Technically speaking, I'm a straight, white man.
But during my childhood and teenage years I endured being called names like "fag", because my interests align more with those of the stereotypical gay man. Enjoying singing and theatre but not sport. Dressing flamboyantly. Having lots of close female friends (*not* to get in their pants or help make friends do so).
I may not be a homosexual, but that doesn't mean I have no lived experience that allows me to identify with their struggles.
(1/2)
Technically speaking, I'm a straight, white man.
But I also have dark hair, dark eyes, and a fairly swarthy complexion (from a great-grandfather with Mediterranean heritage). Māori people always seem to know I'm Pākeha, but Pākeha often think I'm Māori. So I've had experiences like being hassled by Pākeha cops for Walking While (appearing) Black, followed around shops by Pākeha store detectives, whose implicit bias suggests I'm more likely to steal.
(2/?)
I have dark hair, dark eyes, and a fairly swarthy complexion (via a great-grandfather from the Mediterranean). Māori people always seem to know I'm Pākeha, but Pākeha often think I'm Māori. For example, I've been hassled by Pākeha cops for Walking While (appearing) Black, followed around shops by Pākeha store detectives, whose implicit bias suggests I'm more likely to steal.
I may not be Māori, but that doesn't mean I have no lived experience I can use to identify with their struggles.
(2/?)
