Wow the casual racism of some people is shocking isn’t it?

[clary]

I was at an event today working with an older woman who seemed very pleasant (I don’t know her well). We had a list of names of people involved and she looked at an Irish name (Eoghan) and said to me “well how do you say that?” I said hmm, not sure, so I googled it and came up with the answer (Oh-an or Ow-en). All good. But then she says “Goodness me, I just wish they would spell their names correctly!”

This is a racist comment isn't it? I was aghast. I mean, I am by no means a perfect person, but I cannot imagine saying that. In fact even tho it was slightly awkward (it was a casual conversation with someone I don’t know) I did call her out on in and say “Well it is a different language! Would you say that about someone with a Russian name?” but I am not sure she took it on board.

Not sure what I am asking really. But have others come across this? Should we continue to challenge it and what should I say?

My DB follows the horse racing. He has commented that GB commentators pronounce the Irish named horses as English sounds, whereas they pronounce the French named horses, in correct French.

Favourite comment of the day!

This - I’m Irish & it’s not racist or offensive at all, just a bit ignorant (as is her right living in England & not being Irish!)

Yes, indeed. Ruth Jones is indeed some kind of philosophical goddess. Is xenopobia somehow more acceptable or excusable than racism? If so, why?

I mean if couldn’t be xenophobic or just plain rude but it definitely isn’t racism.

I think it’s really down to the Irish to say whether they are offended and feel it’s xenophobic or not.

I’m half Irish ( but grew up in the Uk) and I’m married to an Irishman, and there are times I come across a uncommon name and wonder ‘how do I pronounce that’ and my husband will laugh at me as he helps me try to pronounce it correctly.

MN aghast at someone’s opinion based on a name.

I wonder why there’s repeated threads inferring the entire UK or even MN are far right LOL.

Seems like people are so rattled years before we all have the chance to put an X next to a candidates name.

Now imagine what people say to my very African surname, I feel like crying everyone tells me ‘oh that’s a nice exotic name’ LOL.

get a grip

Ah sorry not to come back before.

Aghast was a bit strong I guess. I didn't mean to be ageist so I apologise for that too. I just meant she was older than me - not that that excuses her comment.

What she meant was "Why can't Irish people [it was clear the person was Irish] spell their names correctly?"

I think they do, is my point. But thanks for the comments.

She could have been racist had she knew the name was Irish - she just sounds rude to me and a bit ignorant.
Having said that, was there any need to mention she was older?

No I agree, the "older" element was unnecessary. I guess I was trying to illustrate a demographic, in the way that you might say someone was a Gen Z. I'm not saying that all people over 70 are racist.

ETA it was clearly not a child with a unique spelling of a name btw for those suggesting that.

Jesus what is the world coming to???

OP of course its not racist. Ignorant, yes.

"A racist is a person who believes that certain races are superior to others, or someone who treats people unfairly, harms them, or discriminates against them because of their race or ethnicity".

Questioning a spelling of names, I think not.

I'm shocked at how ageist your are OP, completely disgusting

That's not a racist comment and you are massively overreacting 🤷‍♀️

Not just shocked but ‘aghast’ at the ageism.

Quite hypocritical OP. At least you didn’t call her a boomer I guess. I have no idea how to pronounce traditionally spelt Irish names either and would probably have said so in a lighthearted manner.

Also she may have never seen the name before and thought it was an example of the ‘unique’ way some people spell their kids names.

Everyone knows that Irish names are notoriously difficult for English people to pronounce because they have letter combinations that don't exist in English. Are you sure she wasn't just making a lighthearted joke about it. I always moan about Irish name spellings when writing cards and thank you letters to my relatives.

I'm half Irish but was born in the UK. My parents didn't give me an Irish name partly for this reason. Ironically, we then moved to South America and nobody could pronounce or spell my English name so I used the Spanish version of it. It didn't upset me at all. I actually think the Spanish version sounds better.

The phrase 'call people out' has definitely begun to aquire negative connotations of over zealous narrow mindedness.

You sound like a barrel of fun.

Being flippant about the differences in spelling etc isn't racist.

Gosh. Not an ‘older woman’ How relevant that is to the story.

I'm Irish and I would be offended, but not at all surprised. I have heard some truly bizarre comments about Irish people in my time in the UK. The most surprising thing is how little English children learn about Irish history, when Irish children know how deeply entwined the histories have been for 600 years or so. So was this lady uneducated and rude? Definitely yes. Also I'm " older" and not at all offended by being described so. Young people today, eh?

Get a grip OP.

In my experience it was usually older white men and women who were most liable to exhibit anti-Irish prejudice. Men more than women, though.

It is indeed usually older white British (mostly English) people who display this prejudice because they are more likely to have been around for the days when signs in boarding house windows said “No blacks, no dogs, no Irish”.

She said “why can’t they spell their names PROPERLY”. That means she thinks the English way is the “proper” way. So she thinks it’s superior, essentially. But actually: Irish people have had (and still have) their own way of spelling these names, which is not incorrect or worse than the English way. Just different.

Irish people are not a race as such. But they are recognised as a distinct ethnic group and nationality. And this kind of comment displays discriminatory views of ethnicity or nationality.

Just this.
OP don't look for issues where there are none. Us older folks have the tendency to say what we think.
It's the result of growing up in a world where people had a sense of humour and proportion.
I'm South African...trust me you learn to laugh at insults and even smile when people try and fail to mimic our accents.
Get on with your life and stop the nonsense.

Don’t be so ridiculous.
you should work in a secondary school and hear what pupils are capable of saying.
i find your comment offensive AND ignorant, so surely that makes you ageist and racist???