Very clear explanation of a complex topic. I think you're right about the inadequacy of the systemic racism narrative as an explanation for group differences in outcome. It seems to be an unquestionable article of faith in the health sector. And the problem is that it gives nothing to grasp on to in terms of finding practical solutions, and leads to witch hunts to seek out ever decreasing amounts of actual racism. We are frequently told by health academics that "decolonisation" will fix these problems and result in some kind of utopia, which seems to be almost magical thinking.
You can't win an argument based on evidence and logic when the opponent doesn't use those criteria. We have arrived at a sort of "moral singularity" where any difference between subpopulations is necessarily caused by some malfeasance.
IE anything that happens to a non-white person (and is a bad thing) is caused by racism or colonialism. Anything that is good is naturally attributed to that person's credit.
Well done, Ani. In these days of capture of ALL our public areas by drivers of critical theory it won't matter what any contrarian opinion says it will be screamed against as racism. It will take many years for this cancer to work its way through and out.
Ani thank you for another wonderful piece. It is so much easier to blame "racism" or "colonization" than examine our own habits and how we affect our own health. It is no coincidence where fast food outlets site their premises for maximum returns.
The way life expectancy is reduced to simply, but 100%, due to a systemic failure is absurd. It promotes the myth that it can be completely 'fixed' by altering 'the system'.
If that were true, hadn't we may as well 'fix' the difference between male and female life expectancy too?
The comparison of Chinese, Indian European, Maori and Pacific New Zealanders lifespan is interesting. Clearly the Chinese lifestyle and genetics are a great combination. More Dim Sum please.
Good to see this careful research. But I'd like to add one observation. When it comes to life expectancy figures, we need to look at the trends. Māori life expectancy improved dramatically in the twentieth century, with the gap between non-Māori and Māori diminishing. The gap seems to have widened briefly between 1985 and 1995, but has been narrowing steadily again ever since. So (dare I say it?) this looks like good news. Doesn't it?
I’d like to know how these ‘life expectancy’ stats are weighted. eg If more Maori babies are killed, or more young Maori die in gang violence or car chases with cops, this will lower the averages surely? Would be nice to carve off all deaths not health-related & see what we get. I’d aver the gap is actually small. Carve off smokers and it’d be even closer. Is there actually a problem or is it just a convenient way to channel funding?
You talk about the racist system, the racist system, the racist system. Finally at the end you state that the reasons Maori and Islanders are excluded as donees and their family members are excluded as living donors is due to endemic obesity, diabetes and high BMI. This is partially a genetic problem but mainly a cultural problem. You want to know why we can't have deep meaningful discussions on this.
The answer is obvious: because anyone who does try will be slammed for being racist.
I talk about racist system because I am interrogating the validity of that claim. If you think I was agreeing with the premise you may want to read again!
That's... actually fair. It turns out I skim read your section on "systemic racism" and so assumed it was about "systemic racism" not "interrogating systemic racism."
But we do that. Sometimes we read the first paragraph, the section titles, and the last paragraph and avoid wading through pages of text.
Ha ha, I’ve been guilty of skim reading a post or two on Substack and ‘misinterpreting’ them. As you appeared to do here. But take it from me, Ani certainly does not pander to critical race moronic theories.
Beautifully written Ani. Another well presented piece.
Very clear explanation of a complex topic. I think you're right about the inadequacy of the systemic racism narrative as an explanation for group differences in outcome. It seems to be an unquestionable article of faith in the health sector. And the problem is that it gives nothing to grasp on to in terms of finding practical solutions, and leads to witch hunts to seek out ever decreasing amounts of actual racism. We are frequently told by health academics that "decolonisation" will fix these problems and result in some kind of utopia, which seems to be almost magical thinking.
You can't win an argument based on evidence and logic when the opponent doesn't use those criteria. We have arrived at a sort of "moral singularity" where any difference between subpopulations is necessarily caused by some malfeasance.
IE anything that happens to a non-white person (and is a bad thing) is caused by racism or colonialism. Anything that is good is naturally attributed to that person's credit.
Grant Kereama actually donated a kidney to Jonah Lomu back in the day
Well done, Ani. In these days of capture of ALL our public areas by drivers of critical theory it won't matter what any contrarian opinion says it will be screamed against as racism. It will take many years for this cancer to work its way through and out.
Ani thank you for another wonderful piece. It is so much easier to blame "racism" or "colonization" than examine our own habits and how we affect our own health. It is no coincidence where fast food outlets site their premises for maximum returns.
The way life expectancy is reduced to simply, but 100%, due to a systemic failure is absurd. It promotes the myth that it can be completely 'fixed' by altering 'the system'.
If that were true, hadn't we may as well 'fix' the difference between male and female life expectancy too?
Very very good analysis. Well done.
I have come to the conclusion that interpreting everything as racism, is racist.
BMI is not racist. I'm Pakeha and have a high BMI that causes concern with anathesists when general anaesetic is required.
Well researched & argued. It’s too easy to blame others rather than examine ourselves critically.
Excellent article. It's worth reading this article from 2022 as it also covers this topic.
https://www.nzcpr.com/fact-checking-the-maori-health-claims-that-have-led-to-the-healthy-futures-bill/#more-36366
The comparison of Chinese, Indian European, Maori and Pacific New Zealanders lifespan is interesting. Clearly the Chinese lifestyle and genetics are a great combination. More Dim Sum please.
Thank you for another interesting article, Ani.
Good to see this careful research. But I'd like to add one observation. When it comes to life expectancy figures, we need to look at the trends. Māori life expectancy improved dramatically in the twentieth century, with the gap between non-Māori and Māori diminishing. The gap seems to have widened briefly between 1985 and 1995, but has been narrowing steadily again ever since. So (dare I say it?) this looks like good news. Doesn't it?
I’d like to know how these ‘life expectancy’ stats are weighted. eg If more Maori babies are killed, or more young Maori die in gang violence or car chases with cops, this will lower the averages surely? Would be nice to carve off all deaths not health-related & see what we get. I’d aver the gap is actually small. Carve off smokers and it’d be even closer. Is there actually a problem or is it just a convenient way to channel funding?
The Herald's subeditors (or editors) actually made this statement below a breakout quote, despite its obvious stupidity:
"Māori are very willing to donate and we are seeing a slight increase in Māori donors"
Dr Curtis Walker
Since you mention ESKD, let's share compassion for the excellent MP Mark Cameron: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360744418/mark-cameron-his-late-stage-kidney-disease-im-pretty-frightened
You talk about the racist system, the racist system, the racist system. Finally at the end you state that the reasons Maori and Islanders are excluded as donees and their family members are excluded as living donors is due to endemic obesity, diabetes and high BMI. This is partially a genetic problem but mainly a cultural problem. You want to know why we can't have deep meaningful discussions on this.
The answer is obvious: because anyone who does try will be slammed for being racist.
I talk about racist system because I am interrogating the validity of that claim. If you think I was agreeing with the premise you may want to read again!
That's... actually fair. It turns out I skim read your section on "systemic racism" and so assumed it was about "systemic racism" not "interrogating systemic racism."
But we do that. Sometimes we read the first paragraph, the section titles, and the last paragraph and avoid wading through pages of text.
You're reading it like an academic paper, not an opinion piece - looking at the abstract and conclusion only, not the body.
Ha ha, I’ve been guilty of skim reading a post or two on Substack and ‘misinterpreting’ them. As you appeared to do here. But take it from me, Ani certainly does not pander to critical race moronic theories.