KEYNOTE SPEECH

LINDA KIRWASA Social Worker

The decision to leave

The Ukrainian war that started on the 24th March 2022 sent shock waves to most of the corners of the world and this still prevails as the war continues unabated. The trauma experienced by the Ukrainians triggered those feelings that most immigrants in Ireland have been trying to suppress. Feelings of fear, grief, survival syndrome uncertainty, loss, pain, hurt, are some of the emotions and feelings we carried as we journeyed to Ireland and still carry with us as we try to navigate the Irish system and integrate within the Irish community.

Just to recap, the immigration statuses have four categories that range from citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.

For the purpose of this presentation. I shall focus on people seeking asylum. People seeking asylum and the economic immigrants more or less face the same experiences by virtue of their being foreign in this country and for this reason, may share some of the sentiments.

Before I go into the speech, may I remind the audience that Ireland is a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the status of refugees: which obliges Ireland to provide protection to people fleeing their country for reasons such as founded fear of persecution because of reasons including their race, religion, nationality membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The protection started in1996 and amended in 2015.

The journey

The journey, for most, was a result of the political instability that subsequently resulted in a fully-fledged war like the one between Russia and Ukraine. The awakening was the shelling, gunshots, killings, dead bodies on the streets, and displacement and persecution. After this, people fleeing across borders to different countries became the norm leaving behind loved ones, children, fathers, mothers, husbands, siblings, nephews, aunties, uncles-in-laws, farms, businesses, and above all their identity. We shed some of our cultures, names, and the language.

In a war situation we must remember that it is all chaos, fear and flee mode, and truly little thought influences what one brings with them. Just the bare minimum if one gets a chance to pick these up, one may just manage to get grab two out of her five children, or a relation. It is a common occurrence for people to flee with the only clothing that they have on at the time. Many migrants die in transit due to exposure, lack of organized transport, illegal transportation, lack of food or dehydration, capsized boats and dingy and of course the long journeys by foot that some fail to endure, the journeys are tough, but all who set out all aim to reach a place of safety.

We carry with us feelings of grief, the survival syndrome of having to leave our loved ones behind. The thought of having food and a roof on our heads on arrival. And the thought that the ones left at home are sheltering in bushes or in remote areas without any supplies not to mention torture – is a torture itself. These form part of the issues that we carry with us that are not easy to forget. Many of the experiences are unforgivable.

Scholars such as Ejorh (2007) found that language is a key determinant in choosing an emigration destination, moreover, many Africans choosing Ireland had first chosen the UK. The attraction of Ireland to Africans was sixfold... First language. We have English as a common language. Then respect and affection for Ireland built from contact with Irish people in Africa where thousands of street names recall unknown Irish people who made an enormous impact on their locality in Africa. Third, economic and political security in Ireland. Fourth, opportunities to attain their full potential. Fifth, many arrive in Ireland to study and sixth African affluence. This fifth cohort of African arrivals tend to be from wealthy and middle-class African families who return home at the end of their study, but it is evident that all migrants must be able to afford the cost of travel.

Safe at last. The honeymoon period does not last long

The feelings of security, safety and contentment soon wear off as one realizes that it is the beginning of a lifestyle quite different from the one in Africa. One must adapt to the unfamiliar environment and acclimatize to the Irish winter rather than the hot African sun and the food, culture, the language, and navigating the system. Adapting is not an easy task but has to happen.

We are aware that when Africans arrive in Ireland with the intention of staying, there are a range of changes with which they must contend. There is the normal range of differences between Africans and Irish and a more European outlook. Africans find it difficult to negotiate differences between Irish people, societal schisms, political differences, cultural differences, sociological differences such as strong county loyalties and different family structures and relationships and wonderfully strong community cohesion. Differences are important because our new Irish people only find out that becoming Irish or “integrating” is only a halfway point. After that is belonging (to a county, parish, family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, community) and negotiating those relationships until you find where you feel you are where you belong. Stereotyping and racism exist in Ireland.

Regarding language, some of you who are new to Ireland will agree with me that even for a person fluent in English may find the Irish accent a bit difficult to comprehend, not to mention the Donegal accent. That is a cultural shock. (English classes in some agencies to bridge the communication gap)

There exists within the psyche of every human, imprints of African human culture, sociology, family, and behaviour. More than two thousand of the world’s five thousand plus languages are African. Ngũgĩ Wathiong’o visited here (Mary Immaculate College in 2017), and he reminded us that the decision to leave Africa, the journey, and the integration abroad all involve the loss of our native tongue. We become users of English only and our African languages, over two thousand of them, disappear into our past and our childhood.

The name

Our name, our surname, is especially important to an individual’s identity. This African name erodes over time as we become aware that some of our names are difficult to pronounce. “What is your Irish name?” we are too frequently asked. The name we refer to as our Christian or first name can be a regular question. We tend, over time, to change our names to the second name, shortened or in abbreviated. We slowly start to inadvertently lose the self that we came with, the self-esteem slowly deflates, and, with time, depression may set in as we realize we are in limbo.

The culture

The rites of passage include baptisms, teenage years, childbirth, burials and the rituals norms and values. The drum, the African drum. That sometimes carries with it different messages, the folk songs and stories that impart knowledge and good behaviour to our young ones are, sadly, lost by either the parents or the children, as we begin the journey of integration. No wonder our youth become increasingly lost, and some do not have the sense of belonging. Our identities are more defined by the trade names of material things, and it sometimes becomes an issue when parents strive to keep up with the consistently changing trends that their children ask for.

Finding our place

Navigating the system becomes exceedingly difficult. Most European countries operate within structures, time, and the day today running of work and home appears to be overly regimented. It can be daunting to navigate one’s way through the structures especially when one’s knowledge of the local community, and service providers, language and related nuances is extremely limited, or unknown. The service providers may also find it difficult to support families or individuals who do not understand the language. (If employment within the social welfare system and other key service areas consider employing people with a command of some African/ foreign language)

The Irish constitutional change in 2003 and 2004 has had the effect of creating two categories of African children in Ireland. To quote Ejorh (2007) “those classified as citizens and others represented as non-citizens (therefore, as persona non grata).

With the parents whose children do not qualify for government funding, most migrants may save money to ensure that their children or even themselves take up courses that relate to the field of their choice. Due to the competition issues within the job market most decide to further their education to master’s level or beyond. It is saddening though, to find very few immigrants in the professions of their choice. We see increased migrants not only from asylum background re-skilling at level 5 to work as care givers. (Not a bad profession) however, it is becoming apparent that with time more people of African descent will be working in the care field. This has been happening and with the current economy and scarcity of jobs it is likely to be worse. These broken dreams, and loneliness, only leads to depression and suicides. If we devalue the care field, we are discriminating against our special needs children, grandparents, elderly, and people needing support. This is a vital service, and we should tread cautiously so not to devalue, or stigmatize the caregivers and marginalize them.

The Council of Europe report analysed the gender pay gap at 16.1%. We should be wary of creating another stratum of discrepancies within the pay gap regarding people of African descent and ethnic minority. Human, rights are interrelated and interdependent, they rely on each other to achieve full enjoyment and protection e.g. The right to education will influence the right to work and rights to express an opinion, (the international and European frameworks for human rights and equality). This is an opportunity to challenge Mary Immaculate

College to see to it that this college not only educates but takes an interest in their former students especially those of ethnic minority, to establish whether they are in employment and well settled in their jobs. This not only increases the profile of the institution but also works as an instrument for change - when former students get help through their integration journey within the Irish community.

Named universities of sanctuary have forged mechanisms to offer people in direct provision opportunities to further their education. It would not be Africa Day Ireland if we do not pass on our gratitude to the Irish government that permits us stay to live in their country. We also pay tribute to Mary immaculate college that did not hesitate to give us the platform and the necessary support us to celebrate Africa day. We cannot forget to thank the service providers especially the voluntary agencies who with limited funds, continue to serve the interest of asylum seekers and the vulnerable groups at large. And last but not least we convey our grateful thanks to Irish people who have made us welcome. For some and more so for those we refer to as sincere and good friends. They visit us, congregate with us introduce us to their families without feeling ashamed of our colour. You have made the difference for us.

Integrating is twofold, integrating is a two-way process, and we must understand that it is extremely easy to point a finger at someone else and ask what Ireland, and the Irish are doing or not doing. We too have a responsibility to integrate. We must take interest in the activities of the host families. What are you doing in your community that makes you visible and participative? I will give one example. I know there are a lot of people who may not subscribe to Halloween. Have you ever tried to prepare sweets for the young ones who call to your door? That is something simple but powerful. It is an indication that one cares. One does not have to light a candle in your window but the sweets that follow can spark off a sympathetic eye and build bridges. Halloween started in Ireland around the year 600 in County Roscommon.

Africa Day celebration

We celebrate ourselves our people our cultures our cultural leaders, we celebrate our kings and people who make a difference in our lives. Remember the African cup? When France won, Africa claimed the cup, there was some verbal altercations from some French and African people claiming the French players of African descent to be African. It was amusing because it was easier to just call them French Africans or vice versa.

Congo: One of the chips used in mobile phones starts life as material mined in the Congo. Who does not celebrate the late Nelson Mandela, his heroism, and words of wisdom?

Former Secretary General of the United Nations hailed from Ethiopia – Kofi Annan from Ghana. The Olympics: in world athletics it would not be long distance running, racing or relay without Kenyans, Ethiopians, and Nigerians.

President Obama is Kenyan/American.

During the COVID days, Africa contributed to the findings of concoctions that ameliorated the symptoms. Our ginger, the mango leaves, and lemon, played a big part. A Dr Nambatya who hails from Uganda was well published due to her contribution in this area. I am sure there are other names that are known for their contributions. For those who can fly to Africa, it is evident that the number of people of African descent on airplanes has increased profoundly.

Changing Ireland

There are visible changes. Quoting a Chinese saying: a long journey starts with nothing but a step. Adverts that were circulating during the month of June 2021 recruiting Gardai were encouraging people of African descent to apply. We should not forget the diversity and understanding between each other. Intermarriages are becoming quite common, and children of mixed race are evident. It is such a pity that some people of mixed race unrecognized in Ireland as Irish/African, or vice versa. That is quite strange. It reminds me of one of Paul Simon’s songs during his tour in South Africa a few years ago titled, “why deny the obvious child?”

I am yet to see Irish fathers and Irish mothers (parents)taking to the street to highlight the dissatisfaction of their Irish brothers, sisters, and relations to such discrimination of children. We owe this to our children. We have people of African/ descent who were in the asylum system working as lecturers in different colleges in Ireland. In the entertainment industry, names like McKay, Denise Chaila, David Idioh, etc. are becoming household names. On the National TV show Nationwide, one of the presenters is from the ethnic minority. Have you watched the Laya advert? Watch it and see for yourself. African faces are appearing more on TV.

Conclusion

Ukrainians have not only received good media coverage but have also particularly had good reception. They have their PPS number on arrival, a wraparound provision of service available, most are housed by host families, and hotels, and very few are in anything like direct provision settings. Some are in employment within their first three months of stay and, finally, arrangements are made for their families – if they have family in Ukraine - to join them. This gives us hope that plans are in place to have the direct provision centres abolished and scrapped by 2024 and a better system devised to support immigrants integrate positively within the community.

This will help make us integrate much faster. There is a lot we lose and leave behind. And although the process of integration requires loss of a certain amount of self-integration the entire process is a lot easier when there are systems in place to support the integration process.