Thrust of Powell's words still resonates 40 years on

Published on Sunday 20 April 2008 20:59

The 40th anniversary of Enoch Powell's "rivers of blood" speech may prompt many like Professor Kay Hampton to look closely at the social and economic impact of immigration (your report, 19 April).

The real significance of the event for race relations in the United Kingdom though was twofold: first, it gave succour to the views of a political underworld, mainly people who were relatively inarticulate and insecure and who had strong views on race; secondly, it led eventually to a backlash, a wave of political correctness on race which has all sorts of implications for the way we use language, try to develop communities, and promote equal opportunities.

It is not racist to argue that immigration should be controlled and that government departments should organise this in a fair and efficient manner. It was racist for Mr Powell to use the selective quotations and lurid language he did to drive a wedge between ethnic groups.

It is one of the curious ironies of that period in history that the two most remembered orations on race are the one by Powell in 1968 and the positive, optimistic tone adopted by Martin Luther King in his "I have a Dream" speech in 1963. The latter stimulated change, hope and inspiration. It leaves the Powell legacy looking narrow, nasty and negative.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife

Imagine our horror if a crowd of Scots was caught on camera at a high-profile public event, singing to a group of African people: "Why don't you go home? Why don't you go home? The famine's over. Why don't you go home?" Especially if the famine in question had claimed the lives of countless thousands.

The occasion was last week's Old Firm game. But the object of their racial commentary was people not of African, but of Irish descent.

As a Scot who does not trace his lineage to Ireland, I find myself sickened by the actions of this section of my countrymen: but more than this, deeply unsettled by the ensuing silence in the Scottish media.

How long will we maintain this double standard for racism, when directed against the Scots-Irish community? How long do we intend to close our eyes?

G KENNEDY

Minard Road

Glasgow