Spoken word poem about racism in New Zealand clocks half a million views
‘Yesterday I was African, today I am lost’, New Zealand student Takunda Muzondiwa tells the Auckland audience. A video of her spoken word poem about the racism she has faced in New Zealand has clocked up over half a million views. 'Maybe I was blinded by the neon sign of opportunity, failed to read the fine print that read: “assimilate or go back where you came from”.’ Her speech was part of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission annual Race Unity Speech awards where six of New Zealand’s best high school speakers addressed how race relations can be improved. She delivered a poem she wrote to ‘the man who sat behind me on the train last week who had the audacity to touch my hair without even asking’. Muzondiwa calls for educational institutions to place a greater emphasis on language, culture and history for 'the more students feel they belong in an educational context the better they perform'
Пікірлер: 265
She went to my school and she was so amazing
@yhonnyterrero9121
3 жыл бұрын
Are new Zealanders racist? Similar to aussies?
@robthebold6901
3 жыл бұрын
@@yhonnyterrero9121 More or less
@killjoy6764
3 жыл бұрын
@@yhonnyterrero9121 I mean we're all different people I've meet many different people some rasict some not but I've met the most accepting people you can't just categorize someone from where they've come from I come from NZ and I'm not racist I've been raised around rasicim but always denied taking there ways so I guess no and yes we're just people in the end.
@Opus566
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, she seems really amazing
@ethanmatthews2161
Ай бұрын
Mags4Life?
My son stopped a racist bully at school,who was mentally and physically bullying his friend who happens to be an international student... ..instead of being praised or rewarded he was punished himself as a bully, we requested information about why there was no punishment regarding the real bully and they revealed he could not be punished because he could not be a racist as he was not "white" and when we pointed out that was racist and phoned the ministry, they requested they school apologize and instead the school trespassed me and my wife from the grounds. The cops have said its obviously out off spite but there's nothing they can do. a seemingly "white" boy saving a Korean boy from a severely racist Maori/islander (with intense ideals that could have only come from a parent)does not fit the current narrative.
@mattl1962
4 жыл бұрын
"Everybody was wrong except my darling precious boy"
@rahilleind4825
4 жыл бұрын
@verludgecun ulnj well,with Your logic, we can conquest the United States and Israël too... Theyre fairly new
@rahilleind4825
4 жыл бұрын
@verludgecun ulnj Its like You said.. Europeans arrived 400 years later. Come on man.. lol well if Its true about the danish then yes. They should.
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
@@mattl1962 shut up ok shut up, im tired of seeing you hypocrites commenting garbage and victimizing yourself
Wow! So deep and profound. Powerful. Sorry for your struggle. Thank you for your words.
"Maybe I was blinded by the nyon sign of opportunity" 😍wheew
@tneita3166
3 жыл бұрын
The other half which has never been told,..
Love and light to any Maori/white NZ people in the comments who already understand this girl or are willing to learn. 💗🧿✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🧿💗
Wooooooo! Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
This reminds me of the sign the tuhoe had "trespassers will be eaten"
she is brilliant! one of a kind! I wish everyone would listen to her words, she deserves more recognition
That was moving, it was confronting, it was something special we needed to hear, learn, understand and appreciate as a nation. Thank you Takunda Muzondiwa
Where's Jonny to cry about how victimized this makes him?
@TamaraGSuttle
5 жыл бұрын
????
@shonte7442
4 жыл бұрын
😂😂oh myyy
@benzz4960
4 жыл бұрын
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@AmonAnon-vw3hr
Ай бұрын
He's a myth lol.
Is she competing in bnv in Vegas this summer? Plz
@win86wintfir33
4 жыл бұрын
You look like a nice person I'm subscribing to u
This is a beautiful , accurate speech! Well done Takunda..Zimbos are proud of you!
Such a beautiful, intelligent and elegant young lady!
Haters gonna hate. Celebrate a talented young woman performing on stage with dignity and grace. Ignore those who have nothing but hatred in their hearts. She gets my vote for sure.
I see why people turn off comments...
@captaincracker8980
4 жыл бұрын
Michaele V. Because the truth hurts?
I felt like that in South Korea.
@michaelbarrington1429
3 жыл бұрын
@@EuropezonUruguayo1 yeah
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
@@EuropezonUruguayo1 but they’re welcome
She seems pretty free and empowered to speak her mind. In a country that prides itself on freedom and empowerment. Notice the multiculturalism in the audience and the Maori carvings on the archway. If anything she is a minority in New Zealand and thus has minimal connection to her own culture.
@taylor6817
5 жыл бұрын
I find it hilarious that she's talking about racism in New Zealand, because if It wasn't for the New Zealand government she most likely would of had her head cut off in Zimbabwe, but hey what do I know 🥴🥴🥴
@bashirbrothers6597
5 жыл бұрын
@@taylor6817 such a rude comment honestly why are people so sick. Africa is not all violence, it is a place of endless resources love and humanity within its people. All nations go through times of trouble that will pass, where they will learn from the mistakes of the past leaders and hope for a brighter Africa where it's people will thrive in it, a Africa where there is no poverty and corruption. One day this day will come sooner than we expect.
@eeveelvrs
2 жыл бұрын
@@taylor6817 “What do I know” nothing. How ignorant of you.
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
@@eeveelvrs all i know is that they don’t know anything
Beautifully conscious words to the ignorant 👏
Was thinking of moving to NZ...After seeing the blatantly ignorant and obnoxious comments on here I am having to second guess myself. This beautiful Black girl had no other choice but to follow her family to a new country due to domestic issues I assume-as stunning as Zimbabwe is. Just because she held a different culture does not mean she should be harassed or discriminated against. It doesn’t mean she can’t love and hold onto the culture she was born into while simultaneously becoming part of a new one. No one should HAVE to assimilate to anything. Especially since white people who have invaded continents around the world didn’t feel the need to when it came to Indigenous cultures. Till this day white people can’t speak Cheroke, Maori, Yoruba, Taíno etc. Yet Black and brown people across the world are expected to know English or any other European language. So yes it is about race. Until white people check their ego, it will be about race. Until white people respect people’s cultures, traditions, and opinions, it will be about race. Until white people judge other people from the confort of their own mother land (EUROPE), it will be about race. Until colonizer around the world give Black and brown people back the resources to flourish as they did before invasion, it will be about race. Until white people take Black and brown people seriously, it will be about race. And until white people realize that it wasn’t about race until their ancestors showed up to call people barbaric for the color of their skin, it will be about race.
@MatuaKiwi
4 жыл бұрын
I partially agree I believe you should assimilate to the culture you currently live in. But damn it's not like NZ culture asks for much unless your delving into Maori culture where the rules and regulations differ from tribe to tribe and need you to understand traditional Maori values
@themadlad8540
4 жыл бұрын
I disagree with you if she has been discriminated against then she wouldn't be doing a poem in front of all those people.
@elijahmaoate2534
4 жыл бұрын
Kia ora my friend, I was born and raised in New Zealand, New Zealand is very racist, different racism from America but still racist. Black people actually get treated better then the natives the Maori and Polynesians but they still unfortunately have to deal with ignorance. The White people here are like 50/50, where 50% would even consider Maori culture part of who they are and are very against racism as they have protested for the rights of black people for decades, where as the other 50% ponder between being a leftist and being ignorant. However the passing of George Floyd has caused us to unite as people are fed up ✊🏿 Thousands of people have been peacefully protesting in our major cities
@mayas.5050
4 жыл бұрын
elijah maoate Kia ora love 💕 It's absolutely ridiculous. I am frequently upset about how unappreciated and unnoticed the Natives of America go and am not any less upset that it happens over there too. Although I am proud that we have all gotten together over there to fight for our rights ✊🏾 Black and brown people will get back what was stolen! Be safe out there!
@elijahmaoate2534
4 жыл бұрын
@@mayas.5050 Kia orana ♥️ The children of the natives all around the world will unite someday soon 💪 Canada, America, Mexico, our Central South American brothers and sisters, along with all the continents countries will be one, not by globalisation but mind, body and spirit ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 I send love back to ya ❤️
Amazingly powerful and brutally honest. Keep going my lady, and keep telling your story to everyone you can. Your pain within was brought forth through your wise words, manner and intelligence, far beyond your age. There are too many who are totally unaware of their own subtle racism and basic stupidity.
Outstanding!
this needs to reach everyone!! this hit fr
proud of this lady 😇🧿👍🧿🧿🧿❤😊
Love you my daughter you make us proud 🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️🏴
Beautiful !
The like and dislike button 👍"not racist" and "racist"👎
I thought racism doesn't exist in NZ
@jeyteiidle9595
9 ай бұрын
Lol
"Dear racism, I'm choosing to rewrite the history you gave me" 2:20 If only people hating this video actually listen to this statement.Yes racism is not black and white and yes we didn't choose our ancestors ... but we can create our own history.
@unknown-tl1rr
5 жыл бұрын
Mr Islington Facts 💯
@Doodlebugdude
5 жыл бұрын
@@gethcreator751 I hope you know the first people that landed in Britain were BLACK?
@eddiehitler3139
5 жыл бұрын
@@Doodlebugdude i hope you know you're a clown
@Doodlebugdude
5 жыл бұрын
@@gethcreator751 The point numbskull, is the first inhabitants to these shores were black.
@Doodlebugdude
5 жыл бұрын
@@gethcreator751 The first settlers in the UK were black.
WOW KIA KAHA GIRL, YOUR TUPUNA ARE PROUD
Choice bru.
As a white person unlucky enough to be born in Zimbabwe, I can say she is luckier than me. She had the opportunity to go to New Zealand. Also, her ancestors did not get sold into slavery. Slavery ended years before Zimbabwe was colonised.
@bogan9396
3 жыл бұрын
Haha white African
@boysboys4425
2 жыл бұрын
Mute point. No idea where the slavery comment popped up from. Your "white person" comment speaks volumes.
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
There are white Africans, asian-africans black Europeans and afro-asians
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Y
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
S
Powerful words . Well done !
Future definitely belongs to us
This is amazing!
some of these comments are truly disappointing to read and overall pathetic. before another negative comment is posted, you haven’t been in her shoes. you don’t know what she’s been through. you don’t know who she is as a person. and you definitely don’t know whether or not she’s “playing victim”. maybe the reason why this world is filled with more racism and/or hatred rather than love, is because people don’t know how to understand each other or even have an open mind about anything. stop being ignorant and in denial and maybe you’ll learn a few things...
Profound!!
she look and sound like my cousin
New Zealand do not destroy yourselves
💯♥️🔥🙌 congrats
She migrated to a different culture half way around the world, and a native had the audacity to touch her hair...my heart bleeds.
@MrAHatz
5 жыл бұрын
Firstly, how do you know it was a "native"? Secondly, how does one's nativity give one the right to touch another person in this way without asking? How would you like it if strangers kept toughing your hair on the bus?
@farzana6676
5 жыл бұрын
@@MrAHatz She asks why her culture is made to stay behind. She is welcome to emigrate back to Zimbabwe with immediate effect.
@MrAHatz
5 жыл бұрын
@@farzana6676 - yeah, nah.
@farzana6676
5 жыл бұрын
@@MrAHatz Then our response to her poem is similar. "Yeah, nah"
@MrAHatz
5 жыл бұрын
@Top Dollar - I don't think whites are racist. I think you are racist.
your in New Zealand now
Yeah because Zimbabwe isn't racist 🙄 jk
Zimbabwean here 💚
What's wrong with being asked to assimilate? You can practice whatever religion you like, whatever culture you like but if you want to live in NZ, then ASSIMILATE! We are able to provide a better life for people from all over the world but we can only do this because of our unique culture. It is not racist to say that we do not want this culture to change! It has nothing to do with race or ethnicity but where ever you go in this world, you will be judged if you are different from the norm.
@lesley_yeahhh
4 жыл бұрын
Eva No. Do what you feel like doing
@chchwoman9960
2 жыл бұрын
Spot on. It must hurt to be part of a minority, it can't be easy, but that doesn't make everyone else racist
@hmuteka1
2 жыл бұрын
Just like the Māoris had to assimilate to white culture or face certain death right?
@km7000
Жыл бұрын
@@chchwoman9960 maybe because New Zealand isn’t Europe stop being asked to assimilate to a country that was stolen, while the natives are still there, is laughable.
@iyashalom9650
10 ай бұрын
One word: Maori. Did you Assimilate? Or Exterminate?
Yoooooooooo
Racism has become very small in nz but people keep pulling that card saying its rampant well guess what it ain't rampant it's almost non existant. We've been taught to not judge a person by the color of there skin but these activists are getting as bad as feminists finding offense in nothing.
Especially towards Polynesians
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
In their own land
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
The shameful reality of
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
White
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Hypocrisy
You guys have black people?
@davidandrew2610
4 жыл бұрын
Imported , ours are light tan to dark brown
@eeveelvrs
2 жыл бұрын
What do you mean by that?
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
@@davidandrew2610 yeah the whites in New Zealand are also imported
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️✅✅✅✅✅💯💯💯💯💯💯💪
hmm? i wonder whats her thoughts on Homosexual its illegal over in Zimbabwe
@MomoManimi
4 жыл бұрын
And your point is?? Are you saying that because there's inequity where she comes from, New Zealand's inequity is justified???
she went to my school! she's super nice
Lovely poem
What culture is she talking about? What home is she talking about? She doesn't have a homeland or home culture. We're all GlobalCitizens™ now.
@amaria5399
4 жыл бұрын
?
@nietzschean3138
4 жыл бұрын
@@amaria5399 What are you struggling with Aly?
@tukingi4183
4 жыл бұрын
This was probably after the shooting k think
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Yes we are all global citizens
This young lady is courageous for talking about herself but racism to whatever extent it is prevalent in New Zealand should NOT be a taboo subject.
I'm from Zimbabwe too I live in NZ
I don't believe anyone should be afraid of showing a culture they once belonged. But this is new zealand not zimbabwe so intergation into our culture should be the goal.
Never knew NZ had a history of slavery.
@antmanatthemoment7233
4 жыл бұрын
It was mostly Maori that practiced it
@antmanatthemoment7233
3 жыл бұрын
@SWIZE1 correct
The only place I hear of racism is on tv 📺 and internet these screens arnt real life I’m looking to turn off
@amaria5399
4 жыл бұрын
Then you just haven't experienced it. It's still happening. Coming for someone in a multiracial family, its definitely still going on. You just don't realize it, I guess.
@oliviabatson4794
3 жыл бұрын
If a rich person never experiences poverty does that mean poverty doesn’t exist?
@melodicatyto
3 жыл бұрын
@@oliviabatson4794 EXACTLY!!!
@roseadams8003
3 жыл бұрын
You’re dead right
@FAMEROB
2 жыл бұрын
@@amaria5399 I've never blamed anyone for my problems either makes you think 🤔
Interesting subject matter, but this is a speech in a "spoken word poetry" voice.
@webiplus
5 жыл бұрын
The definition of poem: "A piece of writing in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity. "
@sebiiau
5 жыл бұрын
Mr Islington True, but at some point it just becomes powerful prose. The voice seems to take away from the message, rather than add to it.
@nzgamelife323
4 жыл бұрын
Its no Watsky but its OK in parts
@nietzschean3138
4 жыл бұрын
@@webiplus Literally everything a poem then huh
I no understand
2nd comment
Another privileged woman pretending she's a victim. Yawn. Typical guardian BS
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Another hypocrite yawn
Brilliant.
But it's okay to still be racist towards Asians?
Getting really old and moldy..
@eyedownload
5 жыл бұрын
She's young and expressing her experience, giving it voice. You get out there? and participate and express life better than her? Let's see your creative, expressive performance, other than badgering a young immigrant here online. ! Judge not lest ye be judged you old fart! Have a heart!
@MrAHatz
5 жыл бұрын
Sure you are.
@JimmyKillem69
5 жыл бұрын
@@eyedownload she's young and following a ridiculous trend with no sense of originality whatsoever
@Paceables
5 жыл бұрын
@@JimmyKillem69 "trend " you're delusional. Btw I look like you Jimmy. Lol
@JimmyKillem69
5 жыл бұрын
@@Paceables you don't know what i look like
racist
man this poetry kind of sucks :/ i prefer hugh smith
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Noone
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
F
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
U
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Cares about your preference
There is no such thing as racism in New Zealand except towards Europeans
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Because they stole the land
@FAMEROB
2 жыл бұрын
Truth
@FAMEROB
2 жыл бұрын
@@mozartwasasianlol5127 Maori are part white anyways technically half of themselves stole the land
This really angers me tbh, she has to realise she's a refugee, New Zealand took her in, with open arms might I add, yet she complains about racism, which to be fair does exist in New Zealand however it's very small group here, the fact that we took her and her family in tells me that we are a very tolerant country. Racism sucks but I guess it's better than being murdered in Zimbabwe right? 🥴🥴🥴
@phionaphioncey5767
4 жыл бұрын
Excuse me u where also taken in, I don't think ur a Maori
@win86wintfir33
4 жыл бұрын
The last part was offensive
@shingi9966
4 жыл бұрын
haii nor my brother or sister, you have no right, no right at all to say such nonsense, you dont live in Africa you dont know what the hell is going on here so please dont say things like that here as if you know things, google isnt always correct neh
@Not-Ap
4 жыл бұрын
@True life Why? What makes you think refugees are entitled to acceptance, love, or compassion simply for being refugees? What happened just being grateful to just be alive? Is it scary to be on this receiving end of this? Yes. However if this was African country I don't think it would be much different. In fact a Chinese guy was deported in African country for saying something racist about the locals a couple years ago.
@roseadams8003
3 жыл бұрын
@@phionaphioncey5767 when you are born in a country. When your parents and grandparents were born there. When they worked hard. Went to wars and lived humble lives Then I would say that is their country too.
Kandungan video sangat baik, tahniah
Immigrants be like: this country is racist and mean :( Her countrymen back in Zimbabwe: *I’m literally starving*
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
That wasn’t funny even in the slightest way
@FAMEROB
2 жыл бұрын
@@mozartwasasianlol5127 I chuckled
New Zealand was born into racism ever since colonisation. If you come to New Zealand expecting it to be different, you’ll be disappointed
@moonlightproductions1828
4 жыл бұрын
give an example
@aaliyahnaden5506
4 жыл бұрын
@@moonlightproductions1828 Give an example of colonization? Or racism? White people have been racist to Maori ever since they colonized NZ. The word "Hori" was used as a derogatory slur against Maori people during the early years of European colonization, but its now been reclaimed by Maori and used differently. Racism still exists today, not just against Maori but many other minorities.
@moonlightproductions1828
4 жыл бұрын
@@aaliyahnaden5506 racism can be experienced by anyone
@aaliyahnaden5506
4 жыл бұрын
@@moonlightproductions1828 Yeah, I never said it couldn't. I was just pointing out that Maori and other minorities are mostly affected by racism
@moonlightproductions1828
4 жыл бұрын
@@aaliyahnaden5506 Agreed
Don’t worry my sister their colour might be lighter than yours but your skin colour and texture is of better quality. They always have to go to the body shop to get body work done in order to hide its wrinkles
@nietzschean3138
4 жыл бұрын
lol
You can go back home.
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
And you can do the same too
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Cultural replacer
guaranteed nobody even touched her hair
@Paceables
5 жыл бұрын
How do you know?
@JimmyKillem69
5 жыл бұрын
@@Paceables she's using the artistic liberty of making something up
@lettylunasical4766
5 жыл бұрын
You're seriously this pissed off about a little girl's poem?
@JimmyKillem69
5 жыл бұрын
@@lettylunasical4766 i'm indifferent not pissed off
@bodybalanceU2
5 жыл бұрын
@@JimmyKillem69 no you are not or you would not have commented jimmy - you are pissed off that an articulate black girl can talk with such profound emotion in a poem while little jimmy killem realises his own inadequacies and doesnt like it lol
Absolutely cringe lol.
What's she harping on about
@palmshoot
11 ай бұрын
You.
This is vomit inducing
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
Go back to Europe
@mozartwasasianlol5127
2 жыл бұрын
NZ Is Maori LAND
Typical victim mentality