Understanding Racial Tensions in Northern Ireland: Threat, Paranoia and the Fear of Loss

This paper will explore the development of increased group tensions in Northern Ireland <br/>over the past decade with a special emphasis being placed upon rising racial tensions in cities such <br/>as Belfast and Lisburn. The paper will analyse why Northern Ireland has been described as the new <br/>race-hate capital of Europe and, through a case-study of Loyalism, will argue that if this growth in <br/>racist sentiment is to be prevented, more needs to be done to understand the causes of such feeling, <br/>particularly within loyalist working-class areas. I will argue that society as a whole needs to address <br/>the fears and anxieties of those that perceive themselves to be under threat from the recent increase <br/>in immigration or else we risk creating a new cause célèbre for those that would seek to extend the <br/>lifetime of our paramilitary organisations. Moreover, at a time when loyalist communities feel politically <br/>alienated and lacking representation, there is a real danger of British far-right groups exploiting the <br/>situation and making long-term political capital.