Students come together to promote racial unity
The Race Unity speech awards held in Taranaki recently celebrated passionate words, but a hui held in Stratford on Wednesday was all about action.
Students from six Taranaki high schools spent a day at Stratford High School brainstorming ways they could help create unity between people of different cultures.
The hui and awards are organised around New Zealand each year by members of the Baha’i faith, which actively promotes peace.
Taranaki co-organiser Ainslie Duncan said the hui’s aim was to come up with positive ways to combat racism and bullying, and promote tolerance and acceptance.
Students were being asked to come up with ideas as a group, and also a personal action plan. “We’re looking at how we can be united, we need to create the solutions.”
The students were supported by teachers, members of Taranaki’s migrant community and media representatives.
Cailan Molineaux, from New Plymouth Boys’ High School, said nobody wanted to be seen as different because of the repercussions. “I think we need to unite together to take the stigma away.”
Porsha Edwards-green, from Pātea Area School, said she had enjoyed brainstorming ideas. And she made a new friend in Rangimarie Albert, of Te Piihiinga Kakano Mai I Rangiatea.
The trio came up with a plan to interview people from other countries and create a children’s book with some of their stories.
“We can do one for kids and if it works out, do an adults one,” Porsha said.
Other groups’ ideas included a composite mural celebrating diversity which would be created in sections by four different schools, and an Access Radio programme featuring the stories of migrants.
Cultural celebration days featuring the costumes, entertainment, flags and food from the countries of students were also being planned at several schools.
Opunake High School principal Andrea Hooper Carr had a challenge for the students as the hui wrapped up. “Don’t just talk about it, go back and make it happen.”