The welfare state is unsustainable economically, socially and morally.
Friday, January 12, 2007
When self-esteem is more important than the truth
Sometimes we tell little white lies to spare people's feelings. I have found myself trying to explain why this is OK to my children. Maybe it isn't. This sort of censorship certainly isn't.
Indeed, if you can't acknowlede it & talk specifically about it then addressing it becomes a bit of a problem. Must say though that that under performing 'tail' in NZ similarly doesn't receive a great deal of publicity... it's not hidden though.
Gloria, I was talking to a Maori friend yesterday who brought up life expectancy. I confirmed that people are living longer (she wasn't sure) and said Maori are but so are NZ Europeans so the gap isn't closing. So I drew attention to the difference rather than ignore it. If she had brought up education I would have responded the same way. We should talk about these things and why they are so. I don't think I cause offence. Hasn't seemed to trouble our friendship. I don't want to be pussyfooting about people due to their ethnicity.
Indeed, if you can't acknowlede it & talk specifically about it then addressing it becomes a bit of a problem.
ReplyDeleteMust say though that that under performing 'tail' in NZ similarly doesn't receive a great deal of publicity... it's not hidden though.
Gloria, I was talking to a Maori friend yesterday who brought up life expectancy. I confirmed that people are living longer (she wasn't sure) and said Maori are but so are NZ Europeans so the gap isn't closing. So I drew attention to the difference rather than ignore it. If she had brought up education I would have responded the same way. We should talk about these things and why they are so.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I cause offence. Hasn't seemed to trouble our friendship. I don't want to be pussyfooting about people due to their ethnicity.