THE EVOLUTION OF MUSIC

Recently I came across some interesting music clips that show the evolution of NZ music.

During the past from the 60's through to the 80's we see attitudes towards Maori culture evolve.

Under the banner of 'Time, continuity and change' the influence of past events could be used to explore the evolution of music and its significance to New Zealand and New Zealanders.

Music is a type of media that plays a huge role in how public perceive a certain situation. I will argue that music is in a way a form of hegemonic media that conforms to what the mass population would like to hear and what they think is correct at that time.

For example:

Puha and Pakeha - Rod Derret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CltZG7Cw0eo

The song was a light-hearted tale of Pāhekā in early New Zealand being eaten by Māori, and included the following lyrics:

I don’t give a hangi for the Treaty of Waitangi,

You can’t get fat on that

Give me some Puha and Pākehā.

You take a little umu and you get it very hot,

You catch a little Pākehā and put him in a pot,

Cook him all up in your old home brew,

And what have you got? Kiwi Stew.

Lyrics like these would not be considered politically correct today so what does that tell you about the attitudes of those in the 60's? This song portrays Maori as the savage cannibal which has passed on through time. My grandmother remembers the consequences of this song as negative towards Maori and their culture.

This song is an example of hegemonic media aimed at portraying Maori in a way that is agreed upon by the mass population who was not Maori.

Tim Finn however has a different view of Maori which he portrays in his lyrics of Parihaka.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4PvN7Zb4-w (performed by Herbs)

My friend, My friend, I hate to see you suffer,

Events conspire to bring us to our knees,

My friend, my friend, you've taken this the wrong way,

Rise up, defend yourself, never give in,

Look to the sky, the spirit of Te Whiti,

The endless tide is murmuring his name.

I know Te Whiti will never be defeated,

And even at the darkest hour,

His presence will remain.

I'll sing to you the song of Parihaka.

I can see the first verse of this song suggesting that the author (Tim Finn) felt a closeness with Te Whiti and Tohu and the devastation that their tribe had to endure. It becomes obvious that at this time there is pakeha recognition to the devastation that Maori had to overcome. Could this have changed the attitudes of many during this period towards Maori?

During the 70's and 80's a huge radical movement was taking place with regards to land ownership. This song is an example of how attitudes changed towards Maori as more pakeha were being educated in the mass murders of Parihaka. Yet another example of how hegemonic media have displayed lyrics to conform to the current situation.

Six months in a leaky boat -Split Enz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar7DgREshAk&feature=related

Aotearoa, rugged individual

Glisten like a pearl

At the bottom of the world

The tyranny of distance

Didn't stop the cavalier

So why should it stop me

I'll conquer and stay free

Ah c'mon all you lads

Let's forget and forgive

There's a world to explore

Tales to tell back on shore

I just spent six months in a leaky boat

Six months in a leaky boat

Their lyrics include the Maori word for NZ which I see as an endorsement of "Te Reo" Even if it is not pronounced correctly (laugh) it was an awesome effort. This song became a hit, not only nationally but internationally. What a great way to promote and acknowledge our country. This is a song that every Kiwi knows. I think is mostly metaphoric, a pre colonial adventure talking about the love of the sea and travelling to Aotearoa with the need to put our differences behind us.

During the 70's and 80's was also the time in where Maori language was being challenged to be recognised. The lyrics of this song exemplifies the use of Te Reo in a positive way, therefore considered hegemonic in the sense that Maori language is now acceptable so therefore we can display this in our lyrics.

These 3 examples show the change of attitudes towards Maori over 3 decades. Music media plays a huge impact on attitudes of the population towards certain situations, for example, lyrics including the mutilation of pakeha through cannibalism would not be approved today, however back in the 60's this was seen as acceptable which shows the evolution in our society today towards Maori. Music is indeed a form of hegemonic media that conforms to what the mass population would like to hear and what they think is correct at that time.

Do you agree? Or do you have any other examples to share?

Where does the racism truly lie? Concerning: ‘Call to sack academic over ‘racism’

It is still astounding how ignorant and one-sided mainstream news stories continue to be. Over time I feel New Zealand; Maori and non-Maori should develop and change in understanding of the past, present and future. ‘Call to sack academic over ‘racism’’ article yet again reinforces how New Zealand’s dominant culture remains entrenched with underlying racism.

The vast majority remains ignorant to the colonization, suppression and marginalization that was imposed upon Te iwi Maori. History concerning the Treaty, Te Reo, and land confiscations is prime example of blatant acts from Pakeha immigrants towards Maori. The imperative for New Zealand to fully recognize and comprehend these huge happenings in history is essential in understanding the complexities of the Maori culture and people of today. It is inevitable that there will be negative repercussions in our Maori people if we were stripped of who we were and continue to be disadvantaged today.

What continues to sadden me is the strong dominant culture in our country that sees no shift in opinion or action towards Maori, particularly in mainstream media.

Professor Margret Mutu, a wahine toa, educated in both Te Ao Maori and Te Pakeha, a huge rangatira for our Maori people. The article deeming that she is a “racist” yet again reinforces Maori in a negative way. She is a prominent, proud woman who has gained her tickets in the Pakeha education system yet she is stripped of these accomplishments through her portrayal in the media.

“…they will be having another look at her position and harm she is bringing to Auckland University…” –David Rankin

As a student of the University of Auckland and a student of Margret Mutu, I feel this comment is appalling. She educates and teaches Maori tikanga, Maori perspective, Maori language and Maori culture, something that is severely threated today and she supposedly brings harm? Of the little Maori who are in the education field she is the one who brings harm? Not the Maori Native Schools Act that sought to destroy the Maori Language, but an individual who lectures and educates the minority of people who choose to participate and take part in her Maori papers. Mutu merely states, “How it is” not fabricating or down playing what has happened, or what is happening, and she is labeled as a racist, not a activist or freedom fighter, or even someone that speaks of things in a candid manner, but a racist.

It is also interesting that the Herald has published David Rankin’s comments as Mutu’s comments have “caused offence to hundreds of thousands of New Zealander’s” yet the Herald chose to talk to a Maori. Why? Is it because a Maori goes against what another Maori says?

Does the media want to stir tension within our own people? It seems as if the media is creating us vs. them within our own culture, consequent portraying our people in a derogatory way. The news story is framed to severely undermine and take away what Margret Mutu has said positioning someone of her own heritage going against her. “If one Maori thinks she’s racist, it must be true because its coming from her own kind” is the attitude I’m gathering from story.

All in all, the media is fueling ignorance and close-mindedness within New Zealand. How are Maori supposed to revitalize their culture if the little resources and educators we do have are being threatened? Have they targeted Mutu because she is a threat to the Pakeha system? Does the system want to continue to keep Maori at the bottom of the heap? Whatever the reason is, mainstream media continues to do an amazing job at feeding uneducated stories to society.

Professor Mutu is most definitely NOT racist

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/academic-s-racist-comments-anger-iwi-leader-4383763/video

Interesting link right ? It amazes me that because a coment like this was said by profeesor Mutu she is automatically looked at sideways by all. I do realise that the results of this comment is only going to get worse. what i am more interested in, in regards to this "comment" is who was present when Mutu said this? Where was she ? What else was discussed in that meeting, forum etc. These are the vital parts the media have left out. Putting things into perspective helps people who only bother to read parts of information as opposed to being fully informed and aware of a range of opinions, issues and/or movements.

Another point for thought, would an academic like margaret Mutu make a comment so carelessly or so rudely? She is a woman who says things for a purpose. To insipre, encourage and create change. a change that at face value would look one-sided; but once Maori people have achieved their rights promised to them in the treaty, then Maori protest will stop and we will be a country moving forward as one.

Last point, if there is such a great need for overseas workers, why doesn't New Zealand put more funding together to get more New Zealanders trained or upskilled so as to fill this DESPERATE NEED for immigrant workers. rather than spending more money to head overseas to ask other people to move here and then letting them work.

New Zealanders can leigitmately worry about job losses when they know that finding a job at this time is hard let alone watching immigrants walk in and steal jobs.

Just something i thought was interesting and something to ponder on.

He aha ou koutou whakaaro?