{"id":9810,"date":"2016-09-13T15:35:26","date_gmt":"2016-09-13T14:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=9810"},"modified":"2016-09-13T17:34:47","modified_gmt":"2016-09-13T16:34:47","slug":"lets-lead-the-fight-against-hate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=9810","title":{"rendered":"Let’s lead the fight against hate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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After the toxic language used during the EU referendum campaign, resulting racist attacks on Black communities, refugees and those perceived to be of migrant backgrounds rose dramatically across the UK.<\/p>\n

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This alarming trend was highlighted at the TUC conference today (September 13) after Congress supported a motion to redouble its efforts in fighting the politics of hate.<\/p>\n

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Unite delegate who supported the motion, Abdul Rashid, knows all too well what this hate entails \u00e2\u20ac\u201c he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been the victim of such attacks himself.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI work as a bus driver and soon after the [EU referendum] result I was told by someone getting on my bus to enjoy my job while it lasted \u00e2\u20ac\u201c soon I would be \u00e2\u20ac\u0098going home\u00e2\u20ac\u2122,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Rashid told Congress.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bMy home is Middlesbrough — always has been; always will be,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he asserted. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bBut the meaning of what that passenger meant was clear.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Rashid argued that although racism has always existed, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bthe speed with which it has risen since the EU referendum is alarming.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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And the story he told of being told he was \u00e2\u20ac\u0098going home\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is not the only incident he and his family and friends have endured.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bFrom having people refuse to get on the bus, to my friend\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s four-year-old son being told by his friends that he can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t play with them anymore as he is a Muslim — I have many more stories.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Rashid noted that because racism is a \u00e2\u20ac\u015bdaily issue\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 experienced by people in workplaces and communities across the UK, fighting racism must be a \u00e2\u20ac\u015bcore industrial trade union issue.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bMigrant workers and black workers are active trade unionists \u00e2\u20ac\u201c standing up for all workers,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bNow is the time for us to stand together in solidarity not hatred.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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But fighting racist attacks will be doubly difficult, if, as Rashid pointed out, a further 25 per cent funding cut to the Equality and Human Rights Commission is successfully carried out by the government.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis will reduce the total number of legal caseworkers who support victims of discrimination to just three,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe must oppose these cuts.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI know that everyone in this room is united in that goal and committed to standing up against racism so please support this motion in this hall and when you leave \u00e2\u20ac\u201c make sure that your workplace has a union equality rep,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Rashid added.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIf we as trade unionists are not leading the fight against racism in all its forms, we will never achieve equality and social justice.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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See Abdul Rashid’s speech here<\/p>\n