Lets seize the opportunity to promote Papua New Guinea

I do not think the organizers of the US protest group; the Tea Party should apologize to PNG or the Hela Province for superimposing their President Barrack Obama’s face on a picture of a Huli wigman. People can think what they like in PNG but frankly the Tea Party will not apologize. They will only see the funny side of it as they meant their antics to be just satirical; and not intended to a racist slur to their President.

Original Huli Wigman from Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Here's what I think. Firstly, the Tea Party can be excused here as they do not know where PNG is or what a Huli wigman is. Secondly, they meant no harm to PNG or to offend the Hulis. Thirdly, even if we demand that they apologize, they will not as theirs is a free democratic society and country.

Fourthly, they were only exercising their constitutional right to freely protest what they feel towards their administration and fifthly, they also don’t care one way or another and won’t be forced to apologize to anyone outside the US.

This particular protest group was only expressing their displeasure at their President's perceived health care reforms before congress. Had the Tea Party known any better, they would have thought twice before using the Huli wigman image and their President’s face. On the other hand, every Papua New Guinean in PNG and abroad should be very proud of the fact that unwittingly the US Tea Party has put our Huli culture and great country on the world map.

I urge Papua New Guineans in PNG and abroad to join hands and give some moral support to President Obama as he no doubt feels somewhat besieged in his own country. This is a fantastic international promotion opportunity that PNG will greatly benefit from being exposed. It is good for PNG’s global image so let us use this to our country's great benefit.

Doctored Huli Wigman depicts US president Barrak H. Obama

On another note, I think Barrack Obama looks quiet cute as a Huli dancer. Rather than feel aggrieved, let us embrace the world’s most powerful leader to be linked to a powerful newly established Hela province (formerly of the Southern Highlands Province).

The President’s handsome black and youthful face does justice to our Huli costume and we should now promote this aspect by aggressively promoting, and showcasing the image around the world. There is a big positive side to all this.

I call on everyone in the business of promoting all things PNG to now seize this greatest lifetime opportunity to sell our great country’s positive attributes to the world. Let us turn a perceived negative into a positive win-win outcome for Hela, PNG and the US.

Let us ride on the coat-tails of the US Tea Party’s ignorant mistake into our greatest global promotional opportunity. Can you imagine the US networks going into a frenzy over this to replay around the world.

More over, we should also invite the members of the US Tea Party to visit Hela and PNG to see a real live Huli wigman. What a great boost for tourism and PNG attracting more overseas visitors to PNG to see for themselves our diversified and colourful culture, among other things.

So I call on the 'powers-that-be' in PNG to use President Obama as a positive force to promote our country.

Reginald Renagi

Port Moresby

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