Moana Maniapoto on Institutional Racism

E-Tangata published a post this morning; written by Moana Maniapoto, which I thought was interesting as Suzanne was just talking about her work. The blog is called “The Racism that too few of the privileged can see.”

Moana first gives examples of personal racism she herself has been victim to and then defines what wider institutional racism is. “How power and control ultimately rests in the hands of the Pākehā majority, the true beneficiaries of the Treaty that enabled them to settle here in the first place. The structures their ancestors put into place entrench Pākehā privilege.” She acknowledges that many people can recognise the bias within NZ systems, they just don’t recognise it as institutional racism. Reflecting on the result of the recent case of 4 Pakeha boys who stole almost $100,000 worth of equipment, and how many acknowledged the results would have differed if they were Maori boys. Moana acknowledges Andrew Judd, and suggests those who are aware of the injustice, should step up and do something.

The blog eloqently defines and gives clear examples of institutional racism in NZ, I only wish it could reach a larger audience. E-Tangata is a Maori and Pasifika magazine that regularly publishes thought-provoking articles, that have the potential to motivate change. However, I imagine that the majority of it’s audience are not the ones that need to be woken up to the issues in NZ, they are the ones effected by them.

“Many Pākehā understand that their sons and daughters are less likely to be picked up by the cops, go to court, drop out of school, rob a bank, get sick, be unemployed, end up homeless and commit suicide. Those who understand why are agents of change in their circles of influence. Pākehā who don’t “get it” fail to understand that the dice is loaded in their favour — that their place in the game is a given. They make assumptions that lead to victim blaming. Their inability and unwillingness to understand is part of the problem.”

This post and many more on the site are worth checking out!

http://e-tangata.co.nz/news/the-racism-that-too-few-of-the-privileged-can-see