Whiteness, racism and exclusion in Northern Ireland: A critical race perspective

This chapter begins with a brief outline of critical race theory (CRT) and the critique of whiteness therein before using it as a basis from which to examine the research literature on racism in Northern Ireland. CRT has its origins in the 1970s and the concerns being raised at that time about the slow progress being made in the United States with regard to racial reform. The chapter also discusses the following two key themes: an emphasis on institutional racism as implicated in the provision of public services to black and minority ethnic people in the region and the more specific issue of racist harassment. In relation to institutional racism, a growing number of studies have emerged since the mid-1990s that have examined how well black and minority ethnic people's needs are being addressed by a range of public services.