Stone Age Māori Culture: John Banks says he's not a racist. And why no media mention of International Holocaust Day?(pn677)

If former National and ACT MP John Banks really believes Māori  are "stone age people with a stone age culture" and "genetically predisposed" to crime, alcohol addiction and educational underperformance" as he concurred with a questioner on the Magic Talk Morning programme  on Tuesday, how can he claim he is not a racist, and if he does not believe what he said,  as he now says, why did he say it in the first place?

Others certainly took offence at the remark. MediaWorks' chief executive, Cam Wallace, said there is no place for John Banks at the media company as long as he is boss.

Trade Me withdrew its advertising from the programme as did Kiwibank that  "condemns racism in any form". They've contacted MediaWorks on how they could better encourage a diverse and inclusive Aotearoa. "We've received positive feedback from our customers and the broader community for the position we've taken."

The remarks even drew attention from the Daily Mail in the UK.

Click here  to  listen to Dame TarianaTuria and Ken Mair for a Māori perspective on this issue and their comments on how the media generally treat Māori issues.   

And in passing, note that the media did not mention yesterday was International Holocaust Day, despite its obvious importance and recognition by the United Nations.  

Our insensitivity on racial issues continues to  astound me. 

-- ACW