AkiDwA, the African and migrant women’s network of Ireland, would like to express our deep concern regarding Cllr. Darren Scully’s comments given in a radio interview yesterday. Cllr. Scully told KFM radio that he found “black Africans” to be aggressive and bad mannered.
As an organisation AkiDwA have been active in fighting racism in Ireland since 2001, the organisation therefore feels Cllr. Scully’s comments reinforce stereotypes and undermine efforts in challenging prejudice and discrimination.
Salome Mbugua, CEO of AkiDwA said of the views expressed by Cllr. Scully “This kind of racist sentiment is a threat to social stability, Cllr. Scully is a public representative, an elected Councillor and therefore he has moral and ethical responsibility to represent ALL his constituents.”
“Cllr. Scully’s comments are a wakeup call for Ireland to take racism seriously, there are people who still hold deep rooted prejudices and strong racist attitude as indeed portrayed by Cllr. Scully.”
“There is lack of political will and commitment to address racism. The incitement to hatred is a particularly heinous crime which not only harms the individual or group targeted, but the entire community to which the person belongs. The sentiments of Cllr. Scully undermine the potential to enhance integration.”
AkiDwA therefore calls for a widespread reappraisal of race and discrimination issues in Ireland. Cllr. Scully’s comments serve to highlight the need for awareness-raising initiatives at all levels of Irish society.
It is also equally important that effective legislation to be put in place. The 1989 incitement to hatred act needs to be reviewed and amended accordingly, this, AkiDwA feels, is long overdue.
ENDS
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