A brief glimpse of my limited experience of Muslims in Auckland
There is almost nowhere in Auckland one can go and not meet in some way a Muslim person; whether you’re driving along one of it’s roads or stopping at the dairy for milk. Here in Auckland there live and work Muslims from so many different countries and cultures. They drive taxis and treat you at clinics. They are elegant and humble. The only Muslims I know a little bit more personally are a family that run the local dairy. He is very reserved and she is fully outspoken. Their children are rambunctious and reserved, quite ’normal’ Kiwis.
There are others who are clearly more recent immigrants, and are cautiously navigating a very different life as best as they are able. I hope that their cautiousness becomes more confident with the genuine outpouring of compassion here. I think this current time in NZ is ripe for much healing. I hope it happens. I think we need to find more to celebrate in the culture, as we do here of Pacifica.
I have heard a few discussions over the years about what people expect of recent Muslim immigrants in context of the country they live in. I am still convinced that every single individual is entitled to their own definition of how best to live their lives.
To the future ...
Comments
Powerful
That Damien Rice video is something else. Never saw it before nor heard that tune.
Thank-you.
You're welcome traveler
I find most of his work quite powerful and emotive.
When we're in London
I love taking the Underground, and seeing all the varied commuters.
When I worked in London, years ago, I used to sleep coming home from work.
Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.
I'm happy to see you here Bollox, and thank you.
I thrive on the diversity here.
Thank you for this
People in NZ must be stunned and horrified.
How are people reacting to PM Ardern on changing gun laws? Here in my small corner in Canada, I was having a conversation with someone, contrasting her promising gun law changes with the typical American response of "thoughts, prayers, now is not the time" to a mass shooting.
I think it will be quite apparent soon.
My guess is that it will be favourable.
The comments I've seen on this are typical American
and very appalling. Saying that after the massacre that more guns are needed is not only insane, but insensible. "NZ needs to allow more people to have guns because if someone had a concealed one they could have stopped the attack" and others in this vein. Especially the guy that tried to stop the gun man from going inside the mosque with a credit card machine. The bravery of his actions saved many lives because the gun man took off after he threw the machine and broke the window. It wasn't long after that for the cops to arrest him.
I sure like what Ardern is thinking of doing. Close the loophole. I see no reason why people need guns that are built for use by the military.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.
Thank you snoopy,
you're solid, and I appreciate your voice.
Just sorry that this happened
For those who haven't heard about the man who risked his life for others..
Man who stood up to the mosque gunman
What an incredible act of heroism.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.
Here snoopy
Starting to see the very human face of this tragedy -
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213530
Comfort from Jacinda Ardern -
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213532
Your sadness and loss of hope and your attempts to
not let it affect your feelings of needing to go on is dripping like blood from a surgeon's tampon.
You are an artist and a believer. I wished I had the same emotions and artistic sensitivities as you have. It would help coping. And I realize of how different I have become through my strange life. I wished I could be like you. Your words are always healing, therapeutic. I am at a stage where I can't even listen and watch to the song and video of Damien Rice. I just want to be left alone and not see or hear anything.
Lots of hugs to you that is all I can come up with right now. I pray for all of us. For me only a quarantaine from the intertubes will do. All the best to you and NZ's future.
Thanks for the kisses mimi
I think I've stemmed the flow. I'm glad I had the weekend to feel and reflect. I'm feeling much better. Your care is deeply appreciated.
Here’s to healing.
We are all damaged and the damaging of others is getting worse.
I send healing thoughts. Peace to you, janis and to NZ.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
What can I say? As a life-long Yank, who refuses to
own firearms out of personal beliefs, I am sick and tired of the glorification of violence in my home culture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When the cancer spreads to a peaceful, civilized nation like NZ, I am beyond anger and appalled. Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Thank you Raggedy Ann
I wish all the same to you. I also wish it were getting better.
Beautifully said
Janis b. Here is to healing and allowing the strength of diversity to change our world.
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
I had to repeat that ...
Many thanks jb, and I hope your healing and life changes are going a s well as possible.
Thanks for your story and perspective...
So sad for everyone when people are so consumed by hate that they kill others who they don't even know out of some misguided sense of anger.
Perhaps it will serve as means of honest discussion and bring together of all flavors of NZ'landers. Wishing you and yours the best!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
This is the shame of it ...
"... they kill others who they don't even know out of some misguided sense of anger."
It doesn't take much to recognise 'the other' when given the opportunity to meet them, even briefly. America is very big, and each community often naturally or unnaturally separated from each other. Community could be, with a greater sense of egalitarianism and curiosity, much more successful. It would also help for people to venture out to an unfamiliar place, at least once for a day. I imagine that many Americans don't even do that. It's easier here because of it's size, and how naturally most people are more integrated. I mean NZ is not even as big as California.
Inclusion
tolerance
acceptance
diversity
co-operation
Thanks for the NZ perspective Janis.
Peace
You're welcome, and thank you.
I had a conversation recently with someone here
about the nature of suspicion and antipathy surrounding insular ethnic or religious groups. As a people, we do not seem to learn the lessons of the past. History is filled with stories of violence against people for no other reason than because they were different. Which I think says more about societies reaction to differences than it does about those who are different.
Yet my focus, as always, will be on those with the generous hearts, with the tender hearts, and the courageous hearts. In small but meaningful ways, it is these hearts that will always shine a light on the forces of ignorance
[video:https://youtu.be/CvFH_6DNRCY]
Thank you Janis for your poignant words during this heartbreaking time.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Perfectly delightful, zoe
Thank you.
Learning tolerance to allow others live their own lives
as long as they are not hurting other is a skill set not everyone it taught or internalize as a habit. We need to expand the idea of one's idea of utopia does not give the right to destroy anothers.
This is just a couple of images of the kindest group of animals I ever had the privilege of raising and living with a for too short a span of time.
My interrupting them.
Them ignoring me.
May the outer world let New Zealand heal for the wound inflicted on it. Peace.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Hi studentofearth
I enjoy your presence and always brighten at your name.
It looks like your animals share a very close and comforting relationship with each other. It must be very pleasurable for you and your family to share your life with them. Thank you for sharing a part of that here.
Wonderful photo
Such happy and loving animals.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Thank you for sharing, janis.
A sad reckoning for all mankind; so sorry you and the citizens of your beautiful country are having to cope with this horrendous hate.
Sending virtual hugs.
Thank you smiley for your hugs
It feels nice.
Thank you everyone
So, my septic system had a problem today that could have been major, but luckily was addressed in time, thanks to the help of a friend and a septic technician. The fact that it once again (there have been many over the years) had a problem irritated me a lot. Looking behind me now, with that in the distance, I am reminded (especially in the context of recent events) to try to put things in a bigger and better perspective - like that was nothing to expend precious life force on. All I can do is wish less suffering and greater progress for us all. Cheers and peace.
[video:https://youtu.be/IpqzZsMtOnA]