"Water separates our earth, but we have found ways to cross the globe. Rivers separate our communities but we are actively building bridges to cross between them. Languages are these bridges between people allowing the cross of our presence, knowledge, and understanding, over even the most treacherous waters."

On 11 May, I was fortunate enough to compete in the 2022 Bay of Plenty Race Unity Awards held at the local St Johns Church on the battlefield of Gate Pa. There was no better-suited place than this to share the collection of our youth's thoughts in striving for racial unity in Aotearoa today; as we spoke alongside the spirits of our ancestors who once fought on these grounds.

The theme of this year's awards was "Ngā matimati nō te ringa kotahi - The fingers of one hand." In our speeches, we had to answer at least two of five thought-provoking questions that can act upon the status quo in our communities to attempt sought-after social cohesion between the races of Aotearoa. In my speech, I spoke about languages as bridges between bodies of people and how the learning and encouraged speaking of languages will achieve racial unity. Miscommunication caused by mistranslation between languages opens a dark space for racist views to exist as we lose understanding. In my speech, I highlighted this issue in the clear historic example of the mistranslation of Te Tiriti O Waitangi; consequently imparting harmful oppression of colonialism that inter-generationally impact Maori aspirations and economic prosperity. In my speech, I highlighted how learning another language allows you to understand another's perspective on life and therefore weakens the environment for racist views to thrive. Learning languages includes the whole nation. People attempting languages learn best from native speakers - this is how every member of society has their own role in eradicating racism. In nature, we see balance in the teacher and student, learning and preaching, giving and taking. As we find this balance through languages we step off the tightrope we have walked along for so many years struggling against the overwhelming battles of racism and once again connect with each other... like the fingers of one hand we are.

I am proud to be the regional winner of the Bay of Plenty Race Unity award in 2022. I would like to acknowledge the Culture Connections Radio Show which gave me the platform to nationally share the ideas I conveyed in my speech on a national level. I would also like to give my thanks and appreciation to the incredible English department that showed me this opportunity and my English teacher, Piper Mejia, who sculpted and perfected the way I wanted to convey my ideas.