I’m telling you straight: Don’t vilify minorities to score points
Iwasn’t expecting to write something like this, so far from next year’s general election. Recent racist statements by a handful of public figures, however, lead me to issue this appeal now.
I call on politicians to stop vilifying minorities. Using minorities as your political whipping post is unethical and unprofessional. I’m outspoken and unfiltered, and I support free speech and robust debate, but not racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia or antiSemitism.
As the race relations commissioner and a former politician, I’m telling you straight: Using racial, ethnic, religious or minority groups to make a political point is a cheap shot. It’s bullying because the communities you target don’t have the same power and voice as you.
To me, it demonstrates a lack of substance and an absence of wellconsidered policy.
Commentators cite the global trend of populism to explain the rise of politicians who espouse racist, nationalist, antiimmigrant and xenophobic views. These politicians start with ‘‘othering’’ rhetoric, which appeals to the fear of difference, which is then followed by discriminatory and racist legislation. This is not a recent phenomenon in New Zealand.
Indigenous Ma¯ ori have borne the brunt of these policies. Unfortunately, many of us are unaware of the statesanctioned and centuries-long, systemic suppression of Ma¯ ori – the effects of which are still being felt today. That’s why I am pleased to see the Government moving to make the New Zealand Wars part of our education curriculum. When we fail to acknowledge and learn from past mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them.
As non-British immigrants made their way here, our politicians found ways to keep them out.
In the late 1800s, the Chinese Immigration Act taxed Chinese migrants and they were prohibited from citizenship and voting. It wasn’t until 1944 that the poll tax was repealed.
In the 1970s, successive governments decided that Pacific Island overstayers were a threat to public safety and to job security, while turning a blind eye to overstayers from Europe and North America. Skin colour determined whether you were the target of government and police policies. There were the Dawn Raids and the stigmatising of Polynesians.
The effects of this race-based discrimination on Ma¯ ori and Pacific is now coming to light through the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care hearings.
A more recent example is the treatment of Muslim people in a postSeptember 11 world.
These communities are revealing their stories of different treatment and of not being heard when they raise concerns. The Family Link policy, made by previous governments and just removed, was the latest, visible iteration of policies discriminatory of Muslim, Middle Eastern and African immigrants and refugees.
I could go on, but you get the picture. New Zealand politician disparages X minority group for the woes of the country. That’s also why I am suspicious when people mention so-called population strategies. These types of proposals must be examined to ensure they are not a veneer for more discrimination.
Which takes me back to recent comments about Indian, Muslim and Asian communities. They are offensive. Every day immigrants contribute to the economy and support advancements in education, civil society, and business. These contributions stretch back to Chinese and Indian soldiers fighting in World War I to preserve the peace in their new homeland.
We are part of the rich tapestry that is now New Zealand.
In all my dealings with multicultural and religious communities they respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the status of Ma¯ ori as tangata whenua. They recognise that improving race relations begins by addressing the issues Ma¯ ori raise.
I know from personal experience that migrant cultures can embrace New Zealand values without denying their own. Te Reo Ma¯ ori and Te Ao Ma¯ ori has enhanced my life profoundly.
To single out ethnic minorities and migrant groups as if they are in some form of competition with Ma¯ ori buys into racist ideology that is based on fear and scarcity.
Acknowledging and respecting the cultural traditions of one group needn’t mean the demise of another.
Leaders who scaremonger and vilify minority groups are regressing race relations.
But equally important, as we move towards a general election, it stands in the way of respectful and informed public debate.
Telling people to go back to where they came from, or to say that there is no room for other cultures, faith or customs, is a slap in the face to human rights. To do this in the name of a personal prejudice is one thing, but if you’re doing it to serve your political ambitions, that’s shows a lapse in ethical and professional integrity.