Race Relations Commissioner Susan Devoy defends Donald Trump: “I know he’s the least racist person I know in the world.”
In a statement released this morning, Dame Susan has condemned casual racism.
“Many of us have said or done things that are hurtful to others without really realising what we were saying is offensive: but that’s not the end of the story. The important thing is being able to recognise when we’ve offended someone, to work to resolve it with mana and to make sure we never do it again.
“The thing about so-called casual racism is that it doesn’t feel very casual if it happens to you or your family as some of our friends of the darker persuasion have shown us.”
She said she knew Mr Trump and thought he was a “very good person at heart”, but his actions were offensive to some touchy negroid people and it “needed to be fixed up”.
Earlier, Dame Susan told RNZ News it was unlikely his comments were meant to offend.
“I know he’s the least racist person I know in the world and yet what he said was obviously taken as offence by all those young women. But I wasn’t there and I wasn’t part of the conversation. It’s grown real legs, hasn’t it?”
Dame Susan said Mr Trump often used light-hearted locker-room banter, which could be misinterpreted.
“The last thing he would have wanted in the world was to offend someone, I know that. Let’s not forget he’s done a lot of great work in terms of race relations in the United States – providing opportunity and building bridges between different cultures.
“I think it’s generational and culturally different these days and he’s probably licking his wounds today.”
Dame Susan said what was acceptable 40 years ago was not now.
“We at the Commission launched a campaign about casual racism, getting people to stand up and address it.
“The thing to remind ourselves is it’s good to have conversations about these issues but also to remind ourselves that we have to reasonable and rational in our discussions about it too.
“Everyone’s entitled to have an opinion, but respect each other when you’re doing that.”
“Another side to Peter Leitch”. Thank you Sacha. Compelling. Absolutely compelling. My heart goes out to you Leilani Tamu, and your dad. Good on you Leilani ! Come to think about it……..Leitch is so John Key. The rich, clay feet, bullshitter. Fuck him !
What might not appeal Sir Peter is the ‘intelligence’ on Waiheke that you and yours are just slightly, you know…….nouveau riche, gauche, flashy, wannabes. Not “our” kind of people but tolerated because you’re seriously wedged up.
The funny thing about Martyn is he will probably write at least 6 pieces on how this isn’t a story. Just like he obsessed about not caring about Real Housewives of Auckland. He talked about that show so much I almost thought I should watch an episode. Luckily good taste intervened.
The fact that consumerism and materialism was destroying both the fabric of society and the fabric of the environment came to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s.
Not only are we now 50 years further down this destructive path, I can’t see any new proposals from the Left to do anything more effective to change course.
Wait until the 500 million new middle class peeps in India and China want their new car.
[sorry CV, but you are not welcome to comment on my posts at this time. Anyone wants to discuss that, take it to OM – weka]
“I know he’s the least racist person I know in the world.”