Philip Patston's blog
Diversity helps creative thinking
DIVINQ stands for Diversity Inquiry. It is an online and offline process, designed by Philip Patston, for young people and open-minded adults, who want to create space for a light-hearted and fun yet meaningful and exploratory conversation. The conversation aims to generate empowerment, understanding and self-acceptance by encouraging creative thinking about values, beliefs, assumptions, diversity, human rights and a myriad of other things. No DIVINQ is ever the same.
We are looking for schools, youth organisations, businesses, government departments and community groups who are interested in doing DIVINQ – watch the video and get in touch.
Smoke free prisons and the peer mentor
It’s Leadership Week! So, in celebration, let’s ponder whether banning smoking in prisons an example of the Nats falling prey to political correctness and explore a potential trend away from young people wanting to learn from their elders…
BP’s gush wreaks human havoc
As I watch BP’s oil gush into the Gulf, I can’t help but feel slightly impotent. I’m not usually one to confuse my manhood with world events.
There’s something paralysing about watching the reckless, ravishing waste in my living room each night. It makes me want to stride into somewhere with manly authority, sort it all out and make it stop.
But I can’t and that makes me feel limp with inadequacy. Read more…
Tokio Hotel – Tom’s Blog – In case you ever wonder…
Inclusion alone is not enough
Creating inclusive environments is a key part of allowing diversity to add richness and value to everything we do in our organisations and businesses. But inclusion – or ensuring equal opportunities for people to access environments, services and networks – alone is not enough.
Yes it’s important to notice when people are not present on our boards and staff, in our audiences and programmes. And we must identify and address barriers that disadvantage, marginalise or exclude people.
But, according to “Social Inclusion and Participation: A Guide for Policy and Planning” published by the NZ Ministry of Social Development in 2007 (download it as a Word doc), there are four other key dimensions of social inclusion: belonging, participation, recognition and legitimacy.
Let’s look at these one by one.
Thank god it’s not ok to kill disabled people in NZ
I’m very relieved that Eric Smail was today found guilty by a Christchurch jury of the murder of Keith McCormick. Read the story.
A very good verdict – I must say I was beginning to fear a less appropriate outcome.
I’ve informed my staff that if they don’t like being complained at for being late, to talk to me about it, because they won’t get away with killing me, based on this precedent.
Here’s the media release, “It’s ok to kill disabled people in NZ“, that I wrote in May 2006 when the killing happened.
Dreaming of better MP stories
On Sunday afternoon while discussing with friends the week’s political credit card revelations and other minor happenings, I said that anyone who volunteers for political office proves, by the act of volunteering, that they shouldn’t be a politician.
That night I dreamt that I had been elected MP for Wellington. I saw myself on the streets of the capital city, being congratulated by people young and old. They assured me I would make a difference, change the world and watch lots of porn.
Actually I made up the bit about the porn, but the rest really happened – it was a perplexing dream.
I have said in the past – at an university orientation gig in fact – that if I ever stand for parliament, someone should congratulate me on getting to my feet. Then they should shoot me , which would be better than having my throat cut.
The language of Autism
I just found the link to this video on the Nutters Club Facebook wall, recommended by Russell Brown. It’s a great interpretation and analysis of autism, pointing out that people are not “non-thinking” or “non-responsive”, just because how they think or respond is unique, not common. A great reminder to accept and value diversity even if you don’t understand it.
Prime hits the mark with NZ TV retrospective
What a refreshing change to see an intelligent and well-produced (by Creme TV) history of TV in NZ, after TVNZ’s debacle the other week. As Fiona Rae said in the Listener, “Prime goes where TVNZ couldn’t be bothered with this seven-part series about the google box in New Zealand. Shockingly, it goes further than a mere clip show, by investigating the way that television has shaped and reflected our society since its introduction in 1960.”
Great watch, look forward to more next week.
See more about the series here and visit www.historyoftvinnz.com
Brainless categorisation and creative inclusion
Two high profile news stories caught my eye last week. First, radio station The Edge’s “Hug a Ginga Day” and then World Cup ambassador Andy Haden’s “darkies” comment.
Both have fuelled debates in the media, as well as the lounges and lunch rooms of the nation. The arguments ranged from accusations of racism and even terrorist intent, to justifications of harmless fun and political correctness. Mitigations have come thick and fast: the use of similar terms like “honky” for Europeans and the commonplace acceptance of blonde jokes make ginga-hugging and darkie-calling okay. Read more…
