Give nothing to racism
Graphic: New Zealander of the Year, Taika Waititi, fronts the campaign
A campaign urging New Zealanders to give nothing to racism has been launched by some of the country’s most well-known people.
A campaign urging New Zealanders to give nothing to racism and refuse to spread intolerance has been launched by some of the country's most well-known people.
"How we treat other people will define what kind of country we become and what kind of person a New Zealander is," said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.
"Today some iconic Kiwis are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Human Rights Commission and asking us all to give nothing to racism, to give it no tolerance, to give it no acceptance and to give it no welcome."
"Our campaign is hard case, as well as hard hitting. It's done in a uniquely Kiwi way."
Racism starts small. Sometimes it lives in everyday actions and comments that we laugh off, nod in agreement to, excuse, and therefore accept. But we don't have to. We can stop casual racism from growing into something more extreme. We can give it no encouragement. No respect. No place. No power. We can give it nothing. www.givenothing.co.nz
Overseas and closer to home, racial intolerance and overt attacks are on the rise.
One in three complaints to the Human Rights Commission are about racial discrimination. However, the overwhelming majority of people never complain when they have been humiliated or abused.
"Hatred and extremism is becoming normal in some places and we want to avoid that future for New Zealand," said Dame Susan.
"When it becomes normalised it turns into overt racism and extremism," she said.
"We live in one of the most ethnically diverse nations on the planet – as well as one of the most peaceful. Whether it stays that way will depend on us, every New Zealander has a role to play in our future. Racism starts small but so too does hope.
"New Zealanders have a right to discuss important issues like immigration and housing, but we need to do it without racism."
Today's campaign is the second stage of a nationwide anti-racism campaign.
In September 2016, the Commission launched a website that enabled everyday New Zealanders to share their personal stories of racism. The campaign – That's Us – has so far reached more than three million people.
Find out more: www.givenothing.co.nz
Date: 15 June 2017
Image credits
- New Zealander of the Year, Taika Waititi, fronts the campaign - New Zealand Human Rights Commission