Tolerance still needed for other cultures

Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham, a half-Maori war hero, in the science fiction movie Ender's Game.

IT'S INTERESTING and pleasing to find a slice of Kiwi culture making it on the international stage.

Deciding to relax watching the science fiction movie Ender's Game, I soon sat up and took notice when the main actor, Asa Butterfield, asked battle fighter trainer Mazer Rackham, played by Ben Kingsley, what the marks were on his face.

He replied: "My father was Maori. This is a ta moko to remind me of my heritage and culture. Where I come from."

This was rather stunning to hear considering it was an American-made movie.

Not surprising, though, considering our best Maori actors have made appearances in international blockbusting movies and in American television programmes.

It's clear they and many Maori activists who have been chipping away at breaking down negative attitudes have succeeded.

The tide has turned for our culture with Maori designs and history having an impact. It's pleasing to see.

It wasn't that long ago I broke a story about an American Halloween store selling ta moko kits as terrifying masks for frightening people with.

Kaumatua and Maori leaders were outraged and the store soon stopped advertising and selling the kits.

Such a long way we have come in recent years. But have we really?

Black people have been fighting this battle for generations and, as our communities change, so does the culture, bringing with it more prejudice.

Sadly, there is a lack of understanding of some cultures in our own town.

Just the other day I heard a young man swearing at an Indian man, telling him to go back to his own country.

Does he not realise this man was probably born here?

The tide of racism continues in another generation, it seems.

Acceptance of one culture doesn't stop another from being tormented - it's just the beginning of some sense of understanding.

If you are black, gay or different, it's a daily hurdle for acceptance for some.

Prejudice and racism can be bred in people but shouldn't be allowed to thrive in any community.