Alex Kane considers the ongoing albeit low level of attacks against racial minorities and recent migrant groups in Northern Ireland. He argues that no future society in Northern Ireland can call itself fair and just unless it takes up a serious duty to protect all of its citizens.
By Alex Kane
“When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew, therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned. Then, Hitler attacked me and the Protestant churches—and there was nobody left to be concerned.”
These were the words of Martin Niemoller, a German theologian, speaking in Chicago in 1968, explaining how the tyranny of Nazism spread across Germany. It spread, because too many people turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. It spread, because people thought, “better them than me.” It spread, because Hitler’s propaganda machine convinced too many people that he was acting in the best interests of a better, safer, Germany.
What happened in Germany between the two World Wars was, historically speaking, nothing new. Evidence shows that if, in a conflict, the violence decreases or ceases between the main protagonists, there is a tendency for another group or groups to be picked on and for a level of violence to continue in a different form. More often than not, it is either the reality, or the perception of defeat, which can cause the losing side to turn their aggression on others.
Since the mid-1990s, and the beginning of the so-called “peace process,” the number of non-politically motivated attacks has soared. (And by non-political, I simply mean those attacks which cannot be, however perversely, linked to the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland). Chinese, Asians, Pakistanis, Nigerians, Portugese, Croations and Indians have all been the target and subject of beatings and intimidation. Colour, accent, country of origin, and even form of attire; any one of these is seen as sufficient justification for a vicious attack or a petrol bomb through the lounge window.
It doesn’t stop there. Being “gay,” being part of a mixed marriage, being a Roman Catholic in the “wrong” street, being a Protestant in the “wrong” housing estate, wearing the “wrong” football colours, or having the “wrong” Christian name. All good enough reasons for someone to boot you in the head until you are comatose.
And what group is next on the list? People with red hair and freckles? People with speech or physical defects? Columnists who denounce the thugs who justify and carry out these attacks?
The news of each new outrage is greeted with a tedious and repetitive chorus of cluckings and tut-tuts, along with the predictable confetti of press releases which juggle the same words and phrases to produce exactly the same redundant responses. When are the voices of democracy—and that includes our politicians, community activists, commentators and media—going to face the fact that Northern Ireland is becoming an increasingly and immeasurably more unpleasant place to live? When are the professional peaceniks in Brice Dickson’s Human Rights quango going to realise that a torrent of convoluted prose isn’t going to wash away the thuggish culture which is nurturing and flourishing across the province?
Northern Ireland isn’t like Germany in the 1930s, and we are not experiencing the horrors of Nazism. But even admitting that it isn’t that bad, will be enough to convince most people that we shouldn’t worry or overreact to the daily reports of attacks, arson and racial antagonism.
Yet it won’t change of its own accord. Life won’t become better if we pretend that what we are witnessing is simply the final thrashes of our sectarian monsters. These are new monsters; but they are every bit as dangerous and socially destructive as the monsters which preceded them.
Over the past decade we have been working our way towards a political settlement and a better Northern Ireland for all. All must mean all. Discrimination doesn’t just apply to Orange, Green, Protestant and Roman Catholic. We have a political duty to respect and protect all of our citizens. And we have a moral duty to speak up for, and stand shoulder to shoulder beside, any group which incurs the wrath of the bigot and bully.
First published in the Newsletter, on Saturday 31st July 2004
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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