The racism pandemic
A national speech finalist is challenging Kiwis to unite and confront racism in the same way they have laid the blueprint to defeat Covid-19.
Shaye Witehira, 17, used the pandemic as both a metaphor for how prejudice can infect society and as inspiration for how a country can respond and unite, when she addressed a panel of judges at the 2020 Race Unity Speech Awards.
No one is born racist. It is spread through communities like a virus, but its grasp can be thwarted if there is a conscientious effort across society to remedy the problem, said Witehira, who attends Manukura High School in Palmerston North.
‘‘It’s easy for us to acknowledge our efforts to stop and minimise the spread of this virus. It’s been highly commendable, however we cannot ignore the underlying element of racism that is coming into play.
‘‘It seems as though this whole pandemic has validated for some people that it’s OK to be racist towards our Asian communities.’’
The Human Rights Commission received more than 250 Covid19-related complaints during the alert level 4 lockdown – 34 per cent of them race-related.
Race relations commissioner Meng Foon called for explicit antiracism messages from public figures to squash xenophobia against Asian people who experienced prejudice at work and when accessing services.
‘‘Consistent reports by Asian people of being treated differently or unfairly in public settings such as supermarkets and health, by staff and fellow patrons are concerning,’’ he said.
Allan Young, president of the New Zealand Chinese Association’s Manawatu¯ branch, agreed with Foon.
Some people of Asian or Chinese heritage have experienced harassment and abuse, but it’s based on ignorance rather than facts.
‘‘The majority are really embracing multiculturalism, but there’s still a minority that’s still a bit xenophobic.’’
Young agreed with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s statements during the Covid-19 crisis, that Kiwis needed to stop, think, be kind, and be considerate towards people, no matter where they were from.
But racism is not a new issue, Manawatu¯ Multicultural Council president Rana Naser said. It had already been festering in our communities.
As awareness of the pandemic grew, Naser noticed an increase in anti-asian sentiments and fear of contracting the virus around Asian people, but being relaxed around other ethnicities.
New Zealanders needed to stand up to discrimination against Asian people. To act against them because the Covid-19 originated inwuhan, China, showed a lack of education about the virus, she said.
‘‘You have to stand up and that’s where the New Zealand community is lacking. You think it’s intruding [your] privacy, but when I tell you [your comments or actions are racist] I’m bearing the responsibility to correct the misinformation. ‘‘You don’t understand these people. That is why you form these prejudices, but as you get to know them you realise they are just human beings.’’
Witehira admitted there were times when she needed to check her thoughts and self reflect on the views that popped into her mind. New Zealanders needed to challenge themselves and have tough conversations to move forward. While there’s no quick fix, if Kiwis can acknowledge the past, accept our differences and form an alliance as one people, New Zealand will be on the right path to eliminating racism. Manawatu¯ police area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart said she was not aware of any incidents of racial abuse relating to the Covid-19 pandemic in Manawatu¯.
The national finals of the Race Unity Speech Awards were held on Sunday via Zoom.
The overall winner was Tawa College student Jess Jenkins.