Racism: Alive and well
We're not strangers to the concept of racism here in Fiji. We always strive for diversity and peace in our multicultural society but racism has reared it's ugly head on numerous occasions, in our politics, in our villages, in our cities and in our own homes. We can't deny it, not when it's ripped this country during the last four coups and blinks like a neon sign when ethnicity and nationality are brought up on the national agenda.
Many remember the remarks of politician, Adi Asenaca Caucau who likened Fijians of Indian descent to weeds. Everyone remembers the violent eruptions of 1987 and 2000, where many Indo-Fijians were assaulted solely on the basis of their ethnicity.
Last year, 2012, a reminder that many still held the same old notions of what it meant to be truly Fijian, unfolded during the Ms.World Fiji Pageant. Torika Watters was crowned Ms.World Fiji in 2012 but stripped of her title after it was found that she was under-aged. The crown was then assumed by Koini Vakaloloma who had been the 1st runner up. Unfortunately for Watters, during her short reign, she was criticized for not looking "Fijian" enough to represent the nation. Watters was of both Fijian and European descent, spotting blond hair and fair skin. Users took the social media to express their "concerns" that she did not have a "fro" or looked anything like an "Indigenous Fijian."
Racism is an illness. An epidemic that has caused heartbreak, danger and sadness to too many lives.
This doesn't mean that Fiji is a racist country. This doesn't mean we don't have diversity.
In fact, racism is present everywhere and still very prominent in the so-called land of the free, the United States of America.
The USA do not have a clean slate when it comes to racism but for a first world democratic country with it's first black president, you would think progress in the eradication of racism was ahead.
The reality is, racism is alive and well. Ms.America 2014 Nina Davuluri was attacked on social media, like twitter with racist remarks for her Indian ethnicity. Not only was her Indian heritage criticized, she had to handle other ignorant comments about being Arab, Muslim and a terrorist.
Eleven-year-old Sebastien De La Cruz, an American of Mexican descent drew applause from the crowd during the NBA finals when he sang the National Anthem. On twitter and the social media, a different scenario unfolded and he was slammed for being Mexican. Comments criticizing his appearance and immigrant slurs were posted up on social media by the hundreds.
American singer, Marc Anthony who is of Puerto Rican descent was similarly slammed when he sang God Bless America at a baseball game.
Davuluri and Anthony were both born in New York and young Sebastien De La Cruz was born in San Antonio. All three are American citizens. Puerto Rico is also part of America. Yet, they were all verbally bashed because they did not look "American" enough to sing the National Anthem or represent the Nation.
We have a long way to go to eradicate racism but even if that's accomplished, other discriminations and other differences will arise.
If there's one thing we can learn, it's the power of the social media and the ignorance in our society. Hate speech should not ever be considered as freedom of expression but as it is, the only way to rebut is with more expression and more discussion, of acceptance, love and peace.
Racism is alive and well but only because we allow it to be.
I don't necessarily want to quote Michael Jackson but for the sake of this post, I would think his song "Man in the Mirror" is relevant for everyone.
Many remember the remarks of politician, Adi Asenaca Caucau who likened Fijians of Indian descent to weeds. Everyone remembers the violent eruptions of 1987 and 2000, where many Indo-Fijians were assaulted solely on the basis of their ethnicity.
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| 1987 Source: BBC |
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| Torika Watters crowning moment Source: dailytelegraph.com.au |
Racism is an illness. An epidemic that has caused heartbreak, danger and sadness to too many lives.
This doesn't mean that Fiji is a racist country. This doesn't mean we don't have diversity.
In fact, racism is present everywhere and still very prominent in the so-called land of the free, the United States of America.
The USA do not have a clean slate when it comes to racism but for a first world democratic country with it's first black president, you would think progress in the eradication of racism was ahead.
The reality is, racism is alive and well. Ms.America 2014 Nina Davuluri was attacked on social media, like twitter with racist remarks for her Indian ethnicity. Not only was her Indian heritage criticized, she had to handle other ignorant comments about being Arab, Muslim and a terrorist.
Eleven-year-old Sebastien De La Cruz, an American of Mexican descent drew applause from the crowd during the NBA finals when he sang the National Anthem. On twitter and the social media, a different scenario unfolded and he was slammed for being Mexican. Comments criticizing his appearance and immigrant slurs were posted up on social media by the hundreds.
American singer, Marc Anthony who is of Puerto Rican descent was similarly slammed when he sang God Bless America at a baseball game.
Davuluri and Anthony were both born in New York and young Sebastien De La Cruz was born in San Antonio. All three are American citizens. Puerto Rico is also part of America. Yet, they were all verbally bashed because they did not look "American" enough to sing the National Anthem or represent the Nation.
We have a long way to go to eradicate racism but even if that's accomplished, other discriminations and other differences will arise.
If there's one thing we can learn, it's the power of the social media and the ignorance in our society. Hate speech should not ever be considered as freedom of expression but as it is, the only way to rebut is with more expression and more discussion, of acceptance, love and peace.
Racism is alive and well but only because we allow it to be.
I don't necessarily want to quote Michael Jackson but for the sake of this post, I would think his song "Man in the Mirror" is relevant for everyone.
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