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This was a remarkable, stimulating, enriching discussion on race in Ireland, which I& #39;ve been waiting for! Thanks to excellent panellists and organisers. Here& #39;s a v personal summary of my takeaways:
1. Race + racism in Ireland are specific and unique. https://twitter.com/joanneellen_/status/1387739717219782659">https://twitter.com/joanneell...
1. Race + racism in Ireland are specific and unique. https://twitter.com/joanneellen_/status/1387739717219782659">https://twitter.com/joanneell...
2. BLM invited us to discuss these things, but we need an Irish discussion
3. NB: Racism in Ireland is entrenched in the discrimination experienced by mincéirí. @Minceirbeoir, speaking as a white ally, described the racism she& #39;s experienced for 41 years + will know until she dies
3. NB: Racism in Ireland is entrenched in the discrimination experienced by mincéirí. @Minceirbeoir, speaking as a white ally, described the racism she& #39;s experienced for 41 years + will know until she dies
4. Ireland& #39;s post/colonial history functions as a get-out-of-jail card (no blacks no dogs no Irish).
Paula described how this is a blockage for discussing Ireland& #39;s privileged role in the world, + @saharisright says, Ireland& #39;s role in contemporary geopolitics.
Paula described how this is a blockage for discussing Ireland& #39;s privileged role in the world, + @saharisright says, Ireland& #39;s role in contemporary geopolitics.
5. In the comments, an awareness that there& #39;s a lot of unpacking to do around Ireland& #39;s missionary history. This is relevant to @Dochasnetwork who are starting to scratch the surface of these issues.
6. @saharisright: Irish identity is forcefully positive: we& #39;re craic, we& #39;re welcoming. Hard to make space for the reality of racism.
Media keeps asking: Does racism really exist?
But where are you really from?
Media keeps asking: Does racism really exist?
But where are you really from?
7. America pervades our understanding of race + racism; @Mamobo96 reminds us: American culture is pop culture.
But America is a state built on the genocide of indigenous people on the back of Black slave labour.
Ireland is something different. Use US energy but tell Irish story
But America is a state built on the genocide of indigenous people on the back of Black slave labour.
Ireland is something different. Use US energy but tell Irish story
8. @NdahiroSandrine who convened the event, closes by reflecting that afro-futurism is not just a literary style, it& #39;s a movement. Afro-Irish voices are beginning to find their place.
There was loads more, and I& #39;ve missed some of the speakers, but these are some of the points that spoke to me as a white Irish person making sense of my own identity. Thanks so much to all the excellent panellists and to @WomenInResIE for organising!
