Austerity and Race in Europe

On Sat 28th Jun Wilf Sullivan and I will run the CBTU's first educational event with themes focusing on community organising and leadership. A key sub-text to this is some of the recent work Wilf has undertaken on the impact of the Coalition's attack on the public sector and welfare on black workers, their families and communities.

There is much coverage of this issue both economically and politically, with this blog piece on the UKREN site providing a EU-wide snapshot: http://www.ukren.org/2012/05/Austerity-in-Europe-what-impact-on-race-equality.html



The response of Greek workers to austerity must be supported by
workers across Europe and internationally

The picture it presents however is nothing new, as most accounts of eras of economic depression show clear links between one of the most basic manifestations of key issue for black workers: the rise of unemployment and the consequent racism from white 'indigenous' workers.

This depressing historical cycle has been confirmed by the European Commission's standing organisation to monitor racism and xenophibia when it reports the following on the period Jan-Dec 2011:

The ongoing economic crisis has created a vicious cycle inwhich many of the groups of concern to ECRI (vulnerable groups) are trapped. Diminished economic opportunities and welfare cuts push them into poverty, which breeds negative feelings on both sides of the social divide. Immigrants and some historical

minorities are perceived as a burden to society. Old myths about yielding influence in the financial world are revived. The “multiculturalism model” is questioned. Discrimination in employment is rife. Racism and intolerance are on the rise in Europe today and the resulting tension sometimes leads to racist
violence.
The full report is here: http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/activities/Annual_Reports/Annual%20report%202011.pdf

This is not a reason for pessimism or negativity however, as previous economic depressions have wtinessed the growth of movements to resist nascent racism and intolerance, and the OCCUPY movement is indeed a perfect embodiment of this, alebit within the context of a broader economic and political objectives.

Similarly, it is important to acknowledge the  role of the left in Greece - truly a crucible in which maistream, vulnerable and migrant workers are being made to pay the price for a crisis not of their making - in providing the formative, combative line of defence against a resurgent, fascist movement, the Golden Dawn.

As ever it is important for black trade unionists to be part of this resistance wherever it springs up and to understand its implications directly for black workers and the communities they are drawn from. Exactly what Wilf and I hope to do on Saturday 28th.

Please join us if you can.

In Solidarity

Ian

PS Email for more details about the 28th June event: imanborde@ruskin.ac.uk