Criptic Critic Conscience and Known for it

Monday, September 2, 2024

UBI discussion

 

Wells Tao
Freedom for the privileged few the bash for beneficiaries. We are all artists
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Leafa Janice Krause
Wells Tao did you come from poverty ? Are you really saying that serving more Māori is serving the privileged?
Do you know who they gave their free high quality resources to? Money spent on the underrepresented and poor is money well spent. Maybe do a privilege check on your own self before writing pesky harassing comments.
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Wells Tao
Leafa Janice Krause I do not come from poverty, I came from banking wealth, the point is that we have a welfare system, that is used to abuse Māori and the rest of us, when it could be used to enable all those that want to give back to the community in a way that isn't capitalist. But this idea has been stone walled by the arts community that is completely capitalist dominated even in areas paid for by our collective wealth, Universities, Public Art galleries etc etc
. The history of UBI Universal Basic Income is a shocking one, it's Free market Capitalist architect Milton Friedmen's invention, to monetize poverty and remove the last defense from shared public infrastructure. Schemes like this one, in my opinion appear to be a good idea, have great intention and even great short come outcomes, but completely miss the bigger picture and are on a slippery slope to perpetuating the worse aspects of arts role in society.
Pesky harassing comments is part of my art education work. You took the bait, most have learned to ignore me, I've been making this argument since 2010. I appreciate the engagement.
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Leafa Janice Krause
Wells Tao I understand your practice fully so my reply is not about being ‘caught’ by your knowledge and desire to have control of this narrative as a privileged person.
My response is solely related to the fact that the entirety of this endeavour is to purposefully redirect and utilise money often disbursed to the arts goes to currently established and renowned artists to go to the unseen and unheard communities in Waikato. Not just city folk.
The entire purpose of what we do here at our mahi to redistribute wealth in its multiple forms to ensure it goes to people and regions that always miss out on receiving the highest quality knowledge, and materials.
I respond too as a person who grew up pōhara. And because you signify the very source of power and privilege of fame that has personally kept voices like mine and of minorities suppressed. It’s the voice I’ve spent much of my art life petrified of because it does not see me as an equal.
Our mahi has literally provided hundreds of people with the benefit of arts education most people take for granted. It’s anti-capitalist endeavour is why I chose to participate because of its potential for the maximum social good.
The documentation of all of the outreach is now available to view. If you get an opportunity I hope you can view it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here and for caring enough to point out what appears to be our shared perspective on wealth distribution. Please know that discussion is always welcome. We see and hear your concerns. We are trying to be tiny part of a solution.
Ngaa mihi kia koe Tao.
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Wells Tao
Leafa Janice Krause beautifully said. I will watch the documentary and congratulations on the work. I can only hope the idea grows past UBI and into something that defends democratic values against the banal everyday domination of capitalism and it's lackies
Kia ora
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Leafa Janice Krause
Wells Tao yes! Hope is free still … I think 🤔
Kia pai tō rā.
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