To apologise for arguing that discrimination against the Irish 'isn't a thing'

[wheresmymojo]

I was on an AIBU thread months and months ago where someone was talking about 'Irish twins' (used for two children born 12 months or less apart).

I argued that it wasn't offensive because Irish people aren't discriminated against. That I've never, ever seen any disparaging remarks about Irish people except in jest, etc.

Anyway...I just wanted to say: I was wrong.
I should've listened more to the Irish people on the thread and I've learned my lesson there.

With the discussions about the NI border due to Brexit I've been reading up on the relevant history (back to before the famine) and I've been shocked at how our English Govt treated your people. I've been very naive about the degree to which English education misses out some lots of inconvenient parts of our history.

I also commented on several FB threads after the recent Bloody Sunday prosecution and was shocked at some of the comments of other people.

So I was wrong, and I apologise (even if no-one reads this - it's been playing on my conscience).

[longwayoff]

I've been reading a thread where people in other countries give their view of our country. The ones from Ireland cause me most embarrassment. It's no surprise that Irish history isn't taught in our schools. And this country is still at it, minimising and ignoring any questions about how Ireland will be affected by Brexit. What surprises me is how patient the Irish are with us and how pleasant they are generally. We have treated them disgracefully for centuries.

[FangsTasticBeast]

We were taught about Ireland at school for GCSEs years ago. Ex is Irish and I think they do still see a lot of discrimination

[RuggerHug]

Irish here OP. Thanks. As most people agree, British history with Ireland really should be taught in schools, pretending it didn't happen won't make it go away.

[AnnaSteen]

Nice post. Thank you and fair play for doing that extra reading/research.

[MindyStClaire]

Thanks OP, much appreciated. Brexit has really brought anti Irish sentiment on here, and it seems in the British media in general, to the fore and it hasn't been pleasant. It takes a lot to admit you're wrong, and an open mind to accept it.

[Hereward1332]

Unless you're referring to events before 1707, British government, not English. The English are not uniquely responsible for the ills of the British Empire.

[wheresmymojo]

The main protagonists were very much English when it came to the famine

[wheresmymojo]

...and we conquered Scotland and forced them to join the UK in 1707 so I don't think Scottish people can then be held to account for decisions made under those circumstances.

I'd have to research the way the Govt was made up and when Scottish people were properly represented but my gut feel given everything I've read about that time so far is that they wouldn't have been for some time.

[wheresmymojo]

Having read about it one could call it a genocide IMO.

20-25% of the population left to die when the ruling Government were perfectly able to prevent that (not the blight, but could have supplied corn).

[AfterSchoolWorry]

Wow, thank you!

[OwlBeThere]

Good for you OP, I’m welsh and there is a similar lack of education about the attempted English eradication of the welsh language. It’s not your fault you don’t know, but good on you for taking the time to educate yourself on things.

[Hereward1332]

we conquered Scotland and forced them to join the UK in 1707

Nonsense.

[youwouldthink]

Thank you. Wishing more would take the time to research and understand our history!

[Bipbopbee]

Personally I am not proud to be English. The Irish, the Scottish, the Welsh... we have treated them all appallingly.

[nutsfornutella]

we conquered Scotland and forced them to join the UK in 1707

No James VI of Scotland became James I of England which united the 2 countries or do I remember wrong?

[PianoVigilante]

You don't need to take a historical view, either, OP. Brexit, the border and the backstop have reawakened in full force some deeply unpleasant and discriminatory anti-Irish attitudes in 2019, which have very little to do with colonial outrages.

[wheresmymojo]

Sorry, ignore me re: Scotland. I was incorrect.

So yes: British Govt after 1707....but still the main protagonists involved were very much English.

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

Thanks xx

[implantsandaDyson]

I remember that thread - if I remember correctly there were a spate of threads with similar ignorant and ill advised comments. You weren’t the only dick on them. I’m glad you’ve done some reading.

[Rainbowjellies]

Are you also horrified how the Spanish have treated most of South America? And France in Africa? Let's not pretend it was only the English that were tyrants. Yes they were bad to the Irish but that's kind of what empires did back then (not saying it's right).

[Proudirishnotpaddy]

Thank you op.

[PianoVigilante]

Rainbow, the OP is clearly quite specifically talking about her own past ignorance of British-Irish relations, and her defence of a specific, still used idiom which rests on the assumption that Irish being, being feckless, backward and Catholic, breed like rabbits and have babies in quick succession -- to the point where closely-spaced babies are earmarked by a term which specifically connects them jolily to Irishness.

I am also assuming the OP is British.

I really don't see that as having the slightest bearing on France and Spain's former empires.

[MrTumbleTumble]

My nan is Irish and when she first moved to England in the 60s people used to cross the street to avoid her

[FineWordsForAPorcupine]

No James VI of Scotland became James I of England which united the 2 countries or do I remember wrong?

@nutfornutella
The history of England and Scotland is a long and bloody one. It was not as straightforward as "James VI/I became king and united the kingdoms in peaceful harmony"

[Proudirishnotpaddy]

I remember signs on b&bs and stuff “No blacks, no Irish, no dogs”

I have been challenging the racism all my bloody life and it just gets old.

Calling something “a bit Irish” if it doesn’t work properly.

Throwing a paddy.

Mocking of accents “top o the mornin to ye”

All that shit.