, her job, her children, and eventually her freedom. She ended up in prison for embezzling from her employer to feed her gambling habit which was fostered by the casino.  They encouraged her by paying her alcohol bill, and late night taxis.  I find that unconscionable.  In this particular case, the casino was taken to court for negligence, but their punishment was to be closed for a day, at which time they did some much needed cleaning.  It was just a slap on the wrist with a wet tram ticket, as the old saying goes.

What did you do this past weekend?  We invited good friends round for dinner on Saturday night, but I was determined not to talk about our school as it had taken up so much of my time and energy over the past few weeks as we prepared for, and went through, the NZQA audit. Everyone was in order, and we felt affirmed by the whole process, but it was very nerve-wracking having all our systems scrutinized over two days. I am a perfectionist, and get upset if things are not in place.  However, Karina and I worked so well together that we managed to have everything in order, and we were delighted that the auditor understood our processes and appreciated all we are doing.  I invited Karina for a celebratory drink at a bar in Saint Clair, and it was so wonderful to unwind with good friends. What better thing is there to do at the end of the busy week than gather with friends and share stories of the week?

In the weekend, we worked hard, yet again, to have the garden ready for the fundraiser organized by the Rotary club in which we offered for people to walk through our garden.  Han is as much of a perfectionist as I am, and we felt very happy as people enjoyed our garden.  The ultimate compliment was when a couple brought their picnic hamper and had their lunch sitting on one of our seats in the garden overlooking the pond.  We love it when people feel relaxed in our garden, and watching them have their sandwiches under the sun gave us such a special feeling.  Friends of ours also arrived, but they sat on our verandah with a glass of wine and we talked with them in between greeting people to the garden.  It was a magical day which began with me taking Shahan into town as she was working at our oldest daughter’s restaurant, and then returning to go the Portobello Plant fair, a fundraiser for the local schools which we attend every year.  It is great to see the community gather, and also see so many people come out from the city to buy plants and support the local community.  The weather on Saturday had been shocking, with winds which battered the plants and dried out the ground, but Sunday dawned with the sun shining, and the weather steadily improved as the day progressed.  By early afternoon it was gloriously hot, and we felt so blessed to sit in the sun and enjoy the birdsong. 

As I write, I am watching a television documentary about an English woman who lived with a tribe in a simple tribal community where she found her self esteem, and the importance of the family. The English woman had been rejected by her own mother, and found the love of a tiny woman enabled her to become more confident through her unconditional love, knowing that she can never change nor fix the past, but only move on to a better future.  What a wonderful thing to be able to give another human being!  

Love

Sharron