"Local houses 4 local people" banners as Nigerian moves into house in East Belfast

SharpshooterTom

Banners put outside a house in east Belfast where a man originally from Nigeria was due to move in were "blatantly racist", Alliance MP Naomi Long has said.

Michael Abiona, 34, was greeted with posters reading "Local Houses 4 Local People" at Glenluce Drive on Tuesday.

Mr Abiona, who has been living in Northern Ireland since 2010, said he was too afraid to move in.

Mrs Long said: "This sort of behaviour has no place in our community."

She added: "Any right-thinking person will condemn this blatantly racist behaviour and I have no doubt the vast majority of residents in the area will be sickened by it.

"Rather than Mr Abiona and his family, it is this kind of vile behaviour that should be unwelcome in our society."

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Nobody should be judged on the colour of their skin, on their political or religious background, or their race."

However, he added: "I'm not sure this can be described as racism in terms of what the intention of the local people was.

"There is massive concern (about housing), and of course local in these terms means very local, you might have had exactly the same reaction if it was somebody from up-country moving into a local area where local people weren't able to get houses in the locality where they've been brought up in."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27899378

Sad story this, Northern Ireland's PR regarding racist incidents takes another blow. The protests have won though as the Nigerian guy has decided not to move into the house, however he has decided to stay in Belfast receiving warm support from lots of people from facebook and twitter.

Although my point of interest is the BIB what Peter Robinson, who has said the protests aren't racist and that its a legitimate protest. Its just about having 'local people' apparently, nothing to do with racism. Hmmm....

Does he have a point?

fleet_admiral

Happened in Wicklow during the boom (aimed at Dubs) so its not isolated to the north

deelite

Is this the story they are currently discussing on FM104?

shrewd

Sad story but i agree, I dont see any racism in this.

SharpshooterTom

fleet_admiral wrote: »

Happened in Wicklow during the boom (aimed at Dubs) o its not isolated to the north

Yeah but do you have politicians justifying these protests like Robinson? It was my main point of the thread, not to report every 'racist' incident in the north, I'm aware it goes on elsewhere, just some of the attitudes of the politicians is what I'm questioning.

Nodin

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27899378

Sad story this, Northern Ireland's PR regarding racist incidents takes another blow. The protests have won though as the Nigerian guy has decided not to move into the house, however he has decided to stay in Belfast receiving warm support from lots of people from facebook and twitter.

Although my point of interest is the BIB what Peter Robinson, who has said the protests aren't racist and that its a legitimate protest. Its just about having 'local people' apparently, nothing to do with racism. Hmmm....

Does he have a point?

I very much doubt it.

Lastlight.

shrewd wrote: »

Sad story but i agree, I dont see any racism in this.

Agree. I am sure the person will be moved into a Nationalist area instead.

Lingua Franca

shrewd wrote: »

Sad story but i agree, I dont see any racism in this.

So you think they would have set up camp outside his house with their signs if he'd been white?

Alf. A. Male

Peter Robinson is a ****.

Nodin

Lastlight. wrote: »

Agree. I am sure the person will be moved into a Nationlist area instead.

....why would have to be moved to a specific area? Surely he should be allocated a house where theres availability.

Unless of course you're saying that all loyalist areas are a hotbed of racism?

pO1Neil

There's been racist protests like this going on in East Belfast since 1690.

alchemist33

Racist or not, they used text-speak on their banner. And for that alone, I can never forgive them.

fleet_admiral

Alf. A. Male wrote: »

Peter Robinson is a ****.

A star?

Id have said he's a cunt

Lastlight.

Nodin wrote: »

....why would have to be moved to a specific area? Surely he should be allocated a house where theres availability.

Unless of course you're saying that all loyalist areas are a hotbed of racism?

Those areas hate multiculturalism. Republicans don't and so he will end up being moved to more liberal Republican area.

Lingua Franca

Lastlight. wrote: »

Agree. I am sure the person will be moved into a Nationalist area instead.

Nationalist areas of Belfast are "areas of high demand", that is; the demand far outweighs the amount of housing available in the areas. Loyalist areas have a lot of housing going derelict because there just isn't the 'suitable' people to move into them. The protestant population is on the decline and anyone with a titter of wit gets out as soon as they can. That is why a lot of immigrants end up being allocated housing in those areas, they're the only areas where a lot of social housing is available. Unfortunately those areas do not want immigrants and are violent and aggressive towards them and so they end up going derelict. Eight years ago I had a friend who lived in Kitchener Street in the Village. Literally half of the houses in his street were boarded up with NO IMMIGRANTS and more prosaic words to that effect spraypainted on the front of them. The people that lived there wanted more white protestants to move into this awful housing and would not tolerate anyone who wasn't a WASP. Those streets are now in the process of being razed to the ground.

If they could point to a large amount of protestants, disabled, elderly or otherwise, languishing on the housing list then I would concede that they had a point, but that's just not the case. Take a trip round the areas via google maps and see how many houses lie derelict and ask yourself why that is the case.

Nodin

Lastlight. wrote: »

Those areas hate multiculturalism. Republicans don't and so he will end up being moved to more liberal Republican area.

*sigh

Black people in your area =/= multiculturalism.

Black catholic nationalists in your area (don't panic) = multiculturalism.

Also
http://metroeireann.com/article/black-orangemen-turn-heads,2012

Lastlight.

Lingua Franca wrote: »

Nationalist areas of Belfast are "areas of high demand", that is; the demand far outweighs the amount of housing available in the areas. Loyalist areas have a lot of housing going derelict because there just isn't the 'suitable' people to move into them. The protestant population is on the decline and anyone with a titter of wit gets out as soon as they can. That is why a lot of immigrants end up being allocated housing in those areas, they're the only areas where a lot of social housing is available. Unfortunately those areas do not want immigrants and are violent and aggressive towards them and so they end up going derelict. Eight years ago I had a friend who lived in Kitchener Street in the Village. Literally half of the houses in his street were boarded up with NO IMMIGRANTS and more prosaic words to that effect spraypainted on the front of them. The people that lived there wanted more white protestants to move into this awful housing and would not tolerate anyone who wasn't a WASP. Those streets are now in the process of being razed to the ground.

If they could point to a large amount of protestants, disabled, elderly or otherwise, languishing on the housing list then I would concede that they had a point, but that's just not the case. Take a trip round the areas via google maps and see how many houses lie derelict and ask yourself why that is the case.

Good point, you are right. Just move immigrants into Nationalist areas. Ulster Protestants don't want immigrants unfortunately and that is just the reality.

Herb Powell

shrewd wrote: »

Sad story but i agree, I dont see any racism in this.

You're joking, right?

This is about as blatant as it gets.

Lastlight.

Nodin wrote: »

*sigh

Black people in your area =/= multiculturalism.

Black catholic nationalists in your area (don't panic) = multiculturalism.

Also
http://metroeireann.com/article/black-orangemen-turn-heads,2012

Why are you posting Orange Order members?

Nodin

Lastlight. wrote: »

Why are you posting Orange Order members?

...trying to point out the fallacy of confusing skin colour and culture etc. My next project is tunnelling to Australia, which I think has a far better chance of success.

shrewd

Lingua Franca wrote: »

So you think they would have set up camp outside his house with their signs if he'd been white?

Yes.
There is one point you are missing here. they are protesting against him because he is different. They want local people.
They will do the same if he is Irish, Polish, America (white) as long as he is different from them.
I watched the news there, not once did the man claim that he is protested against because he is black.

Herb Powell

shrewd wrote: »

Yes.
There is one point you are missing here. they are protesting against him because he is different. They want local people.
They will do the same if he is Irish, Polish, America (white) as long as he is different from them.
I watched the news there, not once did the man claim that he is protested against because he is black.

Well if you believe that, you'll believe anything tbh

Tail Docker

I can't get the Royston Vasey -"Are you local?" thing out of my head, reading this.

Nodin

shrewd wrote: »

Yes.
There is one point you are missing here. they are protesting against him because he is different. They want local people.
They will do the same if he is Irish, Polish, America (white) as long as he is different from them.
I watched the news there, not once did the man claim that he is protested against because he is black.

"Mr Abiona was allocated the home by the Housing Executive, but said he no longer wants to move in.
"It's about discrimination, it's about intimidation and it's about racism," he told the BBC.
"It speaks for itself. The banner...it's just shameful that this is happening in this era, and at this stage."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/nigerian-man-too-afraid-to-move-into-east-belfast-house-after-blatantly-racist-banners-erected-30365923.html

Gyalist

Lastlight. wrote: »

Those areas hate multiculturalism. Republicans don't and so he will end up being moved to more liberal Republican area.

Really?

Rima and Michael Lynch thought they and their children would be safe from racial abuse when they moved to a Catholic working-class area close to central Belfast.

But the mixed-race couple's experience over six years puts a human face on the rise of race-hate crimes in the city, beyond Protestant/loyalist areas with a reputation for xenophobia.

Rima, a Christian-Israeli Arab, has been branded a Roma, Romanian, "Jew whore" and "dirty Arab" by a family who have subjected her family to a slew of racist abuse and intimidation.

The Guardian has learned there have been 13 arrests linked to race-hate attacks in Greater Belfast since the start of last month. But the Lynch family say the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in south Belfast has failed to act against local people who have terrorised them in the nationalist Lower Ormeau area.

LINK

Lastlight.

Nodin wrote: »

...trying to point out the fallacy of confusing skin colour and culture etc. My next project is tunnelling to Australia, which I think has a far better chance of success.

It is multiculturalism which is why it says local people. Not skin colour. Like I said, in Republican areas it is fine. Protestants tends to stick to their own and not in favour of multiculturalism.

Nodin

Tail Docker wrote: »

I can't get the Little Britain -"Are you local?" thing out of my head, reading this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meF7NmfnXZ0

MagicMarker

shrewd wrote: »

Sad story but i agree, I dont see any racism in this.

Well then open your fùcking eyes.

The One Doctor

This isn't an Irish issue, it's a UK issue.

SharpshooterTom

Lastlight. wrote: »

It is multiculturalism which is why it says local people. Not skin colour. Like I said, in Republican areas it is fine. Protestants tends to stick to their own and not in favour of multiculturalism.

Republican politicians perhaps, nationalist residents less so.

Tail Docker

Thanks Nodin - I always mix up my little britains/vaseys/Leagues.

Nodin

Lastlight. wrote: »

It is multiculturalism which is why it says local people. Not skin colour. Like I said, in Republican areas it is fine. Protestants tends to stick to their own and not in favour of multiculturalism.

Please don't tar all Protestants as some shower of racists.

Nodin

Tail Docker wrote: »

Thanks Nodin - I always mix up my little britains/vaseys/Leagues.

I never watched it, funny enough, despite having been egged on to do so over the years. I just know the odd sketch people sent me via the e-mail etc.

shrewd

Nodin wrote: »

"Mr Abiona was allocated the home by the Housing Executive, but said he no longer wants to move in.
"It's about discrimination, it's about intimidation and it's about racism," he told the BBC.
"It speaks for itself. The banner...it's just shameful that this is happening in this era, and at this stage."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/nigerian-man-too-afraid-to-move-into-east-belfast-house-after-blatantly-racist-banners-erected-30365923.html

He is claiming that they are against him because of the colour of his skin.
Claiming!!.
Examine this scenario with me,

Mr black John goes for an interview, after the interview, Mr Black John was informed that they only want local people. Mr Black John goes on to cry that they rejected him because of the colour of his skin. :eek:

Lastlight.

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Republican politicians perhaps, nationalist residents less so.

When do you hear nationalists being against multiculturalism?

Lastlight.

Nodin wrote: »

Please don't tar all Protestants as some shower of racists.

You can't handle reality which goes on in Protestant areas in Ulster.

Lingua Franca

shrewd wrote: »

Yes.
There is one point you are missing here. they are protesting against him because he is different. They want local people.
They will do the same if he is Irish, Polish, America (white) as long as he is different from them.

And tell me, how could they have told from him turning up to inspect the house that he was Irish, Polish, American (white) etc?

I have no doubt that they would still protest any of those people moving in, which would still make it the racism that you claim it isn't, but they could clearly tell that he was obviously not local without a letter from the HE informing them of his national origin.

I watched the news there, not once did the man claim that he is protested against because he is black.

No, he just claimed racism. How specific about his appearance and origin does he has to be to satisfy your personal criteria for racism?

Nodin

shrewd wrote: »

He is claiming that they are against him because of the colour of his skin.
Claiming!!.
Examine this scenario with me,

Mr black John goes for an interview, after the interview, Mr Black John was informed that they only want local people. Mr Black John goes on to cry that they rejected him because of the colour of his skin. :eek:

Yep, lets skip right over your incorrect statement that he never claimed racism.

"context" - great word that.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/seven-attacks-in-10-days-as-racist-gang-targets-polish-community-in-east-belfast-29924518.html

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/two-racist-attacks-every-day-in-northern-irelands-racehate-crime-surge-30202329.html

http://www.u.tv/News/Belfast-homes-damaged-in-racist-attack/3c8e505a-69f9-4f4b-adb0-7aba2531d135

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27655794

...and so on.

shrewd

Herb Powell wrote: »

Well if you believe that, you'll believe anything tbh

No, i wont believe anything. you are the one that would believe that any injustice towards any black person is racism.

FYI, this incident happened to my family when i was young. We were allocated a house in an housing estate due to some unforeseen circumstances at parents' jobs. The discrimination we faced during those times was more than this.
Why? we were middle class people. we dressed different, talk diffferent, walk and live different from them.

Nodin

Lastlight. wrote: »

You can't handle reality which goes on in Protestant areas in Ulster.

I realise a small group of racist scum operate in these areas.

Nodin

shrewd wrote: »

No, i wont believe anything. you are the one that would believe that any injustice towards any black person is racism.

FYI, this incident happened to my family when i was young. We were allocated a house in an housing estate due to some unforeseen circumstances at parents' jobs. The discrimination we faced during those times was more than this.
Why? we were middle class people. we dressed different, talk diffferent, walk and live different from them.

It's my Christian duty to advise you to stop digging now.

SharpshooterTom

Lastlight. wrote: »

When do you hear nationalists being against multiculturalism?

Wow you don't know many catholics/nationalists do you? There LOADS of racist cnr's about, some of the old style Marxist guard of Sinn Fein are into multiculturalism but parochial Belfast is still parochial Belfast no matter what side of the divide you come from. You can't judge all people's opinions on immigration by their religion, catholics all think this way, prods all think that way etc. Doesn't work like that.

Lastlight.

Nodin wrote: »

I realise a small group of racist scum operate in these areas.

Protestant areas tend to be against immigration in those areas. That is the truth. In Nationalist areas it is better because they believe in equality and liberalism and Marxism.

Protestants tend to believe in traditionalism, Conservatism and socially see themselves as superior. It is the purity argument.

shrewd

Nodin wrote: »

It's my Christian duty to advise you to stop digging now.

Ha!, true.
Lingua Franca made a good point there and that is "how do they know that he is not local"

how i didnt think about that is beyond me. i have been so consumed about how i've experience similar situation that i completely forgot to rationalise my argument.

blah, it's funny what emotions can do to your head

time for bed for i believe

shrewd

So yeah, i was wrong. **grabs coat**

Nodin

shrewd wrote: »

So yeah, i was wrong. **grabs coat**

Being able to admit you're wrong is the mark of man, and there's a lot here that won't and don't. Fair play to ye.

Alf. A. Male

shrewd wrote: »

Ha!, true.
Lingua Franca made a good point there and that is "how do they know that he is not local"

how i didnt think about that is beyond me. i have been so consumed about how i've experience similar situation that i completely forgot to rationalise my argument.

blah, it's funny what emotions can do to your head

time for bed for i believe

shrewd wrote: »

So yeah, i was wrong. **grabs coat**

All debate would be better if people reacted to logic and evidence like this.

end of the road

shrewd wrote: »

Yes.
There is one point you are missing here. they are protesting against him because he is different. They want local people.
They will do the same if he is Irish, Polish, America (white) as long as he is different from them.
I watched the news there, not once did the man claim that he is protested against because he is black.

yeah, i'd doubt that is really the case, when one uses "txtspk" text speak on their posters/banners its kind of obvious that its more then simply "local" people, frankly pest control should have been called in to deal with these vermin, that man has a right to move in where ever the council decides to put him and people will put up and shut up or get out

end of the road

shrewd wrote: »

He is claiming that they are against him because of the colour of his skin.
Claiming!!.
Examine this scenario with me,

Mr black John goes for an interview, after the interview, Mr Black John was informed that they only want local people. Mr Black John goes on to cry that they rejected him because of the colour of his skin. :eek:

maybe they did, just because they say they want "local" people doesn't mean they actually do

old hippy

Nodin wrote: »

I realise a small group of racist scum operate in these areas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27774144

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27807422

Lastlight.

old hippy wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27774144

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27807422

Republicans responsible for this it seems.