Banúlacht Anti-Racism Policy

Analytical framework

Introduction

Banúlacht is a feminist organisation committed to political action. We therefore ground our analysis and practice in clear principles which enable us to identify and critique systems which disempower women, and to develop and highlight alternatives. These principles will inform the ongoing development of policy and practice in all areas of our work. As a feminist organisation, Banúlacht has a strong commitment to adopting and promoting anti-racist policies and practices.

We recognise and value the diversity of women's experiences, perspectives and priorities. Gender is experienced and constructed in complex, changing and sometimes contradictory ways. Banúlacht recognises that the political and economic obstacles faced by women in Ireland and globally are entrenched within and mediated through particular social and cultural contexts which promote ideologies of male superiority and dominance.

Our analysis recognises the links between gender oppression and other forms of oppression. It challenges norms and structures which privilege experiences and interests based on being male, white, settled, middle-class, heterosexual, able-bodied, western etc. In particular, it includes challenging global structural inequalities. It is therefore crucial to address specific forms of gender inequalities, and their complex intersection with other forms of gender discrimination, such as racial discrimination.

Racism

Racism is oppression or discrimination which is based on a false belief in 'racial' or ethnic superiority/inferiority. Racial discrimination is not necessarily consciously learned, but it is deeply entrenched and often internalised. It can be expressed in many ways, including in legislation, language and cultural norms and cannot be separated from other forms of exploitation such as economic exploitation.

Racism should be understood in the context of power relations, which affect the often different perspectives and experiences that people have and whether they are, they feel or are made to feel part of a ‘minority’.

'Race' and 'ethnicity' are viewed by Banúlacht as constructions, not as natural categories. The term 'race' is most commonly used to refer to a number of natural and distinct 'races' on the basis of biological differences. Such a view assumes that differences are natural, unchanging and fixed, with some 'races' regarded as being superior and others inferior. The notion of distinct ‘races’ ignores the social, economic, political and cultural construction of difference. Thus, even though racism can and does exist, Banúlacht believes that 'race' as such does not exist. This is why we put the word into inverted commas here. In a similar fashion, ethnicity is also a construction that divides the world into 'us' and 'them' and a sense of 'we' who have shared interests. Banúlacht challenges the view that ethnicity relates to fixed and discrete groups and identities. This type of view can lead to discrimination based on the belief that one group or identity is ‘the norm’ and somehow better than others. At the same time, we recognise that in circumstances of inequality, it is often regarded as necessary for groups to assert their rights on the basis of a politics of shared identity/ethnicity, e.g., Traveller rights.

Banúlacht rejects and seeks to challenge representations of women as victims. These representations stereotype women as passive. They do not acknowledge women's power and agency in different contexts, often despite various structures of injustice and they silence women's diverse perspectives, voices and interests.

The effects of Racism on Women

Banúlacht recognises that racial discrimination does not affect women and men equally, or in the same way. There are circumstances in which women experience racial discrimination of a different kind or to a different degree than men, or in which discrimination primarily affects women, e.g., sex trafficking, the sexualisation of black women in the media and the political manipulation of immigrant women who are pregnant in arguments about citizenship in Ireland. To promote and protect the right of all persons to be free from racial discrimination, it is necessary to ensure the rights of women.

Racism has a global dimension, e.g., with regard to North/South political, economic and cultural inequalities which relate to issues such as asylum and immigration, trade and development relationships, poverty and sex tourism. In challenging global structural inequalities, we use the terms North and South, rather than 'First World/Third World' or 'Developed World/Developing World', which imply superiorityand inferiority. While we recognise that no terms adequately reflect diverse realities, we use 'North' to refer to the economically and politically powerful countries of North America, the region of Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand; and 'South' to refer to the countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

We will actively seek to ensure that all our work incorporates the analysis of our anti-racism policy.

Implementation of the policy in Banúlacht's work

Statement of Intent

Banúlacht is committed to combating racism and to promoting anti-racism in all our processes, policies and practices. As far as possible we will ensure that this policy is reflected in our work. In particular we will try to ensure that:

• we do not use racial stereotypes or language which could cause offence
   
• all our relationships, internal and external, are built on mutual respect and equality
   
• the language we use is culturally inclusive
   
• our decision-making processes are consensual, inclusive, participatory and consultative.

Challenging Stereotypes

We will challenge racist stereotypes. We will ensure that Banúlacht’s structures do not reflect or replicate inequalities based on stereotypes.

Representation/Language

We will promote women as active agents, avoiding the portrayal of negative images and images of women as victims in our campaigning and lobbying work. We will continue to actively promote positive role models working towards equality.

We will highlight racist and patriarchal oppression through our newsletter articles. We will source and publish articles by Southern women and women in Ireland who experience racial discrimination including Black Irish, Southern and Traveller women.

Where appropriate we will define and qualify our use of words to ensure that we are not reflecting simplistic understanding of complex issues, e.g. ‘victim,’ ‘developing world.’

We will always challenge language which is disrespectful and aim to raise awareness of the impact of inappropriate language and ways to challenge it.

When we use contested terms we will explain the concepts underlying our choice of language.

Collaboration with other organisations and groups

We will ensure that our commitment to anti-racism is known by our partner organisations. We will dialogue with the organisations we work with on anti-racism issues and will engage with and challenge organisations that have different analyses and approaches, where appropriate.

We will collaborate with organisations who represent women in Ireland who experience racial discrimination, including Black Irish, Southern and Traveller women, in order to ensure that our training materials take account of different perspectives and experiences, and that they are informed by an anti-racist perspective.

Inclusion

We will actively seek the involvement of women with diverse experiences and perspectives in Banúlacht's work, including Southern women.

We will specifically target participants who experience racial discrimination including Black Irish, Southern and Traveller women in our training courses.

We will work with organisations such as Women’s Traveller organisations and Southern women’s organisations to ensure their participation in our campaign and lobbying work.

Proofing

We will incorporate systems and procedures for monitoring the implementation and development of this policy in our ongoing review and evaluation processes.

We will endeavour to proof all our decisions, training materials and publications, and campaigning activities to assess how they might contribute to challenging racism.

We will ensure that our lobbying with state, NGOs, the EU, UN and other international organisations on gender and development policy is informed by this anti-racism policy.