Throughout the peculiar election season, one element has remained ever-present. Every week, pamphlets filled with racist and xenophobic content have arrived at homes via the mail. Rather than tackling this issue head on and showing true leadership, certain individuals within major political parties have faltered. They’ve also endorsed policies and campaign messages that – whether consciously or not – pander to prejudice.
In the future, we might view this campaign as a bizarre episode. How would one elucidate this scenario to someone who had not been in Ireland for a considerable time and returned to an environment where racist anti-immigrant prejudice had been normalised?
How could anyone even suggest that the fundamental matter in Irish society – housing – is anyone’s fault except for those who crafted and executed those housing policies? What sparked this misrepresentation?
The existing surge of unhinged anger, strawiest in this campaign, and hopefully destined to receive minimal polling support for its purposely divisive nihilism, has profound racist and fascist origins. However, its modern context can also be traced back to the misinformation that surrounded the accommodation requirements of refugees and asylum seekers prior to the pandemic.
If these concerns had been dealt with then, in conjunction with the housing crisis, we would not find ourselves in the current situation. However, as the timeless Irish political saying goes: we are where we are. We find ourselves in an untenable position, with a group of candidates erroneously attributing “immigration” as the factor that most significantly negatively affects everyone’s lives – it doesn’t. Some in mainstream parties toy with this idea too, lured by the potential votes. This has also paved the way for dormant troublemakers, biding their time, to reappear.
The pandemic caused severe disruption and damage that we have yet to completely come to terms with. We seem to lack effective ways to openly express our vulnerability, our fears and the pain we endured during this time. We can undoubtedly draw parallels to other scenarios in our lives – a significant death left unsaid, a disease or addiction overlooked, sexual abuse brushed aside.
When societal agreements are ruptured, as has been the case with housing in Ireland, the aftermath can be unpredictably handled. These fragmented pieces can potentially be weaponised. None of these reasons justify viewing ‘immigration’ as a ‘difficulty’.
Nevertheless, these issues find a way to emerge. The complexity of pain and trauma inevitably surfaces. Many of us have experienced increasing anxiety elude our control. Outbursts of anger and frustration have taken place. Do we not search for simplistic solutions amidst complicated situations? However, anger often conceals more delicate emotions such us fear, vulnerability and pain.
When societal agreements disintegrate – having occurred in relation to housing in Ireland – their remnants can be put together oddly. At times, these fragments can become weaponised. However, none of these reasons provide a valid excuse to regard ‘immigration’ as an issue. Yet, it forms part of our environment.
Should the urgent housing crisis in Ireland not exist, the challenges people face such as homelessness, insufficient emergency housing, exorbitant rents, unaffordable ownership and postponed life progression; would have no means to fuel, express and disseminate racist and xenophobic animosity tied to the shortage of accommodation. The psychological and emotional strain stemming from the housing crises has resulted in a deep-seated social stress. No immigrant, asylum seeker or refugee is responsible for this situation.
Individuals who express bigotry, racism or who only perpetuate baseless accusations towards those they deem ‘different’, and thus envision as a threat, exist in every era. These individuals are ridiculed until a crowd gathers to listen to them. Indeed, their beliefs may be dismissed as outlandish, until they are elected into power.
People are well aware of the motivations and behaviours of these individuals, and their often deliberate choice to incite base emotions can be outright bitter. The critical point is the number of individuals prepared to accompany them down this unpredictable path. It is noteworthy that ‘People Before Profit’ has been the most significantly vocal, consistent, and well-organised political party actively tackling societal racism.
Taking a closer look at the distinctly “anti-immigrant” candidates, it is evident they are seeking an easy vent for their charged feelings of anger, blame, and resentment. There is a peculiar type of aggressive and showy dominance on display, characterised by the mantra: ‘I’m unhurt, I’m tough, I’m in charge. However, if this represents your attitudes, regrettably, you’re none of these. You’re faking it. Get your act together.
Once this campaign period has passed, there will be plenty of opportunity to sift through the peculiar remains left by those who recklessly set alight issues without any thought for the lasting destructive impact on their journey. But for now, unless voters use their intellect and recognise those showcasing their anger as utterly lacking control of their personal emotions, resentments and visions of oppressive policies, we are heading towards an odd period where compassion, reason and logic may face a downfall.
A useful guideline is to avoid casting votes for racists or those who tolerate them, regardless of how they present themselves. This is because once they’ve exhausted one scapegoat, they usually seek out another.