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Uruemu Adejinmi recently missed a chance to become the Fianna Fáil candidate in a forthcoming Seanad by-election. Had she succeeded, she would have been the first person of African descent elected to the Oireachtas. A councillor in Longford, Uruemu says she aims to tackle the ‘pandemic of racism’ here:
IN THE WORDS of Tipp O’Neill, all politics is local. It has always been of interest to me and my involvement in the community for many years made for an easy transition into politics.
In 2016, in response to an invitation by a member who is now a member of Dáil Éireann, I joined the Fianna Fáil Party.
I became actively involved in the party at local level, attending CDC and Cumann meetings, fundraisers and conventions. I was elected as secretary of the Fianna Fáil Women’s Network at our National Convention in Kildare in 2019.
Representation
I have been a Councillor on Longford County Council for a year now and I have had the opportunity to work alongside some very committed people and gained a true understanding of how local politics works in Ireland. I was then nominated and confirmed to run in the 2019 local elections as a Fianna Fáil candidate.
I found door-to-door canvassing a daunting prospect at first. I soon overcame the discomfort upon the realisation that voters expected candidates and their teams to knock on doors and speak to them.
Canvassing also helped to increase my profile within the community. Campaigning for me was a positive exercise and in my conversations with residents in Longford, I noted their key issues and concerns. Now, I refer to my notes from the campaign trail and highlight issues that need to be addressed.
I have witnessed a significant difference in politics in Longford. It feels more inclusive, more diverse, and more acceptable for all.
I am not saying that is all down to me, but it must help to have someone from a minority group in politics, to speak for those who feel underrepresented.
I have been a strong advocate on local issues such as housing and education, and on broader societal issues such as climate change and diversity and inclusion. I work continually with community leaders to break down barriers to integration and celebrate our cultural diversity.
Ireland and racism
If all humans are born equal, it is hard to explain the existence of racism. Racism was invented and every human invention is intended to fulfil a need that has been identified. So, who benefits from racism?
Our attitudes are shaped at a young age. What we hear from our family members and our friends can remain with us and we unconsciously adopt these views which can sometimes be racist.
A racist person feels another is inferior due to their race. This manifests in their actions and attitudes. We might consider the number of black people that are stopped and searched, for instance, because it is perceived that black people are inherently more likely to commit crime even though the vast majority of blacks searched are innocent.
Racist abuse as well as the handling by An Garda Síochána of reports of racism is a cause of much frustration among minority groups and there is a low level of confidence in reporting incidents of racism.
The message sent down by the courts in relation to racist abuse must be strong and unequivocal, but there is a sense that this crime is not taken seriously enough by the criminal justice system. Legislation and sentencing policy is needed to prevent people with extreme views from discriminating against others directly.
Another difficult subject for minority groups to grapple with is the Direct Provision system. It negatively impacts minority groups and there have been calls for DP to be abolished.
The Program for Government has committed to this and many in minority communities have been eagerly awaiting the promised reform. We will be watching for those changes in the coming weeks and months.
The Direct Provision system in its current format is not fit for purpose and negatively impacts on minority groups also.
I am delighted to see included in the White Paper recently published, that Government plans to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new International Protection Accommodation Policy that will have the protection and promotion of human rights at its core.
It is important that we immediately begin to implement the policy and provide supports that will help applicants live independently and foster integration between applicants and their host communities.
We are living in uncertain times and life as we know it is changing. It is important now more than ever for everyone to be part of the change process for a more inclusive society.
My political activism allows me to create the world I want to see: a world where my children can grow and excel in any field of endeavour, alongside their peers regardless of ethnic background.
Uruemu Adejinmi is a Fianna Fáil Councillor in County Longford and Leas Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District. Born in Nigeria, she arrived in Ireland in 2003.
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Diversity doesn’t necessarily mean that the end result for the benefit of the people will be any better.
@Ronan J Walsh: Have you any reasoning behind that? Doesn’t it stand to reason that if people from all walks of life are better represented, government policy will better reflect the people.
@John: have you any reasoning to suggest that it would ?
@Ronan J Walsh: It makes a huge impact to minorities which are recognised instead of marginalised.
This has also positive affects on the majority as the impact on becoming a member of a minority as everyone could become disabled, old, finding a partner of colour… wouldn’t be as bad
@Ronan J Walsh: this is an area that has been extensively researched, and the outcome of that research is conclusive – increased diversity in the political sphere leads to less marginalisation, increased political awareness and involvement, increased social awareness and mobility, socio-economic and national economic benefits, increases in education and societal participation, and a more stable, inclusive and open society. It’s no coincidence that countries ranking high in terms of income, development, fairness, equality, education and stability also rank high in terms of diversity in the political sphere, while those which rank low tend to lack such diversity. With diverse voices come diverse opinions and novel ideas and methods. No exception to this rule has yet been identified.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: let’s just say that if within 20 years the Irish government became more diverse , I wouldn’t necessarily trust that the best intentions of the irish people would be at heart.
It’s sounds nice , and yes, gives hope to minorities , but behind it all there’s always other factors that will drive tyranny, plus diversity will always be strived for to another bracket of society. There’s probably thousand’s of ways you can divide people into groups, which in turn could cause other types of Tribalism.
Don’t get me wrong , I’m very optimistic about the good that individuals can do, and what experiences they can bring , but sometimes that good intention is lost when their part of a bigger group, especially in politics.
If this is such a racist country why is there so many trying to get in here… where is the racism… if anything.. its the people coming here to take advantage of our generosity…. and then call racism to further their own goals against naive Irish.
@Padraig O’Shea: It’s really unfair that people try take advantage of the naive. Please donate to my GoFundMe so that we can combat this scourge.
@Padraig O’Shea: Hardly. Doesn’t seem long ago since our irish ancestors emigrated to the states. Would you say they “took advantage of US generosity?” or were they simply looking for a better life, like everyone else.
“Further their own goals” sounds like a very paranoid thing to say, by the way. You’d swear they were conspiring against you or something xD
@Padraig O’Shea: You don’t experience racism therefore it doesn’t exist, with an added why do they come here if we are all so racist as if they should be happy they are here and should stop complaining about racism they may receive. It’s as if you are trying to simplify a complex issue with some broad statements from a small mind – you are a stereotypical walking Dunning Krüger affect.
@Padraig O’Shea: Unbelievable really that they get away with it but this scheme is being driven relentlessly from the top with huge resources supporting it. A silent invasion disenfranchising the indigenous being camouflaged or ignored by those who are benefitting from it.
Can the author give figures regarding the amount of appeals each person in DP has made and why they end up there for many years.
I believe the initial decision only takes a few weeks but the claimants drag the process out with appeal after appeal.
@Dave Byrne: if you have a problem with the process then you should be talking to your political representative, not complaining about people who are simply trying to make their own lives better. How many Irish people went illegally to the US for the exact same reason. Asylum seekers are at least following the law when they apply or appeal.
Pity it’s not inclusive for Irish working classes
Taking issue with Nigerians, Albanians, Georgians and other people from safe counties coming under the guise of being “asylum seekers” to take full advantage of our extremely lax asylum laws is racist according to the Nigerian woman who came here claiming “asylum”.
@Barry Cahill: Read your comment again but slowly.
@Vanessa: Yep, misspelt “countries” typing the comment on my phone, because I can’t sign in on the desktop site for whatever reason. I guess that error discredits my entire argument.
Does she have any statistics to back up the accusations that Gardai are disproportionately stopping and searching non-Irish. I’d be interested to read the report if there was one.
She wants change but joins Fianna Fáil, the irony is astounding
@Brian D’Arcy: My guess would be that her political research may have been … incomplete.
Diversity means divide….next I want more ginger haired people, left handed people, green eyed people, people born on a Tuesday, people with a Z in their name and people who watch fair city in govt! #gimmegimmegimme
”Uruemu Adejinmi, who is of African descent”. She was born in Nigeria to Nigerian parents. She is an African, whose parents probably used the asylum system to come to Ireland.
If the Irish people are racist as suggested, how come a person in a minority group became a County Councillor.
Any race is welcome to change the world, but being in a political party like Fianna Fail, famed for being the status quo, won’t.
Uruemu, I suggest visiting South Africa… made up of people of your own race… you will encounter way more bigotry in a single day than a whole year in Ireland.
She already made a huge mistake in joining Fianna Fail.
….more disconnected, more self serving, more incestuous…… a more accurate headline
Late to the party. Does not matter race religion or culture, ireland has been sold bought and paid for. Do as you are told when you are told or just fade to dust.
The gardai are racist?? Ah here! Where is her evidence that black people are stopped and searched more than white people? I cannot stand this idea that people are starting to push on the public. If she is going to say such sweeping degrading statements she should be backing it up with a proven study or evidence. Shame on her.
Irish people aren’t racist. We generally hate everyone equally. But please, if you want to start ending racism, will you please stop going on about it???
@Gerry McHugh: FFers were never in the habit of telling the truth, nothing new here.
People please, if the author feels this then maybe we are heading in a good direction and we don’t see it.
. Maybe it’s us that needs to work on where the rest of us are heading??
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