Let’s talk racism. Most Irish think racism applies only to Black people & are keen to criticise it.

When you point out Ireland has a long & nasty history of systemic racism against Mincéirí (Travellers) they go silent or make racist statements.
A clear example of that racism being engrained in our laws is set out in this article: https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/funds-for-travellers-left-unspent-by-local-authorities-1012435.html?__twitter_impression=true

FLAC CEO Eilis Barry . @flacireland
A clear example of that racism being engrained in our laws is set out in this article: https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/funds-for-travellers-left-unspent-by-local-authorities-1012435.html?__twitter_impression=true FLAC CEO Eilis Barry . @flacireland
A clear example of that racism being engrained in our laws is set out in this article: https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/funds-for-travellers-left-unspent-by-local-authorities-1012435.html?__twitter_impression=true FLAC CEO Eilis Barry . @flacireland
Each council has been given money to spend on Mincéirí halting sites. Many have spent NOTHING. The Irish media has also presented the Mincéirí community in a shocking & biased way. Note the small house being described as luxury (with show house pics). Third pic is Indo ‘fears’.
Each council has been given money to spend on Mincéirí halting sites. Many have spent NOTHING. The Irish media has also presented the Mincéirí community in a shocking & biased way. Note the small house being described as luxury (with show house pics). Third pic is Indo ‘fears’.
Each council has been given money to spend on Mincéirí halting sites. Many have spent NOTHING. The Irish media has also presented the Mincéirí community in a shocking & biased way. Note the small house being described as luxury (with show house pics). Third pic is Indo ‘fears’.
Each council has been given money to spend on Mincéirí halting sites. Many have spent NOTHING. The Irish media has also presented the Mincéirí community in a shocking & biased way. Note the small house being described as luxury (with show house pics). Third pic is Indo ‘fears’.
Many people who describe themselves as anti-racist are happy to be racist about Mincéirí.

When I have confronted them, they’re not even embarrassed & often extrapolate one ‘alleged’ experience to an entire community.

Blame the victims is their attitude.
Mincéirí suicide is over 6 times higher than amongst the so-called Settled community: https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2019/0315/1036634-nui-galway-travellers/
Suicide rate among Travellers highlighted

The suicide rate within the Travelling community is six-times higher than that of wider society in Ireland, according to a study carried out by a new mental health lobby group.

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2019/0315/1036634-nui-galway-travellers/
Mincéirí life expectancy is shocking & a stain on Irish society.

Half of all Mincéirí die before they are 39y.

70% are dead before 59y.

General Irish life expectancy is 81.5y (22.5y more) https://www.irishtimes.com/news/50-of-travellers-die-before-39-study-1.808703?mode=amp
50% of Travellers die before 39 - study

Some 50 per cent of Travellers die before their 39th birthday and some 70 per cent fail to live past the age of 59.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/50-of-travellers-die-before-39-study-1.808703?mode=amp
Mincéirí Education Services are equally appalling.

8% Mincéirí complete the Leaving Cert (17-18y)
1% Mincéirí have college degrees

(Data from 2011) https://itmtrav.ie/strategic-priorities/education/
Education - Irish Travellers Movement

Education The number of Travellers attaining Junior and Leaving Certificates, and hence progressing to higher-level education remains well below the levels of non-Traveller peers. Low levels of...

https://itmtrav.ie/strategic-priorities/education/
Even more disturbing is that when these FACTS are shared they result in people saying that Mincéirí are not an ethnic minority (a racist statement), that they are all ‘criminals’ or to make jokes! This is the sort of thing that Black people hear too.
It’s notable too that many Irish Black Lives Matter activists have called out the treatment of Mincéirí.

Additionally many LGBTQI & Feminist activists have called out the systemic racism too.

Pride events are also keen to have Mincéirí representation.

It’s a shared struggle.
In fact racism towards Mincéirí is such that many consider it acceptable & choose to ignore the demands of activists that racism towards Mincéirí end, whilst attending events organised by those activists! https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40015166.html
Racism towards Travellers still acceptable in Ireland says Senator

Racism towards Travellers still acceptable in Ireland says Senator

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40015166.html
Here’s a report from the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/treatment-of-travellers-casts-dark-shadow-over-democracy-1.4290887?mode=amp
In writing this I’m conscious that I’m not from the Mincéirí community The statistics are appalling We live in a state where an RTÉ journo can ask if others would live beside Mincéirí (shocking) & where a Presidential candidate allegedly ran on a campaign of hate towards Mincéirí
Finally if you have any hate to share towards the Mincéirí community, take it elsewhere. You will be blocked & I encourage others to report & block too.

I will not accept racism & neither should anyone.
Just to add to this - here’s an example of the ‘joke’ response. I don’t belief this person is consciously racist but despite the dialogue the tweet has not been deleted because that person just doesn’t get it.
Just to add to this - here’s an example of the ‘joke’ response. I don’t belief this person is consciously racist but despite the dialogue the tweet has not been deleted because that person just doesn’t get it.
Just to add to this - here’s an example of the ‘joke’ response. I don’t belief this person is consciously racist but despite the dialogue the tweet has not been deleted because that person just doesn’t get it.
Some resources: The main org in Ireland is here: http://paveepoint.ie 
& good Irish resource: http://itmtrav.ie 

UK org: http://travellermovement.org.uk/advocacy-suppo …

Human Rights & Equality Commission Report: http://ihrec.ie/download/pdf/t …

Interesting history: http://travellerheritage.ie/traveller-heri …
Irish Travellers Movement - Promoting Equality for Travellers in Ireland

The Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) is a national network of organisations and individuals working within the Traveller community in Ireland.

http://paveepoint.ie
You can follow @RobertBohan.
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