The thing about ethnicity- and why I don't feel New Zealander is an ethnicity, or not for me, anyway- is that because New Zealander is a definition of citizenship, it encompasses all New Zealanders. And all New Zealanders simply are not of the same ethnicity. Yes, as the Pakeha mainstream, our ethnicity may not be so distinct from mainstream New Zealand culture (although I think in some ways it is.) But Chinese and Maori and Indian etc etc etc New Zealanders do see themselves as having an ethnic identity separate from their national identity/citizenship. Simply saying that "we're all the same underneath" may be true but, to anyone who identifies themselves as Chinese or Maori or Indian or... is actually kind of offensive. And saying that New Zealander is an ethnicity really is saying that, I think. *scratches head* I don't know how coherent I'm being- I really recommend that you read Yellow Peril and Hard News and maybe they'll explain it better than I do. :P
Basically, I guess I really do think we are all different, and the more we try to deny our differences, the more marginalised ethnic minorities become. Humanity can and does idenfity with both nationality and ethnicity and the two are not always the same. Because we do have different customs from our respective heritages, as you say; and that's what the census is really trying to find out, how many people follow which customs from which heritages.
no subject
The thing about ethnicity- and why I don't feel New Zealander is an ethnicity, or not for me, anyway- is that because New Zealander is a definition of citizenship, it encompasses all New Zealanders. And all New Zealanders simply are not of the same ethnicity. Yes, as the Pakeha mainstream, our ethnicity may not be so distinct from mainstream New Zealand culture (although I think in some ways it is.) But Chinese and Maori and Indian etc etc etc New Zealanders do see themselves as having an ethnic identity separate from their national identity/citizenship. Simply saying that "we're all the same underneath" may be true but, to anyone who identifies themselves as Chinese or Maori or Indian or... is actually kind of offensive. And saying that New Zealander is an ethnicity really is saying that, I think. *scratches head* I don't know how coherent I'm being- I really recommend that you read Yellow Peril and Hard News and maybe they'll explain it better than I do. :P
Basically, I guess I really do think we are all different, and the more we try to deny our differences, the more marginalised ethnic minorities become. Humanity can and does idenfity with both nationality and ethnicity and the two are not always the same. Because we do have different customs from our respective heritages, as you say; and that's what the census is really trying to find out, how many people follow which customs from which heritages.
:D thanks for your thoughts!