Sir, – Judith Crosbie’s article (Weekend Review, June 29th) is timely. It should not be a surprise that immigrants are the targets of racism and discrimination during economic downturns. Irish emigrants, like all others in similar situations, have been experiencing similar discrimination during economic downturns for more than a century and a half.
Immigrants are lauded for their enterprise during economic booms and envied for their enterprise during economic austerity. However, what is distinct about European rising immigrant intolerance over the past two decades is that it is faceless. There is no Hitler, Stalin, communist or other high-profile enemy to direct anger at and be defined by. In such a vacuum people locate and find an enemy by which they define themselves. In the present situation immigrants are the enemy. But, what really exacerbates immigrant intolerance and racism is the use of immigrant issues during election campaigns by mainstream political parties to garner popularity in order to compete with anti-immigrant neo-fascistic parties. Europeans should keep in mind the horrors of intolerance from the recent past.
Irish people need to be reminded that immigrants need to be treated with the same respect in Ireland that is expected from others in countries where Irish emigrants make a living. Immigrants in Ireland are a reminder of who we are as a people and nation. – Yours, etc,
BOBBY GILMORE, SSC,
Migrant Rights Centre,
Parnell Square West,
Dublin 1.
Sir, – Your coverage and analysis of the recent ERSI report on attitudes to immigration has been seriously off target: “Anti-immigrant attitudes” (Home News, June 26th),“Prejudice” (June 27th), “Intolerance” (June 29th). What was evidenced was the view that immigration had gone too far and should not go further.
A position of anti -immigration which is ignored will become an anti-immigrant position. Will The Irish Times, which seems unconcerned about limits and simply cheerleads for immigration, accept its responsibility when that happens? – Yours, etc,
ÁINE Ní CHONAILL, PRO,
Immigration Control
Platform,
PO Box 6469,
Dublin 2.