It was only last May that I reminded readers of the wisdom of Albert Camus and the importance of avoiding naming things wrongly.
That was in the aftermath of Sevco’s klanbase training George Square for the second time in three months.
Several people within official Scotland took the opportunity to act with good authority and name correctly what was clearly on display.
For the avoidance of doubt, it was anti-Irish racism.
That is the hatred that defines the Ibrox klanbase.
If that is not understood, then much of what happens when Sevco is playing is inexplicable.
Moreover, it is an integral part of the matchday experience that survived the death of Rangers in 2012.
When this site started in 2008, the Famine Song had just been added to the Ibrox song sheet.
The first instinct of the Fitba Fourth estate was to deploy the banter defence.
Thankfully, the following year the criminal justice system applied due rigour and logic when it was ruled racist in the case involving Mr William Walls.
Regular readers will be very aware of my relatively low opinion of the quality on the Glasgow sports desks.
I’m sure that I will not have to labour that point.
However, if you’re unconvinced, one of them once breathlessly told the world that this chap was a billionaire.
That said, I do expect more from those who work on the news desks.
That is because they are dealing with much weightier matters than whether or not a goal was offside.
Consequently, I was moved to communicate with this young chap at the National yesterday.
Dear reader, describing the Famine Song as “sectarian” IS deeply unhelpful.
Indeed, I devoted an entire section of a book to the subject.
I was gratified that the young journalist replied to me on Twitter and stated that he had altered the piece.
Fair play to him.
You can read the amended piece here.
My friend and colleague Angela Haggerty, who edited Minority Reporter, was ahead of me in thanking Xander for this swift action.
For the multi-generational Irish community to be finally recognised in Fair Caledonia, acknowledging anti-Irish racism is vital.
My work is not yet done on this issue, but I detect that the dial is moving.
I believe that Scotland is now at a crossroads.
It can embrace the spirit of Kenmure Street or the racism of the Famine Song.
Of course, before you can call it out, you must name it correctly.
I do not know this young chap on the National.
However, he is miles ahead of the Stenography Corps both as a journalist and as a person.
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Hateful behaviour at orange walks? Imagine that! Who knew?
Keep up the good fight Phil
One swallow does not a summer make – Aristotle
But it’s a sign things may be about to change for the good.
The problem is that the piece gets published in the print edition and there’s no changing that once it’s on the shelves. I buy the National as it’s the only indy paper and it’s something to read when munchin’ on me luncheon but it frustrates me no end. You read the news pages and letters pages which are full of articles criticising the hun for their bigoted, racist ways and then you turn to the sports pages (which are lifted directly from the Herald) and are hit in the face with 100% scum propaganda gleefully delivered by Chris “The Walloper’s Walloper” Jack. I’m sure he’s ponied up the £25k Ibrox access fee from his own pocket. 100% bear-appeasement same club Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrangers pish, butcher’s aprons aplenty incongruously filling pages of an independence paper. Mental.