My studies showed that many sociologists believed that the notion of ‘Race’ was imaginary. Maybe it is but I personally believe that even if it is, history still exists and erasing feuds between different races in the past, is too hard to just forget. Accepting that race maybe imaginary will not unite races although it may make them aware and broaden their views of humanity. On the other-hand this topic seems to be a very opinionated and debateable subject so a divide in groups of people is inevitable which therefore creates races.
Nowadays as always before, divides in populations exist. Race does exist as well as racism. Through my readings I saw how different races held such a high opinion of themselves including the ‘Catholic Irish Nationalist’ as seen in ‘The Gaelic Annual’ (1907) or the ‘Nazi’ or the ‘African Negro’ etc. Maybe racism stems from these beliefs and opinions that a certain race is inferior or superior in people’s opinions.
To sum up, I believe that this topic is a matter of opinion. Should it exist? Why does it exist? Can it be dissolved?
RACISM IN THE IRISH WORKPLACE
Racism has become a very problematic issue in Ireland as immigration levels have continued to increase. After a period of inactivity, the government and social partners began to make more of an effort to address this thorny issue in 2001. Much remains to be done however, to tackle racism and promote diversity.
The problem of racism has been revealed to be primarily in the workplace and work practices. As a result of this reality, the implementation of race legislation was necessary. The two main pieces of legislation in Ireland covering direct and indirect discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnic origin are the Employment Equality Act 1998, and the Equal Status Act 2000.
These outlaw discrimination under the nine grounds of race, gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age and membership of the travelling community. All these grounds are legally classed by the government as racist….or racially discriminative.
In 2001 these legislations were explored in more depth and suitable changes were made, however, all has not been successful. There is evidence to suggest that racism is a growing problem within the workplace with 20% of all the equality authority’s caseload relating to racism. It is the second biggest problem after sexism.
Workplace racism is continuing to grow in Ireland as immigration levels continue to rise from a historically low level. After a slow start, positive initiatives are beginning to emerge aimed at tackling racism and promoting diversity in the Irish workplace. However a lot more work remains to be done to tackle the issue. One fear is that racism may increase if the current economic slowdown continues, particularly if unemployment rises, and the social pressures associated with this begin to bite.
RACSIM IN SPORT
Racism in sport has been revealed as a growing problem. The FA and the FAI have become tightly linked on this topic and have release a statement of commitment to fight the growing problem.
Speaking at an anti-racism conference recently in Highbury stadium, London, Lucy Faulkner of the FA pledged: “Tackling racism and promoting race equality are key issues for the FA and the FAI”.
The conference attracted a number of high profile speakers. Rodney Hines, editor of the voice, delivered a presentation on the history of black involvement and influence in football. Peter Lee chief executive of the Football Foundation, spoke of funding priorities and Gordon Taylor, pledged his organisations support for black managers trying to break into the game.
A programme called “Kick It” was launched in 2001 in the UK and 2003 in Ireland, which tackles racism by promoting all ethnic minorities in football, and reported a positive start to the campaign but that a lot of work is still required. It is still a step in the right direction.
Travellers
Travellers are an indigenous ethnic group. Some dispute this status but travellers have a distinct culture custom and tradition. They are the most victimised and marginalised ethnic group in the country. The European Parliament Committee of Inquiry on Racism and Xenophobia 1991 declared that; "The single most discriminated against ethnic group is the 'Travelling People'".
They consist of less then 30,000 and only 0.6% of the population. There infant motility rate is 3times the national average. A Health Research Board report showed that their life expectance is ten years less then the national average. Approximately 1/3 of them live without basic facilities of sanitation, water and electricity. 80% of the adult population are illiterate and 55% of traveller children reach secondary school. By 1993 only 3 had finished 3rd level education.
They experience discrimination from the general public, Consisting of protest to there existence in the community. A survey showed 78% had been refused a drink in a pub with 70% saying they had been refused because "we are Travellers". Travellers children face segregation in schools with one school going as far as to paint a white line throw the middle of the playground which the traveller children were not allowed to cross. An Irish independent journalist described them as being "beasts with no human qualities"!
Accommodation is another issues faced by the travelling community with an insufficient amount Group Housing Permanent halting sites and council housing. The government has failed to reach its target but yet has criminalised trespassing on private property. As a result criminalising their nomadic culture which is a basic attack on there civil and human rights.
The Electoral Act of 1992 requires residence within a constituency as a requirement therefore disenfranchising travellers who continue there nomadic tradition
In the Report of the Commission on Itinerancy in 1963 the government solution was to try to assimilate them into the settled community. Travellers felt this was a blatant attack on their culture. The report referred to them as being a problem that had to be resolved. Then in the Report of the Travelling People Review Body, 1983 finally acknowledged Prejudice, misunderstanding and harassment towards Travellers. But failed to deal with discrimination experience by the travelling community until
The 1995 Task Force Report.
The denial to recognise this discrimination is evident by An Irish MEP declaring to the Committee of Inquiry into Racism and Xenophobia in 1990 that "Ireland is a racially homogeneous country with no ethnic minority groups. As a consequence there are no racial problems of the kind experienced in countries with such groups”
The Irish travellers have joined up with other nomadic European groups to demand protection for there common cultures. The Council of Europe have made travellers human rights a major with 40 council members coming to Ireland to discuss their needs. The Council of Europe advice local governments on issues related to minority rights.
Bibliography
“Racism and social change in the Republic Of Ireland” Bryan Fanning, Manchester University Press (2003)
– This site gives good statistics on racism an Ireland
– – These two sites are good for travellers point of view and statistics
– This was a web site we used to see what is done about racism in soccer in Ireland.
