WHO'S THE VICTIM?

27-10-2006

Race equality expert Derrick Campbell on the minority communities who fear losing the one thing that made them feel special - their status as second-class citizens.

The fight for the centre ground in politics is quite interesting and intense, Blair versus Cameron and so on, but has anyone noticed the ongoing struggle for the place of ‘victim' that has been raging for about the last 5 years? No! Well, as someoneworkingto improve race relations on a daily basis in the West Midlands,I have.

Many of you might not have not have recognised the strained groans that have been coming from within the Black and Minority Ethnic Community, but believe me, they are audible - and growing louder.

It came home to me the other day when I was attending a group discussion between some Asian volunteers where the issue ofthe new communitiescoming to Britain was raised.They were worried, and it boiled down to this; for the last 30 years many BME's have enjoyeda special position that has given themaccess to priority treatment. But some of them now feel under threat of losing their privileged roleas ‘the victim'.

Why? Because as the victim you can get access to certain resources, you will be invited to special meetings and you will be looked on more favourably than the white community by some official bodies and funders.

Those who have made a career out of occupying the ‘victim's chair', now feel that their special treatment will shift to the new communities, and are openly alarmed. Myviewis that those who need the support should be offered it, and those who don't should not get it, simple as that.

For many years the Irish community have suffered many forms of discrimination and have been silent victims simply because they are white and invisible, which isgrossly unfair.

It is time for those established BME communities to show the fruit ofthe support that they have had over the many years and stop trying to pretend that nothing has changed. They must beprepared to give up some of the privileges theyhave bceome used to enjoying, and recognise the struggle facedby new arrivals whowill face many challenges.

Lets thinks of others who are less fortunate than ourselves.