The R-Word: from Racism to Resolution

The R-Word: from Racism to Resolution

If inequalities are going to be reduced in New Zealand, we first need to be willing to embrace the diversity of others, the Public Health Association Conference in New Plymouth was told today.

Dame Susan Devoy, New Zealand’s Race Relations Commissioner, told the conference that while New Zealand is a nation that prides itself on good race relations, her position as commissioner has exposed her to the racism and discrimination that occurs every day.

“As a nation, we want to live in a place where people do not experience discrimination because of their race, where the government reflects the needs of all communities and where we feel safe in our homes and in public places. But every day in this country people experience abuse and harassment because of their ethnic or cultural identity,” she said.

“Diversity gives our society zest and drive, and is a part of the DNA of all New Zealanders. And yet what I find interesting is how casually racism happens, through thoughtless stereotypes and jokes, abuse and harassment that have no place in our country.

“If we are going to make diversity a strength of our society, and not a weakness, The R-word we need to replace Racism with is Resolution. This can only be achieved through what’s commonly referred to as social cohesion – that is a balance between freedom, equality and solidarity.

“Statistics New Zealand has done some excellent work in this space, and has produced a number of social cohesion indicators based on a person’s sense of belonging, their ability to express their own identity, their experience of discrimination and their tolerance of diversity.

“At an everyday level, this is about the ties that bind, the things that bring us together, whether that is a faith community, an ethnic organisation, a school community or a sports club. These are part of the building blocks of community.

“The challenge now is ingrain this acceptance and celebration of diversity into our homes, families and workplaces. This needs to be taught to every child from their first day of school, and built into the thinking of policy makers at local and national levels.

“This is the challenge for New Zealand, and while no person has all the answers, we all have something to bring to the discussion to building cohesion and trust in Aotearoa/New Zealand.”

ENDS

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