Tackling Racism : Solidarity?

“We've got to face the fact that some people say you fight fire best with fire, but we say you put fire out best with water. We say you don't fight racism with racism. We're gonna fight racism with solidarity.”   Fred Hampton.

 

 

 

There are so many people dealing with racist incidents throughout Ireland and the world. Every year we see an increase in the numbers of reported hate crimes and there are countless other incidents that remain unreported. We hear about a families home being targeted because they are foreign nationals. Headlines around the world tell us of young unarmed black people being killed by law enforcement officers. We are told about how intolerance and prejudice have made people's life unbearable.

 

Every country, every community has it's own problems with racism and discrimination and unfortunately these problems continue to grow and intensify as there is a 'us' and 'them' divide. Victims of racism and discrimination often tend to become perpetrators of hate themselves, they become so worn out and/or angry by what they or those they love have faced that they end up being dragged into the ever spiralling dance of hatred. 

 

After having conversations with a people from various communities one thing that was noticeable was the fact that many of them believe that the racism or discrimination they have faced is worse or more widespread than others and that the particular form of racism/discrimination needs to be eradicated first then the rest should be easier to sort out.  This thought process is very worrying as it undermines what another human being has been through and has the potential to splinter the efforts of those who are trying to bring equality into the world for everyone.

 

Does there need to be more compassion and empathy between various groups who have faced discrimination? The simple answer is YES! Anyone who has had to deal with discrimination knows what it feels like to be judged on something that is out of their control. Therefore they should be able to empathise with someone else who has been the victim of discrimination even when it is not similar to their own experience. There should be less, 'oh that's nothing compared to what I've had to deal with' way of thinking as you too become responsible for allowing another person to be oppressed.

 

If every person who has faced racism/discrimination stood together as one instead of in splintered groups would we have a better chance of bringing equality and fairness for all?



B~