Race against time for prejudice problems
From NEWS LETTER August 15th, 2000
JUST three years ago Northern Ireland got race relations legislation for
the first time. It had taken 21 years for people here to be given the same
protection under the law against racial discrimination as those who live
in the rest of the United Kingdom. It was a great victory for those who
had worked long and hard to raise awareness about racism and racial discrimination,
things which had been written off by many as non-issues because we did not
think we had a problem here. It was, of course, patently obvious to members
of black and minority ethnic groups living here that there was indeed a
problem. After all, they had been on the receiving end of racist comments
and taunts, racial harassment and discrimination in employment and the provision
of goods, facilities and services for years. Sadly, those problems persist.
As recent research has shown so starkly, we in Northern Ireland are not
as welcoming as we would like to think. One fifth do not want people of
different races to be citizens of Northern Ireland and over half of the
local population would not like someone of a different race as a relative.
Surely, knowing this must focus our minds and provide the impetus for action
and change. At the Equality Commission we are working hard to tackle racism
and racial discrimination. Three years on and we are now dealing with our
300th application for assistance from individuals who believe that they
have been subjected to discrimination on racial grounds. We have provided
advice to many others on a range of issues - from racial harassment in schools,
to ways in which equality for racial groups in the workplace can be assured;
from developing good practice in the provision of services to black and
minority ethnic communities, to helping solve some of the many problems
faced by Irish Travellers in this society. I have been encouraged to see
the positive efforts which some service providers and employers have been
making to embrace diversity and address the problems of their black and
minority ethnic users and employees. The Commission have also welcomed the
changes which are being made to race relations legislation in Great Britain
which will help to tackle institutional racism, in response to the recommendations
arising out of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. We will be urging the Northern
Ireland Assembly to ensure that similar provisions are enacted so that the
protection afforded to those from minority ethnic backgrounds here does
not, once again, fall behind the rest of the United Kingdom. The ethnic
profile of those who have contacted us for help demonstrates the extent
to which we live in an increasingly diverse and multi-cultural society.
This is something to be valued and celebrated for the richness it brings
to all our lives. We still have much to learn; so we are developing relationships
and partnerships with colleagues in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland,
in the rest of Europe and beyond as we all combat racism in our societies.
We will also be playing an active part in the United Nations World Conference
on Racism to be held in South Africa next year. But most importantly we
want to nurture and build on our relationships with black and minority ethnic
communities here at home. We know we are facing many challenges but we are
determined to do what we can to promote equality of opportunity for members
of black and minority ethnic communities and eliminate unlawful racial discrimination
wherever it arises. |
