Migration
The aim of this article is to reflect on events that shocked unshockable Belfast this week as we approach mid-June. It leans on conversations I had with a relative and also with a couple of close friends, all three chats to do with attitudes to migration. 1. Earlier in the week, my niece in Alberta sent me a message to say that the (now infamous) stabbing incident in north Belfast was a main story on Canada's television news. I explained that likewise here in the UK, it was the top story on the BBC's evening news programmes. I replied to her saying that t he violence here last night was disgraceful. I admitted that coverage of the attack and of the aftermath on immigrants reduced me to tears.... To keep her updated, I included extracts of an important statement from the family of the injured victim:- “right now, our only priority is being at his bedside and helping him recover. We want to say a profound thank you...