human rights

Holocaust Teaching Trunks

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Biography Books education human rights Jewish Holocaust

A new initiative to provide material for secondary schools to teach the Holocaust ‘hit the ground running’, says Kris Clancy, Education Director of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand. The four Holocaust Teaching Trunks travelling the country contain books, items, a teaching guide and links to videos and website activities.

The books about New Zealanders are of particular interest, especially with the New Zealand history curriculum starting next year. The Violinist is valuable in this respect. Not only is it a local story, it is also a story of hope, about the healing power of music. ‘Kids need to see light at the end of the tunnel,’ says Kris.

The Violinist is also featured in another secondary school teaching resource, Just One Week. Its goal is to educate students about the impacts discrimination and antisemitism have had on Jewish lives. It tells the story of the Holocaust through three lenses, one being music.

Featherstone Booktown

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Biography Books Feminism human rights Law Shirley Smith: An Examined Life Social justice

‘We need to have a conversation about our country.’ That was the proposition I eagerly agreed to when invited to talk about Shirley Smith: An Examined Life at the forthcoming Featherstone Booktown’s Words in Winter series.

The icing on the cake is that I’ll be talking to Linda Clark. Linda is well known as a brilliant interviewer, but is also a lawyer and, like Shirley Smith, came to the law as a second career.  There are other parallels between these two outstanding New Zealand women. I must remember that I am not the interviewer but I’ll be very interested in Linda’s take on the book.

 At 2 p.m. on Saturday 27 June at Kiwi Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherstone.

The series also includes Alan Duff and Becky Manawatu this weekend, and there are more to follow!  For further information, see Booktown.

 

 

 

Dean Parker, 1947–2020

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Biography Books Covid-19 Feminism human rights Shirley Smith: An Examined Life Social justice Theatre Uncategorized Work in progress

I’m shocked and deeply saddened by Dean’s death this week. I feel the loss of losing a new friend as much as a colleague. It was my great pleasure to come to know Dean as he worked on his play, Shirley and Bill. He rewrote it after the recent playreading at Circa, taking into account many comments and suggestions from those who saw it, wanting to get it right. He looked forward to what he hoped would be a full production at Circa Theatre in the future.

Dean commented that he was incredibly lucky that the reading occurred before the Covid-19 lockdown. Lucky also that Circa’s production of his play Wonderful was in those weeks before the theatre closed its doors. I saw Wonderful, and it was just that, the best theatre experience I can remember in a long time.

Tremendously gifted, Dean was also modest, generous and great fun. A huge loss to his friends and family, and to all New Zealanders.

photo by Philip Merry

2020 Awards Shortlist

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Awards Biography Books Feminism human rights Justice Law Shirley Smith: An Examined Life

After the excitement of Circa’s play reading of  Shirley and Bill to a full house on Sunday, I’m happy to add that Shirley Smith: An Examined Life is on the shortlist for the New Zealand Book Awards:

‘Sarah Gaitanos champions the life of Shirley Smith, whose achievements working for human rights and social causes are often overshadowed by the notoriety of her husband, Bill Sutch. Drawn from voluminous archives and the recollections of family and colleagues, a clear picture is presented of a frank, principled woman who swam against the current of her time. Written with clarity, insightful interpretation of sources and a steady tone, a remarkable story is expertly revealed.’

Launching ‘Shirley Smith: An Examined Life’

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Biography Books education Feminism human rights Justice Law Shirley Smith: An Examined Life Social justice

Shirley Smith was launched by the Hon. Grant Robertson at Unity Books, Wellington, on Monday 10 June. It was an honour to have Grant launch the book. He gave a great speech, pointing up the significance of Shirley Smith and her relevance in our lives today. My thanks to others who spoke and all who made the launch such a success, especially VUP and Unity Books who hosted the event. No wonder your readers love you!

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They Are Us

Posted on March 20, 2019 by human rights Music

After a lapse I intended to start writing posts again here, but I never imagined it would be prompted by the recent devastating event that has shaken New Zealanders everywhere. I wish to offer a heart-felt tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack on Muslims in Christchurch last week. As I write this, the first funerals are taking place. I join with those who feel for the families and community in their grief.

It’s hard to find the right words. We are fortunate that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shown us the way, not only with her words and actions but by the empathy she so obviously feels for the Muslim community. Throughout the country and the world, people have embraced her message: They are us. 

Expressions of love and inclusion take many forms: people turn up for vigils in unprecedented numbers, they lay flowers outside mosques, light candles, give money, write messages on murals, in tribute books, share on social media, contact friends and family far and wide and show kindness and love to those near and dear.

Through haka and karakia, Māori offer a powerful and healing expression of feeling. Music speaks to the heart, not only in the gatherings in support of the Muslim community but also on social media also. Dave Dobbyn’s song Welcome Home has been taken up by various groups, including the Orpheus Choir of Wellington. We recorded a video last night to share:  https://youtu.be/k6LZe-AaSWw On Friday we take part in a free performance of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins, composed in 1999 for the victims of the Kosovo conflict. It includes a Muslim call to prayer alongside Christian, Hindu and other texts, with a karakia replacing the Last Post.

The message resounds. They are us.

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