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Anyone who says that Ireland doesn't have a racism problem has never listened to Hazel Chu speak about her experience, or even looked at the replies under any of her tweets. Solidarity to her.
There's two forms of racism at play here fwiw (short thread below): https://twitter.com/aoifegracemoore/status/1352542352800362496
There's two forms of racism at play here fwiw (short thread below): https://twitter.com/aoifegracemoore/status/1352542352800362496
On the surface level there's the obvious, thuggish, fascist racism that poses a direct threat.
But there's also the passive racism of the well to do white Irish liberals, who do not listen, who do not stand up and condemn, who seek to rationalize internally 2/
But there's also the passive racism of the well to do white Irish liberals, who do not listen, who do not stand up and condemn, who seek to rationalize internally 2/
And not condemn publicly. This, I can say from proper experience, includes a depressing amount of senior figures in politics, including in Hazel's own party.
They dont understand. They don't see it as serious as it is. Because they don't get how it is to be a victim of racism 3/
They dont understand. They don't see it as serious as it is. Because they don't get how it is to be a victim of racism 3/
And they don't try to understand, not really. They can't even bring themselves to try to understand why it's bad to say the n-word (Enda Kenny, Gerry Adams and Eamon Ryan) or perform a racist Chinese accent (Micheal Martin) 4/
Check that list above again - the current or previous most recent leader of the four biggest parties in Ireland has had a racist incident and suffered zero consequences from it.
We can't be surprised that these groups don't know how or don't seem interested in 5/
We can't be surprised that these groups don't know how or don't seem interested in 5/
tackling racism directed at people like Hazel, when they can't even address it within their own ranks.
This laissez-faire, privileged refusal to protect against and condemn and act against racism enables racists. And this shit Hazel and other minorities in politics endure 6/
This laissez-faire, privileged refusal to protect against and condemn and act against racism enables racists. And this shit Hazel and other minorities in politics endure 6/
will continue to get worse unless political parties get their shit together and change their entire approach, starting with how they deal with racism within themselves. 7/7
Oh and I've just been reminded that in addition to the racism from leaders and former leaders of FG, FF, SF and GP, some members of the Soc Dems tried to get a candidate deported. Or the Labour TD belittling DP the other day.
Point here is that no party is free of this shit.
Point here is that no party is free of this shit.
*councillor and former TD, I should say.
