Attention all Kiwis, Covid-19 fears no excuse for racism
Since January, there have been many reports of Chinese and Asian people in New Zealand experiencing racism and xenophobia because of Covid-19.
These reports continued through the level 4 lockdown. Of the more than 250 Covid-19-related complaints received by the Human Rights Commission, 34 per cent of them are race-related.
This racism must not be normalised. Sadly, Kiwis of all ages are dishing out racism. Being called names by both adults and children is distressing and demoralising. This Facebook post from a mum is not uncommon: “I was called ‘Chinese coronavirus’ by a 10-year-old in the skate park just now. How nice is that?”
Kelly Feng, director of Asian Family Services, says many of their counselling clients are anxious because of Covid-19 discrimination. Pre-lockdown, a child who was consistently bullied ended up swapping schools. Based on similar reports, I have alerted education leaders to watch out for this behaviour as school returns.
My lobbying of government to address school bullying remains a priority, but every New Zealander must also model for our kids that Covid-19 is not an excuse for racism.
School is only one setting. For the 400,000 workers who have returned to work, please beware of racial stereotyping. 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.
Another popular setting for antiChinese sentiment is online. Chinese New Zealanders are frequently seeing local and overseas social media content that denigrates Chinese people.
Richard Leung, president of the New Zealand Chinese Association, fears this content could trigger resentment locally. He understands that many are anxious because of Covid-19, but he asks for support from all New Zealanders to reject racial intolerance.
Criticism of the Chinese Government and political system should never morph into targeted racism towards Chinese people. As governments and groups demand accountability for the Covid-19 outbreak, a “blame rhetoric” will likely be a public debate for some time.
Free speech and debate are pillars of a democratic society and human rights here in New Zealand. Recent comments by overseas politicians, however, are a reminder that leaders must be responsible with our words. Robust debate should never trigger hate and vilification of any group. Politicians, please take note this in election year.
Many Chinese are frustrated because this racism and xenophobia is not new.
Adjunct to the centuries old, systemic and traumatic racism faced by tangata whenua Ma¯ori, Chinese have also experienced our own versions of bigotry. Racial prejudice, including legislative discrimination against Chinese in New Zealand, dates to the late 1800s gold-rush times.
Despite being in Aotearoa for more than 150 years, Chinese continue to be racially profiled as “perpetual migrants”. (A label that recent “non-ethnic” migrants are not burdened by to the same degree).
Since Covid-19, these racial stereotypes have led to vitriol like “go back to your country”, hurled at anyone who “looks Asian”.
This has not prevented Chinese people from contributing to society. Most are probably unaware that Chinese and Indian soldiers were among the New Zealanders that fought in Somme, Gallipoli and Passchendaele.
And the Covid-19 response highlights that many essential workers are migrants. For them, a high-risk frontline job often means low pay with nominal job security.
I am speaking with the Government about developing a national action plan against racism.
Other Covid-19 complaints to my office about Ma¯ori health equity and the iwi and hapu¯-led checkpoints indicate entrenched attitudes towards Ma¯ori and Te Tiriti that must also be addressed.