The Rotary Club of St Johns is currently investigating an incident that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the appropriate way to conduct debates and discussions.
Photos shared to the Rotary Club’s Facebook page on Friday evening showed club members celebrating with a traditional toilet seat trophy, which had a caricature mask of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attached to it by what appeared to be an elastic band. The masks had earlier been worn by the Rotary Club of Auckland East.
The incident occurred during an annual debate event, where the topic was whether Jacinda Ardern or Robert Muldoon was a better prime minister. The Auckland East team, which argued for Ardern, dressed up in black curly wigs and wore the Jacinda Ardern caricature masks with elastic bands around their heads.
While some have defended the debate topic and costumes as innocent and in the spirit of fun, others have criticized them as insensitive and disrespectful, particularly in light of the ongoing discussions and debates around issues of racism, cultural sensitivity, and respect for diversity.
The Rotary Club of St Johns has apologized for the offensive costumes and trophy, and has acknowledged that the incident was a mistake. The club is currently investigating the incident to determine whether the mask was put on the trophy intentionally, and whether any other inappropriate behaviour occurred during the event.
The incident at the Rotary Club of St Johns highlights the importance of being mindful of the impact of our words and actions, particularly in relation to sensitive issues such as race and ethnicity. It is important to ensure that debates and discussions are conducted in a respectful and constructive manner that does not denigrate or disrespect individuals or groups based on their ethnicity or cultural background.
The Rotary Club of St Johns has committed to working towards building a more inclusive and respectful society that values diversity and promotes understanding and cooperation among all members of our community. By doing so, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.
