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The
news that an eight-foot high brick wall is to be constructed
to segregate the white and Asian communities in Oldham
(according to the Manchester News) will strike
a familiar chord amongst those people acquainted with
political and social life in the north of Ireland,
especially Belfast.
The
“Hathershaw Wall” will replace the temporary
fence at Royle Close which was erected after the much
publicised riots, when Asian homes were attacked and
inter-communal violence ensued. Doubtless many Asians
in the area will breathe a huge sigh of relief, given
that the indiscriminate intimidation of their community
will henceforth become marginally more difficult,
whilst others will view the wall as an entirely necessary
evil. Such perspectives are perfectly understandable,
but tend to obscure a deeper, more disturbing reality
- in the long run the wall will probably make things
worse.
Despite
its short-term utility, the communal divide will have
the ultimate effect of accentuating racial antagonism
because, in essence, it re-enforces a mindset that
views society in terms of ethnic categories. In this
sense, rather than reflecting a coherent attempt at
conflict resolution, the wall is emblematic of the
failure of the (local and/or national) state to resolve
racial antagonism in the area. The wall is, in essence,
an admission of failure. Moreover, this type of policy
response conforms clearly to the logic of those who
argue that racial integration simply does not work.
Indeed those political parties that precipitate and
exploit racial tensions, like the BNP, probably stand
to gain most in the long run. This is because, although
doubtless well-intentioned, this act of expediency
and crisis control will further segregate an already
marginalised community, and reinforce the political
perspective that precipitated the barrier in the first
place. This is the mindset that perceives ethnic minorities
and cultural diversity as “the problem”,
and advocates racial apartheid as a preface to some
kind of “re-location” programme.
Tackling
these political parties, that feed off of white working
class alienation, requires more consideration, and
in the final analysis a strategic commitment to resource
re-distribution and equality. Not very likely, of
course, and it's easier and cheaper to build walls.
In the meantime, it is perhaps worth remembering the
prescient observation of Steve Biko, that one of the
most powerful weapons at the disposal of the oppressor,
is the mind of the oppressed.
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