‘Give Nothing to Racism’ has been the theme and message that Human Rights Commission has given to New Zealand’s ethnically diverse community on the occasion of Race Relations Day 2018.
March 21 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is observed to remember 1960 Sharpeville Massacre when 69 black South African citizens - including ten children - were shot to death by their own Police for protesting against racial apartheid laws.
The Human Rights Commission hosted the Race Relations Day a few days earlier at Government House Auckland on Saturday, March 17. The event witnessed the presence of the Governor Genral of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Strategic Advisor Rakesh Naidoo, Honorary Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, 2017 Young New Zealander of the Year Rez Gardi, who was also the host of the event, representatives of different migrant communities, students from Mission Heights Junior College, Holy Family School Porirua and from Fo Guang Shan Chinese School in Dannemora.
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy acknowledged the presence of the diverse ethnicity present in the country and about Human Rights Commission’s campaign against racism.
“From the moment we began, many Kiwis didn’t think we have a problem with racism. We thought if we are not as bad as America or Australia, we are all good. But the reality is when we talk to Maori New Zealanders, Asian New Zealanders, Pasifika Kiwis, Muslim Kiwis, every single person has a story to share. A story of prejudice, a memory of being humiliated, and a time when they were made to feel less than everyone else,” Dame Susan Devoy said citing why the campaign is essential.
“We share real-life stories of real people, and this is what our campaign ‘Give Nothing to Racism’ is all about.
My advice is don’t let anyone get away with it. Racism starts small but so does hope,” Susan Devoy added.
MC of the event Rez Gardi recalled her hope of having a better life in Pakistan in 1998 when the news of her resettlement to New Zealand was given to her family. She was awarded 2017 New Zealander of the Year.
Governor Dame Patsy Reddy acknowledged the migrant communities thriving in the country and congratulated the work by the Human Rights Commission's 'Give Nothing to Racism' campaign.
"We have more ethnicities in New than there are countries in the world," Dame Patsy Reddy said.
“If everyone has to have the same chances to succeed and if we want our Aotearoa New Zealand to be strong and thrive as a 21st century nation, we must celebrate our diversity, be inclusive, and be open to change. It is simply unacceptable for someone to be left behind just because of their ethnicity, language and religious beliefs,” Governor added.
We are a country of migrants, and in that spirit, we must commit to welcoming and supporting new migrants. We all thrive when treated with dignity, it's up to us to challenge racial slurs and harassment and let's not give in to racism,” Dame Patsy concluded.