Newbury Town Council and Travellers, Discrimination? Options

[Richard Garvie]

The following paragraph appeared in the agenda for the council meeting on Monday 4th July, but has since been removed:

"We do not believe that travellers should be treated as a separate ethnic group or that policy towards them should be governed by such considerations. Because of the undesirable effects of the travelling way of life on receipt of social services, especially education (2.5) we do not consider that travelling in the sense used in this paper can be sustained in the long run. It is gradually disappearing (2.3/4) and that trend should not be discouraged. We obviously agree on the measures to prevent abuse of the planning system by travellers (2.16/17)"

I know that not everybody agrees with the traveller lifestyle and the questionable behaviour of some of the community, but does this give the council a right to discriminate against travellers as a community and refuse to recognise them as an ethnic group?

Which elected member / officer proposed this measure be included in the agenda? Do they really feel it is acceptable to have a policy that discriminates against travellers? Is this officially a council policy, or is it just the personal opinion of one or a small number of members? I really think we should be told.

[Roost]

The Last 'Respectable' form of Racism

Britain's Gypsy/Roma/Traveller community has existed as a separate ethnic and cultural group for about 500 years. They have throughout this time suffered from both covert and overt discrimination. The intolerance shown towards these communities is still very obvious, and is even enshrined within some of the policies and procedures of our public authorities.

Protected under the Race Relations Act

Roma, Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are now all recognised to have protection under the Race Relations Act as they have been finally recognised as minority ethnic communities in law.

Roma
Romany Gypsies who have arrived in the U.K. this century. Most have come as refugees or asylum seekers from Eastern Europe where they have often been subject to racist attacks.

Romany Gypsies
The largest group of Travellers in the U.K. They first arrived in England in the 1500’s and were thought to have come from Egypt and so were called Egyptians. This was shortened to ‘Gypsy.’ They had originally travelled from Northern India from about 1000 A.D. They generally speak Romani, which originated from Sanskrit spoken in India. Most Gypsies use English as a first language and retain Romani for family and community use. English Romani having English syntax and Romani words.

Travellers
Irish Travellers were first seen in the 1100’s and spoke Shelta, an Irish Travellers’ language.

Whether such communities have a nomadic or 'settled' lifestyle, they should be afforded equitable rights, and they should not suffer from poorer public services, that ultimately leads to reduced longevity and education standards.

Sites should be equipped with all of the services necessary, and sited in areas that allows for easy access to those things that the rest of us take for granted such as shops and schools, etc.

As the General Secretary to the West Berkshire Minority Ethnic Forum, I commend Richard Garvie for highlighting this specific issue. Surely the Districts mantra of 'A Great Place to Live' should be inclusive of ALL communities, and not just those who conform to societies very limiting 'norms'?

All very well but without those 'norms' there would be no society.

Very well quoted by the way.

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

All very well but without those 'norms' there would be no society

Without the enforced 'norms' people would realise that there commonality is actually their difference, for we are all unique, and perhaps society would be a more harmonious place if we realised this? Some may feel that I seek a utopian society, perhaps this is true, but without a vision, what is there to strive for?

I do though worry about some of the contributions to this thread, they are NOT examples of the increased tolerance that others have highlighted.

As a former police officer, and still involved in researching criminal justice issues, I am aware of no evidence that supports the criminalisation of any specific group on grounds of their ethnicity or 'real' lifestyle, and branding people as 'lawbreakers', 'parasites' and stating that they have 'criminal intentions' will hardly make any communit feel welcome.

Sadly there is five hundred years of intolerance, misinformation and yes even 'hatred' to undo, before the majority of people realise the benefits of have such unique communities part of our richly diverse society.

The Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities are amongst the oldest minority ethnic communities in this country, and their contribution to British society has been huge over the centuries, but they are questionably the most discriminated against to this very day.

[Bloggo]

The Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities are amongst the oldest minority ethnic communities in this country, and their contribution to British society has been huge over the centuries, but they are questionably the most discriminated against to this very day.

I am struggling with this statement. Can you give me an example of the huge contribution that this group of people have made to British society?

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

I am struggling with this statement. Can you give me an example of the huge contribution that this group of people have made to British society?

It is acknowledged that the Travelling communities have provided much of the vital labour for building the road, canal and railway system as well as latterly the motorways. Surely aiding in the development of the transport infrastructure of our nation is pretty important? Such communities have been involved in the development of many of our other national building projects as well.

On the issue of criminality, which many people seem to focus on, I can assure you that Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are generally reluctant to report being victims of criminality to the police, as they may often (rightly) feel that nothing will happen.

A number of police services around the country have acknowledged this reality, and are striving to make positive links with these communities, but after so many years of marginalisation this is not an easy task.

Do Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities commit crimes, obviously some members do, but so do people from every other community that I am aware of.

Regarding breaking the law, perhaps some laws themselves were not necessarily written to be fully inclusive in a positive manner of the communities, hence they find at time themselves in conflict.

As for my utopian stance, I honestly do not understand some of the counter arguments that have been raised. Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities are not radicals, and are not seeking as far as I am aware a political change through the use of violence within this country. Generally Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities are rather conservative with regard to their beliefs on faith, family values and even politics.

On the issue of language about and towards Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities, I would ask people to dwell on whether they would feel comfortable in a public forum using what some may well feel is venomous and intolerant language towards other minority ethnic communities? I personally doubt that they would, so why is it OK to use such language about these communities?

If anyone has some genuinely positive questions to ask, then I will endeavour to get the answer for you, but if the tone of the statements and questions is going to be dismissive or outright discriminatory then why even bother engaging in this thread?