Irish Political News

What is Multiculturalism? I’m seeing a number of negative references in the current to “multiculturalism”, suggesting the using the word as: something which undermined our society something which has “failed” something for which the Archbishop was actually arguing in his lecture (because he considering the needs of different groups). a “Bad Thing” - in the Sellars and Yateman sense. That is, a scary big bad wolf concept that you are supposed to in fear of without finding out what it actually means - and can be used to make anything else in the same sentence sound good; really rather like “Sharia“, “Islam” or “Norman Tebbit“. And I want a real and agreed definition, so that there can be a meaningful argument. Attacks on “Multiculturalism” A couple of examples. Johan Hari: Rowan Williams has shown us why the doctrine of multiculturalism needs to abandoned. If you really believe that Britain is comprised of a smorgasbord of “cultures” that need to be preserved, promoted and respected as an end in itself, then this proposal is perfectly logical. Different cultures should have different courts, and rules, and schools. International Herald Tribune: However, the solution proposed by the archbishop repeats the errors of 1960s liberal multiculturalism. In conjuring up the idea of communities sharing the same space but leading separate lives, he unwittingly endorses a scenario that entrenches segregation and fractures any conception of a common good binding all citizens. Despite this, Williams at least recognizes that Britain is struggling to find a way of accommodating its increasingly ghettoized and radicalized Muslim population. In both cases I do not recognise “multiculturalism” as I understand it now, nor as I think I first met the word in political debate in the 1980s - used of the political need to give recognition to “groups” and “minorities”. Lots of Not Quite Definitions The BBC has a whole page of attempted definitions, which talk about “Multiculturalism is not dead,” (Karen Chouhan), “There are two ways in which people interpret multiculturalism” (Ruth Lea) or “I see no incompatibility between multiculturalism and Britishness” (Bernard Crick). No one really gets round to defining it. So we are left playing blind-man’s-buff with glove-puppets. This from The Free Dictionary multiculturalism - the doctrine that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can coexist peacefully and equitably in a single country This definition (more…)

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'.

I’ve blogged before about Dublin’s multicultural history. Many of the Jews who fled to Dublin during the 19th century to escape persecution were from Lithuania. Today, many Lithuanians are again coming to Dublin in search of work. They bring with them a rich culture, as was evident when I attended the Lithuanian Festival in City Hall around three weeks ago. Like the Irish from Melbourne to Chicago, they are anxious to preserve their cultural traditions and pass them on to their children, while also integrating into their communities and workplaces.

On a similar note, I was delighted to attend the launch a couple of weeks ago of a new website geared towards Poles living in Ireland.

Incidentally, there’s one match I'll definitely be attending: St Patrick's Athletic FC will play Wisla Krakow in a friendly match at Richmond Park next Tuesday evening, Nov.13th.Before the match, I’ll be joining Labour Party members handing out a Red Card in English and Polish inviting people to join Labour, working for a better future for all communities!