Metiria Turei shows how to complain against racist cartoons

In her recent Frogblog post, Metiria Turei has showed us exactly how we can complain over racist cartoons.

This is my complaint to the Human Rights Commissioner. I emailed it to the HRC at 12.26pm and received an acknowledgement at 2.26pm. I’m not sure what information the HR Commissioner was using when she said her office had received no complaints by 1pm, especially as the Mana Party had also complained and received acknowledgement of it before that time. I’m also unclear as to how she can make a determination that the complaints are without substance without first reading them, giving consideration to the content of the complaints and considering the applicable law.

Bloody dismal, frankly

Dame Susan Devoy
Human Rights Commission
P O Box 6751
Wellesley Street
Auckland 1141

30 May 2013

Tēnā koe, Dame Susan

We respectfully request the Human Rights Office to address the publication of two cartoons appearing in both the Marlborough Express and The Christchurch Press today.

The cartoons concern the Government’s recently announced Food in Schools programme.

Specifically the cartoons depict a Polynesian family using the breakfast in schools programme as a method to save money for cigarettes, alcohol and gambling. I believe this cartoon may infringe the Human Rights Act, specifically section 61 which makes it unlawful to publish material which is threatening, abusive or insulting and likely to incite hostility against a group of people on the grounds of their colour, race or ethnicity.

I strongly believe in a free and independent press, whose critique of government policy is crucial to our democracy but that freedom comes with a responsibility not to incite hatred against people, let alone breach the law.

I believe that this public attack on families in need will incite hostility against New Zealand children, growing up in poverty and who will benefit from the Breakfast at School programme. It encourages the public to view them and their families, particularly Maori and Pasifika families, in a derogatory frame. This is harmful, irresponsible and unlawful.

We understand that under the Bill of Rights, offensiveness of a race related comment is not sufficient on its own to constitute an offence. Our understanding is that the comment must also be a probable cause of ethnic hostility or contempt. We believe this to be the case in this instance.

In March this year the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination welcomed the government’s recognition that structural discrimination is partly responsible for the persistent poor outcomes that the members of the Maori and Pasifika communities experience in the fields of employment, health and the administration of criminal justice.

The Committee recommended that the government intensify its efforts to improve the outcomes of the Maori and Pasifika in the fields of employment, health and in the administration of criminal justice by, among other things, addressing the existing structural discrimination.

This type of publication encourages the underlying racial prejudice that can drive structural discrimination.

Given the public interest in this matter we would appreciate a response at your earliest convenience
Yours sincerely

Metiria Tūrei
Green Party Co-leader

Now, I actually agree with Metiria here.  As some may know, I actually grew up with Metiria, she visited our house on many occasions as she was friends with my sister.

I also have the following three cartoons I would like to complain about that have been published in New Zealand newspapers from Malcolm Evans, Tom Scott and Hodgson.

http://timgoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/malcolm-evans-anti-israel-cartoon.html
http://timgoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/disgusting-hodgson-cartoon.html
http://timgoz.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/tom-scotts-latest-anti-semitic-cartoon.html

I will lodge a complaint, and see if I too get a response.

My letter in Manawatu Standard

This was my letter that was published on the 7th Jan regarding the Evans cartoon.  They gave it the headline "Evans' cartoon overstepped mark"

I am writing in response to Malcolm Evans' cartoon that was published in the Manawatu Standard on January 3.  I believe this cartoon is offensive and has overstepped the boundaries of decency.

For a political cartoon, the reference to "Hannukah" [sic] is appalling.  Channukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, does not celebrate a military victory, but a miracle where a single day's sacred oil was able to provide light for eight days until more could be produced.  It is a symbol of light and hope.

The "lighter" that Netanyahu is holding is also offensive as a crude suggestion that Israel is in control of the US to "light the bombs".

Sadly, the timing seems wrong, as Channukah finished some weeks ago.  It begs the question as to which events Evans is referring to.  The recent Gaza uprising already had a ceasefire in place well before Channukah.  Why produce this cartoon now?  What are the bombs supposed to represent?

In Gaza, Hamas rocket fire placed millions of innocent Israeli civilians in danger, forcing children to hide in bomb shelters.  Evans could also mention Hamas' cynical firing from within civilian areas, or the dragging of the bodies of their own people through Gaza streets.

It's a pity that you have chosen to publish such a polarising cartoon.  Irrespective of the unnecessary religious references and incorrect scheduling, it is time to stop taking sides and get both parties back to the negotiating table. 

It also turns out that Evans has some history of controversy on this topic.  The following cartoon was published in the New Zealand Herald, and received complaints.  Evans maintained that it was supposed to "stimulate discussion", but as a result he and the NZ Herald "parted company".  He now produces cartoons for the Manawatu Standard and the Evening Post.  A big step down, if you ask me.

I also received a response to my letter.  The following letter from Alan Ireland was published on 10th January.

I write in response to Tim Goodman's criticism of your cartoonist, Malcolm Evans (Letters, January 7).

Evans is one of the few cartoonists who understand that the Palestinians are, in reality, a captive, powerless and oppressed people.

Calling for "neogtiations" between Israel and the Palestinians is like calling for negotiations between a lion and a one-legged lamb over what to have for dinner.

Having already eaten three of the lamb's legs, and found them very much to his liking, the lion can't wait to devour the rest of the poor animal.

The only problem is: How to hoodwink the world into believing the lion is the champion of righteousness, while the lamb is a dirty rat that richly deserves its fate.

That's where the Orwellian Zionist propaganda machine steps in.

Now, this letter is clearly from someone who is somewhat deranged.  I mean, firstly it completely ignores all the points that I made in my letter.  It then has some weird analogy to Lions and Lambs which aren't even coherent.  It seems to be advocating Palestinian violence as the answer rather than talking to each other.  It finishes with a reference to George Orwell, presumably because the author sees Israel (i.e. the Jews) as some kind of "Big Brother".

Now this poorly argued response is not worth my time, and the people of Palmerston North hardly need to be subjected to any more.  However a quick search on Alan Ireland finds that he is a retired journalist from the Manawatu Standard.  Also he writes some pretty wacky poltical stuff on his blog.  He even suggests that the Jews are the devil.  In regard to Tom Scott's cartoon he writes:

 I do, however, appreciate the number — 766 — on the tail of the Israeli jet. Just change the seven to a six, and you get the biblical “Number of the Beast”. Very appropriate!

It also turns out he is a 9/11 Truther 

I’m collecting documentaries on 9/11 and 7/7, in an attempt to find out/work out what really happened on those days.

Or this:

Both 9/11 and 7/7 were “inside jobs”. The only question is: Who, exactly, were the insiders? 

OK, so a nut.  Its actually good when they try to tell you you're wrong as you don't really want people with such warped perceptions of reality supporting you.  It's a bit concerning that he was a Journalist for so long!

Malcolm Evans anti-Israel cartoon

The following cartoon was published in yesterday's Manawatu Standard.

I thought this was quite offensive.  For a start, it has no relevance now.  Is it referring to Gaza? Iran?  Channukah finished quite some time ago, and the recent Gaza events had a ceasefire before then.

The use of the "USA" lighter evokes familiar anti-semitic themes.  Themes such as the Jews or Israel controlling the USA or world media.

I took the time today to review other cartoons by Evans from the Operation Pillar of Defense.  Whilst I didn't agree with them, I was not offended by them, as I was this one.

I felt strongly enough to ring and talk to the editor of the Standard.  Hopefully they will publish my letter next week.  I will also write to Malcolm Evans.  If you feel strongly, you can also write to him:  malcolm@evanscartoon.com