This disgustingly racist, despicable cartoon appeared in the Marlborough Express as a response to the feed the kids bill…
…the grinding poverty that destroys so many of the lives of the 270 000 children crushed by it is not a laughing matter, it is a deep shame this country of plenty should carry and this cartoon by the Marlborough Express manages to offend every sensibility.
For shame that such a racist cartoon can be published in 2013.
For shame that so many NZers seem to think it’s funny.
For shame that we don’t have a Race Relations Commissioner who can articulate an appropriate response.
History will judge the Marlborough Express harshly for this, this is the mainstream media’s low point for 2013.
Please let the Marlborough Express know on twitter your fury and disgust at their racist child poverty cartoon. The only way bigotry like this breeds is if good people allow them to get away with it.
You haven’t said why its Racist. There are two different coloured characters in the cartoon so its not the blurt about pokies and booze, I think its racist because of the way the “browner” cartoons are depicted. would you agree?
Don’t worry, Dame Susan will knock them into shape. Tui billboard.
She’ll squash them…
The Marlborough Express editor’s email is steve.mason@fairfaxmedia.co.nz
Cheers for that. Have just emailed my contempt for allowing that vile depiction to be published.
I agree with CKIWI. How is it racist? Is it because the kids are white? or because it’s the darker adults talking instead of the ummm… less tanned adults talking? or maybe it’s because they put one of those filthy Gingas in there?
The unfortunate downside is this cartoon is correct. There are despicable people, not all of them in the lowest wage bracket, that will take advantage of this bill for their own gain. On the flipside I also know there are people out there that will take advantage of it the way it is intended which is to feed the kids and possibly get a little more out from behind the 8 ball of poverty.
Now I know Mr Bradbury personally. He has strong opinions, not ‘opinionated’ but strong opinions and he is passionate and knowledgeable about everything he speaks on but this, this would have to be the first time I’ve ever had to disagree with him. Well mostly disagree with him anyway.
FYI it’s the kids that need to be taught that not all families can afford breakfast, lunch AND dinner because the kids, no not all of them, will definitely take advantage of breakfast, lunch AND free food at school.
You’ve missed my point, Its not racist cause of the blurb, it’s racist because of how its depicted. It is nice that someone agrees with me though, and that my votes are in the positive for once on this blog.
Despicable is assuming the worst of people.
The despicable people taking advantage of this bill for their own gain are to be found in the offices of Fonterra, Sanitarium, and NAct. Fonterra for giving up a little milk in exchange for filthy water in our rivers, Sanitarium for pretending they do some good when they don’t even pay tax, and NAct for spending next to nothing on a real problem in the hopes of reelection so they can shit on us for another three years. None of these are in the lowest wage bracket, but anyone who thinks the problem is someone getting an extra packet of smokes is in the lowest intellect, empathy, and humanity bracket.
Well said!!
For their own gain … if they have to go through the trouble of doing things like that, then they must be pretty poor. Most people couldn’t be bothered.
With the amount of moaning we constantly hear from the suffering farmers, where are the starving farm kids in this picture?
It’s bloody true!
I dont see Racism. The Poor are Poor no matter what Creed. Plebians of the state unite – but must we fight for our right to Party ? The headlice and tapeworms are taking over our children and we are left to struggle with our state owned addictions ! Where and when will it end.. This is not paradise so stop flocking ! All for one and one for all – only the strong will survive.. Propoganda pssht ! The Devil is within !
Yep It’s not so much Racist, as it is Discriminative, and depicts the poor as thieving NE-er to do wells. The most disgusting thing about it is this. A Daily paper will allow such inciteful rubbish to adorn their pages.
Agreed !
While I’m no fan of the Marlborough Express, its journalism is piss poor, they’re raising an interesting issue. Should we allow parents of children who are starving to spend money on vices? Unfortunately it plays to a stereotype which according to statistics is true enough that we shouldn’t just cry racism and run away but look to how we can stop this stereotype from even being the slightest bit true. Also why are the elderly there? Is it supposed to be an accusation that we’re not looking after them either?
We can’t really address parents spending money on vices, and pushing that stereotype further, and engaging with it as though we might be able to ‘stop’ people spending benefits on such things, only serves to alienate people from helping the ‘good’ poor people, who don’t blow their entire pay on pokies/smokes/booze (because now everyone is thinking of the people who just waste ‘their’ taxpayer money on shit they don’t need, while their kids go hungry)
So, my attitude is this. Help the kids wherever you can, cuz they aren’t the ones making the bad financial choices.
Help people out where you can, most of them are making good choices, and are trying to get out of poverty legitimately.
Forgive the people who blow it on booze/ciggies/pokies. Life is hardest at the bottom, and not everyone makes perfect choices. I’d rather a few ‘bad’ people rort the system slightly, than we tighten our belts and the good people suffer too.
Josh…
How do you know “parents of children who are starving spend money on vices”? Because you happen to read one or two instances in the media, which jump on such stories for their sensationalist value?
How do you know that addictions aren’t a factor? Because the media doesn’t bother to look BEHIND such cases?
And how many “parents of children who are starving spend money on vices”? 100%? 50% 1% Less than 0.1%? Sweet fuck all?
Are the benefit cuts of the 1990s a factor?
Is the global financial crisis a factor?
Is the rise in unemployment from 3.4% in 2007 to over 9% (according to Roy Morgan polling) a factor?
Is the minimum wage set at $13.75 a factor?
What about rents at $300 or $400? Is that a factor?
What about electricity prices that rose 75% from 2000 – do you think that’s a factor?
Or increasing fuel costs, prescription charges, etc?
Does it even matter when you make sweeping generalisations like that – backed up by right wing morons, their gutter blogs, and racist cartoonists – because it serves to reinforce a prejudice?
That’s the thing about prejudice: no thought or deep analysis required. Just repeat what the previous bigot said.
Thanks, Frank Macskasy. I support everything you’ve said here, and I’m so tired of the nasty, knee-jerk, unproductive blaming attitudes that keep our communities divided.
You mean like the remarks and posturing of Hone Harawira? I can only agree.
You hit the nail on the head there Frank. Well done.
Wow, White stereotypes are: greedy, self interested, uncaring, extremely judgemental, dog eat dog, white supremacy? Oh but, oppsy we should maybe address some of these stereotypes and make the better aye?!
The cartoonist was quoted as saying he deliberately added a few Pakeha so he couldn’t be accused of racism. How cynical was that? When I first saw the cartoon I immediately thought that was what he’d done because there was no real reason to include depictions of whites in it, especially not geriatric ones.
I don’t think it was racist. I think insensitive would be the word. I found it funny. NZ is so hard to live in that the things some people look forward to is a drink and throwing little money we have left into a ching Ching box for a little fun lol. Maybe Change the reality of what this is mimicking instead of frowning on a cartoon 🙂
Seems to me this cartoon is aimed at mocking those who stupidly think that a free breakfast means Maori will spend more on booze etc.
You know, satire. Crude and unsubtle but satire all the same.
Though seeing a second one in The Press makes it rather hard to follow this chain of logic.
TC – have you got a link to the second one?
Just found the second cartoon at the top of this page:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8736295/Racist-cartoon-slammed
Both are there.
People may claim these cartoons are not racist because of their beliefs regarding poor parenting, but notice in the second cartoon the addition of BURP! – Which can be attributed to the girl beneath it due to the three lines emanating from her mouth. Isn’t the official purpose of these cartoons to criticise the parents? A fine detail such as belching from a child to me suggests these characters are portrayed as ill-mannered and uncouth. Pretty discriminatory and unconstructive I say, far from uplifting.
The social order must be pretty lousy if all it can offer the underdog is “motivation” to advance through ridicule and scorn. Wouldn’t an upbeat approach be more beneficial and sincere?
Hang your head in shame Marlborough Express, so the sun brings out the red in your neck.
Devoy – missing, inaction. 🙁
Marlborough was the place where the Fore Shore and Seabed issue got started. That Regional Council denied Maori Aquaculture a space in the sounds. The only court they could go to was the Maori Land Court who found in their favour. That’s when the tutae hit the fan, a Labour Govt. had to placate all those miserable racists claiming to be afraid of not going to the beach to warm their tootse’s because those Horis in the cartoon would take time out of the boozer or the pokies to stop them.
The Marlborough Express need to boost sales obviously. As someone actively involved in feeding our kids who are constantly hungry, I have nothing but pity for the ugly ill disguised disdain this cartoon depicts of the small percentage of those who take advantage of goodwill. There is nothing to say about ugly people with ugly hearts.
Of course it’s bloody racist. Only those who don’t want to pull their heads out of the sand and prefer un-thinking prejudice rather than considered analysis, could possibly think it’s ok.
Does it have to be spelled out?!
I fully concur with Martyn. This is truly vile.
What on Earth was the editor (and cartoonist) thinking?!
Appallingly unfunny. Families who budget carefully still run out of money before the next payday. You can’t send your kids to school if there is nothing in the kitchen – think empty shelves here! It’s appalling that this conversation is being mixed with an attempt at humour (albeit a failed one!). And for those who don’t see the racism, i suspect it’s because it plays to your stereotypes. So to all of you thinking that Maori might be over- represented in the low decile schools where even JK thinks we need to do something…..ask your selves why. Why are poverty and the resulting health problems a bigger issue for Maori? Because that is an appalling indictment on NZ just as much as the fact that we have so many under-fed children.
I think it simply is an increadibly stupid cartoon that would appeal to all the ‘look down your nose at the poor’ type well off people.
Take a look at the Poll numbers, and some of the comments. There’s a lot of hateful people out there.
Marlborough Express – living in the past.
I have a professional job but because of where I work earn only just above the minimum wage and I can say that over the last few years I’ve found it extremely hard to make ends meet to the point where I’ve had to go on involuntary fasts – and I don’t drink or smoke. So I can imagine how difficult it is for many families.
Shocked that there are people in this country so cold that they’d commit a mouse-click to giving this comment the thumbs down.
It’s bloody tough for some folks out there. To deny that is either an act of pig ignorance, or plain old head-up-arse contempt.
Shame on them.
He’s a bullying hack, plain and simple.
It is not funny, it is sick. Where is the joke in people having no money? Honestly how they printed this crap is beyond me. I did not see it in the Nelson Mail, so I guess they avoided it. It is racist and anti the poor. Revolting.
Its interesting people get all wound up about a cartoon but the real issue of poverty and why its such a problem hardly raises an eyebrow. This government has done more to undermine the poor than any I can remember. They have used dubious tactics to kick people off benefits, upped regressive taxation and given the rich a tax cut.
Is anyone getting angry about this? Nope, takes a cartoon. What does this say about us as a people???
Actually, I think you’ll find lots of people get angry about poverty, especially child poverty. The only reason either of the big two political parties have started holding an opinion on breakfast in schools for instance is because of this ground swell of pressure.
Sure, not enough is being done but don’t assume “getting angry about a cartoon” is all people are doing. It is untrue and unfair
That cartoon could be called both racist and ageist. I guess it depends on the viewer how it is interpreted though. The cartoonist may be saying that this is what he/she/some of the public think will happen if free food is available in schools (a view some political parties and community groups have already been openly expressing when interviewed by the media). How to fix the problem of poverty in NZ is a controversial topic. Political cartoons are supposed to make people think and talk though aren’t they? That’s what this cartoon is doing. Making people talk. Hopefully from that some people will get up and actually get involved in finding resolutions for an issue that really is a nationwide problem (and one that can affect any race or age). Arguing about the appropriateness of a cartoon is a waste of time that could be better spent getting behind the groups already trying to help those affected by poverty.
It sickens me about how the poor are represented in the media. Its so easy for the wealthy media people to pick on the easy targets right (the starving children)?
Shz just as well Billy T James isn’t still on the comedy circuit .. otherwise we’d have to label it “disgusting fucking racism”.
… or we could get sense of humour.
Isn`t it great how we all like to get up in arms about nothing, and do very little when our Voices are required……..In all Honesty, some of what was depicted in the Cartoons could be true, the way some People think, and act, so, what happened to Freedom of Speech………are we all now targeted for what we say or do…….do we have to be “Socially acceptable ” before we can voice our opinions……God forbid if we were all alike……Racism, no, candour perhaps, truth, possibly…..where has our sense of Humour Gone…..?
Where has our humour gone?
Nowhere, Lindsay.
Some of us reserve it for things athat are funny. And we don’t laugh at the misfortune of others,.
Well Frank, if you take a piece of nonsense, then categorise it, then decide you cannot laugh at yourself, or your Race if you prefer, you must be one sick minded Person…. A Cartoon is exactly that, a light hearted look at life, but can also say the truth……..What would your comments have been if the Subjects pictured if they were Blue and Pink,……..does that still say Racism…….get a life, and look at Reality as it is out there, not as you think it…!
If a similar cartoon had been aimed at white Kiwis on The Maori Channel, you bet I’d be lashing out at it. Racism is racism.
Last century there was cartoons of Africans/African Americans, Jews and Asians which were popular at the time with many of the majority population of various nations. Today these stereotypes are no longer accepted as socially acceptable. I bet the subjects of those cartoons didn’t find them funny but offensive after all they comprised the segment of society that was disadvantaged, many of the majority population in these societies wasn’t impressed either.
After the publication of these cartoons the reactions have been: crowd-1, some offended and claiming racism; crowd-2, some discussing the actual issue of food in schools; and crowd-3, some claiming it’s the truth simple as that. I can sympathise with crowd-1; crowd-2 I can accept the debate; but crowd-3 bothers me, some I’m sure can come to a rational argument and meld into crowd-2 (just like crowd-1) but I am also certain others in crowd-3 have an underlying malevolent attitude i.e. a racist outlook. For them this cartoon just serves to reinforce their racism in which case I can understand the arguments and concerns of crowd-1.
The message of these cartoons can be ambiguous and subject to interpretation.
In the TME (The Marlborough Express) cartoon I can’t understand what the two elderly people represent. Are they a couple? Along with the rest of the characters, do they represent a part of the cross-section of society with young and old, “brown” and “white”? Do they represent “negligent grandparents”?
In the TP (The Press) cartoon: five chubby children; one “brown”, four “white”. One “brown” man (chubby) and one “white” woman (head only). Are the man and woman company, the “white” and “brown” children belonging to each respectively? In which case this cartoon represents both “colours”. Or are they both the biological parents of all the children in which case they may be considered as a Maori/Pacifika family? This may be the same conclusion if they aren’t the biological parents or could be construed otherwise.
First impressions can be offensive, for some racism, in addition or otherwise along with others, other forms of discrimination may be perceived. Then some features may be construed as crossing the line. The burp from a child – the burp can represent plenty to eat or ill-mannered and crude. For a cartoon criticising parents, is this helpful? The proportions of the two “brown” adult characters in TME cartoon stand out rather more prominently than the rest of the characters. Would depicting at least a “white” adult character of similar proportions alongside make the cartoon appear fairer?
Like many, we don’t know what are Nesbit’s inclinations and intentions for certain. Perhaps we can all give Nesbit another chance. Perhaps the controversy surrounding this event may have “freaked him out” in which case if he’s wise he will be more careful so as not to offend in future. Any material that’s very ambiguous and can be interpreted in a number of ways have the risk of a very unsavoury crowd which can use it to embolden their ill will.
Correction: Nesbit = Nisbet.
When it’s obvious a certain cartoon would be gleefully pinned up on a White Power clubroom wall, you know it’s racist.
Perhaps if Journos got disgusted with politicians who spit on the floor, and not worry about cartoons, New Zealand will be a better place.
To argue this is not racist is to perform one hell of a distortion of this cartoons obvious statement… but then again, it’s all relative right… all depends how you view it? Wake up people. It’s crap like this and a lot of the comments I keep reading on other new sites that are leading me to think that the “broad consensus” in NZ is becoming an increasingly cold-hearted and hard one. Reminds me of a certain European country in the 1930s…
Reminds me of a certain European country in the 1930s…
Recall that country regularly publicised racist cartoons of a certain group of people prejudicially believed to be a burden for that country, a lot of people were comfortable with that. We all know what happened next. Let’s hope such horrors remain confined to the history books and not tomorrow’s reality.
To me, this cartoon indulges in prejudicial stereotypes. We have four characters subverting the system. Two characters here that have features/complexion suggestive of Maori/Pacifika and are overweight (overweight suggesting plenty and laziness) both very prominent compared to the other two, one of them in front and most prominent speaking of the cunning plan using “lowbrow” language for “lowbrow” desires. Surrounding them, four small children of European appearance (interesting how they are not portrayed as thin or malnourished suggesting no need of a free breakfast).
In essence this cartoon suggests to me it was designed to pander to the prejudices of right-wing hardliners: a free breakfast an unnecessary scheme in a land where nobody is in poverty, because poverty is what you see in some famine ravaged African country with people starving to death; cunning, lazy Maoris living the high life on lucrative benefits taking advantage of another unnecessary freebie the result of “far-left”/”loony-left” pressure on the government curtailing growth and sabotaging the economy for political posturing; outrageous because “I work hard and pay taxes and the way I go on anyone would think I’m the only person paying taxes”.
Anyone who’s the product of a mixed marriage would understand that having one European parent and one largely Maori parent can result in children with both fair and dark complexions (“white” and “brown”). There are no longer any 100% full-blooded Maori. Ridiculous how some people deny siblings of different complexions are siblings. Ridiculous how some people attribute the success of one who is “brown” and successful to their European heritage and if they are a “failure” they’re branded Maori. Then there’s the other side, if you have a fair complexion you’re a “honky” and if you behave in a particular manner you’re not Maori enough. Some observations and experiences I’ve witnessed in my lifetime. Ridiculous how some people adhere to a belief where brown/black = bad and white = good. Ridiculous how some people are condemned to a cultural no-man’s-land. Is this how shallow we still are? When will the hatred end? When can we move forward together for the benefit of us all?
This cartoon and cartoonist/artist – an ugly picture from an ugly mind, a hate mongering bullshit artist.
‘Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid it is man-made…’
-Nelson Mandela
My school life in England was horrible because I was bullied due to my brown skin. Going home each night too afraid to tell my parents and pretending to be sick next morning to try and get out of going to school. Unless you’ve lived a life being bullied you can’t possibly comprehend the pain and suffering it causes. Children shouldn’t have to go through this. This “cartoon” may be amusing to some but to a small minority who are having to cope with being bullied everyday this does nothing more than make their lives more miserable. It’s very sad to see all those comments from people who think this is just lighthearted humour.
“Bullying is the use of force or coercion to abuse or intimidate others. The behavior can be habitual and involve an imbalance of social or physical power. It can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of class, race, religion, gender, sexuality, appearance, behavior, or ability. If bullying is done by a group, it is called mobbing. The victim of bullying has been referred to as a “target”.”
The Marlborough Express – Not racist, just No.1 with racists.
Personally I think you’re all being just a little bit too ‘precious’
can’t y’all just relax and look at the funny side?
There is a funny side you know ….
or maybe y’all are afraid of looking in the mirror.
If you really think Child Poverty is in any way humourous, then read this:
http://www.occ.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/10150/Child_Poverty_Report_Web.pdf.
Or simply google Children’s commissioner, the link is on the front page of the site. In fact, it should be compulsory reading for every Kiwi, as it is a real reality check as to the state of our country; and, I had naively hoped, a call to action for the govt – and the opposition.
If you haven’t read it (and I suspect the majority who visit this site have…) the report is written by a number of concerned NZers with no political hatchet to bury or axe to grind; just hugely concerned about the direction of the country and the shame that is 270,000 NZ kids living in poverty.
If the Race Relations commissioner refuses to act then I suggest we boycott the companies that advertise with the Marlborough express. Millbrook resort Queenstown, Blenheim Toyota, and Mitsubishi Motors. Just like the civil rights movement boycotted buses in the 1960s. We are all customers of fairfax. what astounds me is people who arent Maori/Polynesian aren’t offended but if this was a stereotype cartoon about Pakeha oh that’s different.
I am not offended by this cartoon. I went to school hungry and ill-clothed in the freezing Christchurch winters because the family income went down my father’s throat in booze. Parents, if you smoke or drink or gamble while your children go hungry, the shame is yours and you deserve no sympathy and no handouts. The cartoon has struck a nerve but is not racist or beneficiary bashing. Get a grip. Feed your children before you feed your own selfish habits and stop complaining.
That’s right,Barry, every kid in poverty is only there because their parents drink, smoke and gamble.
You’ve obviously done a lot of research on the subject to come to such a thought out opinion.
It’s amazing that you have come to the conclusion that because your Dad drank and squandered away your family’s money, this must be the explanation for the whole issue of child poverty in New Zealand in 2013.
160 000 unemployed, 110 000 underemployed , electricity and food prices rising above inflation, exorbitant rents in cities like Auckland, a minimum wage that is insufficient to cover basic living costs…..
Yup, let’s ignore all that scientific detail and go for the singular anecdotal example to prove the point.
Genius.
Barry, I hope you watched Campbell Live tonight.
I regret that you had such a crappy upbringing. But don’t vent your anger at others who are struggling to survive. Not everyone is as you believe they are.
I dont see it as racist. I see it as as a general insult to the peole thar will benefit from a free breakfast of all nationalitys
This ‘racist’ cartoon is intended to ignite debate and spark discussion. Unfortunately, this cartoon is indicative of how many people in our country think, feel, and act towards Maori and Pasifika. Don’t attack the cartoon, don’t attack Nisbett, and more importantly don’t be one of the people whose mindset is represented by this cartoon.
When all the cartoon does is present the point of view of those people, it reinforces that view. It is not subverting or challenging it in any way. It suggests that Nisbet is one of those people (as does his past history of racist cartoons), and it is absolutely deserving of attack.
This cartoon and the widespread support for it is how the baby boomers will be remembered.
This cartoon will be in every text book in New Zealand schools. When the children of the future ask how we as a society reacted to the misery created by the great recession, this cartoon will be the answer.
Baby Boomers inherited a society and they’re leaving behind a market.
The most disturbing thing about this cartoon is not that it’s racist (which it is) it is the complete contempt it shows for human life and that this contempt for human life has become utterly normal in our social discussions.
I’m not sure that you aren’t giving the baby boomers a bit of a bad rap. Plenty of the people responsible for many of NZ’s ills were born later than the 1950s. Those who arrived in the 60s, 70s and 80s have a lot to answer for too.
The complete contempt for human life you mention, disturbs me greatly. I find it difficult to understand where it came from, because it’s not NZ as I used to know it.
As a lad, I can’t recall any of my (large, Pakeha) extended family or family friends ever showing the slightest inclination towards racism. Colour was never a question.
In fact, I didn’t know racism existed until, at 14, I broke up a fight between two mates and discovered the Pakeha one had told the Maori one “It’s not that I don’t like you, it’s just that I don’t like the colour of your skin”. I puzzled and puzzled over that, never having heard anything like it, until it finally sank into my thick head just what he meant. Once I finally ‘got it’, I never spoke to him again.
The thing is, in those days, that one Pakeha was like a being from another planet with his strange views. As far as I can recall, it was a one-off in all the time I was at school. Yet, my kids came home at the age of 7 and told me about racism in the playground. Today, racists aren’t a rarity, they’re a dime a dozen. And I just can’t understand why.
When I was at school, with my fellow baby boomers, NZ as I experienced it wasn’t a racist country, or at least not strongly racist. Now, sadly, it is. The country I used to love and had pride in now disappoints me. So many are uncaring and selfish and look down on the less fortunate in society.
But though modern-day NZ definitely has an ugly side, I’m not convinced it’s all down to the boomers.
Maybe it is oversenstivity of the people it refers to. Guilt, perhaps ???
Or maybe it’s just repulsion at overt racism? Two things I’ll stand against till the day I die — bullies and racists.
[…] And here on the Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury takes firm aim at Nisbet’s saying There is no place in NZ for this kind of disgusting fucking racism – for shame Marlborough Express… […]
sad that it brings out the worst from insecured people – Marlbrough Express these kids may well be all blacks, doctors teachers etc in the future regardless whether they are poor or rich, and btw you report the news and u make fun of your own news, the not so well off still continue to live a normal life, enjoy simple things in life and never feel frightened or critisize anybody. i say it is only uneducated, simple people do stupid things like this to hurt other people. stop the hate and spread the Love…. Malborough Express
I saw it as fucken racist. My daughter was born with blond hair and blue eyes but she is maori. The blond child in that cartoon could be my daughter. Nisbet. Have a heart attack rrrrswipe.
There’s nothing witty, ironic, clever or illuminating about the cartoonist’s choice of words. The statements he makes in the two cartoons are the simplistic, stereotypical sort of stuff you’d probably hear if you were sitting behind a couple of White Power types on a bus. I’ve worked on daily newspapers in NZ and the UK for 30 years and I’m amazed such blatant racist rubbish would ever see the light of day in a mainstream rag. I can’t imagine such offerings making it into print in the UK or the US, but if they did there’s no doubt the cartoonist would be out of a job quick-smart. What was the point of the cartoons? I believe it was simply the cartoonist jumping at an opportunity to broadcast his racist outlook. It’s not like the guy was telling us anything we didn’t already know. We’re all aware some people will willingly rort the system, and that some of them are Maori and Polynesian — but plenty of them are white too. (Just read the next court report about someone ripping off their boss or the welfare system for many thousands of dollars and chances are it’ll be a Pakeha.) Apologists for the cartoonist say Pakeha were included in his drawings. True, but if you really can’t see that the main thrust of the cartoons was to mock people of other races, then you’re living with your head in the sand. The token whites were a thinly disguised effort to cover his arse if the proverbial hit the fan. This was sneering, horrible, puerile trash not fit for a school yard. If someone’s head — the cartoonist’s or one of the editors’ — doesn’t roll over this I’ll be amazed. Someone’s should.
That’s not racist. For gods sake, stop being a drone for the mana party. Do you think for yourself at all?
The truth hurts. Softcocks.
The truth doesn’t hurt, racism does. And it hurts like hell. I thought my fellow Kiwis were better than this. Clearly, I was at least 50 per cent wrong.
I don’t see this as offensive or racist…I see this as the truth. Just go to your local pub during the day and you will see how true this cartoon is.
Lucky you, having the time and money to spend at the pub during the day. Does your pub-going suggest you, too, don’t feed your kids? Or if you refer only to others there, how can you tell by watching someone drain a beer that they’re drinking away the money that should be spent on their kids’ breakfast? Unless you’re telepathic or something, are you sure you’re not just assuming? Possibly you’re aware of the old saying about ASSUME making an ass of u and me?
I’m not sure what bothers me about this the most. On reflection, it’s not so much the thoughtless, casual racism, but often-implied, but never-stated assumption that if anyone in this country is struggling financially, it’s because they spend a bit of their money on entertainment.
I don’t see how it helps anyone in this country for even one kiwi to be so poor they can’t afford to take their kids to the movies (at least $50 for a family of 5), or have a beer at the end of a hard day’s work (or for that matter a bit of cannabis, which they might have grown themselves, costing nothing, but they’ll still be tutted at for enjoying themselves at their kids’ expense). The drive to deny people a chance to unwind with even the most proletarian of recreations is soul-destroying, puritan, and just mean. It’s also divisive, making some people feel like second-class citizens, with a funless world substituting for the back of the bus.
It also means cinemas end up playing a lot of films to almost empty theatres, and refuse to take risks on films that aren’t guaranteed blockbusters, which damages the chances of quirky kiwi films getting played on the big screen. It means pubs have to push up their prices to levels affordable only by well-paid professionals to make ends meet, eroding the egalitarian kiwi tradition of the pub as a place for social mixing, and fast and loose political debates which pass new and quirky ideas around our democracy. It doesn’t even made sense from a right-wing point of view, as it also damages businesses which rely on discretionary spending.
The only people who benefit from a cartoon like this, and the Scrooge mentality which underlies them, is a government desperate to distract people from the absolute hatchet-job they are making of the country, and the corporates who get to play the hero for nobly carrying on with giving away a tiny fraction of the cow pus and cardboard cereal they sell at increasingly inflated prices. Grrr.
Comments are closed.