| I think that racism is a serious problem. Before you know it, innocent people become the victims of violence. |
European Anti-Racism Week held earlier this year in March is part of an initiative set-up to look at the difficulties facing Northern Ireland in Cultural Acceptance. It was established in honour of the deaths of two demonstrators in 1969, protesting against the Apartheid Oppression in South Africa. Reporters from the Belfast Bureau attended a seminar during Anti-Racism Week, alongside influential speakers such as Liz McCormac and Kathy Stanton:
Let's take a look at the reality of ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland. The 2001 Census has established that there are 16,000 people in ethnic minorities living here.
The largest group is the Chinese Community with over 8,000 members according to the Multicultural Resource Centre (MCRC). 8,000 though is a long way off the 1.6 million recorded populous of Northern Ireland. Hence, that is why "they" are the minority.
Why the bother then of having to torture the lives of these people through verbal, physical and emotional abuse? It seems unfair, unjust that we, as a community cannot always include these people into "our" activities.
Liz McCormac, an ex- member of UNICEM, comments on the increasing urgency to prevent racism and racism related violence in Belfast: "Ethnic groups are seeing the problems being suffered by others whether that be drugs, sex or anything like that and taking it on board. This is only the first step - an ordinary relationship with others, nothing exceptional or dramatic. We should see each other as ordinary human beings. We want all our children with other communities."
Each ethnic group made a presentation. Representatives of the Indian Community Centre performed a classical dance telling of and invoking the Gods and Goddesses of their faith.
Kathy Stanton, Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, was an interested spectator and commented: "There should be equality for all and a party for all. Sinn Féin focuses on the promotion of cultural diversity. We try to interface with families in areas in North Belfast. We also target people and families who are caught in the middle of Nationalist conflict.
More events and inclusiveness for everybody so that they can be aware of everything around them. Also, I think there will be fighting for funding, but this time I think it should be more giving."
We asked Bob, a member of the Philippine community his opinions on the state of racism in Belfast: "My wife has worked here as a nurse in Clifton Nursing home for three years. My two children and me came here last June. I think that Racism is a serious problem. Before you know it, innocent people become the victims of violence.
"I think we need to get help for Ethnic minorities in places like this. I think that we could really use more things like this to promote more unity between people. I really enjoy living here. I want to share my culture with my community and help them understand me, as I am learning to understand them."
About the team
This story was produced by Connor Scullion ,17, Clare Morrison, 15, Daniel McCrisken, 14 . It was published by the News Letter.
