Racism and War: Breaking the Cycles of Violence

This workshop was held in the framework of the World Peace Congress organised by the International Peace Bureau (IPB), the oldest and largest international peace network.

see also: (RE) Imagine Our World. transform! europe at the 2nd IPB World Peace Congress

Racism, an ideology deeply rooted in white western societies has been instrumental for the justification of wars, violence and oppression throughout history. In today’s world, racism is also the governing ideology of migration politics – refugees and migrants have been continuously framed by political leaderships as a “threat to national security” and either let to die or are cluttered in gated camps under inhumane conditions. Frontex is patrolling the European border in military gear rather than engaging in search and rescue missions and even commits illegal push-backs. In the USA, despite the ongoing mass mobilisation of antiracist movements, hopes that the Biden administration will change course in migration governance have been disappointed. On the contrary, last September, 10,000 Haitians were deported back to the island that is plagued by natural catastrophes, poverty and violence. Amidst the economical tensions between China and the USA, anti-Asian racism is also on the rise. In past and present, racism has enabled war and war has enabled racism. During this workshop we will analyse the current discourse in the USA and Europe and discuss strategies that will help us break this cycle of violence. In which way is everyday antiracism a contribution to peace? Is peace possible in a racist society?