For the purposes of this PS blog, I will define ‘race’ as referring to the physical characteristics – skin colour, facial features – of an individual or group; justice is determining who gets what (distributive) and fair treatment in the process (procedural).

The world’s population is now over eight billion – that is 8 thousand million – people. Eighty percent of the world population is not White.

We, in Northern Ireland, are living in a population of less than two million people, on a small part of a small island on the edge of Europe.

The 2021 Census for Northern Ireland recorded that, in racial terms, 97% of the resident population was ‘White’ – we are living in the least ethnically diverse region of the UK. The resident populations of Derry City and Ballymena town respectively reflect that statistic, (97%); Belfast is a little lower (93%). These percentages include people born and raised here, who could be British or Irish nationals, or dual nationality. It also includes people who for various reasons have come to live and work here – economic migrants or refugees from various conflicts over many years. The largest single resident minority ethnic group born outside Northern Ireland is from Poland, a country that is 99% ‘White’. Racially we are a very homogeneous society.

Why should the question of racial justice be on OUR agenda? 

Let us think of a few current issues:

Racial hate crime in Northern Ireland – according to PSNI statistics, the incidence is now greater than sectarian hate crime.

False claims from some antagonists stoked the recent Race/Anti-Immigration Riots: immigrants were responsible for the chronic housing shortage, state of our health and social care services, over-stretched school resources, lowering of living standards and personal security fears. In some areas, these long-term problems have been acerbated by an increasing number of migrants – economic, refugees, asylum seekers – who are here legally but at times under schemes that have been ill thought out and poorly managed by central government and local authorities.

Many of the non-white and other migrants that I have encountered in my lifetime in the United Kingdom, have been/are here legally and contribute constructively to my family’s well-being and to the wider community. They have enriched our lives in many ways, including spiritually, and become friends.

What is the basis for negative comments? What do you know about the non-white families and ethnic minority groups that comprise your community? Could you and would you help a non-white person or family who is suffering? Would you challenge racial prejudice when you hear or see it? What authority or agency would you contact on their behalf?

Global warming – contributes to drought, famine, flood which globally damage non-white populations.

Does it matter then that we are one of the least forested areas in Europe; does it make sense to plant, protect trees, and restrict the harvesting of peat from our vanishing bog lands? – All of which can absorb carbon dioxide, store carbon and release life- giving oxygen. Could we do more to develop environmentally friendly practices in the use of materials, energy and building design?

Pandemic – Where were vaccine and PPE supply shortages? – Non-white populations, sometimes in countries that are producing them!

Are we prepared to support and lobby for fair and economical production and distribution of treatments worldwide?

Trade Deals – which our governments have made or are making with oppressive political and commercial regimes who import their goods to us. Many of these regimes rule over non-white populations. The oppression can include the targeted persecution of Christian believers.

Do we practice ethical buying – clothing/ food/luxury items? Consider origin, look at labels, and know something about production practices, workers pay and conditions, human rights. Have we the time and inclination respectfully to ask questions or lobby politicians, retailers, manufacturers, supermarkets?

Here are my closing thoughts:

Our God made humankind in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). The ‘cradle of civilization’ is not the White West. The Jesus of Bible times was a man of colour. He is our Christ.

The prophet Micah (6:8) asked rhetorically of his own people: ‘What does the Lord require of you?’ His answer: ‘To act justly and to love mercy (kindness) and to walk humbly with your God.’

Will we hold the NI Executive to account as they pledge to address the shortage of decent, affordable housing, health and social care services for those most in need, adequately resourced schools. If we do, we might find our police force could put its finite resources to prevent crime and disorder and the ‘migrant problem’ would dissipate.

Jennifer McLernon is a retired Civil Servant, Elder in West Church, Ballymena, Chairperson, Ballymena Church Members Forum.

Jennifer has witnessed first-hand institutionalized and community racial discrimination and prejudice while living in 1960s North Queensland and Victoria, Australia and in Leicester, England, in addition to other instances while travelling in Africa and Asia. (It bubbles today beneath the surface in Ballymena.)