MacDoctor writes to Pita Sharples

Pita Sharples is a likeable man. Politically he is the saving grace of the Maori Party. So it disappoints me enormously that he has gone to bat for Hone the Hater by claiming he is not a racist. MacDoctor is obviously more than just disappointed by this development.

Dear Mr. Sharples

I judge from your recent remarks that you are not aware of the definition of the word racist. In the interests of helping you understand your colleague Hone Harawira, I thought I might help you out:


racism

“Pronunciation:/ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m/
noun [mass noun]

“the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race , especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races

* prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on such a belief:

In case you are still puzzled, let me spell it out for you.

Hone Harawira is a racist.

If you think what he said was…

* Amusing
* Normal
* “Just a view point”
* Justifiable

…then that makes you a racist as well. Trust me on this. I’m ex-South African. I can spot a racist remark from 10,000 paces.

Now that I have appraised you of the reality, I trust that you will roundly condemn your racist colleague, Mr Harawira. Failure to do so will lead me to the inescapable conclusion that the Maori party is not merely ethnic in nature, but ardently racist. Should this be the case, I will be actively campaigning for you to be voted out of parliament in the next election. The last thing the Maori people need are representatives who are blinkered bigots. Racism has a nasty habit of spreading.

Your views would probably be welcome in Zimbabwe. Go there.

Yours Sincerely


MacDoctor