Pakeha - do you like this name?

**Oscar** · 17th July 2009, 19:32

Originally Posted by popelli

I find the word ******* offensive and refuse to be catagorised by it

there are several variations on what the literal translation means, all of which are derogatory

however it can be a nightmare filling out govt forms as there is no catagory for nz citizens, you can either be catagorised as a ****** or you have to catagorise yourself as other - this is in essense institutional racism

There actually isn't a literal translation of it.
The best evidence I've read says it is a contraction of Pakepakeha, which refers to spirit people (who are pale skinned).

Would you rather be named after a small Danish province on the North Sea?

**davereid** · 17th July 2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by popelli

however it can be a nightmare filling out govt forms as there is no catagory for nz citizens, you can either be catagorised as a ****** or you have to catagorise yourself as other - this is in essense institutional racism

I just fill it out as pacific islander.

Cos NZ is a lot of islands in the pacific, so it must be the best choice.

And thats how how multiple choice works - like the instructions say, several answers may seem correct but choose the best one.

**popelli** · 17th July 2009, 19:37

Originally Posted by Oscar

Would you rather be named after a small Danish province on the North Sea?

wasn't that a dutch province?

**Mom** · 17th July 2009, 20:04

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Hahahahahahah! At least you're not a mullet sporting Nova Scotian. Hahahahahahahahaha.

Funny you should mention mullets, sadly there were a few of those visible last time I visited back home

I liken my whanau to a cross between a demented Scot and a very laid back East Coast fisherman. My father was a Scot too, did not help my case really

Probably the most disturbing thing I came across visiting the back waters (I kid you not here, they really are back waters) of New Foundland, was a cousin of the several removed variety proudly showing me his frozen baby seal carcasses in the freezer, and asking if I was staying for a while so he could share the delicacy

Sadly I was moving on. The best part about the visit, he lived in a village called Hearts Content. I would love to live somewhere called that.

**Oscar** · 17th July 2009, 20:57

Originally Posted by popelli

wasn't that a dutch province?

On reflection it probably is Zeeland in Holland (being as how Abel Tasman was Dutch).
However the one in Denmark has the correct spelling....

...and anyway, as the Nigel Powers said: "There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch..."

**peasea** · 17th July 2009, 21:07

Originally Posted by MSTRS

not all stupid people are darkies...

You're sure of that?

Just asking.

...aksking..

..arksking....

**peasea** · 17th July 2009, 21:13

Originally Posted by Mom

Well now that you mention that. I was born in Montreal but my family are from Newfoundland. There are more than a few Newfie jokes around, no doubt there will be someone along to enlighten you soon

Gosh, I hope so, nothing like a bit of white-on-white (or thereabouts) racism to start the party...........

**peasea** · 17th July 2009, 21:14

Originally Posted by Oscar

On reflection it probably is Zeeland in Holland (being as how Abel Tasman was Dutch).
However the one in Denmark has the correct spelling....

...and anyway, as the Nigel Powers said: "There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch..."

You're making an azzumption.

**peasea** · 17th July 2009, 21:17

Originally Posted by Oscar

There actually isn't a literal translation of it.
The best evidence I've read says it is a contraction of Pakepakeha, which refers to spirit people (who are pale skinned).

Would you rather be named after a small Danish province on the North Sea?

That's what I've found and those people were "not our people" but they were here before "those" people.

**Mikkel** · 17th July 2009, 22:42

Originally Posted by buellbabe

I'm a Kiwi/NZer and bloody proud to be one!

Why? I mean, what have you done to be a Kiwi?

I always struggled with patriotism... what's the point of being proud of being something you have had no influence upon whatsoever. You might as well be proud of the fact that the universal gravitational constant is 6.67428*10^-11 m^3/(kg*s^2).

Being proud of something you've actually achieved for yourself leads to arrogance at the best of times - being proud of something you haven't done anything for is even more ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Oscar

On reflection it probably is Zeeland in Holland (being as how Abel Tasman was Dutch).
However the one in Denmark has the correct spelling....

If we do want to be pedantic - it's actually spelled Sjælland and it isn't in Nordsøen (the water between Jylland and Norway), but in Kattegat (between Jylland and Sweden).

**Oscar** · 17th July 2009, 23:53

Originally Posted by Mikkel

If we do want to be pedantic - it's actually spelled Sjælland and it isn't in Nordsøen (the water between Jylland and Norway), but in Kattegat (between Jylland and Sweden).

Being pedantic?
On KB?
It'll never catch on....

**davebullet** · 18th July 2009, 08:34

We are all individuals really. No two people are alike. I could probably meet a murderer and have just as much in common as someone who likes to dress up for a mardi gras.

**DMNTD:Me** · 18th July 2009, 08:38

Originally Posted by Oscar

Being pedantic?
On KB?
It'll never catch on....

Anal has though...

**mister.koz** · 18th July 2009, 08:59

I reckon classification beyond "new zealander" or "kiwi" isn't really necessary, i mean sure be proud of who you are and where you come from but why classify? If someone uses their ethnicity as brownie points i'd sooner tell them to get stuffed and thats ANYONE.

Self-proclaimed underdogs or elitists are exactly the same; they take something that is not so important (and can't be changed) and use it to push people down. Its like being a prick to people over 5'8" what are they going to do? shrink? Its just another excuse for people to lift themselves up on whatever they can.

I say just be.