Inside, Outside, Upside Down: Power, Positionality, and Limits of Ethnic Identity in the Ethnographies of the Far-Right

Methodological literature on ethnographies of the far-right has largely centered around the ethical and political implications of such studies. Discussions on researcher’s positionality with regard to his/her insider–outsider positioning, ethnic-racial characteristics and concomitant power relations in the field remain relatively undertheorized. What occurs, for example, when the researcher studying anti-minority, ethnic nationalist right-wing groups is from a minority ethnic community? To what extent s(he) can gain access and develop rapport with the respondents? In this article, I seek to answer these questions by providing insights from my fieldwork experiences. I reflect upon my own position as a non-White, minority ethnic, and female ethnographer who conducted extensive fieldwork among grassroot activists of “Alternative für Deutschland,” a German right-wing political party. The article demonstrates that even in face of an apparent noncongruence between an immigrant ethnographer and right-wing, pro-majority respondents, researcher’s position is not static but fluid, intersectional and deeply situational. Ethnographer’s long term sustained proximity to the respondents, exposure to the everyday contexts of their lives create zones of congruence for an apparent outsider and can at times undermine the dominant category of ethnicity as primary social signifier.

O23 Testing the waters: COVID-19 first wave and shielding among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic patients with rheumatological conditions in the UK

Background/Aims COVID-19 has created numerous challenges for people globally. In the UK, few studies have reported poorer outcomes for certain ethnic populations. UK government introduced shielding guidance to protect the most vulnerable patients and this was in force for a number of months. However, shielding guidance was initially released only in English, which resulted in further disenfranchisement of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community (BAME). We undertook an audit to understand experiences of shielding particularly in rheumatological BAME patients in multi-ethnic communities in 3 centres - Wolverhampton, Leicester and Oxford. Methods This study was approved in all three sites as an audit. Patients contacting rheumatology helpline or having routine consultations were included. Each centre aimed to recruit at least 20 patients. A questionnaire was developed to capture important data on shielding. The study was conducted between May and June 2020 during the peak of the first wave of Covid 19. Results We recruited 79 patients into this audit, of these 54 were of BAME and 25 of Caucasian ethnicity with 17 males and 62 females. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was the commonest diagnosis in 49 of these patients (62%) and these patients were older (median ages 56 vs. 46 years, p = 0.14). BSR risk scoring algorithm was used to determine need for shielding (BSR score of 3 or more) - 38 patients fell into this category. The remaining patients had scored lower and had the option of shielding or enhanced social distancing. Of the 13 Caucasian patients who should have been shielding, 11 were (85%). Of the 25 BAME patients who should have been shielding: 17 were, and 8 were not (68%, p = 0.26; 65% looking at South Asian patients alone). Understanding of reasons for shielding was clear for 21 out of 25 Caucasian patients (84%). In contrast, 33 of 54 patients from BAME backgrounds (61%) were clear on this (p = 0.10). Within Wolverhampton and Leicester, the numbers are starker with 20 out of 37 (54%) being clear on this. Very few Caucasian patients made changes to their existing medications with 84% carrying on their medications as they were before the onset of COVID 19. However, of 54 BAME patients, 14 patients had stopped medications - either by themselves or as per advice of health professionals (74%, p = 0.16). There was a significant difference between centres in patients stopping medications with patients from Leicester much more likely (p < 0.001). Conclusion Despite the small numbers, the data clearly suggest that BAME patients were less likely to understand the reasons for shielding, to follow shielding advice, and more likely to change their medications, thereby risking a flare. Addressing culturally competent educational needs and health equality for BAME rheumatology patients continues to remain a challenge. Disclosure S. Dubey: None. K. Kumar: None. H. Bunting: None. T. Sheeran: None. B. Douglas: None. J. Sabu: None. M. Attwal: None. A. Moorthy: Honoraria; UCB, MSD, AbbVie.

The Missing Link in the Chain

As the migrant workers of the 1960s and 1970s age in place, many countries are facing caring for increasing numbers of older migrants, many of whom have complex health and social care needs. By applying a qualitative case study approach, of a grassroots disability resource center that works with older migrants, this article critically explores the social policy debates that are focused on older migrants in the Black and Minority Ethnic community. A number of themes have emerged, including the impact of changing family structure, difficulties with accessing services, and increased isolation. In addition, there are also examples of older migrants activtly engaged in building communities and supporting others, defying the stereotypes of vulnerable older migrants being a burden on the state. This article argues for politicians and social policy makers to refocus on the new challenges that are emerging in the older migrants of the Black and Minority Ethnic community.