Last week saw the launch of “I, Too, Am Auckland”, a project that we’ve been volunteering on for the past 6 months or so.
It’s a student-led initiative looking at experiences of racism at The University of Auckland from the point of view of Māori and Pacific students.
For most of my school life, I didn’t have any Māori or Pacific friends – and I didn’t know much about Māori or Pacific cultures either. This project ended up being a vivid, and, to be honest, quite emotional way to meet some Māori and Pacific people, to learn about their backgrounds, and to feel more closely connected.
When you don’t know anyone in a certain demographic, it’s much easier to make assumptions and to believe in stereotypes. This project, as well as the last 5 years of University, has enabled me to let go of some of the stereotypes that I personally held.
I hope this series of videos can be a ‘mind-opener’ for people in the same position as I was a few years ago.
Of all the video projects I’ve worked on in the past year, this is probably the one that feels like the biggest achievement, and the one of which I am most proud.
Rather than me describing the project in greater detail, I’d prefer to let the videos speak for themselves.
You can watch our main video here.
Or follow “I, Too, Am Auckland” here.
Thanks for reading,
Milon