1 Gypsies and Travellers Capabilities, Power and Social Justice Juliet McCaffery Juliet McCaffery UEA Sept 2009.

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Gypsies and Gypsies and TravellersTravellers

Capabilities, Power and Capabilities, Power and Social JusticeSocial Justice

Juliet Juliet McCafferyMcCaffery

UEA Sept UEA Sept 20092009

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TravellingTravelling

TourersTourers

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Capabilities, Power and Social Capabilities, Power and Social JusticeJustice

Capabilities of Gypsies and Travellers Capabilities of Gypsies and Travellers Policies and power of the statePolicies and power of the state Social justice – public and political Social justice – public and political

attitudes towards G/Tattitudes towards G/T Dilemma reflects the situation of other Dilemma reflects the situation of other

nomadic, semi nomadic groups and the nomadic, semi nomadic groups and the RomaRoma

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ResearchResearch Research interest, Nomadic Fulani, San in Research interest, Nomadic Fulani, San in

Botswana, site provision, literacy work in Botswana, site provision, literacy work in IrelandIreland

Research focuses on 3 UK authorities – 2 Research focuses on 3 UK authorities – 2 rural and one urbanrural and one urban

Research methods – ethnographic Research methods – ethnographic observation and participation, grounded observation and participation, grounded theory – iterative processtheory – iterative process

Access to the community a key issue Access to the community a key issue o support organisation for 6 years led to contacts support organisation for 6 years led to contacts

and being known as an active supporterand being known as an active supportero Local Councillor with remit in equality and Local Councillor with remit in equality and

inclusion issues,inclusion issues,

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Key Facts Key Facts Six different groups -500 years in UKSix different groups -500 years in UK 300 - 400,000 0’.5% of the population300 - 400,000 0’.5% of the population Strong cultural characteristics – cleanliness family Strong cultural characteristics – cleanliness family

etc, independence,- travelling, on sites and in etc, independence,- travelling, on sites and in housinghousing

75,000 with nowhere legal to stop – due to currently 75,000 with nowhere legal to stop – due to currently severe tension due to 1994 Criminal Justice and severe tension due to 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and planning restrictionsPublic Order Act and planning restrictions

Contested identities around ethnicity and lifestyles– Contested identities around ethnicity and lifestyles– not in UK censusnot in UK census

See handout for more detailSee handout for more detail

Information in Acton (1997, 2009), Kenrick and Clark (1996), Johnson and Willers Information in Acton (1997, 2009), Kenrick and Clark (1996), Johnson and Willers (2004) Clark and Greenfields (2006), Bhopal and Myers (2008) + websites(2004) Clark and Greenfields (2006), Bhopal and Myers (2008) + websites

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Policies and Practice: lack of Policies and Practice: lack of datadata

Although member states [of the EU] provide Although member states [of the EU] provide detailed educational statistics for the detailed educational statistics for the general population, there is a marked general population, there is a marked absence of ethnically differentiated data on absence of ethnically differentiated data on Gypsies and Travellers on basic indicators Gypsies and Travellers on basic indicators such as school enrolment and attendance, such as school enrolment and attendance, as well as school performance and as well as school performance and achievement achievement

(Commission of the European Union: Roma and Travellers in (Commission of the European Union: Roma and Travellers in Public Education EUMC 2006:6)Public Education EUMC 2006:6)

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Education of school age Education of school age childrenchildren

1963 first Traveller school opened in Dublin, 1963 first Traveller school opened in Dublin, 1966 first vol. school opened in Midlands1966 first vol. school opened in Midlands

1967 Plowden report influential1967 Plowden report influential Policy decision to mainstream with Traveller Policy decision to mainstream with Traveller

Education SupportEducation Support Since 2003 in school censusSince 2003 in school census 2007 14% of Gypsy/Roma 16% Irish 2007 14% of Gypsy/Roma 16% Irish

Travellers - 5 A-C GCSEs, 45 and 43 % Travellers - 5 A-C GCSEs, 45 and 43 % below national average (49% of Black below national average (49% of Black Caribbeans 5 A-Cs)Caribbeans 5 A-Cs)

Low transfer to secondary school – access,Low transfer to secondary school – access,racist bullying, culture, work, experience. racist bullying, culture, work, experience.

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Post school AE and literacy and Post school AE and literacy and numeracy provisionnumeracy provision

No statistics from DIUS (DfES), LSC, NIACENo statistics from DIUS (DfES), LSC, NIACE Gypsies and Travellers almost absent from documents. Gypsies and Travellers almost absent from documents.

Fee remission for Learn DirectFee remission for Learn Direct Range of literacy and numeracy provision, Skills for Life, Range of literacy and numeracy provision, Skills for Life,

Train to Gain, Learn Direct open to all Train to Gain, Learn Direct open to all Policies for AE and literacy and settlement in Ireland – Policies for AE and literacy and settlement in Ireland –

see handout 2 for detailsee handout 2 for detail Survey of 130 Gypsies and Travellers on sites found only Survey of 130 Gypsies and Travellers on sites found only

2 in college – both housed, only 2 others had enquired 2 in college – both housed, only 2 others had enquired about any provisionabout any provision

Only a few short term projects for Gypsies and Only a few short term projects for Gypsies and Travellers, fire brigade and ambulance service do training Travellers, fire brigade and ambulance service do training on siteon site

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Barriers to participationBarriers to participation

Attitudes changing but many see little Attitudes changing but many see little relevance in formal education to their livesrelevance in formal education to their lives

No strategy targeted at adult Gypsies and No strategy targeted at adult Gypsies and Travellers – “unfreedoms can arise Travellers – “unfreedoms can arise through inadequate processes” through inadequate processes” (Sen (Sen 1999:17)1999:17)

““People with needs don’t know how to People with needs don’t know how to access mainstream funding and access mainstream funding and mainstream funding doesn’t know they are mainstream funding doesn’t know they are there”there” (LSC SE region(LSC SE region 24.02.09)24.02.09)

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Conflicting attitudesConflicting attitudes Everything is oral. Get some who say they are Everything is oral. Get some who say they are

ignorant, but they are very articulate. We are ignorant, but they are very articulate. We are highly articulate people; we express ourselves highly articulate people; we express ourselves very well and have good memories very well and have good memories (Jamie May (Jamie May 2008)2008)

We’re educated people , but we’re not We’re educated people , but we’re not educated in reading …but we’re educated in educated in reading …but we’re educated in the world, we know exactly everything what’s the world, we know exactly everything what’s going on, but when it comes to putting paper going on, but when it comes to putting paper in front of us ….in front of us ….

1.1. (Carol Feb 2009)(Carol Feb 2009)

Don’t want your education (Don’t want your education (Gary July 2008)Gary July 2008)

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Conflicting attitudesConflicting attitudes I can’t read, my wife can read a little, my boy can I can’t read, my wife can read a little, my boy can

read and write a little. My problem with reading and read and write a little. My problem with reading and writing (Sam May 2009)writing (Sam May 2009)

Nowadays you can’t get a job, and (even) a cleaning Nowadays you can’t get a job, and (even) a cleaning job. You want to go and clean the toilet. You have to job. You want to go and clean the toilet. You have to have qualifications or a CV (Carol Feb 2009)have qualifications or a CV (Carol Feb 2009)

My son is dyslexic, I am a bit. He can’t hardly read My son is dyslexic, I am a bit. He can’t hardly read and write, now he’s a fully trained electrician and gas and write, now he’s a fully trained electrician and gas fitter – he got his daughter to teach him over the fitter – he got his daughter to teach him over the computer (Charlie Aug 2008)computer (Charlie Aug 2008)

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Barriers to accessing available Barriers to accessing available provisionprovision

You’re a Traveller …. The reason [I You’re a Traveller …. The reason [I don’t go] is that, the reason is, the don’t go] is that, the reason is, the reading bit’s not important……….. reading bit’s not important……….. It’s not the reading when you have to It’s not the reading when you have to go to these colleges and things like, go to these colleges and things like, it’s for people to know who you are. it’s for people to know who you are. ((Carol Feb.2008Carol Feb.2008))

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Social justice and public Social justice and public policypolicy

““Policy makers have two sets of reasons Policy makers have two sets of reasons for taking an interest in the values of for taking an interest in the values of social justice 1) justice is a central concept social justice 1) justice is a central concept indentifying the aims and objectives of indentifying the aims and objectives of public policy and the instruments to public policy and the instruments to implement 2) all public policy is dependent implement 2) all public policy is dependent on how individuals and groups in society on how individuals and groups in society behave, need to understand the values of behave, need to understand the values of the public at large, including their sense of the public at large, including their sense of justice”justice” (Sen 1999:274).(Sen 1999:274).

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Social normsSocial norms

How people behave often depends How people behave often depends on how they see – and perceive – on how they see – and perceive – others as behaving. Much depends others as behaving. Much depends therefore on the reading of prevailing therefore on the reading of prevailing behaviour norms. A sense of relative behaviour norms. A sense of relative justice vis a vis a comparison group – justice vis a vis a comparison group – can be an important influence on can be an important influence on behaviour (Sen 1999:277).behaviour (Sen 1999:277).

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Prejudice: PublicPrejudice: Public Ah, well they do have a bad reputation, Ah, well they do have a bad reputation,

leave rubbish and that everywhere leave rubbish and that everywhere (Casual (Casual conversation April 2009)conversation April 2009)

““She was very polite” The Smith’s are quite She was very polite” The Smith’s are quite nice people" unrelated arguments - photo nice people" unrelated arguments - photo of faeces from elsewhere, party held 3 of faeces from elsewhere, party held 3 years ago, friend afraid to visit. Spongers, years ago, friend afraid to visit. Spongers, don’t pay anything don’t pay anything (‘residents Meeting 2001)(‘residents Meeting 2001)

University e mails “3 Gypsy caravans in University e mails “3 Gypsy caravans in the car park; lock your doors and windows”the car park; lock your doors and windows” (June 2008)(June 2008)

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Prejudice PublicPrejudice Public

((Carol ,s experience, Interview Feb 2009)Carol ,s experience, Interview Feb 2009) ““Would he move her car, or do something Would he move her car, or do something

about the stupid car, she turned round and about the stupid car, she turned round and she said, she had oxygen bottles, because she said, she had oxygen bottles, because she’s a midwife… in case the Pikeys steal she’s a midwife… in case the Pikeys steal them. I just looked at her and I said, “Well I them. I just looked at her and I said, “Well I don’t think they will steal your oxygen. They don’t think they will steal your oxygen. They might go and steal your car, but wouldn’t might go and steal your car, but wouldn’t know oxygen bottles are in your car”.. and the know oxygen bottles are in your car”.. and the man she was going out with said “Yes, well, man she was going out with said “Yes, well, them Pikeys steal anything”them Pikeys steal anything”

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The Justice SystemThe Justice System Prejudice against Travellers is not only acceptable Prejudice against Travellers is not only acceptable

in the force, it is expected, in the force, it is expected, (Coxhead 2004:58)(Coxhead 2004:58)

Officers for a PSU unit went onto our site and let Officers for a PSU unit went onto our site and let off fire crackers. These things are normal off fire crackers. These things are normal (quote (quote from G/T interview Coxhead 2004: 65)from G/T interview Coxhead 2004: 65)

Johnny Delaney, a young 15 yr old Traveller killed Johnny Delaney, a young 15 yr old Traveller killed in a racist attack May 8th 2003. Kicked and in a racist attack May 8th 2003. Kicked and stamped on the head by two 16 year old boys. stamped on the head by two 16 year old boys. "He deserved it; he's only a fucking Gippo“ The "He deserved it; he's only a fucking Gippo“ The police treated the killing as a racially motivated police treated the killing as a racially motivated attack, but in the Crown Court there was no attack, but in the Crown Court there was no formal acceptance that the death was due to formal acceptance that the death was due to racismracism

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Guy Fawkes Firle Guy Fawkes Firle October October 20032003

A [model of a] caravan A [model of a] caravan which portrayed which portrayed women and children women and children inside, with 'pikey' inside, with 'pikey' written on the back written on the back and the image of a and the image of a scantily-clad woman scantily-clad woman standing in the door standing in the door was wheeled down the was wheeled down the street and burntstreet and burnt

A Councillor led the procession

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Despite a police investigation the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges.

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Politicians and prejudicePoliticians and prejudice We are in a pre-election period and Travellers are We are in a pre-election period and Travellers are

a vote loser for us; it is clear that this town) is a a vote loser for us; it is clear that this town) is a soft touch. Too often our parks and streets are soft touch. Too often our parks and streets are littered with Travellers’ vans …….If a way could littered with Travellers’ vans …….If a way could be found to charge these people for services be found to charge these people for services provided, …..simply a drain on our resources (not provided, …..simply a drain on our resources (not to mention their disgusting dogs and the delight to mention their disgusting dogs and the delight some of them take in shitting in the bushessome of them take in shitting in the bushes). ). Councillor 13.11.02Councillor 13.11.02

Jack Straw when Home Secretary said “They think its Jack Straw when Home Secretary said “They think its perfectly OK for them to cause mayhem, to burgling, perfectly OK for them to cause mayhem, to burgling, thieving, breaking into vehicles… including defecating in thieving, breaking into vehicles… including defecating in doorways of firms” (2003)doorways of firms” (2003)

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Basildon Council andBasildon Council and Dale FarmDale Farm

Stamp on the camps -Stamp on the camps -

Spreading misery ... huge camp of Spreading misery ... huge camp of 1,000 Irish travellers at Crays Hill, Essex1,000 Irish travellers at Crays Hill, EssexThe Deputy Prime Minister has orderedThe Deputy Prime Minister has orderedlocal councils to go soft on travellers’ camps local councils to go soft on travellers’ camps And turn a blind eye to the shocking problemsAnd turn a blind eye to the shocking problems they create. But The Sun, on behalf of ourthey create. But The Sun, on behalf of our ten million readers, is determined to fight ten million readers, is determined to fight

himhim all the way all the way ((Sun newspaper March 9 2005)Sun newspaper March 9 2005)

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TheoriesTheories Ni ShuinearNi Shuinear (1997) English in Ireland were (1997) English in Ireland were

the common enemy, when they left the common enemy, when they left Travellers were seen as backward, dirty and Travellers were seen as backward, dirty and poor and even genetically inferior poor and even genetically inferior

McVeigh (1997) anti-nomadism, McVeigh (1997) anti-nomadism, sedentarism to distinguish it from racism, sedentarism to distinguish it from racism, fear and resentment for an apparent fear and resentment for an apparent freedomfreedom

Monbiot Monbiot (Guardian 4.11.2003)(Guardian 4.11.2003) fear the barbarian fear the barbarian hordes who sacked Rome and destroyed hordes who sacked Rome and destroyed civilization, later hordes of Genghis Khan.civilization, later hordes of Genghis Khan.

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TheoriesTheories

Bhopal and Myers Bhopal and Myers (2008)(2008) - outside - outside acceptability, “white other” Chavs, poor acceptability, “white other” Chavs, poor white trash or East Ed criminals white trash or East Ed criminals

Coxhead Coxhead ((2004:29)2004:29)“in groups” and “out “in groups” and “out groups , pressure to conform, rejection of groups , pressure to conform, rejection of the ethnic status of Travellers possibly an the ethnic status of Travellers possibly an extension of extermination rather than extension of extermination rather than mere social exclusionmere social exclusion

Sen (1999) Cultural alienation problems Sen (1999) Cultural alienation problems their fault, therefore no feeling of social their fault, therefore no feeling of social responsibility towards themresponsibility towards them

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Engaging with the “Other”Engaging with the “Other”

Prize giving event at the House of Lords Prize giving event at the House of Lords Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2007Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2007

Lord Avebury Lord Avebury “Could a Traveller become “Could a Traveller become Prime Minister ?……but they wouldn’t have Prime Minister ?……but they wouldn’t have the literacy skills”.the literacy skills”.

Bob responded Bob responded “I don’t need literacy skills to “I don’t need literacy skills to represent my people.”represent my people.”

(Interview. Aug. 19 2009)(Interview. Aug. 19 2009)

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Opportunities for InteractionOpportunities for Interaction

Local forum 1997 – no G/T representativesLocal forum 1997 – no G/T representatives– 2002 G/T rep proposed – activists attended2002 G/T rep proposed – activists attended– 2005 Gypsy spoke, 5 others attended2005 Gypsy spoke, 5 others attended

Asymmetry of powerAsymmetry of power

2007 Police Forum 12 members –police 2007 Police Forum 12 members –police and G/T and support orgsand G/T and support orgs

Can’t tell who can /can’t read the materialCan’t tell who can /can’t read the material

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Reading for engagementReading for engagement

Literacy required –e mail + agenda Literacy required –e mail + agenda +date + place+date + place

Reports for meetings, gov. docs.Reports for meetings, gov. docs. Individual agreementsIndividual agreements Planning applicationsPlanning applications Court procedures re evictionsCourt procedures re evictions Health cardsHealth cards

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ManagingManaging Carol: Carol: At meetings …I would wait until At meetings …I would wait until

somebody ….reads something out and says somebody ….reads something out and says ‘It’s this and this’…I was able to pick it up … ‘It’s this and this’…I was able to pick it up … and knew what was on the paper…..right, I and knew what was on the paper…..right, I seriously need to learn to read seriously need to learn to read (2.Feb.2009)(2.Feb.2009)

Supporter: Supporter: Some people might like you to Some people might like you to read it out.read it out.

Sam: Sam: I can’t read it so I have to remember it I can’t read it so I have to remember it all.all. (May 2009)(May 2009)

Jamie: Jamie: I couldn’t understand the small print, I couldn’t understand the small print, so its gone on for years so its gone on for years (Planning application (Planning application May 2008)May 2008)

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Language and literacyLanguage and literacy

Charlie: There’s lots of words, they Charlie: There’s lots of words, they come along with these things, come along with these things, circulars and things, and I am not to circulars and things, and I am not to sure of a word, so I look them up in sure of a word, so I look them up in the dictionary the dictionary (Aug.8 2009)(Aug.8 2009)

Gary: challenging the minutes: you Gary: challenging the minutes: you are educated you know the words are educated you know the words (July 2008)(July 2008)

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FrustrationFrustration

Interrupting at inappropriate moments, Interrupting at inappropriate moments, (See conversations on the handout)(See conversations on the handout)

Gary – Bhopal re racismGary – Bhopal re racism Arthur - re private landArthur - re private land

““Where do people take their concerns to, this is Where do people take their concerns to, this is the only place they have to come to?” (April 29 the only place they have to come to?” (April 29 2009)2009)

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Discourse and PowerDiscourse and Power

““Speakers lacking the legitimate Speakers lacking the legitimate competences are de facto excluded… competences are de facto excluded… or are condemned to silence” or are condemned to silence” (Bourdieu 1991:55)(Bourdieu 1991:55)

““..every linguistic interaction….. ..every linguistic interaction….. Bears the traces of the social Bears the traces of the social structure it both expresses and helps structure it both expresses and helps to reproduce.” (Bourdieu 1991:2)to reproduce.” (Bourdieu 1991:2)

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Knowing the discourseKnowing the discourse

We do need to be educated. We do need to We do need to be educated. We do need to have the basic things in place –health, have the basic things in place –health, education and accommodation education and accommodation (Bob: (Bob: 16.08.09)16.08.09)

[We] must be able to converse in a political [We] must be able to converse in a political manner to demand our rights, to do it in a manner to demand our rights, to do it in a political stance and reach local politicians – political stance and reach local politicians – need to get people to take the flack and need to get people to take the flack and answer it in a democratic way: [we] need answer it in a democratic way: [we] need people able to converse people able to converse (Jamie April 2008)(Jamie April 2008)

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Literacy and numeracy are essentialLiteracy and numeracy are essential to freedom to freedom

Illiteracy and innumeracy are a form of Illiteracy and innumeracy are a form of insecurity in themselves. Not to be able to read insecurity in themselves. Not to be able to read or write or count is a tremendous deprivationor write or count is a tremendous deprivation

When people are illiterate, their ability to invoke When people are illiterate, their ability to invoke their legal rights can be very Limitedtheir legal rights can be very Limited

Can muffle political opportunities, by reducing Can muffle political opportunities, by reducing the ability to participate in the political arena the ability to participate in the political arena …..absence of voice in politics can entail a …..absence of voice in politics can entail a severe reduction of influence and the likelihood severe reduction of influence and the likelihood of just treatmentof just treatment

Sen: International Literacy Day 2002 8 Sept.2002Sen: International Literacy Day 2002 8 Sept.2002

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Symbolic and actual violenceSymbolic and actual violence

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The FutureThe Future

““It is a serious issue for Europe It is a serious issue for Europe because we can’t move forward because we can’t move forward ………….until we stop blaming the ………….until we stop blaming the victims and accept what happened to victims and accept what happened to these communities and see the these communities and see the consequences of what we have done consequences of what we have done to their community.” (Lord Avebury: to their community.” (Lord Avebury: June 2009)June 2009)