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Opinion - Columnist

Good news for some?

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:54 | By: Ronit Lentin

Having given the Minister for Justice a qualified welcome at the start of his term, the time has come to begin scrutinising the work of his department on immigration and integration.

Islam is the enemy of...the ‘zombies’

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:53 | © Metro Éireann

There was an interesting exchange of letters and articles going on in the Irish Medical Times recently over events in Bahrain, where medics linked to the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) have been tried in military courts and jailed for treating wounded protestors who were injured by that country’s security forces.

Welcoming the Chinese New Year

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:53 | © Metro Éireann

Among the many festivals in multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious Malaysia, where I come from, we celebrate Eid, Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year – all are national holidays, too.

Starting a new life in a familiar place

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:52 | © Metro Éireann

This is the first article I’ve written for Metro Éireann since last November. There are two main reasons for this. First, I had a Master’s dissertation to finish, which ate into my time considerably. Then came my move from Ireland back to the United States, specifically New York City.

Realising the economic benefits of immigration

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:52 | © Metro Éireann

The Integration Centre welcomes the introduction of two schemes that can offer a fresh impetus in realising the economic benefits of immigration.

Buyers of sex must be held accountable

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:52 | © Metro Éireann

Migration is mostly a positive experience, and those of us working for and with immigrants are well aware of this. Therefore, it is worth working towards its acceptance as a permanent reality in Ireland and to build on its many positive effects.

The dangers of self-obsession

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:51 | © Metro Éireann

The front page of one leading Sunday newspaper on 15 January was remarkable for featuring a photograph of a lynx-faced naked model wearing, in the words accompanying the photograph, ‘Nothing but Newbridge’ – a reference to the silverware bracelet on her wrist. The model’s expression as she looks directly into the camera is distinctly feral.

Farewell for now, Ireland

Last update: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 16:51 | © Metro Éireann

Dear Ireland, I’ve only known you for a year, but unfortunately, it’s time for me to leave. I had such a great time – great craic, as you say here. At the beginning it was quite challenging; getting used to a new language, a new city and a new culture takes time. My biggest challenge was maybe being understood by people. I could not get rid of my French accent (and I still can’t). Sometimes I felt very lost, without any mark in this new environment.

Islam is the enemy of... the tax man

Last update: Sunday, January 15, 2012, 02:09 | By: Qasim Afridi

Throughout history, taxes have been charged on the funniest things. In 1660 England placed a tax on fireplaces, and in 1696 on the number of windows in one’s house – the latter only repealed in 1851. There have been taxes on soap, bricks, hats, wallpaper and candles. Russia’s King Peter even placed a tax on beards in 1705.

Justice at last for Stephen Lawrence

Last update: Sunday, January 15, 2012, 02:09 | By: Ronit Lentin

When Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager in London, was stabbed to death in 1993 by what a British court called last week a “gang of racist thugs”, no one expected it to become the most notorious case of justice evaded, leading even to the indictment of the Metropolitan Police by the MacPherson Inquiry as “institutionally racist”.

A modern reflection of India

Last update: Sunday, January 15, 2012, 02:08 | By: Priya Rajsekar

I recently had the pleasure of reading the cleverly titled Upworldly Mobile by Ranjini Manian, an author and entrepreneur. The book – which comes highly recommended – dwells on business and behavioural skills for the new Indian manager.

Making friends costs nothing but time

Last update: Sunday, January 15, 2012, 02:08 | © Metro Éireann

After recovering from the potato farming experience, life soon returned to normal. My friend Billy managed to get a job in a Chinese restaurant, and I spent time driving around, visiting different places and socialising. In time I came to know and understand the culture, customs and attitudes of the Irish people.

Racism will not be tolerated

Thousands of migrants from different Italian cities and regions, as well as many Italians themselves, marched in a peaceful parade in Florence on 17 December last to protest the senseless attack of five Senegalese men in the city just days before. The men were victims of a tragic, senseless, racist attack that left two of them – 54-year-old Mor Diop and 40-year-old Samb Modou – dead as a result of their injuries, and another seriously ill.

Ireland’s commitment to human rights

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore

Where has the ‘R’ word gone?

Last update: Thursday, December 1, 2011, 03:21 | By: Ronit Lentin

I write this having just learned that Nigerian taxi driver Moses Ayanwole has died of his injuries after being brutally attacked by a white passenger on Dublin’s Pearse Street. I write with rage not only at the senseless murder, but also at the refusal by senior politicians and the mainstream media to use the word ‘racism’ to describe it.

Remembering my first job in Ireland

Soon after I had arrived in Ireland, I had to do some serious studying for my accountancy exams that were taking place the following summer. It was intense! But after that we had to wait over two months before the results arrived. Life can be boring if one does not do anything about it. I was financially stable but was still itchy to do something apart from travelling around Ireland.

Dachau: a reminder of world’s ugly past

The claustrophobia. The crematory. The gas chamber. I’ve heard about and seen these images almost my entire life, but now I was actually at one of the sites where hopes and lives of thousands were lost: the concentration camp at Dachau.

Syria’s time of turmoil

We are all watching the events happening in Syria with hope that the regime of the Alawi monster Bashar al Assad will soon be toppled. Reports of defections from the Syrian Army are nothing new: right at the beginning of the protests, soldiers with sincerity for their people refused orders to shoot at protestors and helped inform the world about the situation using modern media like YouTube.

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