On the first day of Christmas someone’s editor said to them:
Bring me a story that is guaranteed click bait and that will cause huge dissent between the conservative block that hates change and the progressive block that embraces change, diversity and doing things to reflect our unique indigenous culture.
So they went out and found this story about a Santa who was not a fat old guy with fake facial hair as normal but was a Maori and dressed in a magnificent red Korowai and held a figurative taiaha.
Some of the kids were disappointed their safe world view had been threatened. Wait until they learn about how we have made a mess of dealing with climate change.
Their parents were also not and I suspect that they were the most unhappy people.
One parent was overhead asking how he was going to explain to his daughter that “that man was coming down the chimney on Christmas eve”.
Parade goers aired their disappointment online, with most comments showing outrage at the unexpected Santa.
“We had tears after that parade with Santa being a no-show.”
“Dear Nelson City Council. It’s hard enough being a parent at Christmas without you throwing us under the bus.”
“Santa is an INTERNATIONAL ICON, not Kiwi.”
Others thought it was great. Like Carlo Weigand who said he thought it was “fantastic” and said “[w]hat a surprise. So Kiwi.”
And Social Media did erupt into an outcry with one person complaining that they were stripped of a magical christmas moment.
It is funny really that those not wanting their kids to be exposed to change are normally the same ones that talk about their kids needing to toughen up and call us lefties “snowflakes”.
Of course by writing this I am adding to the social media pile up. But it is more in the nature of observing pile ups as a political phenomenon.
Any way merry christmas and seasons greetings in whichever way you want them expressed. And if you have kids expose them to change and new ideas and engender into them pride about our country and our unique culture. We have a lot to celebrate.
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