Listen
The vulnerable see the future before anyone else.
They’re the ones who can tell when rhetoric masquerades as reason, when numbers are a bottom line for profit instead of a reason to help, and when promises will remain just that; words into the ether, signifying nothing.
They’re the ones who are the canaries in the coal mine, the ones who hear the same song echoing from different mineshafts of history, telling us to take heed, run, act - because the safety we were operating under was always a heartbeat away from imminent collapse.
Do you know why women and allies were out in the rain in droves as pay equity was gutted in early May?
They were singing an old song with new lyrics.
Listen - because that sound you hear is dissent. And, because that sound you hear is a warning.
The sound in response was a deeply unfortunate national conversation about “cost savings” which only served to reinforce the many ways we participate in misogyny and operate in a patriarchal system, over doing the work to actively dismantle that system. (See also: racism, transphobia.)
The rhetoric of “cost savings” on pay equity fails to consider the impact of framing a deliberate move to shirk accountability for paying women fairly as “we achieved a great Budget outcome.”
This amplifies a harmful narrative, and for my money ($900,000 less in my lifetime), we could do better.
“If someone says it’s raining and another person says it’s dry, it’s not your job to quote them both. It’s your job to look out the window and find out which is true.”
- Jonathan Foster
Repeating talking points verbatim, publishing articles only representing one narrative (despite the wealth of dissenting, expert advice) is propaganda.
Gutting pay equity is not a “saving”. It’s deliberate undermining of the right to be paid equitably masquerading as balancing the books.
It is worth considering how amplifying and embedding this narrative opens the door to greater harms.
It is worth considering where power lies at media tables:
Who writes the stories?
Who benefits from the stories?
Who is missing?
It is worth considering who we centre, and reflecting why that is.
There will be more impacts to come.
It’ll be important to listen to those sounding the alarm on policy being delivered.
In my opinion it’s incredibly important to think carefully now about what they’ll say, who will say it, who will benefit, and who will be missing from the story, when policy is passed.
It’ll be especially important to remember this heading into one of our most critical elections ever - as a vital record, and a reason for people to vote for change.
The confidence with which blatantly appalling policy is being pursued should be alarming.
Whether they don’t think anyone is watching or they don’t care that anyone is, they’re literally betting the house that they’ll be able to continue the damage and erosion for years to come.
Listen to those who say the country will go to the highest bidder with no qualms.
Listen to those saying worker’s rights, the right to health, protection of climate, the erosion of equity will speed up so that chaos prevents accountability - all of which is happening elsewhere and all of which is happening despite clear warnings.
Listen to lived experience voices, advocates, activists. Amplify them.
Believe their song - because it’s always a warning, and a call to action:
Centrism is a solution for those who are privileged to not need progress.
Rest is also resistance - and so is joy.
Believe the danger, paired with possibility:
There’s a way forward, if we listen.
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As a side note, I write because I think it’s important to have a record of this time, which is why this newsletter is free.
It’s the first day for Sweat with Pride today which raises funds to support Aotearoa’s Rainbow community, which I’m proud to be part of.
If you’ve ever appreciated a post of mine, please consider a donation below, with huge gratitude, and thanks as always for reading.