pick and choose your battles

I have never thought so much about racism, the existence of racism and the impact of racism as I have done over these last couple of weeks. It's a concept that I put in the "Ohh that doesn't happen in New Zealand" basket. I refuse to believe this is down to the idea of ignorance or neo-racism-that I would rather pretend racism doesn't exist at all. Maybe it is my fijian/european heritage that makes me a minority in being culturally aware and accepting, or perhaps there isn't a problem. The way I see it is in New Zealand we do a pretty good job at keeping everyone happy, considering how culturally diverse our nation is. Like any other country we use stereotypes, we are sexist, ageist, even surburb-ist, we define ourselves by education and the people we surround ourselves with.

Our most every-day level of "racism" would be through the use of stereotypes. Call me Negative Nancy, but I think stereotyping is a tool that will always exist. It's rarely accurate, sometimes offensive and a massive generalization, but like it or not, it's definitely stuck. Being so ridiculously culturally diverse we have many stereotypes in New Zealand and being the generation with everything at our fingertips it is no surprise that using stereotypes have become more common. We as humans have created a way to identify another individual and know their background, hobbies and interests without ever having to get to know them. What some may think it a nifty social shortcut can actually be racist.

What provoked this blog was advertisements for the film coming out this month on Maori Comedian Billy T James-an example of a person not only embracing but also fueling their stereotype. Most of James' show is structured around himself embracing and making fun of what is thought to be Maori slang, mannerisms and clothing. Another example of the character 'Munter' from the series Outrageous Fortune, who is a Maori supposedly acting out the Maori stereotype. But hang on, I thought we didn't like the use of stereotyping... now I'm confused. Maybe what Stam and Shohat should have written was "the use of stereotypes within race is bad with the exception of utillising it for fame or monetary advancement". This was obvious to me in the lectures on 'buddy films', where stereotypes of the African-American side kick are standard for feature length films. I understand the difference between an individual assimilating themselves with a stereotype, and a stereotype being forced upon an individual, but I don't think there should be a 'middle ground'. Can it not be as simple as, embrace it or don't?

There is no doubt that stereotyping is a lazy concept and it also fuels racism on one of the most basic levels. However I do think it is important that we do not forget that creating a stereotype is a 50/50 effort from the stereotyper and the stereotypee.

After typing this I went on to Facebook to see if I could find any relevant to New Zealand social groups that portrayed culture whilst embracing a stereotype, immediately I found Proud To Be Maori. Cute page equipped with discussions and a rather large following. I looked through their 'Photos' album to see what kind of images they had thought relevant to their culture, and among images of beautiful scenery and the Maori flag were also K Bars and Soft Drinks with questions like

"When you go to the flashest wedding at the Marae ... what colour drink do you go for ???"

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=234644496556379&set=pu.217783684909127&type=1&theater

I think considering the ethnic diversity of New Zealand we do a pretty good job at keeping everyone happy, although sometimes we should refrain from pointing that politically correct finger at others and take some of the responsibility back ourselves.