The Press

Time for NZ to kick racism into touch

Dame Susan Devoy, the Race Relations Commission­er, says it is time for Kiwis to have an ‘‘uncomforta­ble, prickly conversati­on’’ about racism.

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The thing about so called ‘‘casual racism’’ is that it never feels casual when it happens to you. We saw how hurt and horrified Michelle Blanchard was recently when one of her reality TV show co-stars referred to her using a very old, very racist word.

The big issue isn’t about Julia Sloane and whether or not she is a racist. I believe her when she said it was just a ‘‘throwaway’’ comment and she didn’t mean to be hurtful: but the reality is that her response is the big issue.

While most of us are not overt racists, sometimes we say and do things we don’t realise are offensive and herein lies the problem (having said that I think most of us would realise that any use of the ‘‘n’’ word is absolutely unacceptab­le).

Racism and prejudice doesn’t always have to mean hate. It’s easy to call out blatant racists but harder to call out your friend when he says ‘‘all Muslims are terrorists’’ or your flatmate when she says ‘‘Treaty settlement­s are a waste of money’’.

This time last year I met with Southbridg­e Rugby’s Chris McMillan. His story is featured on That’s Us website because what he did is very important. When his players were racially abused, he stood up for them and he called out the players and fans who were abusing them.

Recently I flew down south again and met with Canterbury Rugby bosses who are adamant about tackling the abuse and the abusers. They are continuing to ask people to call out racial abuse and they are right to do so. Talking about racial intoleranc­e is an uncomforta­ble, prickly conversati­on but it’s one we need to have.

If we are unable to talk openly about racism and bias then the most extreme and often the most hateful voices are the loudest voices we hear. No one knows that better than some of the players from Southbridg­e Rugby who were brought to tears when they were called the same name that Michelle Blanchard was called this week.

We believe New Zealanders are mature enough to talk openly about racial intoleranc­e and that’s why we recently launched a campaign asking people to share their stories with us. So far hundreds of people have. Their stories come from across the country and across generation­s.

Many of us don’t realise racial intoleranc­e is a problem because we’ve never experience­d it ourselves so we are encouragin­g Kiwis to read these stories at thatsus.co.nz.

That’s Us is New Zealand’s first antiracism campaign that asks Kiwis to start sharing our own personal stories about racism, intoleranc­e and hatred as well as our hopes for the future.

We have launched it because racial intoleranc­e is on the rise overseas and closer to home.

The NZ Attitudes and Values Survey as well as our own complaints data shows we need to start talking openly about intoleranc­e. That’s Us is about the kind of people we want to be, as well as the kind of country we want our kids growing up in.

New Zealanders need to understand that the way we treat each other is crucial to our future so we are highlighti­ng instances where we have not treated each other with dignity and mana.

We trust that New Zealanders will recognise injustice and unfairness when they hear the true stories of what fellow Kiwis have gone through: it’s time for us to work actively at peaceful race relations.

Go to thatsus.co.nz and you can share your own personal story, over time we will be sharing excerpts from various stories.

Not all stories will be published but we aim to publish excerpts from as many as possible. It is up to you if you want to share anonymousl­y or let us know your name. We welcome photos and videos as well.

 ??  ?? The Real Housewives Of Auckland’s Julie Sloane, left, and Michelle Blanchard, right.
The Real Housewives Of Auckland’s Julie Sloane, left, and Michelle Blanchard, right.

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