Former MP: Belief in goodness is needed when facing hate

Simon O’Connor, who was MP for Tamaki from 2011 to 2023, said that he had to “face vitriol, abuse, death threats and more – I can tell you, it takes a lot of grace to maintain one’s composure”.

“It also takes conviction and – importantly – a deep belief in the humanity and good of every person. Speaking personally, no matter how vile and nasty someone was to me, I would always remind myself that I don’t know what they have been through in life; what is happening in their life right now to make them so triggered; and that they are just as human, and worthy of dignity, as me,” Mr O’Connor wrote.

Reflecting on the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the United States and the cancellation and abuse suffered by sportspeople Israel and Maria Folau for stating their views, Mr O’Connor said he was impressed by the demeanour of Mr Kirk and the Folaus in debating issues.

“Be it Charlie, Israel and Maria, the key takeaways from each of them is their composure, calm, control and conviction. This for me is the right response to current events.

“I am still considering how we rightly respond to the awful reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Similarly, the response to those who abuse people like Israel and Maria Folau for simply expressing what they believe,” he added. “I do not see value in the doxing, but I also see a moral difference between sharing an opinion and celebrating the death or abuse of someone.

“As I write, I don’t have any clever answers, but one thing we can do immediately is push against the mad idea that ‘words are violence’. This is a corrosive concept and one that has now directly led to an assassination. Words are words, and violence is violence. The old adage must be held and promoted – ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me’.”

Mr O’Connor suggested the search for a correct response might be informed by a quote from the Greek historian Thucydides: “Of all the manifestations of power, restraint impresses men the most.”

FULL STORY

The ‘right’ response (By Simon O’Connor/Family First)

Quote: Thucydides, Restraint – Prayables (Prayables)