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Attitudes to race must also change
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Because of the Island’s demographics, discrimination based on skin colour is not the principal problem. Instead, illogical prejudice and antagonism have focused on immigrant workers. In the past, Bretons were a target. In more recent times the Portuguese community, Poles and other eastern Europeans have been resented by small-minded residents who fail to appreciate either the humanity of those in any way different from themselves or the tremendous contribution that non-natives continue to make to the wellbeing of the Island in economic, social and cultural terms.
Against this background, many will be grateful that we now have legislation that outlaws racial discrimination in the workplace, in respect of accommodation and in other areas of life. Those inclined towards prejudicial attitudes and actions will, quite rightly, have to watch their step rather more carefully than in the past. In addition, the law will enable the Island to hold its head high in the company of other communities, including the UK, which have long had anti-racist laws in place.
But our new law is far from entirely uncontentious. To begin with, although it is possible to legislate against racially motivated activity, it is not possible to legislate for good race relations. To pretend otherwise is to subscribe to the sort of naiveté which is content that a problem has been solved as soon as a statute has been ratified. It would also put political correctness above practicality.
There is, meanwhile, the awkward possibility that if the law is interpreted in too heavy-handed a fashion, people will find themselves in trouble for calling Guernsey folk donkeys or telling Irishman, Welshman and Scotsman jokes.
The new anti-discrimination law is likely to give redress to some who find themselves racially abused verbally or practically. It is also likely to chastise a few of those with ingrained racist attitudes. Unfortunately, it will not be a substitute for the diffusion of more enlightened attitudes or the role which education must play in consigning racism to the past.
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