This is us: Casual racism in New Zealand

Words by Kenya Kavanagh-Vincent. Image taken by Java Katzur.

Racism? I’m sure the word ‘racism’ would make you feel at first uncomfortable or dirty, and rightfully so. We have been conditioned to cringe at this word. But then, I bet you were able to slip back into your comfort zone thinking that, yeah, that’s a gross word, but we don’t have that in our country. We don’t have shootings of innocent Black people by the police, Donald Trump, or daily hate crimes taking place. Therefore, we don’t live in a racist country, right?

This was the exact attitude that was taken after the mosque shootings in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March 2019. The tragic event inspired me to finally suck up my anxiety and click the ‘Post’ button on feelings I had harboured for years, for every one of my Facebook friends to see. “This is not us,” we all said. “You belong here and we embrace you” was the message we extended out to our Muslim community. We were all, myself included, shocked by the events that had taken place in, what is essentially, our backyard. 

This is the kind of thing you read about happening in places like America, but not in our country, and we showed this mentality through the many posts and speeches that were made in the weeks that followed. “Not in NZ!” we proclaimed constantly. Yes, it is easy to pass around these mantras and share artwork on social media, pledging our support for the victims and our contempt for the terrorist’s actions. It takes seconds. But, when we actually take a deeper look at our society, the environment, and the conversations we take part in on a daily basis, can we truly say that these statements are ones that we genuinely live by?

I want to clarify that I am not out here hating on anyone who has shared these posts. I truly believe it has been heartwarming to see the way that New Zealand has responded in the wake of the terror attacks. However, to share these posts without taking an actual look at yourself and thinking about whether you play any part in the underlying racism that people are so quick to deny exists in New Zealand, is to dust your hands of responsibility. As well as this, you are basically showing that you support the harmful fantasy that we live in a perfect country where issues like this do not exist. Mass shootings do not happen often in Aotearoa. I can’t even pretend I know what those involved in the attack and any loved ones left behind are feeling. However, as a mixed-race immigrant to this country, I have seen and experienced racism in New Zealand first hand, and for most of my life. Particularly since being at university. But, it is not the obvious, viscious kind that we all associate with the word. Rather a more sinister, underlying type known as casual-racism, or micro-aggressions. It’s a massive problem. I’m talking about those racially driven comments and jokes that are thrown about so casually, that can hurt people’s feelings and make them feel self-conscious.

It’s those culturally insensitive costumes you dress-up in that make people feel like their culture is being mocked and cause them to be embarrassed of their heritage. What’s more, you have no idea how people are handling these things behind closed doors. All the messages I received after posting my status made this clear to me. Many people said that they had felt afraid to display their culture or even eat certain foods at school for fear of being judged or joked about, fearful to essentially be themselves, resentful of their skin colour, ethnic features, and being different. If you don’t believe casual racism is a problem, you’re part of the problem. Plain and simple. Sorry, but this IS us and it has been for a long time now. So, where do we go from here? I believe that the way to change is with baby-steps. We all need to take responsibility for our part in this. 

Here are a few tips I believe are useful to taking your first steps towards a more racially sensitive and culturally aware lifestyle.

Start calling your friends out. Yes, I know this is easier said than done. It may be awkward to confront your friends on the R word, but it is so important. It is particularly vital that those of you in privileged positions speak up. Yes, I’m talking to you middle-class white males, don’t make me @ you. Unfortunately, with the way society functions, things are more important when they come from those who are, metaphorically speaking, higher up the social ladder. So get on board and help us out will ya?! By doing this, you are showing the minorities around you that you have their back and, inturn, giving them the courage to stand up for themselves without feeling like they will get backlash for it. 

If someone with an ethnic background is offended by what you say, don’t get defensive. Apologise. I know what it is like first hand to be invalidated and told I can’t take a joke. When people call out something you said as racist, don’t use your feelings of discomfort as an excuse to activate your knee-jerk reaction by turning the situation on them like they don’t have a sense of humour. It’s honestly one of the shittiest feelings, especially coming from ‘friends’. Although being part of any privileged group has its perks, it also means you don’t get to decide what minorities can or can’t find offensive, you have never experienced the things that we have growing up.

Realise that if the person is laughing - they are 99 percent faking it, or have been conditioned by society to react in this way. Think of a song you loved for a period of time when it first came out, before ZM ruined it for you by playing it over and over again until you had to hear it six times on your way to and from your nine-to-five job (screw you ‘Thank u, Next’). This is the analogy I use to explain racist jokes. Those of us who are victims of casual racism have heard the same joke as well as every variation and creative spin you put on it a million times over since we started intermediate, or earlier — I can almost guarantee it. It goes a little like this. If you’re Indian it’s some wisecrack about your dad owning a dairy, if you’re Asian it’s something to do with math and not being able to drive. And so on. WHATEVER IT IS, WE HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE.

The reason this sort of rhetoric is so harmful is because all these jokes are based on the same stereotypes that poison our societies and lead us to generalise people. It enables what seem like small, harmless jokes to grow into something much larger and more dangerous. If you’re witty enough, I’m sure your comedic genius can explore some other, more ORIGINAL avenues. Go ahead, give it a try! The sun will still rise and set every day and your friends will still love you- trust me. Just remember, no one wants to listen to ‘Thank u, Next’ six times a day.

Learn about other cultures and what it means to be part of different ethnic groups. This is probably the most important one. I understand that a lot of people are worried that asking people questions about their culture/religion may be offensive. As long as you ask in a polite, respectful way, I am sure they will be happy to talk to you about it and probably absolutely chuffed that you asked. 

If you don’t want to go for this as a social approach and are too nervous, put down your Xbox controller and give up Fortnite for an hour in exchange for a doco about another country and how the locals live. By doing this, it means you’re more culturally aware and it also reduces your tendency to generalise and stereotype as you actually have a deeper understanding of the lives of others. You might even find it is an organic, effortless way of reducing your temptation to make one of the stereotypical jokes we covered earlier. Knowledge is power people!