When this blog started in the summer of 2008, the National did not exist.
One of the reasons for beginning this site was that I perceived a squeamishness in the Scottish mainstream media apropos anti-Irish racism.
The first issue to be tackled here was a new addition to the Ibrox song sheet-the Famine Song.
Therefore, when I read this piece by James Dornan MSP in the National, I realised that today was a good day.
If you ignore the work experience headline (Mr Dornan is not to blame for that), then the article is definitely worth your time.
Here are two incontestable assertions from the MSP:
“Anti-Irish racism has a long and shameful history in our country that goes beyond football.”
“There can be no argument that the Irish community is disregarded in ways that other communities are not.”
When this site started, the term “anti-Irish racism” was effectively verboten in official Scotland.
That was a key part of the cultural oppression suffered by Scotland’s multi-generational Irish community.
Not now.
Scotland’s oldest hatred is now correctly named for what it is.
Changed days indeed, and Fair Caledonia is the better for it.
Dornan ends his piece with a plan of action:
“That is why I am proposing a cross-party group on the Irish community in Scotland. A forum for people across Scotland to discuss the benefits the Irish have brought to this country and how we can ensure that the Irish community is recognised as an important, and distinct, part of Scotland’s culture and demography.”
Only racists will want him to fail.
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Phil
It utterly depresses me to say this , as a 61 year old Scot who has probably set foot in over 40 different countries in my lifetime, but there is NO other country on this planet where there is an ingrained hatred for the Irish and Catholics.
All over Europe and beyond I have been welcomed and accepted by people who notice my crucifix and acknowledge it with a smile. Apart from a weekend in St Petersburg where it was viewed with curiosity, only in Scotland do I feel the need to cover it up when entering pubs or restaurants.
I even got dumped at 12 when the girl discovered that Billy was a “Tim”.
I still haven’t got over that!
Incidentally, being called Billy gives one an insight as to how vicious the hatred is as quite often through my life it has been assumed that I’m from the other side. It led to some very stark views being expressed and several relationships being terminated rather swiftly.
Id always hoped that it would be different for my kids but with names like Keara and Daniel I regret to report that it may take some time yet!
If only we were Black, Muslim or Jewish eh? We’d have everybody on our side!
I do fear for anyone that opposes the orange order or the ( minority of so called Rangers fans ) by publicly calling them for what they are and I have personally experienced this hatred .
I have lived through this scourge for 70 years and if you think that there will be any serious changes to the hundreds of orange marches or an upscaling of banning the Union Bears then I won’t hold my breath .
Excellent article from James. Simple clear and does not hide behind ambiguous language and shows courage in laying out the reality. Probably clearest article on this topic I have read.
Think you’ll find, in Scotland, despite Professor Devine’s assertion, it is anti Catholic bigotry. This, in the view of the ignorant, equates to the same thing. It isn’t. How else to explain bigotry and discrimination to those Scots ( of an Irish heritage) with no other signs and signifiers than a denominational school ? I know you know this, call it out. Smarten your game up.
Oh dear
The cultural space that has been afforded to the Italian community in Scotland is in stark contrast to the lived experience of the multi-generational Irish community.
Consequently, Catholicism is not the main marker of difference.
Phil, I’m afraid that you cannot separate the two.
It is completely anti-Irish Catholic hate that motivates them.
They have no problem with Irish Protestants.
In fact, many Irish Protestants indulge in anti-Irish Catholic hate every time they go to Ibrokes.
It’s always the Pope and the Virgin Mary that they are always effing and blinding about not the Taoiseach.
Regardless, you are so right to keep on about this as it brings into focus the irrational hatred for a section of society of which I am part.
Long may you continue to call them out Phil!
Also, anyone of Italian descent wearing Celtic colours will be as much a Fenian so and so as any of Irish or Scottish descent.
Just as anti-irish racism does not exclude anti-catholic bigotry and vice versa. and indeed often the two coexist, they are certainly not codependent, and both most certainly exist in the Scottish population, mainly, but not exclusively with those who view themselves as “quintessentially British”.
I’ve never seen the Italian national flag described as a “terrorist flag”….
Both elements are targets of prejudice but undoubtedly Catholicism is the major aspect. (not that the two are in competition).
It was the original marker of difference because the prejudice was originally Irish.
It was Irish immigration itself which gave this Scottish sub culture a major part of its identity – a large part (30% ?) of irish immigration to Scotland was of orange/protestant background. This is often overlooked. With them, they brought their Orange Order and prejudice against Catholics.
(Of course, these views would have found fertile ground in a “Reformed” Country like Scotland – especially for a people like the Scots, who since the Reformation have sought in vain to discover a collective identity for themselves).
The Orange Order exists to oppose the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church , not the Irish state.
All of sevco’s party songs attack Catholics and their faith.
It was Catholics whom the defunct rangers signing policy targetted.
Of course, there are examples which also specifically target irishness – such as the famine song.
Its the two things together which really get their juices flowing “irish catholic”. They are very vicious about the Catholic faith, yet are not greatly exercised about Catholics from other backgrounds (Scotland’s Catholic community is undoubtedly the most diverse and cosmopolitan in the Country).
Of course, this is a fabricated culture created from an illusion of superiority and other falsehoods, centred on hating others.
Intellectual coherence has never been one of its strong points. Its similar how the culture vigorously defines itself as being fiercely “protestant”, while possessing very few, if any, Church goers and being thoroughly unChristian. (To say nothing of the fact that the term “protestant” is so vague as to be almost meaningless, in terms of telling you anything about a persons beliefs).
Yes, totall agree with Mr Smith, I was just about to say similar, and his assertion that some plaudits are down to you and your TRUE journalistic methods, because he is spot on✅
This has now been identified and should now be dealt with appropriately but, We must All remember to not get carried away thinking it’s all about to change. You only have to think back less than two months ago to the disgraceful behaviour of sevco fans in George Square. Behaviour that someone ‘had to permit’ that orgy of destruction, imho, whomever gave that the go ahead, should be sacked immediately; regardless of position, because in doing so they have proven, beyond doubt, that they are NOT fit to hold such a position. For me, if that person ISN’T a Masonic brother I will spend the remainder of my existence eating my own doings🤮 or I maybe I’ll just post it to a team of immortal Govan gods that simply cannot DIE😉
And speaking of the battle of George Square I’ve not heard much about sevco fans being prosecuted, in fact, I’ve not heard of a single one being held to account.
ps. and thanks for yesterday’s piece too Phil.
Phil,
I have been reading your posts for many years. I am one of those, that return often, “just to check”.
I am the son of a Scots born Irishman and a Scottish mother. The differences, although my mother was raised Catholic, between my parents heritages were always buffered in their raising of their four children. We were raised to be respectful and tolerant of all.
My father embraced his Scottish side and raised us to believe in Scotland. In my early years of the mid 70’s-80’s, it was his way of insulating us from what went on elsewhere, and to keep us from being marginalised.
I believe my parents raised children into adulthood, who have been able to look at the prejudices in Scotland that exists in many forms, and primarily identify them and make it obvious to those in our circles of friends, that they are unacceptable.
Over the years, I am glad to have cleared the views of friends and set some people free, to be who they want to be.
It is true that in the last 50+years understanding of race, colour and creed, sexuality and gender have improved, only improved.
It is also true that the hate, fear and contention of anything Irish/Catholic is still allowed to fester. As you coined yourself “Scotland’s own Irish”.
The annual summer hatefests are still ongoing. The need of the hateful abusing the privileges of this land to gather and parade in the name of free speech and liberty, at the cost of liberty and freedom.
I am a Scot, who is very proud of his home, but shamed by the people I live with.
Phil, I think you can take a lot of the credit for this. The first time I heard the phrase “anti-Irish racism” was from you. Till then we knew there was a problem but it wasn’t properly defined.
Well done to you.
One other thing, I think the anti-Irish racists in Scotland are as racist against any other culture, it’s what they do.