Everyday racism fuels prejudice and hate. But we can challenge it
Everyday racism fuels prejudice and hate. But we can challenge it
In the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks a month ago, New Zealanders are grappling with difficult albeit necessary, questions about discrimination and casual racism
The response to the horrific attack has been heartwarming Tens of thousands of people from different backgrounds offered support to the Muslim community and paid their respects to those senselessly killed and wounded The response of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been similarly refreshing, and has become a global talking point This gives us hope for a better future. But lurking behind news articles and commentary proclaiming that this is not us debate is growing about what this atrocity also tells us that we have been reticent to acknowledge Everyday or casual racism and bigotry can appear relatively subtle or blatant. It may include comments such as complimenting someone who doesn’t fit the dominant group for being well-spoken calling someone a good Muslim/Māori/Asian excusing race-based jokes or comparisons as “just joking These seemingly benign comments are often accompanied with more blatant experiences of ethnic slurs, being told to go back to one’s country, or managers admitting they do not hire people