Auckland Grammar charged with racist parody of school assembly against Asia

A parody of the “Oscars” at the Auckland Grammar School is under fire after prefects handed out math and science awards to stereotypical Asian names such as “Ching” and “Chong.”

A Year 13 student at the school said the parody of the prefects, presented at a school assembly this morning, was based on the Oscars because that was the theme of this year’s school dance.

“In the parody, they included a segment of the best math and science students, which was presented by our school principal, who was white. And the students who received this award in this parody were named with stereotypical Asian names like Ching, Chong, Ling, etc., “the student said in an email to the Herald.

“What I find extremely concerning is that I heard that our school principal, Tim O’Connor, actually reviews the script and approves what is allowed to remain in the parody and what is not.

“What’s worse is that they’ve made this joke every year I’ve attended this school. I can’t confirm it, but the person who wrote the script was a white person.

“I find it extremely offensive as an Asian who preaches about being a ‘Grammar Man’, while making jokes like these that unfortunately make people laugh, but at what cost?

“It’s sad that most of the school didn’t even wonder how it would affect Asians who experienced racism growing up. I hope people understand that it’s not just a joke.”

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon praised the student who exposed the incident and said he would write to the school about it.

“Any form of racism, regardless of whether it is a joke or not, should not be tolerated,” he said.

“People are not born with racism, they are not born with these words and, if they socialize in this way, it only vilifies part of our community.

“I want to congratulate the person who wrote this as an open letter to the Herald. Both parties must be sure. I offer my support to the principal, Tim O’Connor, and the student body himself.

“I am willing to go to school and facilitate a process for them to ensure this type of racism does not occur in the future.

Foon, who attended Gisborne Boys’ High School in the 1970s when the school was playing rugby against Grammar, said the Auckland school was famous for its educational achievements.

“But this kind of behavior is to be condemned, and, you know, what kind of message is the school sending to its future clients, because I guarantee you that a large number of its clients are foreign clients who pay fees.” he said.

O’Connor said Auckland Grammar does not tolerate racism.

“We pride ourselves on being a multicultural school that respects the 33 ethnicities that make up our student body and we do not tolerate racism. The academic aspiration of all students is a primary part of who we are,” he said.

“I contacted the Commissioner for Race Relations, Meng Foon, and am also happy to meet with the student to discuss any concerns.”

As of July 1, 171 students or 7 percent of Grammar’s 2603 students were paying international students.

Another 975 students (37 percent) were New Zealand residents of Asian ethnicity, nearly equal to 1009 (39 percent) of European ethnicity.

The incident comes at a time of heightened awareness of racism stemming from the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, which sparked complaints about the use of the “n” word at two other Auckland schools, Lynfield College and St Cuthbert’s College. .

Foon has also spoken out this year against anti-Chinese behavior stemming from the origins of Covid-19 in China.