Dear Curious Minds,
As Matariki rises, casting its quiet, reflective glow over Aotearoa, I find myself thinking about the stars we choose to navigate by and the questions we dare to ask. It's a time for remembrance, yes, but also for peering into the darkness for new insights. And it was in this spirit, just recently, that something struck me. Ponder it with me. Thank you for being here, I appreciate you.
At a recent event I organised, an experience director and the facilitator for a panel discussion (someone I'd fangirled for ages and finally met in person) said something that resonated with me all week: "You can tell Laura isn't a politician because she just said, 'Correct me if I'm wrong.' You'd never hear a politician say that."
There's something deeply admirable about leaders willing to learn from their mistakes. I understand the drive for self-assurance and I present this persona professionally. Yet I'm consistently drawn to those who are a bit quirky, delightfully awkward, and willing to simply answer the damn question with "I don't have the answers" when they don't know, rather than embellishing with a 10-minute word salad.
I'm spectacularly privileged to currently have several close women leaders and mentors in my professional life who are very willing to be corrected when they're wrong. Learning from their mentoring and leadership style truly is a gift.
Whose "First" Anyway?
A couple of weeks ago, one of them mentioned that Aotearoa was the first country in the world to establish an Indigenous public holiday; though mercifully, with less condescension than the 2021 NZ Herald editorial describing it as "granting a public holiday to an event which is held sacred to indigenous people across the Earth".
I'd heard that descriptor before. But this time around, I had the privilege of the time to truly sit with and ponder that statement.
"First Indigenous public holiday in the Anglosphere? Or perhaps the first in the Commonwealth? Or something else entirely?"
My questions weren't because I doubted her intelligence or good intentions. Rather, it highlighted how often our view of the 'world' within the English-speaking demographic is profoundly Eurocentric, with that perspective serving as the unquestioned baseline.
(Fun fact: I once watched two colleagues debate whether a Congolese person's lack of knowledge of the British Queen was acceptable: "But she is the Queen of the world!" one declared. "Oh, she is the Queen of your world," the other retorted, "Do you know the President of Congo, or other countries of Africa?")
Instantly, my mind went to South Korea, where I can count many public holidays 'Indigenous' to our culture. Do they not count? Matariki could be more factually attributed as 'the first Indigenous public holiday' if we accurately define the context: in settler-colonial countries. Even then, it might be debatable that there are other public holidays in Mexico and Canada that precede it.
But that's not very palatable or marketable, is it? Most of us don't walk away feeling good about that. Why ruin a day off with an actual history lesson, right? Our brains have spent so much of evolution seeking easy answers, efficiency, and feeling good.
Exploring the Messy Knots
But chances are, if you're here at Entangled Curiosities, you're sick of superficial plasters over systemic broken bones. You want to explore the messy knots.
So, next time you have the privilege of being curious, I hope you'll dive into exploring whether the assumption or the story you were told is truly correct. I've learnt Matariki is traditionally a time when many families experience the passing of an older family member (perhaps because it's winter here in our part of the world). It is, therefore, rightfully a time for reflection and remembrance.
This Matariki weekend, as we look to the rising cluster and honour the past, what assumptions are you pondering? What reflections are sitting with you? And how do you plan to spend this time, connecting with your own constellation of truths?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. I'm always curious to hear what messy knots others are untangling.
I know it’s hard to commit to monthly subscriptions. So it would mean a lot to me if you could support this mahi with a one-off virtual coffee if you enjoyed this entangled feminist rage and grief :)
Last Few Seats Left
I'm delighted to invite you to three special free screenings of "The Doctor's Wife" on Sat 28 Jun in Auckland Central: a film that bravely explores the intricate layers of generosity, agency and the human connection. It's a perfect companion to the themes we explore here at Entangled Curiosities.
Spaces are very limited, so secure your spot and join us for an afternoon of shared curiosity and connection. You can register for your free ticket here: RSVP here