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Issue No.14 Autumn 2003
Overview
The theme of this issue is the topic of immigrants
and asylum seekers. It is a subject that Ireland, north and south, has
only recently had to learn to deal with since for centuries, migration
was almost always outward from all parts of this island. An inward flow
of people is something that has enormous potential both to enrich the
cultural and economic life of all in this country and at the same time
to stir up ugly xenophobic passions. Unlike many other subjects, The Other
View does not offer alternative standpoints on this particular issue.
We take the position that people are entitled to respect and fair treatment
no matter where they come from and that there should be no room for racism
anywhere in Ireland.
We have been fortunate in that contributors from a wide range of backgrounds
have agreed to write for us on the subject of foreign nationals living
and working here. We are pleased to hear from Mary Ward about the Scottish
experience, especially since Belfast and Glasgow have often experienced
another form of no less ugly tension between communities. We are delighted
also to have a piece from Siobhan O’Donoghue of the Migrant Rights
Centre in Dublin, where real effort is being exerted to ensure that racism
is faced down. The Other View’s joint editor, Billy Mitchell also
has written to condemn those in the unionist/loyalist community who are
peddling race hatred.
There should be no tolerance for racism and we hope that via this issue
we have played a small part in the campaign against it.
Elsewhere in the magazine we have articles from such diverse writers as
Tommy Cheevers of the Apprentice Boys and republican Anthony McIntyre.
There is too, a comment from Eoin O’Broin of Sinn Fein on the ongoing
difficulties in Maghaberry prison. This is a subject that must surely
send out ominous signals to all in Northern Ireland. It is however something
that this magazine could not and would not ignore since to do so would
invalidate the project if we steered clear of contentious areas merely
to avoid controversy.
As always though we hope our readers will find this issue stimulating
and interesting. We look forward to hearing from you and ask you to send
us your comments.
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