Endorsements

Racism and sectarianism makes an important contribution to the discussion on the 'crisis of anti-racism' in the United Kingdom. The book provides a unique contribution through its examination of a case - Northern Ireland - that is rarely touched on in the wider discussion. The author argues that thinking critically about sectarianism and other racisms in Northern Ireland helps to clear up some confusions regarding 'race' and ethnicity. Many of the prominent themes in debates on racism and anti-racism in the UK today - the role of religion, racism and 'terrorism', community cohesion - were central to discussions on sectarianism in Northern Ireland during the conflict and peace process. The book provides a sustained critique of the Race Relations paradigm that dominates official anti-racism and sketches out some elements of an emancipatory anti-racism. Although focused on Northern Ireland the book is wide-ranging in scope. It examines the development of official anti-racism from its origins in the USA at the end of the First World War, through its internationalisation (via the United Nations) at the end of the Second World War and its incorporation into Race Relations policy in the UK, (and Community Relations policy in Northern Ireland), since the 1960s. The book sketches out some elements that will be required for the development of an emancipatory anti-racism. The book will be of interest to students of 'ethnic and racial studies' and is essential reading for anyone who is frustrated with the often authoritarian nature of official anti-racism.