The chief minister of Guernsey has vowed to continue to speak out against racism in his community and further afield despite being vilified for suggesting Syrian refugees could not be accepted on the island partly because of Islamophobia.
Jonathan Le Tocq made headlines around the globe and was criticised by Guernsey people, who felt he was wrongly depicting residents as bigots. He was also criticised by those who strongly oppose the island receiving refugees but now fear that their home will become a terrorist target because of his remarks.
Le Tocq said he regretted that his words had led to Guernsey – which gave Victor Hugo sanctuary in the 19th century and which he described as a “rock of hospitality and freedom” – being portrayed as a home to xenophobes.
He said: “It grates to be portrayed in some quarters as the leader of a far-right group. I’m more of a Guardian reader. In retrospect I could have used better terminology but I do think xenophobia exists in small communities.
“There is fear of the unknown and the outside. It exists in the UK, France, everywhere. I don’t think tiptoeing around the subject or pretending it’s not there helps. On a personal basis when I come across it, I challenge it.
No comments:
Post a Comment