John Howard has declared a national emergency [link] in the Aboriginal Communities of the Northern Territories. Horrified at the child abuse, he has taken a series of measures including banning alcohol and pornography. Naturally, it is these two specific measures that has raised the issue, and this in turn brings out the arguments around racism, the heavy hand of state intervention and all sorts of accusations against conservatives who can be seen to be flip-flopping compared to, say the recent protest against banning smacking.
Let me just say, up front, that I do not agree with Howard's approach. I think it wrong. I'll go into that later. For now, I'd like to spend some time defending these policies in the interests of getting down to a more sensible discussion, as compared to some of the arguments being bandied about on Kiwiblog. [Update: I take that back. There are now some very good points coming out. Redbaiter's and DavidP's for example.]
The difference between a smack and child abuse
Banning smacking was a blanket rule applied to all parents across NZ "to end child abuse". The liberal left could perhaps advance that as a solution to the aboriginal child abuse problem (ban smacking across Australia), and be rightfully laughed at. See the difference?
What is going on in these communities is outright abuse. Child abuse is against the law. It should not be tolerated. Any law breakers should, theoretically face the full force of the law, be locked up in jail and the key thrown away. However, that would not really be solving the problem in this case, would it?
Banning alcohol and pornography to a specific area is effectively targeting a group that has an extremely high proportion of law breakers may actually make an impact, as opposed to a complete country wide ban. Alcohol is banned at some concerts and sporting events, for example.
As I said, I don't agree with this approach per se, but it seems to me to be based on a modicum of common sense and reality (political views aside).
Racist Policies
I agree with the people arguing this is fundamentally a racist policy. It could also be described as a "culturalist" policy. The problem we are discussing here is fundamentally an aboriginal one, and invariably, to respond to it in that way does mean it will inevitably seen as a racist.
That being said, this unfairly lumps in the percentage of aboriginal people that are doing the right thing in these communities. We are assigning guilt where there may be none. There are lawbreakers, or there are not. That should be the focus, not race. So, consider race and culture when targeting the assistance, but frame the negative actions in the context of targeting lawbreakers. Find them, then prevent them from harming others and give them the help they need to turn their life around.
State Intervention
Howard seems to be rolling over the Northern Territories Government to get action. As far as I can tell, possibly a fair move. The issue has been around for years, and the Labour State Government have completely failed. Arguably, so has Howard, and it would be easy to assume that this is all politically motivated. Maybe it is, but at least the issue is now out loudly in the public arena. About time.
Ultimately though, I believe the heavy hand of the state is not going to solve anything. A blanket ban affects people that may be innocent. It is also untested. We don't know if, as people don't fall into their usual drunken stupor, they will suddenly become more violent and the abuse increase. The last thing the Government should want is to see the problem made worse. Prohibition means moonshine, smuggling in alcohol or people simply migrating into cities. Whatever restrictions are placed on alcohol and porn need to be with a lot of social services backup.
So what's my solution? I admit I'm not as outraged by Howard's suggestions, because I agree the problem is so serious, we need to try different approaches. They just need to be comprehensive.
Seems to me that people live in this way when they have no purpose in life, and no hope. Right wing secularists and atheists provide this by improving living conditions, encouraging property ownership, a job, accepting responsibilities. The right wing Christians add a faith element to that, because faith is needed when there is little hope, when the future looks bleak, and we wonder why we should continue to struggle on in life and hold tight to the belief that every life is valuable, every life a blessing.
The liberal left have had their chance - welfare with complete freedom. Free money to get drunk, abuse their children and wallow in depression.
John Howard needs to get together with people like Cardinal Pell and say "You guys have always done a great job and going out and giving people hope. What can we do to help? What resources do you need?" Bringing faith, jobs, property ownership, teaching the importance of family values, better education and learning the character building traits of restraint, self-control, avoidance of temptation, and love for others is the only way to solve this problem - in short - giving the aboriginal people the best of our Western Christian Heritage. Not the welfare driven, liberal freedom without any grounding in duty and responsibility socialist approach of the past. And I don't think that means they need to abandon their rich culture. It's still there waiting for them when they finally put down the bottle.
I don't think banning porn and booze is going to help, but I'd like to be convinced it could actually help. Whatever comes from this conversation, we all need to agree that the status quo cannot continue.
Comments anyone?
Related Link: No Porn and Booze on the other side of the rabbit wire fence
Related Link: Kiwiblog - Black and White Issue
Let me just say, up front, that I do not agree with Howard's approach. I think it wrong. I'll go into that later. For now, I'd like to spend some time defending these policies in the interests of getting down to a more sensible discussion, as compared to some of the arguments being bandied about on Kiwiblog. [Update: I take that back. There are now some very good points coming out. Redbaiter's and DavidP's for example.]
The difference between a smack and child abuse
Banning smacking was a blanket rule applied to all parents across NZ "to end child abuse". The liberal left could perhaps advance that as a solution to the aboriginal child abuse problem (ban smacking across Australia), and be rightfully laughed at. See the difference?
What is going on in these communities is outright abuse. Child abuse is against the law. It should not be tolerated. Any law breakers should, theoretically face the full force of the law, be locked up in jail and the key thrown away. However, that would not really be solving the problem in this case, would it?
Banning alcohol and pornography to a specific area is effectively targeting a group that has an extremely high proportion of law breakers may actually make an impact, as opposed to a complete country wide ban. Alcohol is banned at some concerts and sporting events, for example.
As I said, I don't agree with this approach per se, but it seems to me to be based on a modicum of common sense and reality (political views aside).
Racist Policies
I agree with the people arguing this is fundamentally a racist policy. It could also be described as a "culturalist" policy. The problem we are discussing here is fundamentally an aboriginal one, and invariably, to respond to it in that way does mean it will inevitably seen as a racist.
That being said, this unfairly lumps in the percentage of aboriginal people that are doing the right thing in these communities. We are assigning guilt where there may be none. There are lawbreakers, or there are not. That should be the focus, not race. So, consider race and culture when targeting the assistance, but frame the negative actions in the context of targeting lawbreakers. Find them, then prevent them from harming others and give them the help they need to turn their life around.
State Intervention
Howard seems to be rolling over the Northern Territories Government to get action. As far as I can tell, possibly a fair move. The issue has been around for years, and the Labour State Government have completely failed. Arguably, so has Howard, and it would be easy to assume that this is all politically motivated. Maybe it is, but at least the issue is now out loudly in the public arena. About time.
Ultimately though, I believe the heavy hand of the state is not going to solve anything. A blanket ban affects people that may be innocent. It is also untested. We don't know if, as people don't fall into their usual drunken stupor, they will suddenly become more violent and the abuse increase. The last thing the Government should want is to see the problem made worse. Prohibition means moonshine, smuggling in alcohol or people simply migrating into cities. Whatever restrictions are placed on alcohol and porn need to be with a lot of social services backup.
So what's my solution? I admit I'm not as outraged by Howard's suggestions, because I agree the problem is so serious, we need to try different approaches. They just need to be comprehensive.
Seems to me that people live in this way when they have no purpose in life, and no hope. Right wing secularists and atheists provide this by improving living conditions, encouraging property ownership, a job, accepting responsibilities. The right wing Christians add a faith element to that, because faith is needed when there is little hope, when the future looks bleak, and we wonder why we should continue to struggle on in life and hold tight to the belief that every life is valuable, every life a blessing.
The liberal left have had their chance - welfare with complete freedom. Free money to get drunk, abuse their children and wallow in depression.
John Howard needs to get together with people like Cardinal Pell and say "You guys have always done a great job and going out and giving people hope. What can we do to help? What resources do you need?" Bringing faith, jobs, property ownership, teaching the importance of family values, better education and learning the character building traits of restraint, self-control, avoidance of temptation, and love for others is the only way to solve this problem - in short - giving the aboriginal people the best of our Western Christian Heritage. Not the welfare driven, liberal freedom without any grounding in duty and responsibility socialist approach of the past. And I don't think that means they need to abandon their rich culture. It's still there waiting for them when they finally put down the bottle.
I don't think banning porn and booze is going to help, but I'd like to be convinced it could actually help. Whatever comes from this conversation, we all need to agree that the status quo cannot continue.
Comments anyone?
Related Link: No Porn and Booze on the other side of the rabbit wire fence
Related Link: Kiwiblog - Black and White Issue