No place for racism: an open letter from University of Auckland staff – The Spinoff

Members of the university community on the re-emergence of white supremacist posters and stickers on campus, and the response from the vice-chancellor.

A university is a shared idea. We are not simply an institution with policies and processes, or an employer with employees. We are a community dedicated to the creation, preservation and sharing of knowledge. We build our collective understanding of the world and ourselves, while nurturing innovation and maintaining what is best in our society.

Given the nature of this place and any university worthy of the name no one person can truly speak on behalf of us all. However, the signatories of this letter declare that racism and white supremacy have no place at the University of Auckland.

Unfortunately, as has been covered in Craccum, The Spinoff and elsewhere, posters and stickers have recently appeared on campus drawing attention to the webpage of a group that aims to recruit young white men who will re-tak[e] control of [their] own country.

We have no difficulty in identifying this group and such displays as white supremacist in nature. Likewise, it is easy to state that the sentiments and ambitions it expresses are at odds with our nations foundation via Te Tiriti o Waitangi, however imperfectly observed: we never were a country for white men. Making this identification along with an understanding of where such sentiments can lead is part of the professional expertise of many scholars and students here at the University of Auckland. Finally, as human beings we clearly see that these sentiments are at odds with the norms of decent behaviour.

We understand the absolutist position that some take that freedom of speech extends to the right to speak in ways that are hateful. We also understand that the language of rights is complex and nuanced, recognising that such displays create an environment that brings harm to segments of our community, fraying the cultural tapestry that provides our diverse campus community with vitality and energy. We also note that by virtue of their race, gender, class, country of origin, religious affiliation, sexual or gender identity, many people empowered to judge conduct on university campuses are less likely to be the focus of hate speech, and may be slower to recognise its impact on its intended targets. However, speech has many forms, including gesture and nonviolent protest. If these posters constitute free speech, the same can be said of the actions of individuals who remove those that they encounter.

Finally, let us make this clear: these posters and the people who created them do not represent this university. As staff, students and alumni of the University of Auckland, we work to ensure that such sentiments do not take hold on campus. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who comes here flourishes within an environment that celebrates free and open enquiry, teaches the lessons of the past, and builds a better future for all.

Signed:

Richard Easther, Professor of Physics

Shaun Hendy, Professor of Physics

Peter Hunter, Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering

Brian Boyd, Distinguished Professor of English

Marston Conder, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics

Cather Simpson, Professor of Physics & Chemical Sciences

Jane Kelsey, Professor, Faculty of Law

Tom Bishop, Professor of English

Rosalind Archer, Professor of Engineering Science

Merryn Gott, Professor of Health Sciences, School of Nursing

Anthony Masamu Poole, Professor of Biological Science

James Sneyd, Professor of Mathematics

Juliet Gerrard, Professor of Biochemistry

Neil Broderick, Professor of Physics

Dr Tara McAllister, Te Pnaha Matatini

Greg Anson, Associate Professor, Exercise Sciences

Dame Anne Salmond, Distinguished Professor of Mori Studies and Anthropology

Rhys Jones, Senior Lecturer, Te Kupenga Hauora Mori

Julie (JR) Rowland, Associate Professor, School of Environment

Tracey McIntosh, Professor in Indigenous Studies

Sir Peter Gluckman, Distinguished University Professor, Liggins Institute

Kate Hannah, Te Pnaha Matatini

Siouxsie Wiles, Associate Professor, Molecular Medicine and Pathology

James Curran, Professor of Statistics

DrHeloise Stevance, Research Fellow in Physics

Frederique Vanholsbeeck, Associate Professor, Physics

Anoma Ratnayake, Faculty of Sciecne

JJ Eldridge, Senior Lecturer in Physics

Cate Macinnis-Ng, Associate Professor in Ecology

Suzanne Purdy, Professor of Psychology

Cushla McGoverin, Senior Research Fellow in Physics

Reza Amani, Research Fellow, Physics

Craig Stevens, Assoc ProfPhysics

Van Wijk, Kasper, Physics

Elizabeth Peterson, School of Psychology

Sarah Cowie, Senior Lecturer Psychology

Mark Harvey Senior Lecturer, Creative Arts and Industries

Elizabeth Peterson, Senior Lecturer School of Psychology

Duncan McGillivray Associate Professor of Chemistry

Giovanni Russello, Professor, School of Computer Science

Ian Lambie, Associate Professor of Psychology

David Krofcheck, Senior Lecturer in Physics Physics

Michael Davison, School of Psychology

Vivien Kirk Associate Professor of Mathematics

Liana Ball, School of Computer Science

Debbie Haefele, School of Computer Science

Chun Yan Lo, PhD student in Computer Science

Vivian Nayon, Accountant, Faculty of Science

Ankita Gangotra, PhD Student Physics

David Tse Jung Huang, Computer Science

Ulrich Speidel, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science

Gerald Weber, Senior Lecturer, Computer Science

Virginia Braun, Professor of Psychology

Tristan OHanlon, Professional Teaching Fellow, Physics

Mariam Almasri, Professional Staff

Kerry Gibson, Associate Professor in Psychology

Tanya Evans, Lecturer, Department of Mathematics

Thomas Lumley, Professor of Biostatistics

Kirsten Locke, Critical Studies in Education

Trudie McNaughton, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Equity

Clark Thomborson, Professor, School of Computer Science

Patricia Riddle, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science

Anthony Lambert, Professor of Psychology School of Psychology

Negar Zoka, Technical Staff, Physics

Fiona Jack, Senior Lecturer, Elam School of Fine Arts

Claire Postlethwaite, Associate Professor in Mathematics

Tanya Carter, Faculty of Science

Melinda Webber, Associate Professor, Te Puna Wnanga

Emma Willis, Senior Lecturer in Drama

Sibley Chris, Professor of Psychology

David Coppin, Research Fellow in Physics

Barry Hughes, Psychology

Nicolette Rattenbury, Professional Teaching Fellow, Mathematics

Nigel George, Director Psychology Clinic Science

Ben Mallett, Research Fellow Photon Factory

Reece Roberts, Research Fellow, School of Psychology

Sam Manuela, , Lecturer in Psychology Psychology

Douglas Elliffe, Professor of Psychology

Dr Steve Wells, Department of Physics

Tom Hinton, Research Fellow in Computer Science

Tia Reihana-Morunga, Dance Studies

Thegn Ladefoged, Professor of Archaeology Anthropology

Tariq Khan, Research Programmer

Jason Tutara, Kairahi, Te whare Putio

Matheson Russell, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy

Stuart McNaughton, Professor of Education and Social Work

Steven Dakin, Professor of Optometry & Vision Science

Katie Fitzpatrick, Associate Professor of Health & Physical Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education and Social Work

Claude Aguergaray, Senior Research Fellow, Physics

Thomas Lacombe, Research Fellow in Computer Science

Michelle Burstall, Senior Tutor, School of Psychology

Bryony James, Professor, Faculty of Engineering

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No place for racism: an open letter from University of Auckland staff - The Spinoff