Denzil McDaniel: How we treat black people says a lot about our character

It would be good to think that such base thinking was a thing of the past, but when Nelson McCausland tweeted recently about “the whole gay movement” he was following a long line of party fundamentalists who have expressed similar sentiments over the years.

The slogan itself looks as outdated as it is offensive; there comes a point in time, doesn’t there, when society moves on and the old guard is left behind.

Although sadly, in the words of another slogan, they’re forgotten not gone and continue to do untold damage with hurtful words.

It’s the same with racism, and the tweet by the MP Gregory Campbell who was offended the number of black faces on, of all things, Songs of Praise betrays a deep-rooted racial attitude that looks uncomfortable in this day and age.

We shouldn’t be surprised that Campbell’s history in public life has included the assertion that homosexual practice was “depraved”, he has supported the death penalty for “some crimes” and mocked the Irish language.

So, anyone expecting him to backtrack on his remark was always going to be disappointed and, sure enough, he has said the controversy was contrived and refused to apologise.

There’s something ironic about his comments about highlighting the difference in gospel singers, when actually many evangelicals only differentiate people in two groups; sinners and the redeemed.

Campbell, of course, is entitled to his religious beliefs and to worship how and where he wants. We all are; but people in public life should be aware of how they express themselves can directly harm other people’s lives. Actually, all of us should.

Is this all a storm in a tea cup, another routine but exasperating controversy, or is it one of those moments in time when we ask if Campbell is yesterday’s man whose views should be consigned to the dustbin of history?

Or is there still too much racism, homophobia and generally lack of empathy for those of difference in our society?

What sort of society do we want, what are our values? The attitudes of people like Gregory Campbell have ramifications politically and for our community in general.

His party leader and First Minister, Arlene Foster sidestepped direct condemnation of Campbell’s racism and in doing so reaffirmed a growing perception that the old men of the DUP can pretty much do as they like.

Aside from the internal party implications, political Unionism’s toleration of such views will further alienate those younger people in their own community who want to move on to a more progressive modern way of life.

I read on Twitter a post from a young man who said he is from a Unionist background and raised a Protestant, but went on: “Today I identify with neither of those. Why would I vote for parties that comply with homophobic bigotry against my LGBT friends.” And among the support he received was from a 22-year-old Protestant woman who wants “young, outward-thinking, progressive” people to represent her.

Mrs. Foster’s assertion in the Assembly that her party is “totally, absolutely committed to racial equality” won’t cut much ice, not just because of her tepid response to Gregory Campbell but because her party and others have failed to tackle racism in Northern Ireland.

Lilian Seenoi-Barr, of the North West Migrants Forum said earlier this year that the lack of progress on the racial equality strategy was depressing, it was going backwards. And this week she tweeted that she wrote to Mrs Foster and the Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill to request an urgent meeting to address race and racism in Northern Ireland. “We need to speak candidly about racism and its impact in our community,” she said.

It’s not just for the politicians, though, is it?

If you think that you’re not part of the problem, I would respectfully disagree. I’ve been appalled at some of the posts I’ve seen on social media by people that I know, including Christians, who adopt an attitude of “yeah but what about us too” if issues are raised about how people have been historically treated because of the colour of their skin. And are still being treated.

There are a couple of interesting groups on this island which I follow sometimes. Black and Irish is one and another is Black and Northern Irish (it wouldn’t be Ireland if we didn’t have a cross-Border element even to matters of race!)

The platforms allow black people to tell their stories of growing up in Ireland; they are inspiring and contribute to all walks of life in this country, whether in the arts, business, sport, professional life or simply community in general.

If you watched the wonderful Nigerian-Irish singer Tolu Makay singing the old Saw Doctors song 'N17' at New Year, accompanied by the RTE orchestra it was truly beautiful and emotional, and an example of what the talent of black people can bring to our shores.

But even Tolu had difficulties growing up in Ireland when her school called her Elizabeth, for example, because they couldn’t handle her name. Without minimising the importance of that, black and Irish people on these podcasts and social media posts tell stories of much more difficult experiences growing up and being treated as “different".

As it happens, Gregory Campbell’s shameful post highlighted the racism in so many hearts at an interesting time; 'Douglass week' when a number of events are being held to mark the visit to Ireland in 1845 of a black American slave called Frederick Douglass.

Douglass had escaped slavery in the United States and spoke to audiences throughout Ireland in a four-month visit, which he later said had transformed his life. “One of the most pleasing features of my visit to Ireland has been a total absence of all manifestation of prejudice against me on account of my colour,” he said.

I would doubt, sadly, if Douglass returned today if he would find us so free of prejudice.

And furthermore, our attitude to people simply on the basis of their skin colour says a lot about our attitudes to many other vulnerable people and groups.

One of the speakers at 'Douglass week' was an American lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, who has dedicated his career to helping people on the margins. He says we should commit to being close to the poor, the marginalised and the excluded. Human rights, he says, is really about wrapping your arms around the poor and vulnerable. “We will be judged on how we treated the poor and vulnerable rather than the powerful and privileged.”

Maybe we need to save Ulster from Campbell and his unhealthy racism.