Sinn fein riddled with racism

international | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Wednesday July 23, 2003 15:34

by Robby

IF someone changes the name of a nationality to make it fit better into a slogan (eg: from Pakistani to Paki) is this an indication of racism? Most of us would agree.
If someone wants to get foreigners to leave this country, if they commit violent acts against foreign nationals in an attempt to make them leave, is this an indication of racism? Again, most of us would agree.

Sinn Fein have launched a Charter Against Racism and they want all local councils and councillors to sign up to it. They want people to use "appropriate and inclusive language when referring to people of different ethnic backgrounds".

I will happily support any move to reduce racism but I suggest Sinn Fein need to look at the racism that is endemic within their party.
Sinn Fein will be aghast to be told that republicanism is riddled with racism, but apply the logic of the above paragraphs to Sinn Fein's attitude to Ireland's British minority.
When a major party like Sinn Fein feels free to talk openly about driving the "Brits" out of Ireland it is morally no different from the racist in England who uses insults like "Paki". Brits Out is as racist as Pakis Out.
For decades republicans have argued it is acceptable and even desirable to attack those who acknowledge their British heritage and identity and who behave accordingly.

A range of insulting terms such as collaborators and touts have been used to describe those of us who behave as though we are British and too many have seen their loved ones murdered for behaving as their British identity dictates.

The IRA campaign was not a sectarian campaign like that of the UDA, but it was a racist campaign against Ireland's British minority.
It is commonly accepted that those who have moved to these islands from places like Asia and Africa have the right to maintain their dual identity. Why, then, can I not accept both my British and Irish heritage?

I hope that local councils will look seriously at their policies against racism but also hope they use this opportunity to encourage republicans to look at their attitude towards Ireland's British minority and their British heritage.