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I
have followed recently with increased interest from
various media outlets the issue of the racist attacks
on citizens within our society. The coverage of such
is to be welcomed as is the condemnation from various
editorials and from political and community representatives
at times from ‘both sides’ of the community
on such attacks. I have followed much on the statistics
and the possible reasons of the racial attacks rise
as I have also myself written much giving such statistics
and also my own understanding of the rise of racism
in recent times through such various media outlets.
A
while back though I was pictured on the front page
of the Irish News with the wording ‘Changing
mindset to stamp out racism’ along with an interview
with myself in relation to the rise in both racist
attacks and attitudes. Yet I would like to pen a few
paragraphs not on the well covered and indeed needy
coverage provided by sections of the media on the
overt racist attacks on ethnic minorities, but on
the more subtle aspects of racism itself which can
help fan the emergence of such attacks.
My
understanding first and foremost on the issue of racism
is that it comes from the top of society and is always
attempted to be pushed through the rest of society
for relevant ruling interests. In the Politics
of Race (Blanket website), I opened up
in part that article by stating, ‘Racism and
its rise is to be understood between the historical
development of recent society and its relationship
with the conditions of that society within the interest
of the ruling minority’. I finished in part by
stating ‘So inevitably I it will be at that root
cause (interest) that such a politic will not only
be challenged but also broken’. This has and
is my understanding as a socialist even from my earliest
articles, but as like another early article entitled
‘Republicanism, the police, the state and Marxism’
I also believe in dealing with immediate practicalities.
So for example while as a socialist my political belief
is to see a society where there is not a need for
a such a police force, the reality is though, presently
we have got one. So while looking to achieve that,
I will also presently support those changes that make
them more accountable. Similarly on racism while I
will seek to see a society without such I will also
work presently to see gains to stop its rise.
So
on that point I raise what I believe is the taboo
of subtle racism, taboo to many in the media as they
do not seem to wish to raise such, to many in society
who do not wish to acknowledge such and to many on
the left who see a new society and system as the answer
to eradicate racism (with which I agree) so therefore
many of them believe why worry about the present intense
rise of subtle racism. This I disagree with, as every
advance (however small against racism, sectarianism,
sexism, homophobia etc) is an advance for the working
class. Therefore while learning lessons of the past
while looking to effect change for a better future
I will work presently to achieve a society that can
combat that politic from above but I do it with a
practical mindset, theory and practical activity -
and not solely theory on what should be done or said.
I am one who would not attempt to adapt present reality
to fit in with tactical and strategic aspects of one's
theory but would adapt those tactical and strategic
aspects of theory to attempt to relate to the present.
So with that I raise but a few points.
I
have read recently about groups such as the White
Nationalist Party, the same group several months ago
in which I learnt of their bluster and threats to
both myself and a number of colleagues through various
methods of communication as has been done by various
other such organisations in the past few years. Yet
all their methods are quite similar in relation to
attempting to build a profile, to target usually a
working class community suffering socio-economic deprivation,
to firstly attempt a media profile through various
avenues of activity, to saturate a chosen locality
with graffiti and posters, leaflets of promises to
change community conditions while in tandem laying
the blame on ethnic minorities, asylum seekers etc.
While targeting or (inflaming the targeting) of those
whom they want targeted, they also attempt to threaten
and intimidate some of those most obvious to speak
out or mobilise against them. This done at most times
while attempting to put on a cloak of respectability
that they let drop occasionally.
Yet
as one whom has spoken around Ireland at rallies and
at meetings in the aftermath of such attacks in previous
years, I have found also that the subtle racism although
less overt than the racial attacks increasing to a
large extent. This exists not only cross community
but very much so crosses class boundaries. Close colleagues
who deal in race relations have also acknowledged
the ever-progressing increases in the more subtle
racism in tandem with the increased violent attacks.
Such
subtle racism takes many forms, the laughter at overtly
racists jokes, the casual use of racist language:
‘do you know your man, you know the big, small,
Nigger, Paki, Chink who lives, works in such a such
a place?' The pointing of fingers, the nudges or the
head nods or sniggers or ‘fly’ remarks to
mates as ethnic minorities walk past. The shouting
of racist names from a crowd or the loud voices in
bars who believe they cannot be heard but feel as
on the street corners as being ‘a big or hard
man’ as they attempt to draw laughs at a racist
remark. The hidden voices around a canteen, work or
college table whose language holds stereotypes and
helps perpetuate the myths put out by such racist
organisations towards asylum seekers or ethnic minorities.
The obvious staring and whispering of some at a mixed
race couple, or the hidden talk and racist commentary
of such around their peers or workmates. This type
of racism and much more is rarely reported, is not
wished at times by many to be acknowledged, and much
of it is so subtle, yet it does exist and such is
its regularity that I could believe at times that
people don’t even realise they are doing it.
But it all helps to build a perception of someone
who is different, inferior, that they should be feared
or shunned. Thus it provides with other factors ripe
ground for those wishing to build a more overt form
of racism, with the added impetus of course of the
attacks on asylum seekers and ethnic minorities being
spouted from above, both verbally and via legislation.
For
me fortunately now I find very little personal overt
racism apart from those organisations that feel the
need to attempt to target myself or my colleagues,
for speaking out against such. Yet I feel when persons
from ethnic minorities move into an area the subtle
racism can help express a more sinister element if
such organisations look to target those areas with
their myths and propaganda in an attempt to direct
the ills of the community onto such persons and to
attempt in the process to dehumanise them, thus making
it easier to carry out attacks. (Look at the recent
growing attacks in South Belfast for instance). It
was not that long ago of the days of ‘ No Irish,
Blacks or dogs allowed’, a commonality of attempted
dehumanisation, exploitation, discrimination and bigotry
that many should learn from along with the most obvious
period of Irish forced economic immigration (survival)
due to starvation at the hands of the British Empire
as it looked on feeling no guilt or remorse, as it
has done on many other occasions.
Yet
it is not only on the issue of race but on sexuality
or with those with special needs etc were there is
a perception of a difference that does not fit the
‘norm’, for some, therefore for those some
they think that such can be ridiculed, shunned, isolated
or even attacked. Yet when one looks through those
‘perceived differences’ may they be features,
race or a sexuality one, one will find but a human
being from amongst a ‘race’ of human beings.
Such
‘differences’ are developed and nurtured
by those whom want to create divisions for a given
interest. Such is the diversity of the human race
in its many aspects that initially, historically ‘differences’
were created to breed division for the benefit of
exploitation. Today is no different for those organisations
that wish to still exploit vulnerable persons and
the situation for their own ends. The blunt reality
for many of those whom have lived in a community for
many years is that racism has still an impact on their
lives and can be witnessed in some quarters, but within
all aspects of society, yet much of it hidden from
their faces. For those who have come here recently
or are seeking asylum, it for many is much more overt
and they are far more vulnerable than those of us
whom have lived here for some time and have much extended
family and friends around.
What
is also a worrying factor that I have noticed by some
of those whom expressed it to myself, is that racist
language is increasingly being used at all age levels.
Although of course everything needs to be kept in
proportion one still needs to acknowledge that this
is on the rise and in doing so such will benefit those
willing to move to more overt forms of racism. Therefore
while one can hold an understanding of how to effect
real change on such, we need also to have an understanding
that however small a gain in present society to combat
this, it nevertheless is a gain. Of course it is but
a very small part, but a part nevertheless, and should
not be dismissed for the benefit of historical theory.
If such is on the rise then one should support all
actions however small against it while always working
to effect the real change that will eventually combat
it.
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