Ireland: The Land Of A Thousand Welcomes?

By Atakan Uzun

Many consider Ireland to be the land of Céad Míle Fáilte, where everyone is accepted regardless of race, colour, or sexual orientation. Along with this, our long history of emigration first present during the famine, since associated with economic reasons due to the last recession, has often been used to argue that racism is not present in this country. However, evidence from the past two years would suggest that racism, whilst not dominating Irish society, is on the rise. Reports carried out by the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) in the past two years would suggest that racism and racially motivated incidents are increasing in number. According to the 2020 report, iReport.ie reported an overall total of 700 racial incidents which was a 30% rise on figures recorded in 2019. Included in these figures were 60 Coronavirus-related incidents in the first four months of 2020. These figures were the highest levels of racial incidents of any INAR report. 

These figures did not drastically change in 2021. According to their 2021 report, while there was a decrease in reported levels of racism, “overall report numbers were impacted by a drop in reporting of online and other forms of hate speech from 2020”. The latter may indicate a lack of confidence in reporting racial incidents to An Garda Síochána. This was highlighted in the 2021 report, which acknowledged an 18% decrease in reporting of racial incidents to the Gardaí, compared to 2020. Whilst lockdowns evidently decreased the number of recorded in-person racial incidents, the INAR found a dramatic increase in online racism. Coupled with a worldwide growth in anti-Asian racism, a common denominator appeared to be a growth in targeted assaults and attacks on the Asian community in Ireland with 16% of the 700 incidents being targeted against them. 

Outlined in the latest report, and commenting on the rise in anti-Asian racism, Úna-Minh Kavanagh concurred that “reports like this allow us to learn and grow and though the facts may be uncomfortable, they are invaluable as they offer us a true insight into a vital aspect of Irish society”. This would suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic has played a role in increasing levels of racism in Ireland. Commenting on this increase, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islam in UCC, Dr. Amanullah De Sondy (who has been regularly the target of racism) concurred that people became “really aware that it is a pandemic on a pandemic”. Furthermore, Dr. De Sondy outlined that the pandemic “allowed us to see some of those painful narratives” [racism against members of the Asian community]. Racism against members of the travelling community has also been on the rise in the past few years. According to Niamh O’Sullivan of TASC, “travellers in Ireland continue to face discrimination and racism both in their day to day lives and on a systemic level”. Reflecting upon discrimination against the travelling community, Dr. De Sondy argued that “issues raised by Irish travellers have a very long history and hasn’t been dealt with correctly for some time”. 

Discrimination against members of the African community is also on the ascent. In conjunction with the rise in online racism, disinformation and misinformation has played a key role in the rise of racism against this community. A notable example of this was evident in January 2021, where misinformation spread about the murder of 27-year-old man of colour, George Nkencho. The misinformation evident on social media associated him with allegations against him of previous criminal convictions, which proved to be false . Until a statement was released from An Garda Síochána which vindicated Mr. Nkencho of any ill behaviour, these allegations illustrated the extent to which misinformation caused by disinformation can undermine the fight against racism and inequality. Taking all of this into account, does this suggest that Ireland is really the land of a thousand welcomes? 

If we are to be considered to still hold that title, solutions need to be founded to address this growth in racial and discriminatory discourse. So, what can be done to end racism and all forms of discrimination in Irish society? Many from these communities which face racism and other forms of discrimination would argue that the change starts with the government. One of the main areas in which they can intervene to address issues associated with racism and all forms of discrimination is through the enactment of hate crime legislation. As of July 2022, the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee announced the amendment of the Incitement to Hatred and Hate Crime Bill which would “make it easier to secure prosecutions and convictions for crimes motivated by hate”. 

While it is due to be brought forward, this autumn, the Government could consider bringing forward this legislation as a matter of urgency. Dr. De Sondy, who strongly argues for the introduction of this legislation conveys that “getting the hate crime legislation through government will push that structural change [to address racism]”. This legislation will certainly hope to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to racism. The work of the anti-racism committee can also contribute to making recommendations in combatting racism. However, it is not the only solution that can address the systemic issue of racism. Another area that many from diverse communities would argue, needs addressing is the issue of reporting racial crimes to the authorities, notably An Garda Síochána. 

Acknowledged in the various INAR reports, one of the main issues, flagged is the lack of confidence in reporting hate crimes such as racism to the Gardaí. Dr. De Sondy, who suggests that the authorities did not treat instances of racism seriously when reported, and told him his emotions were “running high”, urges the need for “more training, more awareness [of racism]. Requires real conversations within the force on racism, anti-racism, and victim support”. More anti-racism training would arguably increase awareness of systemic racism and iron out any potential faults in taking complaints of a racial nature, seriously. Victim support, also mentioned by Dr. De Sondy can potentially help victims in dealing with racism, which can be of a traumatising nature for them. Commenting on another potential solution, at an education level, Dr. De Sondy argues for the introduction of a bystander intervention for anti-racism, as a ‘similar solution’ to the intervention programme rolled out at third level institutions in relation to sexual harassment. 

Emulating the success of the bystander intervention programme for sexual harassment, this potential programme could help diversify attitudes to racism and all forms of discrimination. Like the current programme against sexual harassment, this programme can be rolled out in secondary schools and further afield. Further onwards, many may also argue for a change in representation in Irish politics, whether it is at a local or a national level. While black/Asian ethnic minorities represent a sizable proportion of the Irish population, at around 20%, just 2 TDs, have or currently serve as TDs in Dáil Éireann, whilst just 2 members of the Oireachtas are from the travelling community, and 9 out of 949 members of local authorities are councillors. 

Possible solutions that can be considered to boost the levels of representation of politicians from ethnic minority backgrounds include the introduction of quotas, like that of the current gender quotas or reserved seats whereby the seats of certain constituencies are reserved for such candidates. This solution has the possibility of increasing the diversity of Irish society, and ensuring our politics represents the broader description of society. Last, but not least, and arguably the most important solution, is for everyone, and each one of us, collectively to take responsibility and stand up to racism wherever we see it present in society. This is acknowledged by Dr. De Sondy who states that “it is up to every one of us to do that on a daily basis”. Many would argue that if we have learnt anything from the past 2 years, it is how our society is deeply unequal and many communities including the African, Asian, and travelling communities face an ongoing battle in their daily lives. If we can take that forward, and help collectively to address such issues, then it is possible that a better society can be brought about.