Petty: Marked by narrowness of mind, ideas, or views. Answers.com
Now, while Ryan Pini has been swimming his heart out trying to make PNG and Pacific Islands history, other people have been marring it with general pettiness.
Apparently, some people are still looking at this blog and the other day I got forwarded the following email conversation from someone who has volunteered to guest blog. Identities were edited so I don't know these people but I gather they have all been educated overseas and some are still living outside the country. They also all sound like book smart people so why such a conversation would even have begun in the first place is beyond me. Why such prejudice is an "issue" when I could list 10 more important issues up for debate in PNG in under 30 secs, is also beyond me. But the thing that most frustrates me is that this conversation/debate took place when probably for the first time in a long time, the whole of PNG was united in one hope- success for Pini and for PNG.
Now, while Ryan Pini has been swimming his heart out trying to make PNG and Pacific Islands history, other people have been marring it with general pettiness.
Apparently, some people are still looking at this blog and the other day I got forwarded the following email conversation from someone who has volunteered to guest blog. Identities were edited so I don't know these people but I gather they have all been educated overseas and some are still living outside the country. They also all sound like book smart people so why such a conversation would even have begun in the first place is beyond me. Why such prejudice is an "issue" when I could list 10 more important issues up for debate in PNG in under 30 secs, is also beyond me. But the thing that most frustrates me is that this conversation/debate took place when probably for the first time in a long time, the whole of PNG was united in one hope- success for Pini and for PNG.
I'm not sure if the contributor forwarded this to me to open up discussions on the privleges of being white in PNG but as you can see, the issue here for me is how petty the "problem" being discussed was in light of Pini's achievements and their greater meaning to the whole of the country.
Anyway, i'll let you all read the following and see what you make of it, before you do, here is a quote from rapper T.I:
"I think racism should only bother you if it prevents you from doing something that you should have the right to do, like voting, using the same bathrooms, or sitting where you want to on the bus. But white people being racist, as long as it ain’t really affecting you, just take it for what it’s worth–ignorance."
(scroll down and read from the bottom up)
From: EO
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Re:
To: DK, WM, JO
Cc: JM, LA, NS
D, I don't see how my comments could be construed as rascist. You and I both know expats get a better deal in PNG so lets keep it real here.
By the way, whats with the term 'nationals'? why the fuck are we called that? again, must we be labelled in our own country...that term in itself has such a colonial overtone to it and yet "educated" papua new guineans continue to call themselves and each other that. Why don't we just revert to calling ourselves "natives" while we're at it. People still use the term "Masta" for fucks sake! Isn't that indicative of whats been ingrained in the national psyche? That one is inferior because one isn't a "Masta" or a "wait man"?
The value of an education largely hinges on whats done with it. Some of PNG's brightest are community-school educated (Clement Waine for example) and some of our greatest deadshits have an overseas education. The ordinary shop assistant may not be educated but I've heard so many of my educated friends use the term "masta". Fat lot of good an education has done in getting rid of that mindset!
Have a good weekend all and yes, Go PNG!
E.
p.s To those who haven't said much on this, sorry to have inundated your inboxes.
----- Original Message ----
From: DK
To: EO ; WM ; JO
Cc: JM; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 4:33:37 PM
Subject: RE:
HAHAHA… You both sound like a bunch of farking racists!!! So now you’re racist against expatriates just because nationals are racist toward you. For some reason I don’t think that’s going to resolve anything but rather harness greater division amongst the two races.
The reason is quite simple i.e. the ordinary shop assistant is not educated. Education is key folks. Our mindsets need to change quick smart because right now it totally stinks. You seriously cannot tell me there is no difference in the quality of education in PNG and in Australia ? If you are then you need to come back home for a reality check.
Look guys it’s Friday; so don’t hang yourself over this debate. Seriously though… GO PNG!!!!!!!
Laikim na lukim
From: WM
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Subject: Re:
To: JO
Cc: DK, EO, JM, LA, NS
I'm not taking sides here J, my opinion just happens to be in line with D’s and JM’s, now that I've read JM's reply. There is a big difference between Australian and PNGean education and that is just a fact. There is also a big difference between living in Australia and PNG.
I agree E that we do still treat white people with deference in PNG and that is a throwback from colonialism which will one day change as more and more people get an education and realise, hey, we are the same as them, the only thing different is the colour of our skin. No doubt some white folks live protected lives in PNG but I know a few outside Pom who live and socialise with other PNGeans. This is especially true of those with children who have grown up in PNG and been raised with other PNG children. We have to remember, some PNG folks live very protected lives too, especially in Pom where the elitism is really quite obvious sometimes. I suppose it's good to look at it objectively.
Anyway, you all have a good weekend and let's hope Pini brings his A game tomorrow!
On 8/15/08, JO wrote:
I don't think it's a matter of agreeing with so and so, it is an interesting debate that has been brought up- we are all of different opinions. at the end of the day we are all proud PNGeans. I did not put the question forward so that people can take sides, I was just interested in your thoughts.
On the spectrum of education - what is the opposite scale of International education ? I think Education is Education. we are all educated the same way at the end of the day - International education is the same as National education or whatever there is. If you talk to someone on the other side of the world, they will understand when you ask them what 1+1= (if they have been to school) -There is no disctinction between international education or National education? We are all taught the same basic maths, geography, biology,chemistry, english,physics what not......elaborate on what you mean by international education. But then again that is a totally different topic right?
From: EO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 4:11 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; JM ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
W, well said.
However, I think we Papua New Guineans have perfected our own version of the tall poppy syndrome. We very rarely uplift our own but subject them to rumours , jealousy and innuendo when we see them achieving be it at sport, professionally or in academia. It is a cancer of our own making and something we as a nation have to address.
I also see J's point. There is not point denying colour and race in a country like Papua New Guinea when colour and race are huge facto rs . You see it every day in PNG even in an ordinary place like a shop....a shop assistant will crawl up the arse of a white man before he/she deigns to smile at my black face!
As an aside, Ryan's parents are to be commended for paying for their son's achievements. These are the same parents who live in a rather exclusive enclave in Port Moresby ....much like the rest of the expats who live in PNG.
----- Original Message ----
From: WM
To: JO
Cc: DK ; EO; JM ; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 3:39:11 PM
Subject: Re:
I'm going to have to agree with D on this.
The fact that other PNG athletes can't afford to train in world class facilities is no one's fault but successive PNG Governments! I'm not going to blame Ryan's parents for affording to get him fi rs t class training facilities. I think just the same amount of respect given to Pini is given to other PNG athletes, the only difference is that Pini competes in a more popular sport that garners more attention, just the same attention would be given to a PNGean that excelled to that level in say the 100m sprint.
There are comparisons to be drawn with an international education. Should the fact that we are here enjoying a better standard of living and a better education system (and undoubtedly more opportunities) be held against us because our country can't provide the same? No. My mama works hard for me to be here and yes other PNGeans may not get the same opportunity and that is sad but it's not our fault. If anything, we are more selfish because at the end of the day we are doing it to better ou rs elves whereas athletes like Pini have the opportunity to unite a nation and bring them pride!
From: JM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:27 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; EO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re
Hi guys,
Been avoiding the politics not to play it safe but only cause I’m getting hammered here today na can’t email much but really felt the need to addim tingting blo mi.
I find it offensive that as PNGeans we always come back to black, white, mixed raced, Central, Sepik, Enga what ever. I think the situation is no different in an athletes case as it is to any other, this is still a profession. Opportunities present themselves whether because we excel academically or professionally or our parents have the cash what ever and these allow us to venture beyond PNG and gain experience and training in our respective fields, represent our country abroad and hopefully give back to PNG on some level at some stage.
I think everyone on this email list is an example of this. We have had other athletes in the past who have had the chance to train abroad Ann Mooney, Stanley Nandex himself, Marcus Bai etc and I don’t think we need to cut these people down for doing so, they are still ambassadors and valid representatives. We’re currently doing that ourselves (correct me if there are those of you on this list that I don’t know who are currently at home). We have doctors, lawyers, engineers, geotechs, pilots, nurses etc doing this every day of the week.
A fair playing field is the ideal but it will not be a reality for a long time to come, I think we need to take advantage of the opportunities we can to promote PNG, enhance skills and god willing return to give back.
Ryan Pini’s colour and training ground should not be an issue and if it is I guess this would mean there is an issue with a whole lot of people including myself as I am both PNG educated with a tertiary qualification from Australia and now onto post graduate study in Australia (by choice) and I am half PNG, half Australian with my lewa in the Waghi Valley.
Tok tasol
JM
On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM, JOwrote:
What are you talking about? I don't see the link between international education and olympic athletes. Please expand or clarify.
From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:31 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
So what's your view on international education?
From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:29 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
D good on him for wearing the country's colors , but I am not proud of a man who trains in Australia when all our athletes are back in PNG -
If he gets such a high standard of training then why can't our other athletes get the same- they should all have the same standard across the board.
From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:27 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
J, plis yu painim wok o? What you on about and what's colour got to do with anything?!?! He's wearing the country's colours , so be proud!
From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:20 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
General question to all- Would people be just as excited if he wasn't white?
From: EO
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Re:
To: DK, WM, JO
Cc: JM, LA, NS
D, I don't see how my comments could be construed as rascist. You and I both know expats get a better deal in PNG so lets keep it real here.
By the way, whats with the term 'nationals'? why the fuck are we called that? again, must we be labelled in our own country...that term in itself has such a colonial overtone to it and yet "educated" papua new guineans continue to call themselves and each other that. Why don't we just revert to calling ourselves "natives" while we're at it. People still use the term "Masta" for fucks sake! Isn't that indicative of whats been ingrained in the national psyche? That one is inferior because one isn't a "Masta" or a "wait man"?
The value of an education largely hinges on whats done with it. Some of PNG's brightest are community-school educated (Clement Waine for example) and some of our greatest deadshits have an overseas education. The ordinary shop assistant may not be educated but I've heard so many of my educated friends use the term "masta". Fat lot of good an education has done in getting rid of that mindset!
Have a good weekend all and yes, Go PNG!
E.
p.s To those who haven't said much on this, sorry to have inundated your inboxes.
----- Original Message ----
From: DK
To: EO ; WM ; JO
Cc: JM; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 4:33:37 PM
Subject: RE:
HAHAHA… You both sound like a bunch of farking racists!!! So now you’re racist against expatriates just because nationals are racist toward you. For some reason I don’t think that’s going to resolve anything but rather harness greater division amongst the two races.
The reason is quite simple i.e. the ordinary shop assistant is not educated. Education is key folks. Our mindsets need to change quick smart because right now it totally stinks. You seriously cannot tell me there is no difference in the quality of education in PNG and in Australia ? If you are then you need to come back home for a reality check.
Look guys it’s Friday; so don’t hang yourself over this debate. Seriously though… GO PNG!!!!!!!
Laikim na lukim
From: WM
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Subject: Re:
To: JO
Cc: DK, EO, JM, LA, NS
I'm not taking sides here J, my opinion just happens to be in line with D’s and JM’s, now that I've read JM's reply. There is a big difference between Australian and PNGean education and that is just a fact. There is also a big difference between living in Australia and PNG.
I agree E that we do still treat white people with deference in PNG and that is a throwback from colonialism which will one day change as more and more people get an education and realise, hey, we are the same as them, the only thing different is the colour of our skin. No doubt some white folks live protected lives in PNG but I know a few outside Pom who live and socialise with other PNGeans. This is especially true of those with children who have grown up in PNG and been raised with other PNG children. We have to remember, some PNG folks live very protected lives too, especially in Pom where the elitism is really quite obvious sometimes. I suppose it's good to look at it objectively.
Anyway, you all have a good weekend and let's hope Pini brings his A game tomorrow!
On 8/15/08, JO wrote:
I don't think it's a matter of agreeing with so and so, it is an interesting debate that has been brought up- we are all of different opinions. at the end of the day we are all proud PNGeans. I did not put the question forward so that people can take sides, I was just interested in your thoughts.
On the spectrum of education - what is the opposite scale of International education ? I think Education is Education. we are all educated the same way at the end of the day - International education is the same as National education or whatever there is. If you talk to someone on the other side of the world, they will understand when you ask them what 1+1= (if they have been to school) -There is no disctinction between international education or National education? We are all taught the same basic maths, geography, biology,chemistry, english,physics what not......elaborate on what you mean by international education. But then again that is a totally different topic right?
From: EO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 4:11 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; JM ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
W, well said.
However, I think we Papua New Guineans have perfected our own version of the tall poppy syndrome. We very rarely uplift our own but subject them to rumours , jealousy and innuendo when we see them achieving be it at sport, professionally or in academia. It is a cancer of our own making and something we as a nation have to address.
I also see J's point. There is not point denying colour and race in a country like Papua New Guinea when colour and race are huge facto rs . You see it every day in PNG even in an ordinary place like a shop....a shop assistant will crawl up the arse of a white man before he/she deigns to smile at my black face!
As an aside, Ryan's parents are to be commended for paying for their son's achievements. These are the same parents who live in a rather exclusive enclave in Port Moresby ....much like the rest of the expats who live in PNG.
----- Original Message ----
From: WM
To: JO
Cc: DK ; EO; JM ; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 3:39:11 PM
Subject: Re:
I'm going to have to agree with D on this.
The fact that other PNG athletes can't afford to train in world class facilities is no one's fault but successive PNG Governments! I'm not going to blame Ryan's parents for affording to get him fi rs t class training facilities. I think just the same amount of respect given to Pini is given to other PNG athletes, the only difference is that Pini competes in a more popular sport that garners more attention, just the same attention would be given to a PNGean that excelled to that level in say the 100m sprint.
There are comparisons to be drawn with an international education. Should the fact that we are here enjoying a better standard of living and a better education system (and undoubtedly more opportunities) be held against us because our country can't provide the same? No. My mama works hard for me to be here and yes other PNGeans may not get the same opportunity and that is sad but it's not our fault. If anything, we are more selfish because at the end of the day we are doing it to better ou rs elves whereas athletes like Pini have the opportunity to unite a nation and bring them pride!
From: JM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:27 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; EO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re
Hi guys,
Been avoiding the politics not to play it safe but only cause I’m getting hammered here today na can’t email much but really felt the need to addim tingting blo mi.
I find it offensive that as PNGeans we always come back to black, white, mixed raced, Central, Sepik, Enga what ever. I think the situation is no different in an athletes case as it is to any other, this is still a profession. Opportunities present themselves whether because we excel academically or professionally or our parents have the cash what ever and these allow us to venture beyond PNG and gain experience and training in our respective fields, represent our country abroad and hopefully give back to PNG on some level at some stage.
I think everyone on this email list is an example of this. We have had other athletes in the past who have had the chance to train abroad Ann Mooney, Stanley Nandex himself, Marcus Bai etc and I don’t think we need to cut these people down for doing so, they are still ambassadors and valid representatives. We’re currently doing that ourselves (correct me if there are those of you on this list that I don’t know who are currently at home). We have doctors, lawyers, engineers, geotechs, pilots, nurses etc doing this every day of the week.
A fair playing field is the ideal but it will not be a reality for a long time to come, I think we need to take advantage of the opportunities we can to promote PNG, enhance skills and god willing return to give back.
Ryan Pini’s colour and training ground should not be an issue and if it is I guess this would mean there is an issue with a whole lot of people including myself as I am both PNG educated with a tertiary qualification from Australia and now onto post graduate study in Australia (by choice) and I am half PNG, half Australian with my lewa in the Waghi Valley.
Tok tasol
JM
On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM, JO
What are you talking about? I don't see the link between international education and olympic athletes. Please expand or clarify.
From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:31 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
So what's your view on international education?
From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:29 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
D good on him for wearing the country's colors , but I am not proud of a man who trains in Australia when all our athletes are back in PNG -
If he gets such a high standard of training then why can't our other athletes get the same- they should all have the same standard across the board.
From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:27 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
J, plis yu painim wok o? What you on about and what's colour got to do with anything?!?! He's wearing the country's colours , so be proud!
From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:20 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
General question to all- Would people be just as excited if he wasn't white?
From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:16 PM
To: WM ; EO
Cc: JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: RE:
Shit! I'm so pumped I got the time wrong. It's 1210h rs (AEST) tomorrow and not 1220h rs .
Catch
From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:14 PM
To: ' WM '; EO
Cc: JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: RE:
He's done the nation proud just to get in! I'm so happy for him… mind you I nearly had a heart attack in the last 50m! 1220h rs (AEST) tomorrow guys… make sure you're watching!
…And E you get your little arse to the nearest pub to watch the race… No excuses! Despite the result, you'll be viewing PNG History!!!
From: WM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:48 PM
To: EO
Cc: DK; JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
He raced Phelps and made it to the finals!! Boy even beat Phelps at the turn! Honest hamamas kills, let's pray he has an awesome swim tomorrow
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