With a proud showing of her traditional Māori face tattoo, the TV personality tactfully responded to a troll’s disparaging remarks on the internet by highlighting her deep ties to her cultural heritage and sense of self.
Online debates on facial tattoos are common because some individuals believe that tattoos should only be applied to the body, while others recognize the cultural significance of these designs.
After joining New Zealand’s Newshub, Oriini Kaipara, 41, a trailblazing television personality, accomplished a historic first by becoming the first primetime TV news anchor with a moko kauae, a respected cultural tattoo worn by Māori women.
The indigenous Polynesian residents of mainland New Zealand, known as Māori, consider moko kauae to be important symbols of their identity and cultural history. These face tattoos, which are usually placed on the chins and lips, symbolize a woman’s leadership role in her society, her ancestry, her social standing, and her abilities.
In spite of the positive feedback, a viewer named David sent Newshub an email expressing his displeasure with Kaipara’s moko kauae.
There is substantial opposition to the employment of a Māori newsreader with an aggressive and offensive-looking moku [moko], according to the Daily Mail. It is regarded as a derogatory portrayal. Besides, we do not understand the abrupt transition to Māori language. This practice ought to end right away.
In spite of David’s critical remarks, Kaipara bravely addressed the issue head-on by sharing screenshots of the messages on her Instagram story and responding in a classy and composed manner.
For me, today was the breaking point. I did something, something I do not usually do. “I disregarded my own morals and sent the message,” she wrote, posting a screenshot of David’s correspondence to her Instagram story.
Kaipara replied to David by email, saying that there was no violation of broadcast standards, so she could not consider his complaint to be valid.
She also stressed how important it was that he clarify his spelling of moko because David had mispronounced hers as “moku.”
According to Kaipara’s email, your criticisms seem to stem from your own personal preferences for how people should seem on TV. She underlined that as Moko and people connected to them pose no threat, they should not be the target of prejudice, harassment, or discrimination.
She underlined that such disrespectful attitude was uncalled for and that there was no desire to hurt or offend. She recommended that any more complaints be stopped and that prejudice and cultural ignorance be put aside, saying that they belonged in the 1800s or some other bygone era.
Despite David’s harsh critique, Kaipara was quick to point out that she rarely sees hostile trolls and that she mostly receives words of encouragement.
Following her response to David’s complaint, Kaipara emphasised the significance of having more Māori advocates in a recent interview with the New Zealand Herald. “The fact that my presence triggers certain people highlights the need for increased inclusion of Māori advocates in critical jobs across all sectors,” the speaker said.
All things considered, Kaipara’s poised response serves as a powerful reminder of the value of cultural pride and resiliency in the face of adversity; she is inspiring others to boldly embrace their identities and resist discriminatory ideas.
H/T : wdyst.me
