Banaban Voice

News and information service for Banaban Network Worldwide!

RE: Calls To Block Anonymous and Pseudonyms on Banaban Websites

Dear Nina, Lovenotevol and Perplexed (NZ),

I do not think you understand the reasoning behind Ken’s stand on not encouraging pseudonyms and Koro’s concerns over the fact that you as anonymous writers were being allowed to contribute to the Banaban Message Board and comment through www.banabanvoice.com

Both these sites are open to the public and encourage dialogue, comments and ideas. Ken in his elder’s role as a Banaban believes it his duty to guide and encourage his young generation to embrace this new technology wherever they may reside in the world and at the same time show a level of responsibility for their comments and actions thought this medium. Ken believes that all comments that are presented on these sites proudly carry the Banaban name, and must reflect the normal Banaban etiquette and customs found within the culture, regardless of this new found technology. We are well aware of the dangers and disadvantages that inadvertently come with this medium. We are not allowing the sites to be used as a dating service, permitting obscene or bad language, inappropriate photographs or videos. While this is common on many other youth orientated websites and online chat groups, Ken is keen to encourage Banabans of all ages to embrace this new form of technology for the good of all.

While you may believe your comments are adding vigor to various discussions, it is not fair for the Banabans who are contributing to these sites to have people challenging their comments especially when they have no knowledge of the background behind these conversations. Please remember that all the Banabans on these sites are all linked via their family connections and that visitors will not be aware that virtually all the Banabans you are making comment about are family. There are also many nuances within Banaban culture, especially in regard to how family members interact with each other that is entirely appropriate within the culture, yet to others, especially from western society, these actions may seen inappropriate.

The same can be said regarding sensitive issues. While most western societies believe it is a positive to encourage discussions and debate many Banabans may not share this opinion preferring to keep their views amongst family and friends. This is why remaining anonymous ends up being a one-sided affair when the participants have no idea of your background, your motives and more importantly- identity. We are also a bit lost as to why these Anon writers are from New Zealand and for some reason believe it is not appropriate to have their identities known.

So let’s be fair to all the Banabans and members of Banaban Voice who have shown the strength of character to proudly state their opinions and voice their ideas to try and contribute to the community as a whole. There can be NO two sides to a story when people have no idea to whom they are talking with. So if you care about the future of the Banabans as you have stated please put a name and face to your comments to be fair to everyone else.

Regards Stacey

Views: 109

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

People who use pseudonyms or want to be anonymous are either hiding something or do not have Banaban blood flowing in their veins. My personal view is that they should be banned from this site or other Banaban related sites, unless they provide their real names. We Banabans should be proud of who we are and not try to hide from the rest of the world.
Mauri Banabans. I totally agree to this issue of encouraging anyone who wishes to join or voice opinion thru this site to show themselves. Although we may not know reasons for one wishing to remain anonymous, in all fairness, it should be in uniformity that all be known on this site for who we are. All we have in common on this site is "we are all Banabans" and I might add, proud to be one no matter which part or corner of the world we reside.

Issues arise now and again on matters concerning the Banabans whether residing on Banaba or in Rabi, and matters of Banaba itself. Many know very little about the origins of Banabans and their connection to Kiribati. Banaba has become formally titled to be one of the Kiribati Islands. There are other issues that we, as Banabans, know to be true or otherwise and wish to dispute, contradict or set right but our race is inconspicuous compared to any country, our population is so small and we are hardly known to the world but to those very few - and thanks to those responsible (those whose hearts, commitment and dedication goes towards "Te I-Banaba - both our people and those kind hearted friends from around us) .

Banabans and their history have begun crawling out of their shells and are now fast becoming known to the world. So, let's join hands and announce to the world who we are - even if we don't have a language to speak that we can proudly call a Banaban language. Together, we can develop a better future for our forth coming generations who I believe would also be proud to be called Banabans as we do today and our forefathers before us and distinguish ourselves for who we really are and not be called by another race for speaking its language.

As for this site, I greatly commend the insight to create this site for Banabans to share, exchange views and more importantly, continue to stay in touch no matter where we are and continue to know how one is doing as days go by.

Let us all make use of this great opportunity and share what we can and who knows, there might come a day where we could possibly get together and make a brighter future for Te I-Banaba and enhancing family ties thru this modern technology.

Your opinions and views are important to enable us all carve a better path to tread on.

Cheers All.

RSS

Forum

Visiting Rabi and Ocean Island

Started by brian russell in Banaban Issues. Last reply by Stacey King Apr 16, 2020. 7 Replies

Homecoming to Banaba

Started by Christina Maree Buchanan in Banaban Issues Jun 27, 2019. 0 Replies

Slides of Banaba from the 1960's

Started by Dominic Kaukas in Banaban Issues. Last reply by Stacey King Jun 13, 2019. 1 Reply

Events

HELP RABI WOMEN IN FIJI

Help Rabi Women's Organisation in Fiji by purchasing RABI HANDMADE VIRGIN COCONUT OIL locally in Suva, Fiji

Contact

Terikano

for more details

Badge

Loading…

Radio Links

Bwanan Rabi Radio

(10pm Fiji Time 1&2nd Monday each month)

Live Broadcast

© 2024   Created by Stacey King.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service