I dont agree with the claim that children are racially colourblind. This argument is being used by Seymour and Karen Chhour to justify putting brown children in white foster homes, but I would suggest that young children are aware of everything, and very much influenced by culture. Colourblindness is learned as people grow up, and if Chhour had been raised in Maori culture, she would be more understanding of their concerns, and might speak her native tongue. I wonder how many European children get fostered into Maori families ?
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts – they definitely add a lot to this heartbreaking discussion about kids in foster care. The repeal of Section 7AA and the broader conversations around how culture and identity are treated within the Oranga Tamariki framework are really important and deserve more attention. It’s a very heavy issue when it comes to balancing cultural considerations, children's best interests, and the role of foster care. Which in full transparency I know little about.
You raise a thought-provoking point about how culture and awareness of identity develop in children. It’s interesting to think about how much of what we consider “colorblindness” is shaped by our environment versus inherent understanding. Your mention of the differences in fostering dynamics between European and Māori families is something worth exploring further, as it touches on the heart of what this amendment might mean in practice.
I haven’t yet dived into the specifics of this bill on my Substack, but you’ve definitely got me thinking about it more deeply. What do you think is the most important aspect to consider as people weigh in on the repeal of Section 7AA?
I have just been listening to the ongoing conversation about Section 7AA, and watched Karen Chhour trying to justify the decision, without being convincing. I have heard stories of OT placing brown skinned children in white homes, when their extended family wanted to adopt them. Maori children have grown up and complained about being adopted away from their whanau, culture, and language. Is it because there arent enough Maori homes available ? OT has such a bad track record that the skin colourblind story sounds more like another ideology being pushed by Seymour, and it is clearly just his opinion. I am surprised that nobody has directly challenged his opinion, so I am going to write to him and say "wheres the proof", cos I know that there is none. I think he will reply, cos he likes to be right, and I am starting to wonder if he isnt getting a bit unhinged, after his ultimatum to everyone the other day. If he doesnt get his way with the Treaty Principles bill, he will throw all his toys out of his cot, and leave the Coalition. The answer is what is best for the children, and I noticed Chhour trying to play the victim, instead of focusing on the childrens best interests. I can see why plenty of Maori are not happy about it. It has never gone well in history around the world, when white colonists have taken native children and tried to whitewash the culture out of them, for their own good.
I dont agree with the claim that children are racially colourblind. This argument is being used by Seymour and Karen Chhour to justify putting brown children in white foster homes, but I would suggest that young children are aware of everything, and very much influenced by culture. Colourblindness is learned as people grow up, and if Chhour had been raised in Maori culture, she would be more understanding of their concerns, and might speak her native tongue. I wonder how many European children get fostered into Maori families ?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts – they definitely add a lot to this heartbreaking discussion about kids in foster care. The repeal of Section 7AA and the broader conversations around how culture and identity are treated within the Oranga Tamariki framework are really important and deserve more attention. It’s a very heavy issue when it comes to balancing cultural considerations, children's best interests, and the role of foster care. Which in full transparency I know little about.
You raise a thought-provoking point about how culture and awareness of identity develop in children. It’s interesting to think about how much of what we consider “colorblindness” is shaped by our environment versus inherent understanding. Your mention of the differences in fostering dynamics between European and Māori families is something worth exploring further, as it touches on the heart of what this amendment might mean in practice.
I haven’t yet dived into the specifics of this bill on my Substack, but you’ve definitely got me thinking about it more deeply. What do you think is the most important aspect to consider as people weigh in on the repeal of Section 7AA?
I have just been listening to the ongoing conversation about Section 7AA, and watched Karen Chhour trying to justify the decision, without being convincing. I have heard stories of OT placing brown skinned children in white homes, when their extended family wanted to adopt them. Maori children have grown up and complained about being adopted away from their whanau, culture, and language. Is it because there arent enough Maori homes available ? OT has such a bad track record that the skin colourblind story sounds more like another ideology being pushed by Seymour, and it is clearly just his opinion. I am surprised that nobody has directly challenged his opinion, so I am going to write to him and say "wheres the proof", cos I know that there is none. I think he will reply, cos he likes to be right, and I am starting to wonder if he isnt getting a bit unhinged, after his ultimatum to everyone the other day. If he doesnt get his way with the Treaty Principles bill, he will throw all his toys out of his cot, and leave the Coalition. The answer is what is best for the children, and I noticed Chhour trying to play the victim, instead of focusing on the childrens best interests. I can see why plenty of Maori are not happy about it. It has never gone well in history around the world, when white colonists have taken native children and tried to whitewash the culture out of them, for their own good.