Decolonization: Why should you GAF?

Art by Sharon Murdoch - (Commemorating New Zealand's "250th celebrations")

Indigenous people already know the answer to this question. However, indigenous people do not need convincing that decolonization matters. So if you are reading this, and are a descendant of colonial settlers, then THANK YOU. Thank you for coming here and opening your mind and heart to something that does not benefit you, but in turn if you do take something away after reading this: will certainly help us make the world a better place together.

Colonization is multi faceted; it has historical implications, generational impacts of trauma, an institution of demonizing native ways of being. It means stripping away all resources and means of survival and then blaming those who have been abused, tortured, forsaken. As time moves on, the results are devastating. Of course, we have overcome many barriers. And now we are pushing for decolonization of the modern system, and of the minds of our society.

As much as minorities protest and are active in whichever movement they pursue, without allies, we can not really make that big of a difference. Without partnership, sincerity, education and love; we can not really move forward and grow as a society. WE NEED ALLIES. We need people who are willing to give up their privileges and speak into spaces we can not access. We need you.

Colonization and imperial powers of the centuries have committed genocide and cultural oppression that will never be reversed. Among the many atrocities that have occurred, we remain hopeful. We remain resilient. We continue to reclaim what was taken and lost and we want future generations to stand proud in what we bestow in them. We know you are not your ancestors. But without your help, without your acknowledgement – We are silenced.

Imagine speaking to crowds who are all deaf and blind and not willing to reach out a hand and stroke a line of braille to transfer the information that is being delivered. We have been doing this forever. Think of yourself as an interpreter. A bridge between mute and full volume.

Dear ally, we are tired. We are exhausted and our feet hurt from marching, our throats hurt from yelling our hearts yearn for rest. And with you at our side, we can progress even further than we have. We want education. And we want to be heard. Recognizing how history has created our current circumstance will assist the movements momentum. Yes, it will be uncomfortable. Yes, it will be heavy. You can be our megaphone. You can be our stage. You can push the spotlight in our direction. Sometimes being an ally is just as simple as listening. There is so much power in lending an ear. Here is our mission, you can be a part of the greater dismantling of the system.