The footage showing the verbal racial abuse of a Pakistani-born taxi driver by an Invercargill man has been painful to witness - not to mention endure - but its aftermath has at least provided some important life lessons and the opportunity for remorse and redemption.
Invercargill technician Greg Shuttleworth was caught on the camera in Tariq Humayun's taxi last Friday night abusing the driver about being a Muslim, and telling him to go back to where he came from.
Mr Shuttleworth was drunk and the incident appeared to be totally unprovoked. It was understandably upsetting for the driver, who has remained too overwhelmed to talk to media about it. However, after a tearful apology from Mr Shuttleworth to the taxi company, Mr Humayun has said he has forgiven Mr Shuttleworth and does not want police, who have investigated the incident, to pursue charges or lay a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
Mr Shuttleworth has been laying low, and is reportedly mortified about his actions, which both he and his partner say were out of character. The unwanted publicity may have a long-lasting effect on him and, if he is genuinely remorseful, it may take longer for him to forgive himself, than it has for the driver and others to forgive him.
Indeed, such understanding from the Muslim and immigrant community has been remarkable, particularly given the racist and religious abuse they say they experience regularly. Mr Humayun's employer, Safinah Mohammed, of Invercargill Taxis, even said of Mr Shuttleworth when he apologised to the company: ''He was genuinely remorseful, in tears, saying he was very sorry for what he'd done. I felt bad for him.''
Mr Shuttleworth has been reportedly open to offers from the Muslin community to learn more about its beliefs, and it seems he is lucky to have the opportunity to literally learn from his ''mistake''. For, at the end of day, it is ignorance and fear that feed prejudice, and education is the best way to enlighten. The actions of those in the Muslim community - and others in Invercargill and throughout the country who have sent gifts and messages of support - speak far louder than the ill-informed hurtful words levelled against a man going about his daily work.
One does wonder, though, whether such contrition would have been displayed had the camera footage not been released publicly by the taxi company. Humiliation is a powerful persuader, and in this case, in the cold hard sober and intensely public light of day, serious contemplation of one's actions has been necessary. There are sadly some who will abuse others in similar situations where they feel in control and where the spotlight is not on them. This incident has turned the tables, leaving the perpetrator on the receiving end of an outpouring of outrage. Many may think this will be punishment enough. Some may think a greater message should be sent.
Although the police have only given Mr Shuttleworth a formal written warning, this serves as a timely reminder to us all. What do we say/do to others when we think no-one is watching? What do our thoughts, words and actions towards others actually say about ourselves? Would we like to be treated that way by others?
Our multicultural society offers opportunities to learn, to experience, to share, to grow. Inevitably, changes to our society's composition also pose questions and raise challenges.
The issues and policies around immigration, asylum, overseas investment and the subsequent pressures on the likes of land, housing, health, and food security are real and need to be discussed. And it can be difficult finding the balance between talking about such issues and labelling such discussion racist. But such discussions seem to become more difficult when we focus on difference, when we make issues about race, religion, culture, nationality.
If we pause for thought, the ''differences'' between us are maybe not so great. At a fundamental level, surely most people want the same thing - in the words of fellow taxi driver Jeff Mohammed: ''We just want to live a happy life . . . in New Zealand.''
On an individual level, in our everyday dealings with others, that can be something towards which every person can contribute.
