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The Manifestation of Race in Everyday Communication Interactions in New Zealand

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The Manifestation of Race in Everyday Communication Interactions in New Zealand THE MANIFESTATION OF RACE IN EVERYDAY COMMUNICATION INTERACTIONS IN NEW ZEALAND By Elizabeth S. Revell A thesis submitted to the Department of Communication Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Communication Unitec New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand (October 2012) Elizabeth S. Revell 2012 ii ABSTRACT THIS THESIS EXAMINES the manifestation of race in everyday communication interactions in New Zealand using an unconventional, experimental methodology. Experimenting with a partial collaborative autoethnographic approach that involved reflexive diaries, interviews, and focus groups as data collection methods, the author and nine other co-participants took part in a collaborative autoethnographic exercise, that required them to focus, reflect on, and discuss together their perceptions of the way race was manifested in their day-to-day experiences, over the period of a month. Co-participants were encouraged to write evocatively of their experiences. The author used her mixed-race identity as an autoethnographic analytical tool as a measure towards resolving her ‘double consciousness’ (Du Bois, 1903). Her own voice, thoughts, and stories of her lived experiences are woven into the study, alongside more traditional analysis. In carrying out this investigation, the author sought not only to generate knowledge in the traditional academic sense, but to facilitate a disruptive, emancipative and emotionally engaging conversation on racism in New Zealand, between herself, her co-participants, and readers. In answering the main research question about the manifestation of race in everyday communication interactions in New Zealand, the author found that in public contexts in New Zealand, race as a topic is taboo and racists are social pariahs amongst Western, educated, middle-class members of society. Consequentially, race is often manifested in a variety of subtle ways in everyday communication interactions, and is difficult to identify and challenge. The subtle way in which race is manifested in everyday settings masks an undercurrent of prejudice and hostility. Whether or not these hidden tensions will emerge problematically in the future remains to be seen, as New Zealanders negotiate and manage their biculturalism and multiculturalism. In terms of the significance of race in New Zealand, the author concluded that New Zealand’s racial and ethnic identity is changing (browning), and that the longstanding New Zealand European (White) majority is decreasing in proportion and dominance. Some New Zealand Europeans are consciously and subconsciously trying to assert their authority, refusing to let the idea that a ‘true’ New Zealander is ‘White’ go because of a) a subconscious belief in the superiority of White skin and/or Western culture, and b) insecurity around what will happen to them and their lifestyle, if non-White ethnic and non-Western cultural groups continue to gain in proportion to White, Western groups. As a result, some non-White individuals are experiencing iii being subtly and overtly ‘othered’, excluded, disrespected, and negatively stereotyped. Being subjected to everyday racism has resulted in some non- White New Zealanders having a fractured sense of identity, and others having adopted the racist worldview of Whites. In terms of resolving the dialectic of her mixed-race identity, the closure the author had hoped for was not achieved. Instead, she became more conscious of her own racist beliefs and actions, and convinced of the importance of continuing to challenge them. iv DECLARATION Name of candidate: Elizabeth Revell This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the Unitec degree of Master of International Communication. CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION I confirm that: • This thesis represents my own work; • The contribution of supervisors and others to this work was consistent with the Unitec Regulations and Policies; • Research for this work has been conducted in accordance with the Unitec Research Ethics Committee Policy and Procedures, and as fulfilled any requirements set for this project by the Unitec Research Ethics Committee. Research Ethics Committee Approval Number: 2011-1226 Candidate’s signature: Elizabeth Revell (1370042) Date: v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My supervisors. Valia, who was there in the initial stages of my research, encouraged me to pursue an alternative methodology, and fostered my enthusiasm for my chosen topic. Elena, my primary supervisor, who counselled me into persisting with writing up my research, after a discouraging response to my first draft, when I was about to give up. Thank you so much for deciphering my rough drafts and for your helpful comments. My co-participants, who were willing to open themselves up to new ideas and generous enough to let me use some of their most sensitive thoughts and memories as data. I am aware that it was not easy to ‘bare all’; and to leave yourselves vulnerable to criticism and disapproval. I am majorly indebted to every one of you. My excellent proof-readers, Sefton, Bex, Ed and Vincent. At a critical time in the final stages when I just could not face nit-picking through my many, many pages of words, you valiantly came to my assistance. I was very fortunate. Present (and past) staff of Unitec’s Department of Communication Studies: Philip, Jocelyn, Lisa, Donna, Hiroko, and Debby, Peter, Ed, and Cynthia in the Department of Postgraduate Studies, who all played a role in inspiring and enabling me to get started, keep going, and finally finish. Vincent. As my right-hand man, your role was crucial to my thesis’ completion, and you performed it so well. I especially want to thank you for all the housework you did while I sat on my ass, eyes glued to my computer screen. And, for putting up with uncalled-for complaining and general dramatisation. Mum and Dad, for providing me with free food and board in the month leading up to my submission and for generally being wonderful, underappreciated caregivers. Ed and Will. Ed, for helping make the transition to writing in Germany smooth and easy, so that I could get on with my work without distraction. Will, for putting up with my bossiness, for being my study-buddy, for making cups of tea, and for vacuuming for me. vi George Stonehouse, for his faith in me, generally, and in my ability to get this done. Jon, who I worked alongside and chatted away to in the post-grad room many-a-time. You lifted my spirits in that windowless environment! Grit, Blanka, Dan, Elle, and Indra, my MIC compatriots. It was lovely to meet you in our classes, and reassuring to know that some of you were going through this too. Wayne, for offering free time and advice, and for lunch. The many friends, family members, and other classmates who all encouraged, supported, and remained with me until the end. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... ii DECLARATION.............................................................................................................. iv CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION ....................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................1 MY “DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS”: A PERSONAL NARRATIVE ..........................................3 First thing’s first: Who I am.........................................................................................4 But: The dreaded question............................................................................................4 Fleshing out the issue ...................................................................................................5 Defining my research topic ..........................................................................................8 WIDER SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY .............................................................................9 RESEARCH PURPOSE ......................................................................................................10 CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................11 “Race” ........................................................................................................................11 “Everyday communication interaction” ....................................................................11 METHODOLOGY: A PARTIAL COLLABORATIVE AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC APPROACH ...11 THESIS OUTLINE .............................................................................................................12 CHAPTER 2: CONCEPTS AND CONTEXT..............................................................13 CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................13 Concept 1: ‘Race’ ........................................................................................................13 Concept 2: ‘Everyday communication interaction’....................................................18 CONTEXT ........................................................................................................................20 Multiculturalism and biculturalism in New Zealand ...............................................20
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