Introduction
Aotearoa, a land of diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, faces a growing threat: the insidious spread of online hate fueled by anonymous trolls. These individuals, often hiding behind fake profiles on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, target Māori, their worldview, and their achievements with relentless vitriol. Their agenda is clear: to sow discord, undermine Māori progress, and perpetuate a narrative of division.
These trolls, often self-identified as “New Zealand Europeans,” operate in the shadows, cloaked in anonymity. They weaponize racism and discrimination, spewing hateful rhetoric that aims to silence Māori voices and delegitimize their rightful place in Aotearoa. Their attacks are not limited to individuals; they target Māori organizations, institutions, and initiatives that strive to uplift Māori communities.
But what fuels this insidious behavior? What drives these individuals to hide behind digital masks and spew venom at a people who have been marginalized for generations? Their fear, it seems, stems from a sense of entitlement and a perceived loss of power. They cling to a distorted vision of the past, a past where Māori were relegated to the margins, where their voices were silenced, and their culture suppressed.
They fear a world where Māori are empowered, where their language and traditions are celebrated, and where they have a genuine stake in shaping the future of Aotearoa. They fear a future where their privilege, their sense of dominance, is challenged.
This fear is misplaced. Aotearoa is a nation built on the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundation that recognizes the equal partnership between Māori and the Crown. The Treaty is not a relic of the past; it is a living document that guides our nation towards a future where all people can thrive.
It is time for these trolls to step out of the shadows and confront their fears. It is time for them to shed their anonymity and engage in meaningful dialogue. It is time for them to walk in another’s shoes, to see Aotearoa through the eyes of those who have been marginalized for far too long.
We invite them to join the solution, not fuel the problem. We invite them to embrace the spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to understand that Aotearoa is a nation where all people can contribute, where all voices can be heard, and where all cultures can flourish.
Conclusion
Let us build a future where our differences are celebrated, not exploited. Let us build a future where Aotearoa is truly a nation for all.
Reference
Tester, D. (14 March 2023). Don’t Feed The Trolls — 8 Ways to Deal With Online Harassment in 2023. [Image] Retrieved September 9 2024 from: https://testerdigital.ca/dont-feed-the-trolls-8-ways-to-deal-with-online-harassment-in-2023/
