From the Guardian this morning:
Over the years a range of individuals and organisations have worked positively in London to tackle myths, ignorance and prejudice about the Irish community. Yet in this week's New Statesman, Boris Johnsonattacks a major, mainstream, Irish community event, the annual St Patrick's Day dinner, as "lefty crap", falsely claiming it was "£20,000 on a dinner at the Dorchester for Sinn Féin". The fact is that the annual St Patrick's Day event was a self-financing community event attended by a wide range of Irish actors, politicians from many parties, community figures and celebrities, including Bob Geldof, the Irish ambassador, TV and radio presenter Dermot O'Leary and actress Pauline McLynn.
When Boris Johnson cancelled the annual St Patrick's Day dinner in 2009 there was widespread disbelief about his decision. His remarks this week reveal what lay behind that decision. Many Londoners will be disturbed by the mayor of London's contemptuous remarks about a community which has given, and continues to give, so much to our capital city.
These views belong to a time we all hoped had been consigned to the long and distant past.
Richard Corrigan Restaurateur and chef, Adrian Dunbar Actor, Vernon Coaker MP Shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Stephen Pound MP Shadow Northern Ireland minister, Conor McGinn Chair, Labour party Irish Society, Gerry Ryan Chair, London Irish Labour councillors, Shelagh O'Connor Irish community activist, Siobhan McDonagh MP, Emily Thornberry MP, Billy Hayes General secretary, CWU, Richard Murphy Chartered accountant, Tax Justice Network,Christine Quigley London Labour assembly list candidate
It's often assumed that if a person is white and sounds British (and there's no doubt that describes me) they can have no idea about what racism really is.
Oh yes they can: my name gives clear indication of my origins and it's one I'm proud of. I'm proud as a result to have an Irish passport. And I know too well from my experience and the experience of my wife's family, for she's Irish too, just how powerful and destructive Irish racism was in the UK until very recently. Johnson makes clear it still simmers just below the surface in his world. And it's as unacceptable to be racist about the Irish as anyone else. Johnson, please take note.
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Difficult to see how either of his remarks could be construed as racist. You may think they are misguided but let’s stop the faux outrage, “racist” cries, and self-pitying calls for apology when anyone says anything mildly controversial.
If he did cancel the St Paddy Day’s Dinner then it is unlikely to have been self-financing. Or did he actually pass a law forbidding the event to take place? In that case I would be worried.
I note your name
But this is not faux outrage
This is real
And you should be ashamed of supporting Johnson
Richard, was the dinner self-financing? If so, under what authority did BJ cancel it?
Funny! But Timothy is right. Johnson’s remark isnt anything near racism. Its a pity because those of you who clamour for respect & freedom of expression do not abide by the same. Racism & all manner of discriminations exist but the use of them these days is simply hilarious.
And before you say, I am black & a Labour party member. Self-pity & self-victimization is the order of the day and this what I see here, as well as sheer party politics which stiffles common sense. A sort of opportunistic opinion-vampirism.
Respectfully, I completely disagree
I suggest a little empathy might help your perception
You might enjoy being treated with contempt, Timothy, but this Kerryman does not.
Well said
I just remember – and have seen the impact of those in the previous generation of – signs saying “No woman, no dogs, no Irish” in that order
No wonder if you had an Irish name you learned to keep your head down
For generations the desire was simp,y to assimilate. Not now!
I thought it was “no blacks, no dogs, no Irish”at properties which were to let.
My version was the pub one
It’s amazing how many people will crawl out of the woodwork and defend infantile racism, isn’t it?
Coming out with comments like “stop making a fuss, what was said wasn’t’ that bad” or the usual “you lot haven’t got a sense of humour!” These type of remarks are usually trotted out to defend the indefensible!
Of course, opinions seem to miraculously change whenever someone of foreign origin has a go at the English!
Somehow that’s different!
Boris Johnson gets away with a great deal other politicians wouldn’t get away with because he’s successfully cultivated the image of a posh buffoon, Richard. I’m sure I’m not alone in never having been taken in by that act. In reality he’ll be as prejudiced and nasty as any other right wing Tory, as this latest ‘gaff’ illustrates.
It’s amazing that this contempt of the Irish continues to this day. Is it that some Brits (perhaps the more Conservative?) never could accept that the Irish would never accept English rule/control over their affairs? And when you see how much Ireland has contributed to English cultural life ( Swift, Joyce, Yeats, Wilde, Lewis to name a few) it’s even more bizarre.
I visited Ireland in 2000 (and yes, even Kerry) and love the people and the land – would be proud to call myself an Irishman. There’s only one way to deal with such stupidity (Johnson’s type) and that’s to treat such people to complete mockery!
It’s rude, and racist! He is a bufoon but his comments are unacceptable! We contribute a huge amount to society in London and we deserve to celebrate our nations Saints day. What I mostly take offence to is the reference to our St Patrick’s day parade and that all of us who attend or support are Left Wing Sinn Fein suppporters! It is possible to be a proud Irish person, love God’s Green country, want to celebrate our heritage and saints day in a land away from home and not be a supporter of Sinn Fein! The man is a fool…..I wonder would he be so quick to speak out against other ethnic groups in London?? I think not!