It's Time For A New Way To Look At Migration

by Ruth Daly

The Immigrant Council of Ireland recently held a highly important workshop entitled ‘Voices of Young Migrant Men’ which brought to light the varying and often difficult issues facing young migrants in Ireland. This ground-breaking research project, funded by the European Commission, took place in seven different European countries, including, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Today, reports have been slowly filtering through Irish media about the discrimination, prejudice and assault faced by migrants in Ireland. Of course, we can conclude that these findings are not exclusive to Ireland but rather are the experience of migrants everywhere. While the research project mentioned focuses on the experiences of young migrant men, I would like to extend this discussion to migrant women, who face equally difficult challenges in the form of discrimination and prejudice.

Findings from the research project indicate disturbing levels of racism and prejudice from authoritative government groups. Policy and Research Officer with the ICI, Peter Slovak stated that racism was a common thread seen among members of the Gardaí and the Immigration Authorities with highly unprofessional and insensitive workers remarking ‘your kind is not allowed here’ among other derogatory and racist remarks. Additionally, there were reports of insinuations that migrants were there purely for financial gain. Godfrey Chimbganda of ICI stressed the importance of integration in tackling racial discrimination towards migrants, stating that the Garda Síochána and other government bodies need to become more diverse. I have included a link to this report at the end of this post for anyone who would like to read more about it.

Oswaldo, one of the young men who participated in the research project has stated that ‘borders are more than just lines drawn in a map, some are even literally massive walls and spiked fences, not even airports are as welcoming as you might expect, they are scary, judgmental and discriminating. We cannot discover our own planet freely.’ (ICI, 2015)

We need to reassess the way in which we view culture and borders and embrace their respective fluidity. If we are to regard culture as intermingled and multifarious, it follows that cultural growth is something which migration facilitates. Thus, it stands that migrants are in a position to act as empowered agents of change here in Ireland, and indeed globally. In The Location of Culture, literary theorist and scholar Homi K. Bhabha highlights the importance of recognising the porous borders between cultures, a notion of fluidity shared by other critics. John McLeod states ‘that [borders] are always leaking into each other, criss-crossing the supposed barriers’ (263) which causes ideas to move and change as a result.

In The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (Verso, 1993), Gilroy discusses the middle passage, employing the image of the ship as a means by which to symbolise ‘a living, micro-cultural, micro-political system in motion’ (4). This symbol ‘bears witness to the history of black oppression but also the possibility of putting ideas and cultural practices “on the move”, circulating them across different places in perpetual motion’ (266). Here we see an element of hope and new possibility regarding the exchange of ideas emerge out of the profoundly horrific, deeply traumatic Middle Passage.

I refer to Gilroy as parallels can be drawn between his research and the current migrant crisis. What men, women and children are currently going through in an attempt to flee war-torn countries and oppressive regimes is unfathomable. The gross violation of human rights is disgraceful. Our, the EU’s, response is less than welcoming. Simply put, it is not good enough. How is it that have we not learned from history?

In their own words, migrants have described the immense difficulty of leaving their respective homelands to come to a strange place in search of hope, in search of peace. In light of the continuous difficulties facing migrants living in Ireland – many of which have been highlighted by this research – it is more important than ever to highlight the manifold ways in which men, women and children from outside of the EU who have sought asylum in Ireland have enriched Irish culture. Indeed, many have been hugely influential in our continued societal development.

One such example can be seen in a recent legal case which saw Muhammad Younis vindicated as the Supreme Court overturned a previous High Court judgement. Younis was awarded €92,634.42 in unpaid wages and compensation for 7 years’ work in a Clondalkin restaurant. Mr. Younis’ unrelenting perserverence in his fight for his rights has not only changed the law but it has made Ireland a far better, safer, more just place for all workers.

Additionally, a recent International Report entitled ‘Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2015’ carried out by the European Commission and the OECD has shown that Ireland has the most educated immigrants in the EU. If anything, we should be grateful to have such bright minds contributing to Irish society.

It is imperative that we focus on the fluid and porous nature of borders, and embrace our fellow citizens. I will conclude with some sage advice from Oswaldo:

‘At the end of the day, it’s all of us together, the common citizens of the world through our opinions and activism who can change the actions of our policy makers, and the positions of our politicians.’ (ICI, 2015)

 

References

Bhabha, Homi K., The Location of Culture (Routledge, 1994)

Gilroy, Paul, The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (Verso, 1993)

McLeod, John, Beginning Postcolonialism (Manchester University Press, 2010)

To read more about the findings of the ‘Voices of Young Migrant Men’ research project, visit: http://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/

To read more about the ‘Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2015’ report, visit: http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/social-issues-migration-health/indicators-of-immigrant-integration-2015-settling-in_9789264234024-en#page149

Readers' Guide to Racial Bias in the Mass Media

 With the explosion of mass media and its availability to more people than ever before in Europe, how the media manages and monitors its attitudes and beliefs towards issues of racism and how they’re covered is crucial for the fair representation of everybody on a local and international level.

The media is collectively responsible for the influence it has on society as it feeds its audience with attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes that are then devoured so willingly by our collective unconscious or, perhaps, conscious, thus creating new negative ideas surrounding different groups in society.

Every media outlet should then continually ensure the presence of any act of inequality is wiped from their organisation’s belief system if they are to commit to enhancing and improving society rather than hindering its progress.

This may be tough task, however, as in the US less than 2% of those working in news media are made up of racial minorities, those with disabilities or aboriginals. Stronger representation is key to impose counter views and beliefs to those that currently drive the majority.

UNESCO promotes safe freedom of expression for all but how can we all exchange and share knowledge via mass media and furthermore trust those shaping it if it those in the majority that hold most of the expression?

This is particularly worrying when we consider the different ways in which black and white males, for example, are reported and portrayed in the media for similar violent crimes. Media institutions presenting with racial bias, whether vividly or subtly, coupled with the fact the media is so influential, is a testament to how vital it is that all media and individuals are reporting and representing everybody in a way that does not hinder the progress of equality in the media.

You, the audience member and contributor of all forms of media, have the power to control what messages and beliefs you choose to mimic and uphold. Awareness is key and we must demand these basic standards of fairness from all media providers. So make the choices that reflect change, diversity and fairness in your media.

Below is a guide to help both audience and contributor of mass media alike, engage in fair reporting, advertising and entertainment and so fully enjoy the power of media. 

•Be vigilant when being sold a service or product in the latest clothing or gaming ad campaign. How, for example, are the characters portrayed in a gaming campaign, are avatars overly stereotypical? Is the black man always the gun wielding car thief in the latest violent video game?

•Watch out for how we identify a certain race through images, sounds or words used by media. Ideally no group or individual should be categorised by a sound or image.

•Likewise does some media paint an assumption to the reader or audience about where some races may live? What particular cars they might drive? How sexually overt they may be or not? How they live and work?    

•Be aware of wording used to describe an alleged suspect in a news report. There is no reason why a reporter or a news agency should describe a person’s race unless it is absolutely relevant.

•If it is relevant however, choose wording carefully. The word ‘coloured’ is not appropriate but rather the NUJ advises the use of the word black to imply those of African, Asian or Arabic origin. It’s OK to ask how one defines themselves if you are interviewing them.

•Don’t assume someone’s racial background or guess their possible religion based on their name, this is highly presumptuous and offensive.  

•Your favourite news publication might be your go to source for trusted accuracy but they too may get it wrong. Question everything!

•Ask yourself, due to the continued impact of offending media inequality, do individuals from different races have fewer opportunities and experiences than me due to media assumptions and portrayal?

•Choose your news sources and entertainment carefully but never stop questioning and remain vigilant! 

Be part of the collaboration of justice and fairness for all and above all except nothing less than the clear facts in your news and equality across all platforms.

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The Critical Media Project (2015) Available at:

http://www.criticalmediaproject.org/cml/topicbackground/race-ethnicity/ & NUJ Guidelines on Race Reporting (2007). Available at: http://www.dochas.ie/Shared/Files/7/Guidelines_on_Race_Reporting.pdf

State Obligations in Dealing With Race Discrimination

by Lorraine Lally

The cases of the European Court of Human Rights have illustrated a willingness to articulate Article 8 in the language of the social model of recognition of nationality and ethnicity. The Roma cases are an excellent example of the treatments of migrants which concerned early cases brought against the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. The groups involved suffered horrific marginalisation and social exclusion. In the case of Buckley -v- UK in 1996 there was reference made to the nature of the discrimination which consisted of layers of restrictions which had a cumulative effect of discrimination.  The addition of the case of Chapman v UK (2001) The vulnerable position of gypsies as a minority means that some special consideration should be given to their needs and their different lifestyle both in the relevant regulatory planning framework and in arriving at the decisions in particular cases   To this extent there is thus a positive obligation imposed on the Contracting States by virtue of Article 8 to facilitate the gypsy way of life.

The Dissenting opinion Judge Bonello. I consider it particularly disturbing that the Court, in over fifty years of pertinacious judicial scrutiny, has not, to date, found one single instance of violation of the right to life (Article 2) or the right not to be subjected to torture or other degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment (Article 3) induced by the race, colour or place of origin of the victim. 

Anguelova v. Bulgaria (2002)- Leafing through the annals of the Court, an uninformed observer would be justified to conclude that, for over fifty years democratic Europe has been exempted from any suspicion of racism, intolerance or xenophobia. The Europe projected by the Court's case-law is that of an exemplary haven of ethnic fraternity, in which peoples of the most diverse origin coalesce without distress, prejudice or recrimination. The present case energises that delusion

 

In  DH v Czech (2007) the Grand Chamber (13:4)  held that there was a violation of articles of the Convention.

The relevant legislation as applied in practice … had a disproportionately prejudicial effect on the Roma community. The Court is not satisfied that the difference in treatment between Roma children and non-Roma children was objectively and reasonably justified [or] … that there existed a reasonable relationship of proportionality between the means used and the aim pursued.

Therefore there is a requirement based on the vulnerability and social isolation of Migrant on the State to enact legislation to protect against discrimination against Migrants living in the State where there status is that they are illegal residents seeking the protection of the Courts.

In the case of Timishev v Russia (2005) it can be distilled that there is a duty to combat racism: to reinforce ‘democracy’s vision of a society in which diversity is not perceived as a threat but as a source of enrichment’. The same case provided that there was a duty to combat racism: to reinforce ‘democracy’s vision of a society in which diversity is not perceived as a threat but as a source of enrichment.

Šečić v Croatia (2007) it was established that there was a duty to investigate racial motivated violence, Positive duty to investigate allegations of degrading treatment, Positive duty to investigate allegations of severe discrimination; Duty to protect vulnerable groups and to prioritise investigations involving violence against such; Duty to enable different lifestyles in the relevant regulatory frameworks and in arriving at the decisions in particular cases. The case law clear shows that there is a Recognition of indirect discrimination and the Recognition of need to reverse onus of proof and to accept statistical evidence. There is also a view that the case law establishing a duty to remove barriers from individuals, families and groups living within the State.

In conclusion the European Court of Human Rights case law has been very poor on the issue of race discrimination. Some of the reasons put forward are that it is largely indirect in nature and difficult to prove before a Court. There is an issue with Article 14 which is not a standalone article to prevent discrimination it is a parasitic Article so only argued with other articles in the Convention.

The other issue is what is defined by lawyers as the Strasbourg burden of proof which can be very difficult to reach at times.  There is a wonderful link discussing the cases that have been brought and the issues.

The European Roma Rights Centre has been spearheading and supporting litigation on the issues.

http://www.errc.org/article/european-court-rejects-uk-gypsy-applicants/692

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1. Shtukaturov v. Russia (2008)
2. Chapman v UK 2001

I'm Not Racist But....

By Ruth Daly

In this, the first of my monthly blog posts for ROI Against Racism, I want to discuss the language of everyday racism in Ireland and beyond.  It is easy to recognise and call people out on overt racist behaviour – we see videos popping up on social media every day capturing racist attacks on public transport.  Just last week in Ireland, a 19 year old was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a vicious racist assault on two teenage cousins.  The assault, which took place in 2013, has left one of the young victims blind in one eye, and both young men have talked about the devastating emotional consequences of the violent racist attack they were subjected to.  While people are quick to condemn such overt racist assaults, many choose to overlook the more subtle, everyday forms of racism that are often presented in the guise of a joke or stereotype of some description. 

It is imperative that we recognise that language is not simply a means of communication. Rather, it is fundamental to everything we do, essentially housing the value through which we live our lives, a theory proffered by many critics.  It’s particularly worrying that a most insidious form of racist behaviour has become so commonplace and normalised in our society that prejudiced views and opinions are given the space to become validated. 

On a number of separate occasions, I have found myself in the company of people who have prefaced a statement with the words: ‘I’m not racist, but…’ what Sociologist Bonilla-Silva calls a ‘discursive buffer.’  He writes that this use of language became ‘standard fare of post-Civil Rights racial discourse.’  While the person uttering this disclaimer might think themselves unprejudiced, this all-too-common use of language is hugely problematic.  For one thing, these words carry with them inherently racist connotations.  In my experience at least, the subsequent remark is usually an explicitly racist or derogatory one.  Ultimately, in using this ‘discursive buffer’ a person is both acknowledging that they are going to say something racist while simultaneously absolving oneself of all responsibility in perpetuating prejudiced rhetoric. 

The idea that one can remove any sense of accountability for one’s use of racist language with a trite disclaimer is wholly unacceptable.  It illustrates the immense power of language as it points to the issue of a deeply embedded racist discourse which is often accompanied by a tone of cultural superiority. This of course leads us to another, huge, manifestation of racism, white privilege (which I will discuss in a later blog) which proves rather difficult as a point of discussion with someone who vehemently denies they harbour racist views or behaviours.  Lest we forget, as long as someone proclaims that they are not racist first, they can then make all manner of racist remarks.  So what can be done?  If we refuse to challenge the insidious, surreptitious everyday racism that has comfortably settled itself into our everyday lives, are we complicit in acts of racism? I would answer that with a resounding Yes! As Desmond Tutu puts it, ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.’  We know that racism is by no means an inherent thing, but rather, it is a learned behaviour.  In educating ourselves about the deep-seated nature of racial discourse, and our complicity in that discourse if we choose to remain silent in the face of racism and prejudice, we can continue to work towards an inclusive Ireland…

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1. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Racism Without Racists (Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield, 2009), p. 57.
2. Ibid.

Direct Provision ; Will Common Sense Ever Prevail?

by Michelle Mitchell

 In my previous article for ROI against Racism I spoke of Direct Provision and its implications for the lives of those who are forced reply on it as a system for survival in Ireland. As this is very current issue in the media at the moment I would like to address the issue of the cost of direct provision in Ireland. Early this week The Irish Examiner published that ‘Direct Provision Contractors receive €5m each year in state fees’. Therefore in total last year Direct Provision has cost the state €53m to support the 4,364 people who rely on it. There is no denying that this is a substantial amount of money for any government to spend but particularly if the country they are running is in economic recession as Ireland is at the moment. Therefore why the government is choosing to invest such an amount of money in a system that dehumanizes and essentially imprisons people, I simply cannot understand. Surely this money could be invested more wisely and with sincere goals for equality and social change in mind.

The lack of available rental properties is one reason why asylum seekers, who despite being granted Irish citizenship are being forced to survive on Direct Provision. Therefore the logical solution to a problem such as this is for the government to increase spending in social housing schemes and rent supplement along with increasing rent supplement thresholds. Now, I am not an economist but I do foresee that if this were to occur, what would transpire are many long term advantages for both the person in receipt of direct provision and the government alike. As a sociologist what I can predict is that when an asylum seeker no longer relies on direct provision and has a fixed abode they are then in a position to secure employment and up skilling opportunities which they will utilize (despite some racially motivated ideologies). This in effect increases their assimilation and integration in Irish society and hence the racial social divide that currently exists is in a prime condition to weaken and narrow. In terms of parliamentarian benefits, economic contributions in the form of taxes and less overall reliance on the Irish government for living support from ex direct provision recipients can only serve to boost the Irish economy which consequently provides numerous advantages for the government.

Speaking this week, Minister for State for New Communities Culture and Equality, Aodhán O Riordáin described the implementation of Direct Provision as a ‘regrettable periods in Irish History’, publically admitting that this system does not work. Protests were also held this week with texts on placards from asylum seekers stating that the want ‘the right to integrate’, believing that direct provision does not allow them to do this. Thus I would like to conclude this piece by proposing that instead of contractors earning a large income on a suppressive system by receiving money from a government that claims poverty every day, which this money is invested into providing homes for asylum seekers. As previously stated I argue that this can be achieved by a restructuring of social housing and rent supplement policies. Perhaps the large amount of “ghost estates” that need completion would be an area for consideration to facilitate this?

I Love Tea But Not In That Mug: Controls on Immigration on the Table

by Lorraine Lally

As a tea lover the misuse and abuse of a mug which is a common household item to send a message was upsetting because these items will survive even if the Party does not get elected. This mug was not Ukip either which another worrying point is.

 

To quote Diane Abbott a member of the Labour Party “This shameful mug is an embarrassment. But real problem is that immigration controls are one of our 5 pledges at all”.   I was severely distressed and sickened almost to the point of not wanting a cuppa tea at the United Kingdom Labour Party selling red mugs with a pledge.  They are being purchased for 4 pounds, can you imagine buying a mug stating “controls on immigration” there were no mugs stating “Increase Disability Supports” or “Promote Child Welfare” or “Report Domestic Violence”. The United Kingdom is our closest neighbour and the discourse that is present there is equally present in other EU States such as Spain.  Barcelona has a serious issue with illegal immigrants like most European Countries.  And on a recent trip it was clear the ghettoization that had occurred in the City. I hate seeming the use of high rise buildings with large amounts of impoverished migrants who are all surviving in unacceptable conditions often in accommodation that is not appropriate.

 

When talking to a member of staff in the hotel about racism he stated that there was a symbol on the entry to some nightclubs as blacks/Arabs and other foreigners are not welcome. The person telling me this was of African descent with a Spanish mother.

 

I asked him if it bothered him and he reckoned that it was easier to keep the peace and stay away from where you are not wanted.  I mentioned segregation and he did not understand I stated to keep people separate like apartheid. He told me there were no apartheid just cultural and religious issues. He told me that Spain was struggling and that it would improve. What was going to improve?

 

As a tourist in Barcelona you are harassed on the beach by individuals trying to sell you drinks and sun glasses none of the individuals are natives to the country with broken English and equally broken Spanish. I wonder if they are trafficked. Are they struggling to pay off a debt? Are they sending the entire money home to their families? Are they depressed at the thought of their entrapment?  You could sense the desperation which was a little unnerving for someone looking to lie in the sun on the beach which is what I really wanted.

 

The situation is bad in Spain through the eyes of a tourist and on the last day we saw the individuals on the beach mainly African men fleeing toward us at the top of the pier there was an immigration control police car.  On returning to Ireland I read an article that made me smile when I saw that Spain will allow illegal immigrants access to public health care. 

 

In Ireland illegal immigrants can access public health care and are provided with medical cards based on need and income.  This situation will change and we need to be aware of all the changes within the EU to ensure that we protect the most vulnerable people who are trapped. They are often stuck in a foreign country what we need to realise is that country maybe our country.

 

I once met a woman who was over 8 months pregnant and had not seen a single doctor out of fear. I reassured her that she could give birth in Ireland and that the staff would take good care of her. I was lucky to know a midwife who reassured her over the phone that her welfare and that of the baby were the only concern of the hospital. She asked my friend to confirm they would not take the baby from her as she sat before me wearing slippers her feet were so swollen. She told me that she had been preparing to give birth at home. I told her about Noel Browne and the Mother and Child Scheme and explained that we have a proud history of providing good care to pregnant women .We need to make sure that we make good policy decisions and that our changes going forward in relation to health look at international best practice and not the budget costs involved.

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 Spain to Allow illegal Immigrants access to free public healthcare http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/11509227/Spain-to-allow-illegal-immigrants-to-access-free-public-healthcare.html

Racism; How We View Each Other

by Nyasha Mhandu

Race for not simply the colour of a person’s skin, it is all things cultural combined that make someone who they are. Where are you from? Where were you born? Where do you live? Innocent questions that I will live with for the rest of my life, when I am in Ireland I am not fully Irish but when I am in Zimbabwe I am not fully Zimbabwean so how do I identify myself? The development of technology has had an increasing effect on migration all over the world and the lines are blurring between who is of this and that race. Ireland as a small society has only began to experience multiculturalism in the last 25 years especially in Dublin although there is still major racial issues evident. The new generation of Irish is not the stereotypical red haired freckled Niamh and Eoin, I know Liam and Nathan born to fully Zimbabwean parents who may never get the chance to see Zimbabwe now that most of their relatives are spread around the world so where are they really from? Being racist or not racist does does not directly imply the dislike of another person because of their race but in our everyday manner and respect for other people. Words such as ‘chink’ ‘paki’ and foreigner itself are wrongly embedded into Irish colloquialism and the negative association with them mirrors an unwelcoming society. Although many of us don’t admit it there is an element of racism in all of us in that when we see someone who is of  a certain who sounds or dresses a certain we confine them to a box of stereotypical mannerisms.

‘Do they walk their dogs?’ ‘Do they have blonde hair’ I distinctly remember asking my dad on the phone before I moved to Ireland, this was my perception of varungu the Zimbabwean term for white people. To 12 year old me if you weren’t black you were white and I was going to live in a country with white people racial diversity was not a notion I had thought of before. I had mostly seen white people on the television prior to the big move and as I look at my attitude back then there I had been raised with an embedded superiority of white skin over black skin. This racial superiority is not something only common in Zimbabwe as I noticed it during the time I spent in Thailand. When the volunteers introduced themselves we all had to share where we are from and I would introduce myself as being from Ireland and so would another pale red head girl I had worked with and there would be a common muddled look on the children’s faces. As I worked mostly with children I noticed a lot of them instantly attracted to spending more time with my white colleagues where as it took them some time to relate to me. However as time developed one of the children got comfortable enough to really get to know the difference she touched my hair skin eyelashes and compared them to hers and I felt satisfied we all equal we really were.

The widespread consensus that has been highly encouraged by the media is very much of a whitewashed society, in black communities there is a significant amount of effort put into having long straight hair or lack of appreciation for very dark skin. I myself have been subject to this as a young black woman I have seen myself making a lot of effort to fit in by getting a very long weave instead of braids just so I can have the same silky smooth hair as all my friends. The older I get the more aware of this I am and it is in my best interest to love myself as I am afro and all. Racial stereotypes about black people that have indirectly affected me include the stereotyping of black people loving chicken or being seen as loud. Growing up in a predominantly white society made it significantly more difficult for me to accept my awkward puberty phase, I grew hips and a bum a lot faster and bigger than the majority of my peers. The body shape I developed is the same as that of my mother and my aunty but I cannot say it is that of all black women. It is only since Hollywood has accepted the current trend of a big bum not being ridiculed and associated with being fat I see people commenting on my figure in a positive manner.

Prior to writing this blog I had not fallen victim to any comments I would have found deeply hurtful however on St Patrick’s Day this year a comment made by a homeless man on Henry Street really hit home for me. Walking out of work with my colleagues he struck up conversation about the violence and noise and immediately he turned to question me about ‘the likes of you’ and why we like fighting. Although the comments were not taken personally it is the fact that no matter how hard I strive to be a better version of myself to someone else my melanin levels will always be more important than my contribution to society that always play on the mind.

That Was Then, This Is Now

by Anonymous

My story begins in 1988. The new wave of mass emigration from Ireland in the 1980s was a different animal altogether. Emigration was most concentrated at two ends of the class/education/wealth spectrum. Unskilled and semi-skilled workers were still leaving in droves and I was one of them.

 “The world is your oyster”, my mammy said. I had just been for a second interview as a trainee manager within the hotel industry and had been successfully. Out of the 350 people from around Ireland who applied for the job only 35 people were selected and I was one of them. I couldn’t believe it I had got the job. My whole family were so excited. I was going to Las Vegas. Although I was very excited myself, I was also a bit apprehensive as I had never been outside Ireland before and I could sense from my mam and dad, while they were happy for me they were nervous about the idea too. But they knew that opportunities like this only came once in a life time. Not only did I have a very good relationship with my parents but I was also daddy’s little girl out of the 5 children my daddy doted on me the most.

The day came for me to set off on my adventure and all my family came to the airport to see me off. I remember in particular my dad holding me in an embrace so tight I thought I was going to faint. “You take care now and be safe I love you Catherine”, he said.  My heart was breaking and I cried tears of joy and sadness.

I arrived in Las Vegas dumb struck. The place was amazing everywhere was opened 24 hours, nowhere shut. The strip at night was lit up like a great big disco ball it was fantastic. After two weeks of orientation and training we were all given our shifts to work in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. I had made a lot of friends and when we had time off we would go out and about exploring all the different casinos in Las Vegas. It was all so incredible and wonderful. Life couldn’t have been better!

Then one night while a few friends and I were out in a bar having a few drinks and listening to the band that was playing. I noticed the guy that was playing the saxophone; he was so handsome all my friends thought so too. We both exchanged glances and before the end of the night we were laughing and talking about everything and anything, we hit it off real well his name was Kenny. Life had just got better!

Everything was fantastic I and Kenny were going strong and I had told my parents about him too. They were so happy for me especially my daddy and he said that he couldn’t wait to meet him. My work visa had finished and I had to return home to Ireland. I was devastated on having to leave Kenny and he felt the same way too. We decided that we would have a long distance relationship as neither of us wanted to be without the other. Kenny had promised to come to Ireland to visit and I had promised that I would also go back to America on holidays.

After lots of tears and hugs I took out some of the photos I had taken and was showing them to my family. Then within that one second of having my life complete my whole world was turned upside down “Jeysus he’s black” my sister shouted. My dad grabbed the photo and I seen the look of disgust and disappointment in his face as he inspected it. “No Niger will ever step foot in my home and I will certainly not allow any daughter of mine to be seen with one” and he stomped out of the room. Silence fell around the room. My mother asked why I had not told them and I said that I didn’t think that it was relevant. I loved him no matter of his colour race or religion. And I was going to continue to be with him

The day came for Kenny to arrive. I met him at the airport and the love that we had for each other was even stronger than before. He knew that there was something wrong and asked me what was bothering me. The gut feeling I had in my stomach was wrenching I felt like I was going to vomit I broke down in tears “my father is racist” I said. I had never known this before and I had never even spoken the word before, it was all too much. “Don’t worry darling we will stay in a hotel”, Kenny said, because we had decided initially to stay with my parents. When I told my father he told me that if I stayed with him in the hotel that I was not welcome in this house again.

Having to choose between the two men in my life that I loved the most was the most difficult thing I had to do. I had never thought before now, that love could be so difficult, hard unfair and racist. I naively thought that love was equal and just among all.

We spent the next two weeks in a hotel in Dublin and Kenny did not meet any of my family as my father had forbidden it. Although I brushed this aside for the sake of Kenny there were many other incidents that occurred during his visit to Ireland that made me realise how negative people were on accepting people from other countries, and cultures into their society.

Besides all the looks and slide remarks that we got when we were out together it didn’t have any hindrance on our love for one another. One example of theses was when we were walking down O’ Connell street and two white Irish lads made a comment, saying” isn’t your own good enough for you love” my reply was “well not if there like you ignorant f….”. I was not only shocked at their racist remarks but with my own reply as I would never have talked in that way to anyone. My blood was boiling, I was outraged not only because of what the two lads had said but also because of the feelings I felt towards them I didn’t hate those two lads but I certainly didn’t like them either. This was not my character I couldn’t understand it. I’d never had such bad feelings towards anyone in my life before. 

Kenny told me although he had experienced racism before and the majority of the time it didn’t bother him he said that he felt like he was living in a time warp and that Ireland had a long way to go before we could accept that all people are the same no matter what colour, race or religion they are. That was 25 years ago and although our relationship ended because we lived so far away from each other, we still remained friends.

Kenny was the first black person I had ever met. Back in Ireland in the 1980s if you walked down O’Connell street and seen a Chinese, Japanese or black person (which was quite rare) you automatically thought that they were on holidays. Now over 500,000 foreign nationals are calling Ireland home. We have come a long way but we still have a long way to go. Even though we live in a society were multiculturalism, globalisation and cultural diversity is more customary, there will always be those slide remarks, presumptions and in cases violent behaviours that need to be overcome.

As for my father, he is now more aware of not how different people are but how different we can be in realising that we are all the same no matter of race, creed or colour.

Racism in Ireland; An Angled View Through Real Life Encounters

By John Mc Cormack

Racism was something that I once had only heard of. To me it was something portrayed on TV and in movies that how showed African Americans were once treated in America.  As a child and a teenager I believed that these encounters of racism towards blacks, often very inhumane treatments, were records of the past, and were now displayed in a form of historical story-telling that brought tension and interest for the viewer.  Soon, topics of socialization during secondary level education brought to light the realities of racism, and that racist behaviour still existed. Until this point I had still not experienced any racial discrimination on a personal level, or witnessed it inflicted on anyone else.  Having experienced bullying to a large degree, I held a degree of empathy with the hurt that can be endured by the unnecessary treatment from one person to another because of how a person looks or where they come from. The one thing I did not understand was how and why people could possess the evil characteristics it takes to do this.

Years later I travelled overseas, open to accept the ways of other nations. In doing so, I also learned that the racism I once saw in movies and on TV did not only exist as an entertaining form of history, but in the shocking reality of the present.

Two memorable incidents on two distantly separated continents remain very clear. Although both were non-direct, and part of an opinionated conversation the mentality of the perpetrators to hatefully separate humans into very different categories in such a manner shocked me.

The first incident was in the U.S.A. where an employer was advising me where to find accommodation for the duration of my stay. I was advised not to buy or rent in a particular area because it was “full of n…”....” once they move into an area, they destroy it”. I questioned my employer’s view, only to receive the response that “when you live around them long enough you will know”. 

The second encounter happened in Australia, where another employer, angered by an employee not showing up said “Sure he’s only a dirty Abbo” When I also questioned this statement, the man replied “Yes, all Abbos, Aboriginals, are useless drunks, they’re primitive, they should be rounded up, given some land, fenced off, and let them live there, away from normal people, because they are not normal”.

 Although non-direct or physical, the incidents I described are clearly racial, and I use them because they were my initial encounters of very outgoing racist comments from people I knew at nearly opposite areas of the globe. In both incidents I found the people in question (victims) to be very likable and one remains a friend today.  

There is clearly racism, and discrimination joins it hand in hand. I believe both come in many forms and begin as a mind-set, progressing to a verbal stage (as the two examples) on to actions and physical behaviour. 

But is there racism in Ireland? Let me explain that in a very personal way. Discrimination falls under many categories, often not involving clear race/ethnic differences. I say this because the most outrageous and discriminating incidents I encountered were attacks on myself by fellow Irish men with enormous hatred towards me being from Dublin. The attacks were physical assaults, one causing grievous bodily harm, and the other causing property damage. Both were based on the fact that I was not from the area of Ireland where these attacks took place, and in both cases it was clearly stated that I was from Dublin and did not belong in these rural areas. ‘Jackeen’ and ‘Blow in’ are discriminative terms still used in rural areas of Ireland towards Dublin people or people not born in those particular areas.  Perhaps also here refer to the experiences of travellers? Who despite being of the same ethnicity/religion they are very much discriminated against perhaps in ways that parallel those of black Americans and Australian aborigines

The little country of beauty with some remaining primitive ways, still holding a reputation of being welcoming and friendly, may only hold valid to ‘money-spending’ tourists and certain nationalities.

In the same way that most of the world opened its doors to Irish immigrants to come and share their way of life, when Ireland became part of the E.U. it opened its doors to foreign nationals to come here share our way of life. But the famous Irish welcome may not have greeted all that came. While I did not witness any cases myself, I know there have been many cases of racist attacks due to their exposure in the media. I see good caused by the exposure of racial discrimination in Ireland and I feel there has been a certain amount of fear injected into the minds of members of the Irish public not to behave in a racist manner.

As mentioned at the start, my experience of bullying helped me empathize with the endurance of racism abroad, but now I have empathy towards people of a different race living in Ireland due to the experiences of hate I endured from fellow Irish. What I once had to travel to see, I shamefully see deeply ingrained in many of the people of my country of birth, Ireland.

Although racial acts may have decreased in Ireland, or at least that is what the media portrays, I feel that many Irish people possess the ability to hold a deep hate towards others who are not local. While I think it is great that many of the racist cases were addressed, I feel that discrimination, race based or not, need to be the main focus. I think every act that stems outside the norms of how society should treat each other, no matter who is the victim, needs to be treated for the crime it is.

Absolutely Fabulous? Absolutely Not!

by Anonymous

I was born and raised in Dublin until 1995 when my parents uprooted and moved the family to Amacao de Pera in Portugal, where I would spend the next twelve years of my life. Over there, my parents ran a successful restaurant and with that came long hours and what could have been a lonely childhood. However, I had my amazing older brother, Peter who is fabulously gay with clothes brighter than the sun. He’s amazing, always has been always will be. My week consisted of School, homework, church and the occasional swim, granted Peter would bring me. We used to do everything together just the two of us. Then Gustavo appeared on the scene. He was Peter’s boyfriend who was just as amazing he was. While my parents took care of the restaurant they took care of me.  Everywhere we went people loved them. Everyone in church knew them, my teachers frequently asked about them and my friends depended on them for fashion advice that was much needed at the time. These are the fondest memories I have from Portugal.

 

After twelve years there my father decided it was time to return home, much to my dismay. Little did I know that I was in for the biggest culture shock of my life. Upon arrival, I quickly learned of the prejudices that surround Irish culture. Walking through the airport we were getting odd looks and smart remarks none of which I got too upset about. One of the first prejudices I encountered was when I visited my Grandmother for the first time since I moved back. I was so excited to tell her all about Portugal and Gustavo and Peter. However, when I showed her pictures she let out an exasperated yelp and said ‘Oh, I didn’t realise my grandson was one of them.’ Those words still ring in my ear as it was the first time that I realised people saw my brother as different. He was classified as ‘them’ not ‘us’. It broke my heart. However, after the initial shock, I put it down to my grandmothers age and thought nothing more of it. However, over the coming weeks I began to notice a major difference in Peter. First it was his clothes. The bright colours and bold fashion statements were replaced with jeans and plain jumpers. He retrieved within himself and it got to a stage where his voice even changed to a toneless, arguably more ‘manly’ one. Suddenly, whenever I spoke about Portugal and what Peter and I did I was shushed. Gustavo, Peter’s boyfriend was known as ‘Emily’ Peter’s girlfriend to friends and extended family and everyone carried on as if it was normal. In school, I was judged when I told my ‘friends’ about my brother and his boyfriend. I was met with taunts with words I had never encountered in Portugal such as ‘queer’ which I had an extreme hatred of. Suddenly, my world was turned upside down. Something that I saw as normal was now a secret and to my understanding, in Ireland at least, was wrong. I couldn’t understand it. The entire meaning of being a homosexual was drastically different in Ireland, that was a mere two and a half hours away from Portugal. I soon learned to go along with my families lies and continued to refer to Gustavo as ‘Emily’ not because I was ashamed but because it was what peter wanted. I’m not sure what was worse, the fact that society in Ireland on a whole felt homosexuals were different or that Peter now felt like he was different.

 

It’s four years on now and not much has changed. Peter is now happily engaged to his fiance Ross however, I am the only one who knows. Peter is too ashamed to openly tell his family and friends and Ross is an entire different story. His family disowned his brother in 2009 for coming out and he is too afraid to tell his friends as he fears he will be seen differently in his profession.  

 

With all of these thoughts running through my mind, the secrets, the lies, the stares and the taunts something clicked in my head and my eyes were wide open to the extent of Ireland’s prejudices. I began to think, if this is how the Irish culture views Irish people from their own land based on their sexual orientation, what sort of discrimination do they place upon other races in this country? Was I discriminated against in Portugal? Was I seen as a foreigner that should ‘go back to their own country’? Everyday, everywhere I went I saw people from various ethnicities; African, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, French and an overwhelming feeling of disappointment came over me. All this time I had worried about my own experience that I neglected to see the racism that surrounds Ireland in everyday life. You wouldn’t have to sit long in an Irish pub before you heard someone complaining that ‘they took our jobs’ or ‘they should go back to their own country’. These comments are taken lightly everyday by the Irish, however how does it make people from those countries feel? People who consider Ireland a home are being constantly told that it isn’t and that they should go back to theirs. Racism in Ireland is a topic that I feel a lot of the population is ignorant of due to the light heartedness towards most comments made. It needs to change. United, we can make magic. If we keep letting our differences separate us, we will never progress.

 

Ireland, in my eyes has a long way to come with regards to LGBTA rights something that I feel very strongly about but we have even further to go to combat racism in this country. I do not understand how people from one socio cultural group think they have the right to deem another group different due to their own differences from them. I believe being different makes a difference and that is why I encourage anyone who is reading this to get out there and vote yes to marriage equality in the upcoming referendum. We can combat discrimination together, one step at a time.

Do The Movies Fuel Racism?

by Ailish Logue

One cannot not deny the important role which media plays in relation to racism. Media plays a huge role in the representation of different cultures in societies;which can portray different cultures in either a positive or a negative way. I have learned from an early age throughout my education in Ireland that racism is wrong and we are all equal regardless of the colour of our skin, or our religion or whatever biological differences we hold. Ireland is becoming more and more of a multicultural society and teaching Irish citizens we are all equal is key to ensuring peaceful co-existence between people of all cultures and most importantly ensuring equality for all. But a question which has been on my mind is how is this possible when we are allowing films which hold a deep racist content to be shown? This question has been in my mind after seeing the recent blockbuster American Sniper. Ireland is a multicultural country, but how can this be if we allow films like this to be shown which totally disregard the Arabic culture? Should we as Irish people stand up to this?

 

For many typical successful blockbuster films, there's a role of a protagonist and an enemy. For many years these enemies in Hollywood films were portrayed as Russian spies; take for an example the famous James Bond film 'From Russia with Love'. During the period of the Cold War it was socially acceptable to allow a Russian character to be portrayed as the typical villain in films, as they were seen as an enemy of the United States of America. Due to the end of the Cold War, the typical enemy is no longer the predictable Russian villain; since 9/11 a new villain emerged in films which are the Arabs. American Sniper endorsed the idea of the baddie in the film being portrayed as Arabic. This stereotype of Arabic people being the 'baddies' in films is beyond damaging to the reputation of Arabic across the world and this disregards all the beauty of their culture.  Through films like American Sniper, negative stereotypes in people's minds are therefore created and once these stereotypes are engrained it is very hard to remove. These films and television shows can help create the perception that Arab countries are the enemy of the United States; this is modern day propaganda which is in endorsed by Hollywood. Through this propaganda, Islamophobia is created; a growing problem which must be stopped immediately. This can be seen as a 'direct result' which media have helped create. A question which was on my mind is are we helping to create the increasing problem of Islamophobia by watching films like this?

 

I was unsure of the synopsis of American Sniper before I went to see it in the cinema, but it was not long into the film I realised this film was endorsing Islamophobia. The protagonist Chris Kyle is portrayed as an all American man, with a passion of guns from an early age. The enemy is viewed as Iraqis. Kyle joins the SEALS in order to become a sniper and fight in America's war on terror and shortly after completing training he was deployed to Iraq. Kyle's colleagues quickly learn he has a good aim at shooting, praise given quite frequently throughout this film creating the perception that he is heroic and a legend . This film starts with some horrific scenes; take for an example a child being shot. A child being shot in films is horrific and extremely hard to watch for most people, but I did not hear total awe in the cinema like I expected, as this child was viewed as an enemy of the United States of America. This is influence of propaganda. I found this film to portray a lot of propaganda; take for example Chris Kyle is known as a hero because he has 160 confirmed kills (although he could have killed more). If an Iraqi man shot 160 American citizens, including women and children he would not be viewed as a hero; he would be viewed as one of the most dangerous terrorist America have ever seen. Throughout this film a clear message was portrayed 'Americans lives are worth more than an Arab's life'. There was competition throughout this film between characters to see who killed the most Arabs. Little regards is shown to the Arabs in general, as throughout the film they are known as ''them''. Films like American Sniper are adding to the increasing social problem of Islamophobia as they are portraying to us as viewers that Arabs are bad people and killing 160 of Arabs, including children, is okay and a heroic act because 'these people' are enemies. How can we in Ireland learn to be acceptant of all cultures when films like this are shown?

 

The role of media plays an important role in our societies; subconscious to many. Many films can show struggles which African-Americans faced, one can think of such movies like The Help or Twelve Years a Slave which were two very successful films which showed the African-American struggle of slavery and civil rights. This is a positive way in which the role of film can be used, as it allows us to see the harrowing struggles African-Americans went through. But the example of  American Sniper has a negative impact as once a negative stereotype is engrained by watching a film it is very hard to remove that stereotype. This film promoted the Arab culture in an appalling way and placed the value of an Arab life below the life of an American. This film was a huge success in Western countries; does this mean Western countries accept this? It is beyond worrying that films like these can become blockbuster sensations. Do we as Irish think Arabic lives are less important than those who are American? As Irish citizens we should stand up against racism in films and promote equality.

Racism in Ireland: It's Not a New Phenomenon

by Rachel Martin

As an Irish national, I haven’t personally encountered any racism towards my own race. I’m currently in my final year, studying cultural studies, I feel that the topic of ‘Racism in Ireland’ is an issue which needs to be addressed. As someone who works in a hotel, my colleagues as well as the customers are different nationalities and I have never experienced any negative incidents. I feel that working in the Irish tourist industry has expanded my cultural experiences. I would hope that Ireland is a welcoming place for both the non-nationals living here and tourists visiting. I wish I could say that racism doesn’t exist in Ireland but when I witness blatant verbal attacks on non-nationals, I have to disagree.  In my opinion, it is clear that racism is an increasing social problem within Irish communities.     

The majority of my family are Irish and from Dublin. However, my grand-father has extremely sallow skin and is often mistaken for a non-national. In the early 1990’s, my grandfather was waiting for my grandmother to finish her appointment in Holles Street Hospital. Normally he would walk through Merrion Square but on this day he took a shortcut and walked through some apartment block. As he was walking through the apartment blocks, he noticed four youths standing outside a small shop. The teenagers began shouting racial slurs in his direction, presuming he was a non-national and referring to him as Pakistani. Firstly, my grandfather didn’t realise that these racial remarks were targeted at him then he began to feel nervous. As the teenagers became more aggressive, using strong language as well as common racist phrase such as ‘Don’t be taking our jobs’ and ‘Go home to your own country’. It wasn’t until my grandfather spoke that they realised he was Irish; he walked faster through the apartments and felt threatened in his own city. As an Irish national, my grandfather had never experienced racism at this level. He thought of what it would have been like to be treated like this every day. He was shocked to experience the other side of racism in Ireland but they gave him a perspective that he was lacking.

Recently, I was on Dublin Bus on my way home from college and I witnessed a similar incident. Three youths approached a young black man, who was sitting quietly on the bus, and began antagonising him with racial slurs. Although there were other empty seats on the bus, it seemed that they deliberately pinpointed this black man. They began by speaking loudly in a fake African accent, what I believe was a deliberate attempt at getting his attention. However, the man carried on reading his book whether he was oblivious or choose to ignore these comment, I’m unsure. The man remained quiet and was clearly uncomfortable. They began using strong language and telling him ‘to go home to his own country’. I didn’t know what to do, I glanced over at a woman beside who looked equally as uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure whether to say something and risk the abuse being directed at me or just put my earphones in and distract myself. I’m ashamed to say I chose the latter. I was conflicted by the whole situation, part of me wanted to do the right thing and stand up for the young man but I felt that this might fuel their anger. The three youths got off at the next stop and I asked the young man ‘Is he was ok?’. I felt I should apologise for their behaviour as it gave a negative impression of Irish people. However, I didn’t say this as I didn’t want to draw more attention to him. The man carried on reading his book and looked completely un-phased by the incident. I was left with a horrible sick feeling in my heart. It was difficult to watch a group of people who believed they had the right and responsibility to say hateful things to a stranger, based on race.            

As I compare my grandfather’s experience in the early 1990’s to the incident within the last few weeks, it is my belief that racism still exists throughout Ireland. I found it worrying to discover that many of these incidents are often in daylight hours and unprovoked attacks. Why is it that these people feel that they have the right to attack a stranger? These attacks whether physically or verbally, are unjustified. Often the hard-hitting and most negative experiences come from blatant verbal abuse, but racism does not need to be overt. It is clear that these experiences leave a mark not only on the people they are targeting but the people who are watching. In my opinion, it’s difficult for Irish people to face the problem of racism as it isn’t a part of their everyday life. The sooner we begin to recognise it, the bigger the difference we can make.