By NewsGram Staff Writer

Racism is a global phenomenon which is influenced by a range of historical, social, political and economic factors. It takes different forms in different contexts and as a result has been defined in many different ways.

Racism has its roots in the belief that some people are superior because of the particular race, ethnic or national group they belong to. The concept of race is a social construct, not a scientific one.

An India-born teen, Kimberly D'Mello of class 12 earned the title in the national Race Unity Speech Competition for her prescription to combat racism at Tauranga's Aquinas College in the North Island, New Zealand. The competition was held at the Te Mahurehure Marae in Pt Chevalier, Auckland on Saturday night.

D'Mello was born in India but was brought up in New Zealand. She made it through regional finals and vanquished the other eight at the speech competition to win NZ$1,000 for her school and NZ$1,000 for herself.

During her seven minute speech she said, "Do not wait for someone else. Do it yourself. Do not get someone else to fix the problem. Do it yourself and don't rely on the Aussies."

"We are all responsible for the kind of country and community we live in," she added.

"D'Mello had captured the fundamental essence of human rights," said Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner, who was one of the judges.

On her experience of sharing her views on racism, D'Mello said "It was good to perform in front of such a large audience."

D'Mello admitted that she has not experienced racism yet but have seen people discriminating on the basis on color and name.

The theme of the night, however, was about bringing people together, so that was what she focused on, she said.