The new sectarianism

For thirty years or more, sectarian flames of hatred were fanned by wealthy business and land owners in Northern Ireland in order to distract from the real trouble there which was in fact oppression of the working class of both religions. But the legacy of all that blind hatred seems to be the playing out as the abused becomes the abuser. Recent immigrants to Northern Ireland appear to have come in for a lot of racist attacks and intimidation. I have read numerous stories about Chinese, Polish and African immigrants being attacked and forced out of neighbourhoods. And now several Romanian families have been attacked and are seeking shelter in a church.

There have been sporadic reports of racist comments and the odd attack in the Republic but as far as I can tell it is not widespread or systematic like it appears to be in Northern Ireland. But that narrow minded ignorant thinking can spread easily, especially during tough economic times when there can be a perception that immigrants are favoured in housing and benefits. Well welcome to the modern world. If people want cheap clothes, food, entertainment and low interest rates, they take the whole package, which includes an open market for goods, services and employment. 

Governments need to do a lot of work in this area to educate people on the changing racial profiles of their countries and why they are happening. The 20th century is long over and one day, the people in the developed nations of Europe and the America are going to wish they can get working visas for India and China so they can earn a better living and broaden their horizons.

The partition of Ireland has caused a very insular and paranoid state to develop in the north. The irony of it for the last 80 years was the fact that both communities were white Christians and it was mostly working class on both sides who were involved in the fighting with each other as the middle class got on with educating themselves and slowly growing to absorb more working class. The old wealth class have always divided the working class in order to control them and distract them from their real ills. The Romanians and others are now that distraction.

Northern Ireland still has a way to go.