LOCAL POLITICIANS UNITE TO CONDEMN RACIST GRAFFITI

ALL OF Bray’s local councillors and County Wicklow’s TDs and senator have released a statement condemning racist graffiti which has been targeting a Bray woman.

‘ The continuous racist graffiti in Bray that is targeting and harassing a Bray woman is unacceptable,’ they wrote.

‘As the public representatives serving Bray, we urge members of the public to contact Bray Garda station on 01 6665300 with any information they might have on who is carrying out this graffiti.

The joint statement was signed by the Cathaoirleach of Bray MD, Cllr Anne Ferris, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Cllr Dermot O’Brien, Cllr Erika Doyle, Cllr Grace McManus, Cllr Joe Behan, Cllr Melanie Corrigan and Cllr Rory O’Connor, as well as Jennifer Whitmore TD, John Brady TD, Simon Harris TD, Stephen Donnelly TD, Steven Matthews TD and Senator Pat Casey.

‘ The hate graffiti on the walls of our town in recent weeks is a stark reminder of our responsibility towards those who are targeted and those who are vulnerable to hateful speech and hateful behaviour,’ said Cllr Dermot O’Brien.

‘Bray is not immune to prejudice, discrimination, racism and hate. If we were to ask Bray Travellers Community Development Group they would tell us many stories but they would also reference the annual “Integrated football tournament” that has been running for nearly 20 years and has been a direct, positive and proactive response which aims to prevent the rise of prejudice. We could share the work of schools, youth projects, NGOs and community groups who have tackled these issues consistently over the years in many dynamic ways.’

He said that all of that great work does not mean that the issue is resolved.

‘Recent weeks remind us that we must revisit this work and redouble our efforts because the uncomfortable truth is that for some people in our community there is a hatred of “others” and a prejudice against those who are not “us”.

‘We must face the fact that hate is here and while some of it is on walls, much of it is in bars, cafes, kitchen tables, whatsapp groups,’ said Cllr O’Brien.

‘What hateful conversations are happening about asylum seekers, travellers, people from certain housing estates, migrants, people with different skin colour, certain political parties, people with disabilities, people who are LGBT+, people with addiction, people of different religious beliefs, people who are homeless?

‘ The pyramid of hate reminds us that there is a journey to hate that includes, bias, prejudice, discrimination, violence and even genocide. What might begin as jokes and memes can evolve into negative bias, acts of prejudice, discrimination and so on towards actual violence.’

Cllr O’Brien said that hate is learned and therefore can be unlearned.

‘If we as a community want to transform hate we must understand it and where it comes from, we must check in with ourselves and explore where hate might live in our own hearts and we must consciously and purposefully pursue the changes that are required within ourselves, within systems and within the prevailing narratives that sustain hateful ideas. As we stand with those who are the targets of hate we must also support the structures that are committed to responding.

‘If there is one thing that we can all do, it is to take responsibility for understanding the pyramid of hate, look it up, study it and then commit ourselves to having conversations with family, friends, colleagues. Knowing where you stand and why you stand there is a critical part of equipping yourself to play your part in countering and transforming hate. We all have a role to play,’ he said.