I am Pakeha

Esther Fitzpatrick is a Lecturer in teacher education at The University of Auckland. She has researched and published on issues of racial-ethnic identity in postcolonial communities, drama as a method of inquiry, art based methodologies, 'Hauntology', poetry and Ekphrasis.

Globalisation and a shrinking world have resulted in an increase in multiethnic and multicultural communities. With this increase has come the identification of a need to develop educational practices that are responsive to the diverse groups we work with. One issue identified is the inability of many whites, the dominant population, to articulate a positive ethnic/cultural identity; rather they default to a national identity. This book therefore provides findings that are significant to post-colonial and multi-cultural societies, which often comprise of dominant groups of white people who demonstrate difficulty in constructing a positive ethnic identity. The children s stories in this study, demonstrate that the emergence of new, hybrid, and positive identities can be encouraged. In addition, the possibility of racial bias can be discouraged, through political and educational practices. Such practices should involve exploration of identity in a safe environment, and challenge the notion of an ascribed identity.