Oceans Between Us: Pacific Peoples and Racism in Aotearoa
Emerging voices, urgent truths: a bold and unflinching examination of racism against Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
Racism. There, we said it. You can let your shoulders drop now that you know we will say the word and not sidestep it to protect people’s comfort. Or, you can raise your shoulders in preparation for tension as you realise that this book will not talk about unconscious bias or other terms that enable us to excuse ourselves from our own complicity in, inaction on, or upholding of racist structures. — Sereana Naepi
Salt water carries the weight of powerful stories – of migration, struggle and survival. It is in the sweat of labour, the tears of grief and joy, and the waves that have shaped generations. Like the ocean, racism has carved deep scars in the landscapes we navigate.
In this collection, thirteen Pacific scholars rise to turn the tide, dissecting the racism embedded in New Zealand’s core systems, from education and health to justice and climate. Through ten essays rooted in the vā – the relational space of story, dialogue and environment – each chapter builds on the next, weaving together lived experiences and sharp insights.
Oceans Between Us is both a testimony and a call to action. It documents the struggles of Pacific peoples and envisions a world beyond now. A rallying cry for justice, a demand for equity and a catalyst for change, this book is not about survival alone – it’s about thriving.
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Book Dimensions: 14 cm, 2.21 cm, 21.01 cm
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Publishing has a diversity problem. There are less 'diverse' books being published which limits the discoverability and reach of those authors.
Representation is important. Read more about why we exist here.
An anti-racist social enterprise bookstore specialising in BIPOC books.
Only about 11% of books published are by BIPOC authors — so unless you specifically seek out books by BIPOC authors, you aren't likely to find very many of them organically. At Amplify, BIPOC authors are highlighted and celebrated. Here, they don't have to fight to be seen, and you don't have to fight to find them.
We hope that in our shop, you can discover a new favourite read, find stories that speak uniquely to you, learn about a culture outside your own (or more about your own histories), and gain a better understanding of the systems that connect us all.
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