Roisin Markham

Recent events in Roscrea, Wexford and other parts of Ireland have me heart broken. It sadness me that Irish people are racist considering we ourselves have suffered so much racism.

I find myself sharing resources on whatsapp and messaging my network directly so I thought it would be good to share resources here as a marker and for others to share.

My friend Dee from Greensideup shared this great article written by John Balfe on LinkedIn, based on research.

John writes in his introduction about the arrival of refugee men in small communities in Ireland sparking protests, with some far-right groups claiming that these men pose a threat to local women and children. However, current research does not support this claim, as highlighted in a research-based article by John Balfe. Read the full article here.

We need to start combating the narrative and rejecting populist far right beliefs. We need to be doing it in every day conversations, with our hairdresser, the taxi driver, paying for our groceries all those glib seemingly casual comments we’ve got to start dismantling what’s behind them. Polarisation in our society is a risk to social justice, human rights and safety. We have to start managing misinformation and propaganda. Years ago we’d have called this shenanigans but there is violence, harm, mobilisation and hatred. I want to live in a safe just society within planetary boundaries, do you?

I propose we must actively participate to make and protect it. Use our public voice, be an active citizen stand for social justice and human rights. Ireland is a privileged wealth country, most of us don’t know that. We have a lot of social justice education that is foundational to create a wellbeing society. I’ve come to that realisation from my climate activism and work I do around doughnut economics. We can’t have climate justice without social justice.

Amazingly Hope and Courage has developed community tools for tackling and combatting hate and extremism

‘Greater than Fear: A Community Based Response to Tackling Hate and Extremism’ was published in early September 2023 and draws on experience in five Irish towns countering hate and fascism.

I’ve begun to talk about a campaign much like what was done in the last two referendum in Ireland. We harnessed social connections and conversations the love wins asked us to speak to people explain our views and specifically ask for positive support, a vote for love for all. The repeal the 8th used personal stories, bravery, social courage and women sharing collaborating, harnessing collective activism through support and social sharing. There is so much to build on there we have social tools let’s use them.

My suggestion is

1. Choose to talk to three people you would not normally speak to, ask someone about a glib comment and open up the conversation. Educate yourself first some of those conversations are hard.

In one experience I’ve had a very privileged Irish woman who I’ve known for years but I’d not call her a friend. She’d been reading fb post for months and was invested in her knowledge, scarcity programming and deep into extreme hatred. You know the “I’m not a racist but…”

It’s has changed how I consider her but her jobs is public facing, I know it’s important to keep an open heart and try to have a different conversation with her. So I’m educating myself, my own biases and holding myself accountable.

The World Economic Forum has identified misinformation and polarisation in society both in the top short term 10 risks.

Social inclusion, human rights and justice are a fundamental pillar in our society’s values let’s hold them strong.

Let me know if there are any other resources you think would be useful to share.

Thanks for reading my blog. If we are going to create a future worth living into we need everyone.