Fear Often a Cause

Te Ao Hou, September 1965, Page 14

Fear Often a Cause Animal fear may compel one race to discriminate against another one, especially if the former is the minority; they are afraid of being overwhelmed, and therefore all possible access to power is denied the subjected race. South Africa is of course the classic example. Prejudice may stem from fear of pressure from a social or economic group. Until the last few years, it was virtually impossible for a Maori to acquire a position in a banking firm. Banks distrusted his integrity and efficiency, and it was felt that by his very presence, a coloured person may have lowered the bank's all-important prestige with its customers. Many Europeans refuse to let their dwellings to coloured people, especially in high-class residential areas, through fear of a drop in the value of the property.