Countering accusations of racism: a study of white South African migrant discourse in New Zealand

Abstract

In this article, we examine the constructive and functional dimensions of the language used by white South African migrants in New Zealand to defend against being positioned as racist. This is understood within the wider context of the emigration process and the historical relationship between New Zealand and South Africa. In particular, we identify discursive tactics drawn on by white South African migrants to defend against being positioned–in actuality or imagination–as racist by New Zealanders. Transcriptions of five semi-structured interviews and four focus groups are analysed. Discursive manoeuvres include contextual determinism, South Africans self-positioning as culturally considerate, accusing the accuser, and the passive bystander explanation. Although the way these tactics are utilised is fairly distinct, such as in reflecting shared colonial histories, their general form has been noted in diverse present-day racist discourse studies.