By Kevin McLoughlin
Hundreds of men with their faces hidden firebomb innocent people out of their homes in a racist pogrom. Days later, a bright afternoon sees 20,000 gather in Belfast with placards declaring “Will trade racists for refugees”, “Make racists afraid again”.
Between these two poles lies a myriad of different attitudes. Some excuse the racist violence for whatever reason, while others conclude they need to get active and push back against the far right and racism. Loyalist positions readily cross paths with racist far-right narratives, and such forces have been involved, but Republican groups have also been affected by a racist anti-migrant sentiment. There is no ‘Irish exceptionalism’ as the rapid rise of far-right racism in the South has gone hand in glove with a growth of flag waving nationalism.
The victims are those deemed different to the ‘norm’, migrants and racialised people, many of whom are now gripped with fear. There is a long history of racism here which still continues including in the institutions of the state, as experienced by the Traveller Community and others over many years. The situation worsened decisively after the riots in Dublin in November 2023.
Racist attacks normalised
Racist attacks are commonplace for workers in the healthcare system. 42% of all the doctors and the vast majority of new entrants to the medical or nursing registers here were internationally trained. One doctor interviewed for the Medical Independent told of experiencing racist verbal abuse every second day, and physical attacks every second week.
“…we work in a very intense environment with a lot of responsibility and a lot of risk and [then} face racist abuse… It honestly feels terrible. Especially when you live in Ireland by yourself and you don’t have family and family support. It can make you isolated. You do your work, you come back home, and you can’t go outside the house because you’re still terrified.”
This is directly connected to the pumping of far-right narratives and racist poison into society through social media and algorithms that are designed to promote hate and division.
The Irish Government has legitimised this upsurge in racism. Ministers Jim O’Callaghan and Colm Brophy have been particularly offensive in their anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. Perhaps this is no surprise from a neo-liberal capitalist government but more should be expected from Sinn Féin and a number of its TDs, who have also propagated anti-immigrant sentiments and myths. They should be publicly pressured to change course.
What is to be done?
We must understand why people are so angry, however we should not be ‘understanding’ if that anger is directed towards migrants or racialised people – that must be challenged! Some may be too worried about potentially alienating people, that they hold back or soften their opposition when they come across racism. Be respectful and skillful, but it is necessary to fully and properly challenge the scapegoating of people, and that means being able to show who is really responsible for the multiple crises we face today. That means an anti-racist movement today must also be anti-capitalist.
Showing there is enough wealth and know-how to cater for the needs of all people and the planet is good, but also not enough. This is not some kind of superficial racism based on easy to dispel mistaken beliefs that resources are scarce. Growing numbers believe other peoples and cultures are inferior, dangerous and so on. Such racism must be sharply challenged on the basis that everyone has rights, and those rights must be respected. Well argued, anti-capitalist socialist ideas are the most powerful challenge to racism.
Occasional mobilisations of unity are not enough. A strong, mass and active anti-racist movement is needed.
We say:
- In the North – immediately bring together communities and workers under threat, along with all the groups, communities, activists and trade unions who responded to the recent riots by defending people, to try to formalise defence committees in key communities and workplaces.
- In the South – establish a ‘United Front’ of groups, campaigns, unions and parties who commit to respond to and resist anti-migrant racism. Use this platform to crystalise the broad progressive sentiment that exists into an anti-racist movement with active networks in each area.
- Where public services are provided, including all educational and health facilities, workers/ union members should implement a zero tolerance policy towards racism from the public or wherever, including withdrawal of service and walkouts in response to attacks or abuse.
- Shut down or take into democratic public ownership, social media platforms that refuse to change their algorithms or don’t proactively remove hate speech or racist abuse.
- We are not outnumbered, but we are currently out organised. Build a mass an active anti-racist movement that is rooted in solidarity among all ordinary working people and anti-capitalism.
