Dec 17 2007
Different Shades of Green
I attended the launch of Des Geraghty’s new book, 40 Shades of Green, a few weeks ago – but only got time to read it during the past few days. Born in the Liberties, Des – former President of SIPTU – grew up in Drimnagh in a family of committed trade unionists and socialists. In fact, his late brother Hughie was a member of our local branch of the Labour Party.
The book is a timely examination of what it means to be Irish in a new era of interculturalism, and Des also reminds us that Dublin has been home to minority communities – including Jews and Italians – for hundreds of years. He then goes on to celebrate the new communities now adding to our cultural mix – the Eastern Europeans, Chinese and Africans who have come here to work, or to escape political and economic persecution. As a trade unionist, Des knows that perceived difference can result in 'the other' being exploited, and he makes a strong case for improved labour market regulations and domestic measures to prevent such exploitation.
Des points out that, while some migrants may leave in an economic downturn to seek employment elsewhere, many will stay and, as he puts it, will "opt to become part of this society by choice [...] sharing the future with us, however it develops".
One way, of course, of sharing in our common future is to become involved in politics, both passively as voters and actively by standing for elected office. Ensuring that minority communities are involved in the political process is one of the surest ways of preventing marginalisation. That is why I am delighted to see the ‘New Irish’ joining Labour, and I look forward to working with them in Dublin South-Central and elsewhere to build a fairer society.
Meanwhile, I would urge everyone to read 'Forty Shades of Green'.
The book is a timely examination of what it means to be Irish in a new era of interculturalism, and Des also reminds us that Dublin has been home to minority communities – including Jews and Italians – for hundreds of years. He then goes on to celebrate the new communities now adding to our cultural mix – the Eastern Europeans, Chinese and Africans who have come here to work, or to escape political and economic persecution. As a trade unionist, Des knows that perceived difference can result in 'the other' being exploited, and he makes a strong case for improved labour market regulations and domestic measures to prevent such exploitation.
Des points out that, while some migrants may leave in an economic downturn to seek employment elsewhere, many will stay and, as he puts it, will "opt to become part of this society by choice [...] sharing the future with us, however it develops".
One way, of course, of sharing in our common future is to become involved in politics, both passively as voters and actively by standing for elected office. Ensuring that minority communities are involved in the political process is one of the surest ways of preventing marginalisation. That is why I am delighted to see the ‘New Irish’ joining Labour, and I look forward to working with them in Dublin South-Central and elsewhere to build a fairer society.
Meanwhile, I would urge everyone to read 'Forty Shades of Green'.
Comments Off