It is unfortunate when a public servant decides to opt out of a meeting at which it is their responsibility to represent the public, in order to pursue personal leisure opportunities. This could have been an error of judgment; something we are all given to making from time to time.

That Mr. Harawira was later unrepentant, after knowing that many thought his decision unfair, may be put down to stubbornness, again something that many of us are prone to – not just those who seek positions of leadership, authority, power…

Our elected leaders, people with power, are not immune from making errors of judgment, nor from being stubborn, like us. However, we can and we must, hold them to higher standard at times. I feel now is one of those times.

Power, coupled with hatred, is a dangerous thing in any person.

When do people show true emotion? In the limelight, when forced? Or in private, in conversations we think will not come to light?

If a person with power, elected to a leadership position, is willing to voice words of action, or re-action, which openly show hatred; it is a divisive and dangerous thing, which should be very seriously pointed out, examined and addressed. But how do we do this in a way that positively engages and attempts to reduce these feelings, instead of exacerbating them?

We can only hope that reactions like this fade away in our collective memories…

…but perhaps not before they also provoke us into a deeper examination of our own hearts. Can they remind us to hold ourselves to higher standards too? To be conscious of the feelings and words we dare not express in public spheres, but may voice with friends, in conversation, in email, in jokes…

Many who have suffered generations of injustice respond everyday in ways which show great mana: integrity, strength, grace, tolerance, resilience, pride. Without needing violence of deed, or word, they powerfully remind our hearts of the distance we are yet to travel toward reconciliation.

Only their acts can provide positive unifying leadership in our story, which remains torn and still needs healing, as we search for justice, pray for it, and look for ways to make our awareness and our small acts count

Be Sociable, Share!

•