Sr Stanislaus Kennedy Social justice campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy has said it is “incredibly distressing” to learn of an increase in racist incidents across Ireland this year.
The Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) has just released figures on racist incident reporting on hate speech, hate crime and discriminatory acts in the first quarter of 2020.
Their statistics for January 1 to March 31 show that allegations of racist crime and discrimination cases are up 63% on 2019 figures, with a 33% increase in violent assaults.
“It is incredibly distressing to hear there has been an increase in racist incidents,” Sr Stan told The Irish Catholic.
“It is especially true in the current climate, when it is clear the global pandemic is causing such additional strain to the global community, and the best way forward is by coming together and supporting our family, friends and neighbours as we collectively navigate our way through the crisis.”
She insisted that “INAR’s research underlines just how much words matter when said by leading figures and I would urge everyone to reflect on their attitudes and language and ensure their influence and efforts are used to unite, not divide”.
The significant increase in reports relating to media and online content was prompted by social media posts and election literature by some candidates and supporters during the general election.
A number of reports were also made in relation to online commentary following Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s claim that “males of a Muslim persuasion” who are single and travelling alone pose the largest terror threat to airlines.
Reports were also made in relation to an online video which critics say was stereotyping Romanians, coronavirus-related comments against minorities and memes about Chinese people in the context of the pandemic.
“We are seeing a significant rise in online racism,” says Dr Lucy Michael.
“The data shows clearly that this is driven by the ease with which racist materials circulate on major social media platforms.
“However the increase in assault reports is an opportunity now [sic] to provide more effective responses to violent racism.”