Siobhán Kangataran: Our migrant communities need your voice

The people who are immune from a crisis have the best ability to effect change — it's not enough to be non-racist, you must be actively anti-racist

Protesters holding placards saying stop the hate as they march to the Dáil to protest against a brutal assault on an Indian national in Tallaght. The event was organised by members of the migrant community in Ireland. Picture: Leah Farrell

In response to a recent spate of violent attacks against members of the Indian community in Ireland, the Embassy of India issued a warning to its citizens here to “​​take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours.” This warning, while well-intentioned, seems misdirected and ineffective in its intended protection against these unwarranted attacks on innocent people. I sincerely doubt the gangs of violent teens undertaking these attacks are carrying out citizenship tests before they pick their unlucky target. Nor would I imagine they are able to discern between Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Pakistani or any person of another South Asian heritage.

I am of mixed white Irish, Indian and Sri Lankan descent, but I am often mistaken for being of Mediterranean origins, so should all people with a tan be asked to stay constantly vigilant for fear of clashing with racist attackers? Would it not be more effective for everyone — regardless of ethnicity or citizenship — to stop racism long before it gets to the stage of violence?