| Galway, Ireland- Racism In Taxi Industry | | | | Dublin area. Majority of these incidents were |
| Most times, expression without impression often | | | | targeted on adults, both male and female and in |
| gives rise to depression and as such, I am both | | | | most cases, children were present. Their findings |
| impressed and depressed by an article written by | | | | indicated that people of all ages and gender are |
| one Yousef Loughnane on the above subject | | | | experiencing racism in Ireland. |
| matter (Galway Advertiser, the 9th Nov, 2006). | | | | Statistics further revealed that racism is being |
| I am impressed that someone like this writer has | | | | experienced regardless of ones legal status. |
| taken it upon himself to speak out and depressed | | | | Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Travellers and |
| that this ugly trend is happening in Galway City, | | | | Non-EU citizens including people visiting as tourists |
| which has been applauded for its continuous fight | | | | are not spared. |
| against racism. | | | | It is, however, disheartening in case of African |
| The word racism is very ambiguous one, which is | | | | Taxi drivers, most of whom must have spent |
| often inexplicable. There are different types of | | | | between 4-5yrs in pursuit of excellence in the |
| racism such as prejudice, discrimination, and | | | | university from their respective countries. Some |
| economic as well as same race. Those involved in | | | | of them had come to Ireland as asylum seekers |
| its practice with their ethno-centric based oriented | | | | and by twist of faith; they were given |
| views have one thing in common "hatred" Here is | | | | unconditional permission to remain in the state and |
| the big question: Is there any correlations | | | | fend for themselves. They have resorted to |
| between racism and discrimination? The answer is | | | | driving taxi and without recourse to their |
| that both words are inter-related and sometimes | | | | qualifications after all efforts to use their hard |
| because of ones colour or background, whenever | | | | earned degree to secure a gainful employment |
| you are denied of something from someone that | | | | became counter-productive. |
| is not of the same race with you, there is a great | | | | My major concern here is that if this kind of |
| tendency for one to cry foul. | | | | misdemeanours and racial prejudice has been |
| I honestly do not believe that the reason why I | | | | extended to taxi drivers from African extraction, |
| could not get the job I applied for in most | | | | then, it is, indeed, a monumental shame and a |
| establishments here especially from 6 months | | | | threat to social order. To these taxi drivers, I am |
| trained HR personnel who cannot construct other | | | | going to pose this question asked by the legendry |
| form of English except "We regret to inform you | | | | John Mason; Do you look at the horizon and see |
| that we do not have position relevant to your | | | | an opportunity or do you look into the distance |
| qualifications" is primarily because of my colour. | | | | and fear a problem? Fear is a poor chisel that |
| This could have 99.9% racial of racial attachment, | | | | carve out your tomorrows and if you are looking |
| which, invariably depends on the context under | | | | at your future from the position of fear, bear in |
| which it was written or individual perceptions. | | | | mind that that view is inaccurate and distorted. |
| Between January to June 2006, the National | | | | I hereby implore Galway City Council and National |
| Consultative Committee on Racism and | | | | Action Plan against Racism to checkmate these |
| Interculturalism (NCCRI) in absence of official | | | | people as soon as possible from further sowing |
| statistics recorded series of reported incidence | | | | this seed of discord that would ultimately trigger |
| relating to racism in Ireland some of which was | | | | more tension and unnecessary fears. |
| said to have been forwarded by | | | | In conclusion, "Let us all hope that the dark clouds |
| non-governmental organisations on behalf of the | | | | of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in |
| victims. These include key organisations working | | | | some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars |
| with Travellers, Refugees and Asylum Seekers | | | | of love and brotherhood will shine over our great |
| and Migrants. Most victims have reported other | | | | nation with all their scintillating beauty."Martin |
| incident directly to NCCRI. | | | | Luther King, Jr. |
| Within these 6 months, there were 25 racist | | | | Chris Obiajulu Okafor |
| incidents reported and compiled by the NCCRI of | | | | ...... |
| which 75% are reportedly occurring in greater | | | | |