Cork Views: Why anti-racism attitudes must start with us

Ireland is becoming increasingly diverse. People from many different backgrounds now call this country home, contributing to our schools, communities, and workplaces.

With this change comes a responsibility to ensure everyone feels valued, safe and included.

Unfortunately, racism remains a reality for many. It can take many forms, from overt discrimination to subtle micro-aggressions, and it can have a deep and lasting impact.

Many people want to challenge racism but don’t always know where to begin. What should we say when we witness it? How can we support those affected? How do we make sure our communities reflect the values of respect, fairness, and equality?

To support that journey, a new Integration, Inclusion and Anti-Racism resource and campaign has been developed via collaboration across Cork and Kerry. Kerry Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC), together with Cork CYPSC, the Kerry Local Authority Integration Team, Kerry Community Integration Forum, Cork Migrant Centre, youth and practitioner focus groups in both counties, and the Cork County and City Local Authority Integration Teams, have worked together on this publication and its accompanying social media campaign.

The resource and campaign are designed to offer practical, accessible guidance for individuals, organisations and communities. They introduce key concepts such as micro-aggressions, unconscious bias, and white defensiveness, all explained in simple terms. They also outline strategies for recognising and responding to racism in various settings, from public spaces to schools and workplaces.

A central feature of the resource is a traffic-light system, which helps individuals quickly assess if it is safe to intervene. A green light indicates a low-risk situation where it is safe to step in. A yellow light signals caution and encourages further assessment. A red light means it is unsafe to intervene directly, and the advice is to seek help or remove yourself from a situation. This simple but powerful tool empowers people to act thoughtfully and safely.

This work is important as no one chooses to be an asylum seeker or refugee. People come to Ireland fleeing war and persecution, seeking to create a new life for themselves and their families in a country that is safe and famous for its warm welcome: our ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’. They bring with them great hope, strength, resilience, and the courage to begin again. But the reality is many immigrants often experience racism.

Most of us believe racism is wrong, but many feel unsure how to challenge it. This resource is one way to change that. It encourages us to think about our shared responsibility to create communities that are welcoming, inclusive and fair. It offers scenarios and guidance grounded in real-life situations, helping people move from good intentions to meaningful action.

The publication also promotes core values that underpin inclusive communities: solidarity, empathy and inclusion. It encourages us not only to stand with those who experience racism, but to actively create environments where everyone feels they belong.

I am particularly inspired by the young people I work with. Gen Z is naturally inclusive and has a strong sense of fairness. They are open-minded and unafraid to speak up for what is right, but also look to the adults in their lives for guidance. As parents, teachers, youth workers and community leaders, we have a vital role in modelling anti-racism in both our language and our behaviour.

Children and young people learn by example. What we say and do matters. How we treat others, regardless of their skin colour, religion, sexuality or background, helps shape the values of the next generation.

If we want to raise young people who stand up against racism, we need to show them what that looks like in practice.

The Integration, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Resource includes actionable scripts, messaging tips, and questions to use in difficult conversations. It offers bystander strategies that allow people to intervene safely and effectively, without escalating tension. Importantly, it reminds us that supporting the person affected by racism is often the most powerful first step.

It also provides guidance for handling racism in specific settings, for example, in the workplace, in public spaces, at community events or online. It outlines what to say if someone makes a harmful comment at a team meeting, how to safely support someone being harassed in a public park, and how to follow up meaningfully after an incident. These examples help readers visualise what anti-racism can look like in everyday life.

This resource is not about perfection. It is about being intentional, accountable and committed to doing better. It is about starting conversations, building empathy and creating safe spaces where everyone feels seen and respected. It helps break down fear and inaction, replacing them with understanding and courage.

If we want to build a stronger, more inclusive Ireland, we must all play our part. By embracing diversity, calling out prejudice and supporting one another, we send a clear message: racism is not acceptable, and staying silent is not an option. With the right tools and support, we can make meaningful change: one person, one conversation and one community at a time.

Access the full resource here: https://www.kerrytogether.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Integration-Inclusion-Anti-Racism-Resource_Single-Pages.pdf