Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi is this year’s Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year and apparently takes the Kiwibank bully pulpit seriously. He’s participating in New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission’s “Give Nothing to Racism” campaign and in its latest ad makes a modest proposal: He wants New Zealanders to support racism, even if only in small ways.
“You may not be in a position to give much to racism, but whatever you feel comfortable giving will make a huge difference,” the director of the upcoming reassures his countrymen and -women. “You don’t have to be a full-on racist—just being a tiny bit racist is enough!” Framing the public service announcement as a plea to keep racism alive through small contributions is smart, and it’s a good, concise explanation of the way microaggressions can add up to a completely toxic culture.
The campaign has a website with more information and a great series of videos modeling proper behavior when a peer tells a racist joke. In the videos, Sam Neill, Lucy Lawless, and more New Zealand celebrities laugh uproariously before falling instantly into stony glares, presumably to avoid giving a racist comment or joke the slightest encouragement. So by browsing the site, you can have the experience of having the glitterati of an entire nation disapprove very strongly of something you said, probably because it was racist. (The site lets you make your own video and explains the trick: The actors are filmed breaking into a laugh and then the video is reversed.) Kudos to everyone who participated, and in the interests of education, here are Waititi’s frequently asked questions about racism:
I’m not a real racist! Can I still help?
Of course! Even if you don’t come from a racist background, that’s ok. Being a bit racist is super easy!
How do I spread the word?
You don’t actually have to talk people into it. Just be a bit racist, and they’ll feel the social pressure to follow along.
My Mum says being a bit racist is bad.
Shut up, mum!
What’s in it for me?
Nothing. There’s no benefit whatsoever to being racist. But ask yourself, “What if everyone stopped giving to racism? What kind of future would that be for our children?”
If I only give a little bit, will it even make a difference?
Not to you, no, but to the people receiving the racism. They’ll be getting hundreds of small bits every day. So it will add up; it will be noticed.
How do I show my support?
You might not want to wear a t-shirt that says how much of a racist you are. “No thanks—I’m racist on the inside!” But you can laugh at racist comments; it does the same thing. Remember, the only thing that can keep racism alive and help it grow, is feeding it, nurturing it. And that’s where you come in. Will you help it flourish? What will you give to racism?
