The Council of the British Association for Irish Studies stands in solidarity with all those protesting for justice and equality across the United States. As scholars of Ireland we are conscious of how discourses of Ireland and Irishness have been used to play down historic injustices towards Black people, or even push back against their demands. As such we feel we have a particular duty to stand in solidarity with Black communities and take a stand against such misreadings of history and culture

We acknowledge that the scourge of racism is not unique to the US, and is also acutely felt in Britain and Ireland. As an association, we recognise that we must urgently do more to support the work of Black scholars and writers for meaningful anti-racist action now and in the future. We also recognise the struggles of the Mincéir community in Ireland and the treatment of asylum seekers in Direct Provision. 

We have not done enough and will strive to do better – we promise to be receptive to any critiques about how we can do more to represent marginalised groups within our field. We ask our friends across the world to be frank with us. We will not be defensive, even if these things are difficult to hear.

We recognise that we need more than statements and that Irish Studies in Britain and beyond must also face a reckoning around issues of race. This is not a time for tokenism but for a commitment to change. It is no-one else’s duty to educate us and we will actively seek out and promote anti-racist Irish Studies criticism. 

We will raise this as an urgent item at our next Council meeting and AGM and we welcome all input from our members on how we can take concrete action on this issue. This is not just for the months ahead – we want to make anti-racism an active part of our mission as an Association.