Citizens Constitutional Forum

Stereotypes
Opinion Article By Reverend Akuila Yabaki

Labels Of Persecution
However, it is alarming that the number of attacks on Hindu temples outnumbered the combined number of attacks on Christian churches and Islamic mosques by a ratio of approximately 2:1. Hindu temples were targeted in 153 of the total 228 reported attacks since 2001 to 2007. Media reports and personal communications indicate that the perpetrators in these cases are commited by young I-Taukei adults who do not have the same respect for temples and mosques as they have for their own places of worship. These attacks are not racially motivated but on their stereotypical assumption that the Temples have money or in some cases gold. The question is, what can be done to address these tensions? We are always at risk of blaming the past as the cause of present problems. But it was our colonial history and administration which separated the two major ethnic communities in order to preserve separate ethnic identity. The language of democracy and human rights especially fundamental rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion and Belief must find their ways into peoples moralities and cultures. Interfaith Dialogue and Community Education workshops are needed to bridge the gap between the races. A multi-racial and multi-religious country such as Fiji needs leaders who are unbiased. Prejudices based on stereotypes can be defeated by dialogue efforts to build understanding, trust and respect.

Two months after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on 9/11 killing thousands, backlash against people and property took place in North America, Europe and Australia. Stereotypes Muslim and Islamic World were bandied around. Mosques were burned, Muslim women abused in the streets and Muslim citizens reported that they no longer felt accepted in their own home countries.

In Fiji, both in 1987 and 2000, coup leaders invoked stereotypes to mobilize, manipulate and direct peoples passion and simplicity of beliefs towards racial and religious hatred and bigotry. Fijians of Indian decent would refer to ethnic Fijians or I-taukei as jungli and I-taukei looking at Fijians of Indian decent as moneyfaced vulagi and not to be trusted. Stereotyping amongst the I-taukei is that they are of the belief that they belong to a superior religion. Their justification is that non-Christians worship idols which is strongly condemned in the Christian Bible. In times of political instability, with a standoff between the two major ethnic groups in the country, the feelings of superiority are shown up in the burning of temples and mosques, the desecration of holy books of Hinduism and Islam. Expressions of religious intolerance have become more common in Fiji since the 1987 coup. Fiji Statistics of crimes against places of worship in the period 2001-June 2007 which were part of NGO Submission to UNCERD 2007 showed that Hindu Temples have been main targets with 68%; churches 25%. Nowadays Police Crime Statistics do not register sacrilege as a category of crime, even though it is clarified as a separate offence under the Crimes Decree 2010. Failure to monitor sacrilege allows them to go unnoticed.

Stereotype: [ster-ee-uh-tahyp]
means the habit of looking at a person as one who conforms to a particular image. In practice words hastily and continuously repeated to label persons in a particular image over time tend to gain popular usage. But label should however be checked to see whether it has become a repetition of prejudices leading to a form of abuse. Stereotypes involve hasty responses and usually overlook humanitarian considerations.

Are you guilty of stereotyping? What can you do about it?

Eliki Latilati (30) Guilty as charged, but I do it as a joke amongst my friends never seriously. We need to educate people against racial stereotypes. Vijanti Mala (43) Serea Yes I stereotype people but never seriously and I feel guilty about that. Children learn stereotypes through their elders. We should teach our children that stereotypes are disrespectful. Hari Prasad (71) Sometimes I stereotype people but more as a habit than a racial thing. Stereotypes are foolish and untrue. Most stereotypes are made during grog session sittings.

Article 2 of the UDHR States: Everyone has the right to freedom from discrimination. www.ccf.org.fj