The University is a mainstream space and for me being brown, it automatically marginalises me, and that comes about through the things we teach, how we teach, the way we talk, the way we learn. We need to realise that this university was built on coloniser values.” – Atelaite Mapa (video participant)
I, Too, Am Auckland is a student-run initiative based on a Polynesian, Māori and wider university community collective. I, Too, Am Auckland is set to release a series of four new videos on 19 January 2016 at Waipapa Marae. This video release follows on from last year’s social media campaign that was aimed at raising awareness in relation to racism. This year’s video release will focus on the power of conversation as a tool for addressing racism. The videos feature University of Auckland student participants speaking about their personal experiences of racism within their lives and during their tertiary study. The evening will also feature a panel of politicians, academics, community leaders and students who will be discussing important issues relating to racism within our communities.
Confirmed panelists for the evening include:
Marama Davison, Green Party MP.
Fa’anana Efeso Collins, Otara community leader.
Suzanne Woodward, Associate Professional Teaching Fellow.
Camille Nakhid, Associate Professor at Auckland Universtiy of Technology.
The student team who worked on this latest round of videos for I, Too, Am Auckland is comprised of:
George Tereapii Grieg a third year law and arts student, who was born in Rarotonga Cook Islands and is Cook Island Māori and New Zealand European.
Arthur Ung who was born in New Zealand and whose parents come from Hong Kong and Vietnam. He studies law and arts, majoring in sociology and economics.
Todd Karehana who is Māori, studying a Masters in screen production.
Julie Zhu who is Chinese and finished studying her Honours degree in screen production.
Chloe Manga who is Māori from Te Rarawa and Ngāti Kahu and finished studying a law and arts degree majoring in film, tv and media studies and Māori studies.
Jade Newton, Māori from Ngāti Kahu and Ngā Puhi who just completed a law and arts conjoint degree.
I, Too, am Auckland is a grass-roots collective dedicated to promoting healthy cross-racial dialogue about racism at the University of Auckland in order to create a better environment for students who come from marginalised ethnic identities. The collective also aims to raise awareness and implement effective social change. Support for this effort has been provided by the Auckland Communities Foundation. All are welcome to attend.