Black Sheep Beastly Truth: the story of George Howe
Aug 22, 2024
Lynette Shum, a Wellington Chinese historian, and Redmer Isker, a historian specializing in the New Zealand Truth newspaper, discuss the troubling case of George Howe, a brothel-keeper accused of sexual exploitation. They delve into the sensationalist and racist media coverage that portrayed him as 'beastly' due to his Chinese ethnicity. The conversation explores anti-Chinese racism, the historical evolution of Wellington's Chinatown, and the broader impacts of societal prejudices on immigrant communities, illuminating a dark chapter in New Zealand's past.
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George Howe Case
- George Howe's crimes escalated when Truth reported on his involvement in a court case involving underage girls.
- He was charged with brothel-keeping, highlighting Truth's sensationalism and anti-Chinese bias.
Truth's Bias
- Truth's coverage of George Howe's case revealed its blatant anti-Chinese racism and victim blaming.
- This reflected wider societal prejudices and the paper's willingness to exploit them for sensationalism.
Anti-Chinese Sentiment
- Truth's anti-Chinese sentiment resonated with the working class who saw Chinese immigrants as economic threats.
- This fueled racist attacks, reflecting the mainstream view at the time.