There's
a real danger eight centuries of sectarian conflict
in Ireland could be replaced by an equally vicious
generation of race hatred, especially in the North.
Weekly,
we hear heart-breaking accounts of racially motivated
crime – but who is allowing it to happen,
and why?
Despite
bloody religious bigotry over the centuries, foreign
tourists always remark generally about the hospitality,
friendliness and kindness of the Irish, north
and south – so where is the racism coming
from, and more importantly, why are Northern political
parties ignoring the growing crisis?
Mainstream
politicians need to grab the racist bull by the
horns and move beyond merely spouting and slabbering
soundbites of condemnation.
Otherwise
a situation will emerge in the North as is happening
in Britain – the Far Right starts to win
council seats.
The
failure by Labour, Liberal and Tory politicians
in Britain to radically address the causes of
racism has created a scenario where the extremist
British National Party won more than 50 seats
in England.
Is
it really possible the trickle of horrific racial
attacks across the North could escalate into a
political river where Protestants and Catholics
are united in supporting extremist parties, such
as the BNP, British People's Party, National Front,
and the British Movement?
Stop
talking rot, you cry. Then why have these groups
been leafleting and postering the North in recent
years?
Is
it possible working and middle class unionism,
sick of inter-unionist bickering, might actually
look to parties campaigning on anti-migrant worker,
anti-European Union, or anti-asylum seeker tickets?
Is
it possible working and middle class Catholicism
could tire of nationalist rhetoric about the need
for a united Ireland and vote for planned racist
groups, such as the Irish National Party and the
Irish Patriots Party?
In
the 1930s, Ireland witnessed the fascist Blueshirts
in the South, and the Far Right Ulster Protestant
League in the North so the island has suffered
from the cancer of racism in the past.
In
the EU, Britain and Ireland have some of the most
liberal immigration laws. As the EU expands, and
more migrant workers and families crowd into this
island, at what point do the open arms of welcome
become fists of hate?
Is
there not the equal danger that in trying to give
these migrants another chance in life, we practically
condemn them to the hell of racial conflict?
Will
they be grateful if they escape the poverty and
unemployment of the former failed communist countries
to come to the jobs – and intense racial
bigotry - of an Ireland where Protestants and
Catholics are at peace with one another?
In
the North, perceptions can easily become realities.
If it is perceived migrant workers have come to
steal Protestant and Catholic jobs and homes,
to get preferential treatment in health and education,
as well as guaranteed rights to state benefits,
then the reality is a recipe for racial disaster.
Within
a decade, the memories of republican hunger strike
riots in west Belfast and loyalist riots at Drumcree
will become the reality of widespread rioting
against migrants.
The
late South Down UUP MP Enoch Powell was castigated
for years for his notorious speech, dubbed the
'rivers of blood'. Maybe the former parliamentarian
was talking about the North, not Britain?
Nationalist
icons like Tone, Pearse and Connolly dreamed about
uniting Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter. Ironically,
they may yet have their dream – but will
the cost be anti-migrant racism spiralling out
of control?
And
talking about rows over religions, The Church
of England has landed itself in another unholy
row amid allegations its report, Responding
To Domestic Abuse, has been interpreted that
people should no longer refer to God as 'He' or
'The Father'.
The
report, which alleges viewing God in masculine
terms can spark domestic abuse, has earned the
blessing of the Anglican Communion's controversial
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
Given
this fiasco, surely its about time the island's
largest Protestant denomination, The Church of
Ireland, formally severed its ties with the Church
of England and left the Anglican Communion.
Unlike
the C of I, the C of E is rapidly losing relevance
and credibility in Britain. At this rate of rewriting
Scripture, its only a matter of time before the
heretical Gospel of Judas is included in the New
Testament.
Rowan
Williams should step down from his post and let
Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean take over the leadership
of the C of E. At least it would be better than
the present farce we have running the C of E.
Let's
hope the Church of Ireland has the nerve, courage
and strength to stand up for the true Gospel of
Jesus Christ and boot out some the ridiculous
suggestions coming from Britain.
