‘‘Shadows on the Landscape’Shadows on the Landscape’Disapora, Cohesion and Conflict in North East EnglandDisapora, Cohesion and Conflict in North East England

Anoop Nayak Anoop Nayak

anoop.nayak@ncl.ac.ukanoop.nayak@ncl.ac.uk

School of Geography, Politics and SociologySchool of Geography, Politics and Sociology

Changing Patterns in British Changing Patterns in British MigrationMigration

Since 1990s more people entering Britain than emigrating from itSince 1990s more people entering Britain than emigrating from itGlobalization of migration: acceleration of migration, new flows of Globalization of migration: acceleration of migration, new flows of culture, new technologies and movements towards interconnected culture, new technologies and movements towards interconnected worldsworldsIn-migration no longer restricted to Commonwealth countries and In-migration no longer restricted to Commonwealth countries and post-colonial routes, ‘super-diversity’ (S. Vertovec)post-colonial routes, ‘super-diversity’ (S. Vertovec)Development of a modern ‘ethnoscape’ (Appadurai, 1990) and Development of a modern ‘ethnoscape’ (Appadurai, 1990) and enhanced transnationalism enhanced transnationalism Witnessing new patterns of inequality and new racismsWitnessing new patterns of inequality and new racismsNew millennium nation at a cross-roads: ‘will it try to turn the clock New millennium nation at a cross-roads: ‘will it try to turn the clock back, digging in, defending old values and ancient hierarchies, back, digging in, defending old values and ancient hierarchies, relying on a narrow English-dominated, backward looking definition relying on a narrow English-dominated, backward looking definition of the nation? Or will it seize the opportunity to create a more of the nation? Or will it seize the opportunity to create a more flexible, inclusive, cosmopolitan image of itself?’ (Parekh, 2000: 14-flexible, inclusive, cosmopolitan image of itself?’ (Parekh, 2000: 14-15)15)

Intersectionality and Shifting Intersectionality and Shifting Configurations of Race Configurations of Race

1980s African-Caribbean youth as the 1980s African-Caribbean youth as the key locus of ‘moral panics’ in the key locus of ‘moral panics’ in the nation state (Hall, et al 1978; Gilroy, nation state (Hall, et al 1978; Gilroy, 1987), today Asian and particularly 1987), today Asian and particularly Islamic youth form the ‘ultimate Other’ Islamic youth form the ‘ultimate Other’ (Alexander, 2000; Archer, 2005 etc)(Alexander, 2000; Archer, 2005 etc)Complex intersections of race, gender Complex intersections of race, gender and sexuality and sexuality Material cultures: 67% of people from Material cultures: 67% of people from Black and Minority Ethnic Black and Minority Ethnic communities live in the 88 most communities live in the 88 most deprived districts in England, deprived districts in England, compared to 37% of the white compared to 37% of the white population (Neighbourhood Renewal population (Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, 2004)Unit, 2004)July 7July 7thth 2005 London bombings: 2005 London bombings: connecting the local and the global, connecting the local and the global, geo-political conflict in Iraq and geo-political conflict in Iraq and AfghanistanAfghanistanAsian youth and Islam become Asian youth and Islam become registers for a scattering of fear, affect registers for a scattering of fear, affect and emotion (Ahmed, 2004) and emotion (Ahmed, 2004)

The Changing North East The Changing North East LandscapeLandscape

Post-industrial landscape and the Post-industrial landscape and the contours of classcontours of classMainly white area. 2.4% of the NE Mainly white area. 2.4% of the NE region’s total population are from region’s total population are from minority ethnic backgrounds, minority ethnic backgrounds, compared to 9.1% of England as a compared to 9.1% of England as a whole; 0.2% asylum seekerswhole; 0.2% asylum seekersTyne and Wear: Gateshead (1.6%), Newcastle (6.9%), N. Tyneside (1.9%), S. Tyneside (2.7%), Sunderland (1.9%) (Census, 2001)New communities: 2004 A8(+2) New communities: 2004 A8(+2) migration; National Asylum migration; National Asylum Support Services (NASS) Support Services (NASS) Newcastle has fifth highest no. of Newcastle has fifth highest no. of asylum seekersasylum seekers

2.1

0.5

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.6

2.1

2.1

7.5

8.6

9.1

12.8

12.8

15.5

21.9

0 5 10 15 20 25

Non response

Mixed (White & Carib.)

East Asian (Other)

Mixed (Other)

Black (Other)

Asian - Indian

Mixed (White & Asian)

Caribbean

Asian - Pakistani

Chinese

Asian - Other

Asian - Bangladeshi

Other ethnic background

White or any other w hite background

African

BME Sample CharacteristicsBME Sample Characteristics

N=187 BME residents interviewedN=187 BME residents interviewed

BME Sample CharacteristicsBME Sample Characteristics

Gateshead16%

New castle55%

North Tyneside6%

South Tyneside3%

Sunderland20%

Newcastle 55%, Newcastle 55%, Sunderland 20%, Sunderland 20%, Gateshead 16%, N, Gateshead 16%, N, Tyneside 6%, S. Tyneside 6%, S. Tyneside 3%Tyneside 3%

57% female, 43% male57% female, 43% male

32% full time employed, 32% full time employed, 25% education, 18% part 25% education, 18% part time employed, 18% time employed, 18% unemployed, 9% seeking unemployed, 9% seeking asylumasylum

27.8

16.0

13.9

12.3

7.5

3.2

2.1

2.1

15.0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Non response

Other

Asylum seeker/Refugee

Unemployed

Full-time employed

Some emerging patterns…Some emerging patterns…

Full-time workers are most likely to feel people Full-time workers are most likely to feel people get on well with one another in their areaget on well with one another in their areaAsylum-seekers are least likely to feel people Asylum-seekers are least likely to feel people get on well with one another in their areaget on well with one another in their areaOverall asylum-seekers, refugees and Overall asylum-seekers, refugees and unemployed BME residents exhibited the unemployed BME residents exhibited the highest levels of fear and vulnerabilityhighest levels of fear and vulnerabilityTo a slightly lesser extent young people 25 To a slightly lesser extent young people 25 years and younger, and those of Islamic faith are years and younger, and those of Islamic faith are also feel particularly vulnerablealso feel particularly vulnerable

Asylum-Seekers and RefugeesAsylum-Seekers and Refugees

Estimated around 5,170 asylum-seekers in NE from over 100 different Estimated around 5,170 asylum-seekers in NE from over 100 different nationalities. Around 4, 500 live in Tyne and Wear with the majority housed nationalities. Around 4, 500 live in Tyne and Wear with the majority housed in Newcastle (1, 565), accounting for around 2% of total no. in Britainin Newcastle (1, 565), accounting for around 2% of total no. in Britain

Parekh Report confirms that asylum-seekers are caught Parekh Report confirms that asylum-seekers are caught ‘in the eye of the ‘in the eye of the immigration storm’immigration storm’ (Runneymede Trust, 2000, p.211) (Runneymede Trust, 2000, p.211)

Subject to myth and misrepresentationSubject to myth and misrepresentation

Can appear as shadows on the landscape, rather than fully embodied Can appear as shadows on the landscape, rather than fully embodied citizenscitizens

Neighbourhood, class and dispersalNeighbourhood, class and dispersal

Racist IncidentsRacist Incidents‘‘Much street racism is perpetuated by white people who are themselves Much street racism is perpetuated by white people who are themselves economically disadvantaged in relation to wider society. Therefore, long-economically disadvantaged in relation to wider society. Therefore, long-term action to tackle it depends to an extent on greater social justice term action to tackle it depends to an extent on greater social justice generally’generally’ (Runneymede Trust, 2000:58, 5.3). (Runneymede Trust, 2000:58, 5.3).

67% of respondents had experienced a racist incident in their 67% of respondents had experienced a racist incident in their neighbourhood including verbal abuse, damage to property, neighbourhood including verbal abuse, damage to property, physical violence, racist graffiti, malicious telephone calls and arsonphysical violence, racist graffiti, malicious telephone calls and arson

N=175: Gateshead 62.1%; Newcastle 68.1%; North Tyneside N=175: Gateshead 62.1%; Newcastle 68.1%; North Tyneside 54.5%; South Tyneside 60%; Sunderland 75%54.5%; South Tyneside 60%; Sunderland 75%

N=119: 55.5% did not report incidentN=119: 55.5% did not report incident

36.5

67.4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Victim of a crime in the neighbourhood

Experienced a racist incident in Tyne & Wear

Racist IncidentsRacist Incidents‘‘Verbal abuse happens everywhere. I have been attacked twice in Verbal abuse happens everywhere. I have been attacked twice in Byker. Once I was making a phone call with an international calling Byker. Once I was making a phone call with an international calling card and four white girls were wanting to use the phone. I avoided card and four white girls were wanting to use the phone. I avoided looking at them but they seized the opportunity and grabbed the phone looking at them but they seized the opportunity and grabbed the phone then hit me on the head and face with it then ran away. I called for an then hit me on the head and face with it then ran away. I called for an ambulance and spent the night in hospital.’ambulance and spent the night in hospital.’ (Iranian Male, employed (Iranian Male, employed part-time as a doctor)part-time as a doctor)‘‘A drunk passed me on the Zebra Crossing near the Bigg Market A drunk passed me on the Zebra Crossing near the Bigg Market (Newcastle) … I was out with my dad … who was visiting me at (Newcastle) … I was out with my dad … who was visiting me at University, and wearing a headscarf because I’m Muslim. He said[the University, and wearing a headscarf because I’m Muslim. He said[the drunk] to his friend, ‘Let this terrorist sister pass!’. His friend (who was drunk] to his friend, ‘Let this terrorist sister pass!’. His friend (who was not drunk tried to apologise to my father), I was upset because my not drunk tried to apologise to my father), I was upset because my father will worry about me living in this place’ father will worry about me living in this place’ (Muslim Female PhD (Muslim Female PhD student)student)‘‘I was having a drink in a pub when a young man threw an empty glass I was having a drink in a pub when a young man threw an empty glass at me, there was verbal abuse. The whole pub went silent, I think they at me, there was verbal abuse. The whole pub went silent, I think they were afraid as well. Only one man came to talk to me after that. I still were afraid as well. Only one man came to talk to me after that. I still have the particles of glass that I kept as an exhibit, though I haven’t have the particles of glass that I kept as an exhibit, though I haven’t reported it to the police. I’ve lived here for 6 years and I know nothing reported it to the police. I’ve lived here for 6 years and I know nothing gets done.’gets done.’ (African Male, aged 40-49 years) (African Male, aged 40-49 years)

Conflict and Conviviality Conflict and Conviviality Between the LinesBetween the Lines

Gilroy (2006) identifies a new urban ecology of ‘conviviality’; Gilroy (2006) identifies a new urban ecology of ‘conviviality’; Neighbourhoods as sites of conviviality and conflict where ‘new’ and ‘old’ Neighbourhoods as sites of conviviality and conflict where ‘new’ and ‘old’ racisms preside; Universities simultaneously constructed as ‘safe spaces’ racisms preside; Universities simultaneously constructed as ‘safe spaces’ for international students, and breeding grounds for Islamic extremismfor international students, and breeding grounds for Islamic extremismNew cartographies of race ‘Othering’ (Said, 1978) to produce distinct New cartographies of race ‘Othering’ (Said, 1978) to produce distinct ‘Imagined communities’ (Benedict Anderson, 1992) in a global age‘Imagined communities’ (Benedict Anderson, 1992) in a global age‘‘Parallel Lives’ as a polarised representation, need to look between the linesParallel Lives’ as a polarised representation, need to look between the lines‘‘We’ve been told by other officers and Councils that there are issues We’ve been told by other officers and Councils that there are issues affecting certain affecting certain areasareas of Newcastle, maybe where there’s a concentration of Newcastle, maybe where there’s a concentration of the BME population living in one area, on one side of the road and the of the BME population living in one area, on one side of the road and the white community living on the other side of the road […] So maybe not the white community living on the other side of the road […] So maybe not the city as a whole, but very local community issues’city as a whole, but very local community issues’ (Equalities Officer, (Equalities Officer, Newcastle)Newcastle)‘‘I think there’s almost a tension between [established BME groups and new I think there’s almost a tension between [established BME groups and new communities]. For example, you’ve got some very established Pakistani, communities]. For example, you’ve got some very established Pakistani, Bangladeshi communities, and I think they are quite contained within their Bangladeshi communities, and I think they are quite contained within their own communities […] I think for some of the new, emerging communities I own communities […] I think for some of the new, emerging communities I think their agenda’s firmly integrationist - they’ve got interests in issues, they think their agenda’s firmly integrationist - they’ve got interests in issues, they want to get involved in all sorts of things and I think there’s a just a little bit want to get involved in all sorts of things and I think there’s a just a little bit of tension there’of tension there’ (Equalities Officer, Sunderland)’ (Equalities Officer, Sunderland)’

Issues for the Future...Issues for the Future...Post-race theory and the end of race? (Gilroy, 2001): Post-race theory and the end of race? (Gilroy, 2001): ‘Is it possible to ‘Is it possible to reimagine Britain as a nation - or post-nation - in a multicultural way?’reimagine Britain as a nation - or post-nation - in a multicultural way?’ ( (The The Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain: The Parekh Report,Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain: The Parekh Report, Runneymede Trust, Runneymede Trust, 2000, p.36) 2000, p.36) Race may not be ‘real’, but its effects are. It is experienced through Race may not be ‘real’, but its effects are. It is experienced through emotional and affective registers (‘community’, ‘belonging’, ‘nationalism’ emotional and affective registers (‘community’, ‘belonging’, ‘nationalism’ etc) (Fortier, 2005; Ahmed, 2004). Any policies on citizenship, ‘community etc) (Fortier, 2005; Ahmed, 2004). Any policies on citizenship, ‘community cohesion’ etc must connect with people and place in a meaningful waycohesion’ etc must connect with people and place in a meaningful wayOpening out the term BME to include faith groups, white minorities, asylum Opening out the term BME to include faith groups, white minorities, asylum seekers and other newcomers – religious difference and whiteness key seekers and other newcomers – religious difference and whiteness key issues for the futureissues for the futureImportance of bringing together new ethnicities research (Back, Cohen, Importance of bringing together new ethnicities research (Back, Cohen, Hewitt, Alexander) with geographically-situated, material accounts of the Hewitt, Alexander) with geographically-situated, material accounts of the ‘power-geometries’ of race‘power-geometries’ of raceTheories of intersectionality offer useful ways of engaging with difference Theories of intersectionality offer useful ways of engaging with difference but important not to reify these categories … community as in the makingbut important not to reify these categories … community as in the makingThe spaces in-between … Different symbolic ‘openings’ and ‘closures’ The spaces in-between … Different symbolic ‘openings’ and ‘closures’ through which ‘community’ is enacted (Anderson, 1991; Keith, 1993; Byrne through which ‘community’ is enacted (Anderson, 1991; Keith, 1993; Byrne 2006) suggest a need to challenge monochrome geographies of race2006) suggest a need to challenge monochrome geographies of race