Why we should listen to Griffin
jim travers | 15.10.2011 18:08 | Indymedia
The decision by Trinity College to refuse BNP leader Nick Griffin the opportunity to join a debate on immigration is yet another example of the system going haywire. We may not aggree with Griffin's ideologies but if we deny him the opportunity to be confronted by those who attend the debate then we are no better than dictators. The refusal by Trinity College to allow Nick Griffin attend the debate has once again caused people who would normally stand on the sideline to come out and ask the question 'Why revert to tactics that are reminisent of censorship in an Ireland of the past.
We know what happens when freedom of speech is taken from the people. We may not agree with Griffin and his political ideologies but at least we must be given the opportunity to question him and not have someone else dictate we should not listen or indulge in debate. If the authorities in Trinity College blocked Nick Griffin's attendance because the college could not guarantee the safety of staff and students, then Trinity College must look not to Nick Griffin but those who would use violence in order to stop a point of view, no matter how controversial it may be. This is typical of the racist card being pulled whenever something goes against those who feel their rights are being denied to them but forget to accept the rights of those who think differently. The biggest concern people have about immigrants coming into the country is that they bring with them a culture they turned their backs on. Look to the United Kingdom, many people tell you very quietly that England has gone to hell. They see the country being invaded and taken over from within and there is nothing they can do about it except speak quietly about their concerns. Speak openly and you are immediately labelled as a Griffin supporter. Griffin may have a genuine concern that he wants to air in public but denying him the opportunity to make a fool of himself in pubic only strengthens his argument and gives strength to his belief. Since the demise of the Celtic Tiger we hear less and less claim by many immigrants from African countries about racism. At one time you could not sneeze without being accused of being a racist. When people stood up to these accusations, those who made such allegations found their 'we are here now so put up with it attitude' being counter challenged. The guards put up with this nonsense when they stop immigrants; they feel they have to stop a number of others so as to show balance in those they stop. Why stop me, why not him, oh you are being racist. And it goes on and on and on as people get tired of having to make concessions so that the other side feels vindicated. Look to England and you see the nonsense staring you in the face. The Black Police Officers Association, how more racist can you get, yet black police officers do not want to be represented by the main stream Police Officers Association. Everybody is obliged by law to wear a crash helmet, yet you see Sikhs on motorcycles wearing turbans simply because its their religion, what about mine? Racism seems to be a one sided defence for those who want to take from British society but do not want to be part of it. Let Griffin have his say and let the people decide on what they think is right and wrong. On the other hand could it be possible that the authorities feel Griffin has something legitimate about a changing Irish society and culture? Are there people quietly thinking what he is saying but would rather let Griffin speak their thoughts? In my experience travelling the United Kingdom and listening to the whispering thoughts of people, I feel British people are experiencing a sense of loss of identity, isolation and division. They always draw your attention to the shops that were once, but are now. Streets now have their own ethnic communities that defend their own space. When the Chinese community applied to the local authority of Dublin City Council in order to have North Fredrick Street, Dublin designated as a type of Chinatown the local authorities point blankly dismissed this proposal citing that the streets belonged to all of the community and not one. And then we had the Sikh garda cadet who went through all his training and on graduation wanted to wear a turban. The garda rightly so, dismissed this request saying the Gardai uniform is representative of all the people. The Sikh wanted into the Gardai, he wanted the cash but he did not want to be seen as being an inclusive part of Irish society. Is it possible this racist is not really racist after all.
jim travers
e-mail:
jimtravers@eircom.net
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