Racism and paul henry
Transcript of Racism and paul henry
- 1. RACISM and PAUL HENRY
IsntitalljustPCClaptrap ?
2. WhatdidPAULHENRYactuallysay
On Monday 4th October 2010, Paul Henry interviews the NZ Prime
Minister John Key, on TV OneBreakfast show
One topic discussed was the appointment of a new Governor
General
Mr Henry then mentioned ArnandSatynand, the current
Governor-General and as ked Mr Key whether the Governor General was
:
"even a New Zealander
Henry then asked Key about his next choice of
Governor-General:
"Are you going to choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like
a New Zealander this time? Are we going to go for someone who is
more like a New Zealander this time?"
3. TheResponse
Threefold
(1) Those against Henry saying it was racistand offensive.
(2) Those supportive claiming it was all PC fuss over
nothing.
(3)Those saying that it was about free speech
Initial response from TVNZ news and current affairs PR manager
AndiBrotherston initially responded that
"The audience tell us over and over again that one of the things
they love about Paul Henry is that hes prepared to say the things
we quietly think but are scared to say out loud."
4. WaswhatHenrysaidRacist ?
What is racism ?
A social system of domination, that is, of a specific kind of power
of one group over other groups (Van Dijk, 2005, pp. 1-2)
Racist discourse use of language to promote racism by means of
text, visual or verbal communication
Racial practice non verbal promotion of racism by imposition or
force ie. Apartheid
5. Pausing to consider
European, white, culture is dominant in New Zealand.Origins in
colonisation by British.
Many of the social systems, norms and structures still reflect
this.
Portrayal by some of the NZ way of life being threatened by
migrants and refugees and Maori radicals
Some see colour as a major factor, all these coloured foreigners
and now asians as well. Problem portrayed as being the fault of
such people ie: these people dont fit in or try to integrate, are
involved in crime or languish on benefits
6. What questions do the Comments raise
What does a New Zealander look and talk like ?
What attributes does someone have to have to be more like a New
Zealander ?
Would a white Zimbabwean farmer look and talk like a New
Zealander?
Who is a New Zealander ?
When should a New Zealander such as ArnandSatynand, be considered
not a New Zealander ?
7. The Answers
Mr Henry did not see Mr Satynand as a real New Zealander because he
was not white skinned
Mr Henry would consider as a real New Zealander someone who was
white skinned and spoke English as a first language
Mr Henry denigrated Mr Satynand by portraying him as some lesser
class of New Zealander
Mr Henry further denigrated Mr Satynand by implying that he was not
suitable as Governor General, given that he did not look and talk
like a New Zealander
8. Aspects of Racism
Clearly the comments are indicative of abelief that a
certainculture, race or group should be dominant. This verbal
expression is an example of racial discourse
Similarity with colour blindness (Bonilla-Silva, E. 2006). Not
mentioning that Mr Satynand was brown skinned but then implying
this made him not a real New Zealander
Indicator also of Stereotyping Satynand not one of us not the in
group (Hogg and Abrams1988).
9. TVNZ Response
Who is the we referred to in the response ?
What is it that we think but are too scaredto say ?
Was it an official endorsement of the comments Henry had made
?
10. Response enhances Racist Discourse
Implication the we refers to people in the in group, people like us
ie. Real New Zealanders
Implication there is some hidden truth our culture being spoiled by
non typical New Zealanders
Implication only real New Zealanders should hold important office
like that of Governor General
Implication that this is general knowledge but real New Zealanders
scared to speak out
Example of the New Racism (Van Dijk 2000 pp33-34).
11. But isnt this just PC gone crazyWasnt Paul Henry just
exercising free speech
What is Political Correctness (PC) ?
Does PC encourage or discourage racism ?
Is distinguishing people and their abilities on the basis that they
dont appear to look and sound like us, a good or bad thing ?
What is free speech in a democracy ? Does free speech include
allowing racist beliefs ?
Did the position that Mr Henry held, and TVNZs response, aggravate
the seriousness of what happened ?
12. Summary
The comments by Paul Henry were racist in that they endorsed the
view that only certain New Zealanders were real New
Zealanders
Some say it was not intentional and was not meant to be racist. In
context, difficult to see how Henry could not have understood what
he was saying at at time
Situation was aggravated by an apparent official endorsement of
what Henry said
It was colour blindness. What he meant was that a governor general
should look and talk like those in the dominant culture. Ie. Not be
of Indian descent
Racist view is still racist view, whether or not intentional and
despite a genuine belief that the view is correct. Nothing to do
with PC