Like a Moth to the Flame.

I hate that feeling when you see a post on your dash with terrible grammar and you wish to reblog it only in order to correct said error.

*You’re.

Thank you very much.

(Source: saaandeee)

allpalebutnopail:

whoa it’s everybody’s bday nowadays

are we all summer kids

that is so fucking cool

Winter, excuse you.

suncalf replied to your post: The trouble with studying is that it makes me get all philosophical.

also i’ve noticed most people don’t mind saying “i’m pakeha” as much as other white/european folk in america or whatever tend to dislike saying “i’m white” like it’s this obvious thing that they shouldn’t have to say? paheka’s a good term yeah

Precisely. Interesting how in many countries to acknowledge the fact that you are of a European descent is often synonymous with the idea that “I am not actually from this country but it’s still mine”. Pakeha is a term that bridges that gap- No, my roots do not spread deep into the land of Aotearoa, but yes, I am a person of this land. In some ways it may seem like a segregated term, but given it is actually a term first given to European settlers by the Maori chiefs it almost acknowledges a borrowed aspect, but is also a gift of possession.

It’s a term better associated with sharing, less than an act of “Well you’re from there, so stay to your side of the line”. We shouldn’t feel the need to segregate our society, and the term “Pakeha” does not do that, it merely acknowledges that my people are not your people, but we’re all in this together anyway. 

Thinking closely about what I’m studying as a part of my communicative design degree is an interesting process. The thing about design is that you don’t design for yourself; you design for other people. In order to design for others, you need to understand their perspetives and world views, and the main world views which in New Zealand are likely far different to those of the majority in other countries- our world view studies, though New Zealand is a general mishmash of nearly as many fantastically different cultures as you can think of (As are many first world countries in this century), are focussed primarily on three “ethnic groups”- Maori, Polynesian and Pakeha world views.

I find it interesting that yes, here in New Zealand, I’d declare myself as one part of this group, the “Pakeha”. If you translated that in general many people would take it to mean “New Zealander of European Descent”. Some people actually get offended by the word “Pakeha”, as they believe it wrongly to be a slur on those not of Maori descent, which it is not. It is actually merely a grouping word used to describe immigrants of lighter skin tone and non-south pacific here in New Zealand.  I identify myself as pakeha, because I am neither of any Maori descent nor have I any relatives from Polynesia in general- my family comes almost exclusively from Britain. What I find interesting about New Zealand therefore is how very aware we tend to be of the fact that the majority of the population, while qualifying as New Zealanders, Kiwis, Pakeha or whatever else we call ourselves, are still immigrants to this country. Most of us can remember precisely how many generations it has been since our European descendants arrived in this land (I’m a fifth generation New Zealander- my Scottish great-great-grandfather on my Mother’s side came during the major southern immigration movement of the 18th century with his family).

I simply find this something of an interesting view in a society where many people simply say “I’m an ——” and leave it at that. New Zealand’s European colonization history is shallow enough that you only need to dig into conversation for a few minutes before you find out where everyone is ”really” from. And in such a fashion, I don’t really classify myself so much as European- which I am, for sure, unfortunately I could hardly get any more “White”, but as Pakeha- because that essentially means the same thing, but hold more of a meaning- it means my family was European, but I am a New Zealander.

Pakeha, I’m essentially saying, is a pretty unique word. 

gittetj:

gangstertierskari:

gittetj started following you

Yes, I shall continue to be completely surprised and overjoyed that one of my favourite webcomic artists pays any attention to me, it’s like meeting a childhood hero!

Guurl, stop being so surprised :V You draw cool things and you seem like a nice person, no worries.

(Also I thought I was already following you, but it turned out I wasn’t)

I just happen to really look up to you, so it’s wow, really cool to actually talk to you oh wow?? I’ve really adored B.I.B.L.E. for a long time and it’s amazing that you’re so approachable like this, and you’re really nice as well, goodness!

(Ahaha, wow, gosh!!) 

Varnishing* my work for drawing the body.

If I don’t come back, it’s beause I’ve managed to poison myself with the various fumes I am currently inhaling.

*See: Substituing cheap hairspray for varnish, subsequently gasping for air, getting over it, continuing, rinse and repeat for best results.

gittetj started following you

Yes, I shall continue to be completely surprised and overjoyed that one of my favourite webcomic artists pays any attention to me, it’s like meeting a childhood hero!