Is this statement racist? According to Hone Harawira it is.
"Maori and Pacific people have a greater propensity to commit violent crimes."
That's what Superintendent John Rivers told the Maori Party.
Of the 10,345 convictions for violent offences in 2004 47% were to Maori, 13% Pacific people and 38% NZ European.
One might argue (and no doubt Hone Harawira would) that these statistics merely show that Maori and Pacific people are more likely to be convicted.
In 1998 the apprehension rate for violent crime by Maori 27.5 (per 1,000) and 7.4 for non-Maori.
Hone might argue that Maori are merely more likely to be caught.
The 2001 Crime Victimisation Survey asked has any partner ever actually used force or violence on you, such as deliberately hit, kicked, pushed, grabbed or shoved you, or deliberately hit you with something, in a way that could have hurt you?
41.9 percent of Maori females said yes and 19.6 percent of Maori males said yes. The respective figures for Pacific people were 17.2 and 6.7 and NZ European, 19.5 and 14.8.
Hone could argue that the partners ethnicity might not match the respondents.
Hone can argue till the cows come home. The fact remains. Maori have a greater propensity to violence. That is not to say all Maori are violent or they should be treated as if they will be. Perhaps the statement should have been prefixed with "some" to ensure cultural and political safety.
Annette King's response is a cop-out (excuse the pun); Ms King said she believed that Mr Rivers' bosses would probably be very disappointed if anyone believed that was the view of the police.
The problem for police is steering clear of assumption-based behaviour. Treating people differently because of their skin colour is racist.
RANZ Update
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2 comments:
Ethnic profiling was outlawed in the US following 9/11, ie taking particular note of "Middle Eastern" males boarding airliners. According to the law security staff had to search randomly selected members of the public including children and grandmothers. However, sensibly, this law was honored more in the breach than the observance.
Overworked police and security personnel are incompetent in their jobs if they are not conscious of criminal liklihood by race or ethnicity.
If Maori are the subject of greater attention due to their predisposition to violence then too bad! Whose fault is that?
If Maori were getting greater attention just because they are Maori BEFORE they have done anything wrong, I would be appalled.
But perhaps I am naive to believe in principles like innocent until proven guilty.
Barry, You could just as well be a feminist saying, "If men are the subject of greater attention due to their predisposition to violence then too bad! Whose fault is that?"
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