Heard the one about the witty politician? Err, no...
So, a German, a Chinese and a Frenchman ...
ETHNIC MINORITIES are sick of being told to ‘‘ get a sense of humour’’, says the Race Relations Commissioner.
Dame Susan Devoy is delivering the opening address at this year’s Diversity Forum at Canterbury University today — and she will take a swipe at a joke NZ First leader Winston Peters made earlier this month.
During his campaign launch speech, Peters criticised Labour and National governments for selling large amounts of land to foreigners.
‘‘ As they say in Beijing, two Wongs don’t make a white,’’ he told his audience.
His comment made international news, appearing in outlets including the South China Morning Post and the Hindustan Times.
Although Devoy does not explicitly mention the joke – she says ‘‘the racial slurs aren’t worth repeating’’ – it is apparent she is targeting Peters.
‘‘We’ve come a long way as a nation in terms of treating each other with respect but what’s clear is some of us still have a long way to go.
‘‘One third-generation Chinese Kiwi said recently, ‘why should my children have to put up with people making fun of their name? Making fun of their race? I really thought they wouldn’t have to go through what I did. But I was wrong’.’’
Devoy describes the slurs as ‘‘ disappointing and shameful’’.
‘‘ Ethnic minorities are sick of being told to get a sense of humour, or ironically, to ‘lighten up’ when someone makes fun of them.
‘‘ When the insult is made by a politician and linked to an election campaign the ‘ joke’ takes on a more sinister, menacing nature.’’
Peters did not respond to requests for comment yesterday as he was speaking at the Ethnic Council and Indian Association forum in Auckland.
However, he has previously brushed off his critics, saying they lack a sense of humour.
So the Sunday Star-Times took to the streets of Auckland yesterday to talk to our multicultural city dwellers. Most hadn’t heard of Peters, and those who had were dismissive of him.
But they all said they had a sense of humour . . . ‘‘ In Germany there are many jokes featuring a young boy named ‘Fritzchen’. Fritzchen is walking with his grandmother on the street and says, ‘oh, there’s 50 euros, can I pick it up?’ She says, ‘no, you shouldn’t pick things up off the street.’ Then they find 100 euros. He asks again, and she gives the same answer. Next they find a banana peel. The grandmother slips on it, and asks Fritzchen, ‘can you help me up?’ He says, ‘no, I shouldn’t pick things up off the street’.’’
Chen Lau, 32, from China, arrived 14 years ago and works as an architect
‘‘This Chinese joke might not be appropriate, but: ‘A long time ago in the forest a snake met an elephant. When the snake saw the elephant, he laughed and said, ‘oh look at you, you’ve got a penis on your face.’ The elephant laughed back and said, ‘look at you, your face is on your penis’.’’
Josseric Lapendery, 19, from France, is on a working holiday
‘‘In France we like jokes – even sometimes racist jokes. We think you have to laugh about everything, and not take things seriously. There are also jokes about the size of [former French president] Nicolas Sarkozy because he’s pretty small.’’