IT seems a great irony that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, on one day is announcing an annual commemorative day for Stephen Lawrence and a few days later facing calls for her resignation over the crass treatment of the Windrush generation.
Those communities who came in the forties and fifties to rebuild Britain and faced hostility and racism constructed their lives in Britain with courage. This has been poorly recognised and valued by successive governments but particularly those who more recently pursued anti-immigrant policies with great vigour.
Opportunistic policies replaced principles of respect and decency.
There have been incidents in the last couple of decades that have shown Westminster in a dishonourable light – the Iraq war, MPs’ expenses, Murdoch media and their malign influence – but there can be nothing compared to the appalling treatment of those families and communities who have helped to sustain Britain’s public services and those who went to war on our behalf.
There has been some debate about Home Office targets for deportations. In Scotland there have been well-publicised cases of families who came to Scotland to settle, like the Brain family, and then suddenly found themselves facing calls for deportation.
At that time, I found myself thinking “What is going on here? This feels like a targeted initiative.”
As someone who has spent some time in race relations work including race equality training, I think we need to draw a deep breath and consider how we would like to be viewed in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Thankfully the Scottish Government has taken a different view, one that does not feed into the anti-European, anti-migrant discourse. But we have no reason to be complacent!
Building communities that embrace good race relations and tolerant attitudes requires constant attention and investment.
Time for a reappraisal!
Maggie Chetty
Glasgow
WITH regards to the letter from Lesley Findlay (April 26), well, where to start?! She has either misinterpreted the headline “What the Hell?” or has not taken the time to read the full story. Of course as we all know, the comment was directed at the over-zealous actions of the royalists in their crazy actions (not the birth of another child) like the “kissing dolls” picture portrayed or the painting of the Nativity. Not to mention of course the flag waving and cheap (over-priced) souvenirs that will now be flooding the market.
It is obvious that Lesley Findlay is both a nationalist and a royalist, and that is her choice. However many of us, both within the SNP and others, who long for Scottish independence, are also republicans who want rid of the leeches that make up the House of Windsor.
I get fed up listening to the tales of how much good “they” do for charity, and this from a mob that live off taxpayers’ charity, and ownership of some of the most fertile land in England and estates in Scotland. Well I’m sorry mate, but if I was worth unlimited millions and didn’t actually do much in the way of real work, I’d be quite happy to do the charity thing as well.
Lets take as an example William. Well Wullie gets himself a helicopter licence through military training, so that’s at taxpayers’ expense. He then flies air ambulance helicopters for a while (good guy eh?), then decides to give it up, to carry out “royal duties”!!! Do you have any idea how many guys and girls in the UK would give their eye teeth to fly helicopters for a living but can’t afford the training cost?
However, let’s not all fall out about that lot in Buck House and other grand estates, let’s all stick together and get our independence. After that we can have a campaign and free vote on a royalist or republican state.
Ian Heggie
Glenrothes
THE last time I wrote to a newspaper I was in my early teens and still at school. Now, many, many years later, I have put pen to paper (so to speak). I have a bone to pick with you National – I think your coverage of the birth of the new royal baby has been dire.
Days after the birth and the hostility goes on. Kevin McKenna has a go, The Jouker (whoever?) has a go, The Wee Ginger Dug has a go, website comments take a turn, then a vile contribution in the letter pages completes the onslaught.
I am a member of SNP (who support keeping the royalty). If that were to change I would no longer be an SNP member.
National – you are alienating a large section of SNP support and of your readers. Scotland needs to come together, but unfortunately it is “business as usual” for some, who just want to spit out venom and hate. Don’t let yourselves or Scotland down. Discard the venom!
Makes looking forward to an independent Scotland a little less promising. Just call me the “Royal we” ginger cat.
Annie Keith
Lothians
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