The Social Impacts of Membership in Racial and Ethnic Groups: Insights from Māori Community

The membership in racial and ethnic groups has profound social impacts. While such memberships can foster unity and cultural pride, they can also present challenges if not appropriately nurtured and supported. This article will explore the social effects from the perspective of the Māori community, who have experienced both benefits and obstacles in maintaining their cultural integrity.

Strong Collective Culture of Māori

Māori, with their strong collective culture and deep ties to each other, face significant challenges when these ties are broken. Historically, this was a deliberate aim of colonial powers, seeking to dismantle the Māori way of life. The consequences of such efforts are evident in various social metrics.

Education and Health Disparities

Breaking these cultural ties has had a profound impact on Māori education and health. Māori children perform much more poorly in school, leading to poor health statistics and low vaccination rates. These issues extend to mental health, with higher rates of alcohol, drug usage, and mental health issues. An alarming statistic is that the Māori population with the lowest rate of first language fluency is predominantly found among those in prison, highlighting the severe social and cultural ruptures that have occurred.

Social and Economic Challenges

Māori individuals are significantly more likely to resort to crime and end up in prison, further compounding the issue. Other social and economic challenges include significantly lower ability to find and keep high-paying jobs, resulting in much lower incomes compared to the general population.

Racial Reconciliation and Relation to Government

The New Zealand government has begun to recognize the nature of the problem and has started to support remedies used by the Māori community for a long time. However, these solutions depend heavily on volunteers with limited resources, who can only run pilot schemes to convince the government that their ideas work.

Examples of Effective Community Programs

One example of such successful community programs is the use of Kapa Haka in rehabilitation. Kapa Haka, a cultural song and dance with a very high competitive standard, can significantly influence the lives of individuals by encouraging those who are lost and lonely to turn their lives around and reconnect with Māori culture.

Studies have shown that running Kapa Haka programs within the constraints of a non-Māori environment often leads to failure. However, the program has been highly successful when prison inmates are taken to a secure Māori marae and allowed to mingle freely with local Māori, facilitated by a few Māori prison guards. The communal environment and the cultural significance of these gatherings ensure better results compared to regular rehabilitation programs.

Understanding and Evolution of Perception

For a long time, non-Māori officials did not fully comprehend the cultural significance of Māori practices, viewing them merely as entertainment or ceremonial events. However, as the government and society begin to understand the depth of Māori tradition and culture, the attitude towards these practices is slowly changing. Still, there are officials who resist such change and hold a slow pace.

Future Implications for Other Ethnic Diaspora

While the Māori experience is unique, it provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by other ethnic diaspora. Each group may have different solutions, and it is essential to recognize their individuality and cultural heritage.

Māori, rightly or wrongly, see themselves as unique, and their path forward involves a deep understanding of their cultural heritage and a commitment to preserving it. This article calls for a similar recognition and support for other ethnic groups, recognizing the unique strengths and challenges they face.