"Discrimination isn't a reality we should accept"

Friday 19 June 2020

A group of young people, known as 'Guerns Against Discrimination', are urging people to talk about racism and ask the difficult questions, ahead of this weekend's protest.

Hundreds of island residents are expected to gather together at North Beach tomorrow in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been brought to public attention following the death of George Floyd in the US.

The demonstration has been backed by Guerns Against Discrimination - a pressure group launched this week to push for the introduction of local discrimination laws. 

"The Guernsey community should want to protect everyone and not feel threatened," said Eva James from the group.

"We’ve had people say to us; 'you’re snowflakes', 'you’re jumping on the latest bandwagon'. Even if we are, all we want is for Guernsey citizens to feel protected and we want people who move to Guernsey to feel safe and welcome here. That’s the goal."

The group is demanding that the States adopt new legislation drafted by the Committee for Employment & Social Security, which is due to be debated next month. If approved, the law would make discrimination on the grounds of race, disability or carer status illegal from 2022.

Guerns Against Discrimination is hoping this weekend's protest will be the first step of many in pressuring deputies to adopt the changes.

"‘No justice no peace’ is really big at the moment, but without equality for everyone there can’t be any real justice," added fellow group member, Josh Macksoni. "Justice can’t exist in a place where not everyone is equal and until we have that level footing we can’t change attitudes.

"I cannot stand for black rights or against racial discrimination and not stand against other discrimination.

Pictured: A peaceful solidarity protest has been planned for this weekend.

"Discrimination isn’t a reality that we should accept."

The group is focusing on five main aims; making sure the debate goes ahead next month, getting the proposals approved, securing funding for an equality body, changing attitudes on racial discrimination and getting a statement of intent from all deputies. As part of their plans, members are also hoping to see black history added to the local curriculum.

"We are a predominantly white community, but in light of George Floyd and everyone waking up to the white privilege that every white person has benefited from, it's really important that we start changing attitudes immediately," said Miss James.

Another group member, Pieter Durman added: "You shouldn't need examples of racism before putting in place laws against racist discrimination. But there are examples; the CAB received 22 complaints in 2018 about racial discrimination. And that's likely to be the tip of the iceberg because there's no legislation.

"That's why we need to fund an equality body, so we can collate that information and show the extent of the problem."

The campaigners are encouraging those who don't agree with their message to get in touch or head along to the protest tomorrow to discuss their views.

"We’re going to be there to talk to people and be informative," explained Mr Macksoni. "I want to see people who aren’t in support come down to ask questions. We’re not just here to listen to people who are on our side - I’ll give time to people no matter what they have to say.

"Or, if you don’t know where you stand, come and speak to us and ask us.

"I don’t mind people coming and talking to me, but if they feel a certain way I’d like to ask them why and have a conversation with them. Ignorance doesn’t get fixed by being told a certain thing."

Rather than shaming people for sharing racist or discriminatory views, Guerns Against Discrimination are seeking to "educate" island residents and ask for their support.

"'Cancel culture' is not the most useful thing right now," said Mr Durman. "If you can make up for your bad actions with good actions, if you can move past it and be an active anti-racist, that's what we want to focus on.

"I can certainly say there have been some prejudices and unconscious biases I have in myself that I am actively working to mitigate. That's the process we want to focus on; not the fact that things happened in the past, it's about improving yourself and society generally.

Pictured: The States are due to debate discrimination legislation next month. 

"If people can learn from their mistakes, that's what matters. If they continue to make those mistakes, then it's something to criticise."

Guerns Against Discrimination would like to see many of those who turn out at this weekend's demonstration to continue "making noise" as we head towards next month's debate.

"The focus at the moment is on black lives and it does need to be, but it’s got momentum. And with that momentum, we can move forward one step and then think 'how can we bring everything else up to this standard?'," said Mr Macksoni. "It’s going to take a long time for it to get there but it’s just about changing attitudes.