I too am Auckland
In the beginning of the week I watched the video I too am auckland where pacific islander and maori students at Auckland University are interviewed about their experience of attending the institution. Pretty much all the students who spoke had been in uncomfortable situations where they felt discriminated against because of their race and living in South Auckland. It made me think of my years at art school. I never felt discriminated against because of my race or area code because like the students in I too am Auckland I’m from out South and of Polynesian heritage. What I did feel though particularly in my first year of undergrad was a disconnection between myself and my peers. My unease and inability to feel like part of the group stemmed from many things – I was the only Samoan in my year group, I had come from a high school that was a decile one and although I can’t be certain I doubt any of my peers went to primary school with christmas paper used as …