Economic Factors

Te Ao Hou, September 1965, Page 13

Economic Factors There are many reasons for prejudice, but some seem to be more universal and significant. One of these is to be found in the economic gains which often follow prejudice. In the nineteenth century Maoris were generally regarded as inferior to the white settlers, and this was felt to be an excuse for depriving him of the asset reserved only for more civilized and worthy people—land. In South Africa the Africans are kept in virtual slavery, partly to provide essential cheap labour and services for that country's (or more accurately, the Africaans') economy. And in the United States discrimination is also an economic necessity; if it were not for this, Negroes would be competing directly for white men's jobs, causing hardship to the white man and a lowering of his living standards.