New Conversations about Race

During September 2019, the Business Manager Sonja Loveridge took part in a workshop titled New conversations about race. The workshop traversed the territory of race, racism, bias and belonging, it took place in Wellington on the six-month anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks and during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

During the workshop there were opportunities to reflect on the current racial landscape both in NZ and globally and ask ourselves “what can I do?” without having to address that question to someone Indigenous. We identified the importance of “fanning the fires of hope” and identified specific instances where we could intervene, support, align, disrupt, engage and work alongside.

Attendees identified their own experiences of first becoming aware of “otherness” and difference recognising how this had impacted on our world view and interest in this area.

The workshop facilitators used sociodrama as an action method to allow participants to experience greater freedom and flexibility in an area of life that is often fraught with restriction, shame, guilt and silence. The opportunity to work with other non-Māori who work closely with Māori was both constructive and enriching and provided time to reflect on action and impact. The work continues with an extensive reading list and many opportunities to put the learning into practice.