December 17, 2007

BURN THIS CD   

We’re gonna speak up, and speak out, not shout
We’re gonna stand up and stand out, I’m proud
My ancestors did it for me
I wanna be free

From "Mr Speaker your attention please" by Marama Mete

Burn This CD: Responses to October 15
Burn This CD, pass it on, and then let them burn it too

Burn this CD owes its inception to a discussion that took place in a car park between Maraea Rakuraku (Ngati Kahungunu, Tuhoe) and Alice Te Punga Somerville (Te Ati Awa) in November, 2007.  

Incensed by the media coverage of the October 15 Police raids, and committed to providing a platform for marginalised perspectives on the events, they decided to issue a call for contributions to a multi genre CD.   The fact that Burn This CD is a double CD  reflects the overwhelming response from a range of Mâori, Pasifika and Pakeha poets, novelists, screenwriters, scholars, musicians and community members.  

In an age in which copyright rules can restrict the circulation of creative work, and mass media can restrict the dissemination of critical thought, Burn this CD inspired a conscious decision to prioritise the kaupapa of ‘getting the korero out there’.  In that spirit all of the participants have released copyright to their works so Burn this CD can be freely copied.   

Burn This CD features the talents of Hinemoana Baker (Raukawa, Toa, Te Ati Awa, Kai Tahu) Maria Bargh (Ngati Awa, Te Arawa) Teurikore Biddle (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Awa, Tuhoe), Anituatua Black (Tuhoe), Sopa Enari (Samoa),   Alistair Fraser (Pakeha), Whiti Hereaka (Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa),  Tony Hopkins (African American, Cherokee),  Edwina Hughes ( Pakeha), Tame Iti (Waikato, Tuhoe), Moana Jackson (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou), Selina Tusitala Marsh (Samoa, Tuvalu), Marama Mete (Ngati Kahungunu ki te Wairarapa, Ngati Kahungunu ki te Nuhaka,   Ngati Kahungunu ki Mahia) Ngai Tuhoe Mete-Black (Tuhoe), Terese McLeod (Taranaki),  Pala Molisa (Vanuatu; Tomatarat, Tahigogona), Darryl Stack (Pakeha), Reverend Mua Strickson Pua (Samoa), Susanna Ounei (Kanaky), Lawrence Pook, Jason Te Kare (Ngati Maniapoto), Maraea Rakuraku (Ngati Kahungunu, Tuhoe), Hinekura Riini (Tuhoe) Alice Te Punga Somerville (Te Ati Awa), Darryl Stack (Pakeha), Teresia Teaiwa (I-Kiribati, Banaban, African American), Moira Wairama (Pakeha) and Christine White (Kai Tahu).  

Burn This CD will be launched Saturday, December 22, 2007 at the place where it all began: the carpark behind the Wellington Arts complex, 61 Abel Smith Street at 1pm.

For any further information, please contact burnthiscd@windowslive.com