Why are many Irish people racist?

LegacyUser

well im irish myself my bf is from india im really amazed at the amount of people who look at us when wer together and are so surprised that we are boyfriend and girlfriend, do u think when u boil it all down its racism. its actually makes me angry. my bf did experience alot of racism here i dont know how because he is a gentleman. why do people look and find it so strange to see a white man with a different race woman or a white woman with asian man. is it that unusual in this day and age

Victor

For some people they just aren't used to it, but yes others are racist.

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Can I ask you to refrain from txt-spk? Some people have reading or language problems and txt-spk makes things harder for them.

SarahSassy

Part of it is ignorance and part racism...

I find it interesting how couples blend two totally different background and upbringings, cultures etc but I dont care what anyone else does in their own relationships. Now in saying that I could not go out with someone from Cavan - JOKING.

mikemac

It's new for a lot of people, give them a chance before you blacken the entire population.

Sure in the past the same thing went on but it was to do with mixed marraiges, "sure how could you marry a Protestant??"
Even at weddings nowadays this gets remarked on by some people. Not racism now but you get the example

Some are racist but I'd say most just aren't used to it.
And maybe some just don't like your boyfriend so a racist comment they use but it could be any insult realy. He may be a gentleman but that's in your opinion and not everyone will agree.

Monkey61

To be honest it is probably not racism. People tend to look at couples who look "unusual" for want of a better word. Like for instance most people would look twice at a 6 foot tall woman holding hands with a 5ft bloke. I think the eye is just automatically attracted to difference.

Also, even in this day and age mixed race couples are unusual in Ireland. I have never met one, even though I live in Dublin which one would expect to be more cosmopolitan than elsewhere. I also don't have any friends who are foreign - simply because my school, college class and anywhere I've ever worked has been entirely white. I imagine this would be the same for a lot of people, so they might just be surprised upon seeing you and your boyfriend, because they would wonder where you met.

I think you just need to accept people's surprise and not automatically find it offensive or think that it is racist.

wintear

Can I just ask what is racist about looking at a couple as the OP describes? There does not seem to be any specific examples to tar all Irish people with such a big brush?

It could be as simple as he is somewhat taller than her and that causes people to stare or maybe dressed provocatively rather than assuming racism.

Victor

Can i ask people to knock off the snide remarks?

wintear wrote: »

Can I just ask what is racist about looking at a couple as the OP describes?

Its just another brand of bigotry.

Victor McDade

Its narrow-mindedness from a small minority of ignorant people. You wouldn't get as much of that in more diverse countries like UK or USA. Pass no remarks. My Chinese gf experienced some racism from idiots who couldn't point to China on a map, you have to rise above it

xniamhx

To be honest I dont think the general run of Irish people are a bit racist and Im getting fed up of hearing it.

Its such a joke, foreigners wouldnt be capable of standing outside Londis/Spar collecting money ''to help fight racisim in Ireland'' if we truly were a racist nation.

nowimtalking

I am Irish aswell, and have a muslim girlfriend, i am catholic and her dad doesnt like me anymore.
My grandad exclaimed that she wasnt the right person and when i asked why he informed me that her type are accustomed to bombing planes.

I am not to worried and plan to fly to Paris in two years time with her.

Its the older generations really i think!

adagio

Its narrow-mindedness from a small minority of ignorant people.

Unfortunately I disagree with the above. Lets be clear - when someone displays racism, it's a mixture of ignorance and self empowerment on the part of the Racist. And I am 100% sure it's the majority of people and not the minority. I am a white Irish man who has traveled extensively and it does not matter where or when we are discussing.
When human beings who have had a fundamentally flawed educational experience, for many reasons, perceive their need to react to a 'perceived' threat - the 'other' and protect their natural conservative base they act out in a racist manner = they are being racist.
There is no point in being introspective specifying an 'Irish context.'
Racism is a nuance of a natural state in our distant past in reaction to the 'other' and it's part of the human race.
In response to the op - Be proud of your relationship and feel reassured that you will never be swamped by the personal doubts that plague the lives of those that react to other peoples in a racist manner.
Take care.:rolleyes:

Wibbs

OP I went out with a non white lass in the past and the guff I got was both surprising and shocking, both from my own "race" and indeed hers. This was before the crapola about "der takin ouwer jooobs" silliness too. I thinke racism like the poor will always be with us one way or another. It's more tribalism really. Look at the conflict that went on in the north. Same colour, same BS. Colour just makes it easier for idiots. Whatever about another generation, who have some excuse from upbringing and ignorance of other cultures, younger types have no excuse other than they're morons. IMHO, listening or being affected by morons is not worth my time and energy. So good luck to the pair of you.

nowimtalking wrote: »

I am Irish aswell, and have a muslim girlfriend, i am catholic and her dad doesnt like me anymore.

That may be racism on her dads part, but it may be more a cultural/religious thing . While a Muslim man can marry a woman of "the book"(Jews and Christians), a Muslim woman can't marry a non Muslim man.

Davei141

Wibbs wrote: »

That may be racism on her dads part, but it may be more a cultural/religious thing . While a Muslim man can marry a woman of "the book"(Jews and Christians), a Muslim woman can't marry a non Muslim man.

Neither is acceptable though. Be it racism or religious bigotry from the father.

aqua2027

I think it may be because people are not used to this type of relationship. If you go to India, you will find more curious eyes. It does not mean that people are racist. I am also Indian, "touchwood" and I have never encountered racist in last four months. I know there may be some mad people but you can not generalise whole Irish Society.

dny123456

in a mixed race relationship too. other half is chinese. We're gay so get loads of attention! Partner finds the comments/snears from his fellow Asians worse than from the Irish, but that's more because of the gay part, than the mixed race.

So to be honest it's not just Irish people, there's bigotry everywhere. Try to ignore it and perhaps avoid been 'couply' in public.... i know it's easier said than done.

MIN2511

dny123456 wrote: »

in a mixed race relationship too. other half is chinese. We're gay so get loads of attention! Partner finds the comments/snears from his fellow Asians worse than from the Irish, but that's more because of the gay part, than the mixed race.

So to be honest it's not just Irish people, there's bigotry everywhere. Try to ignore it and perhaps avoid been 'couply' in public.... i know it's easier said than done.

Don't change who you are for people.....


Some people will accept you and others wont. there is nothing you can do about it but never change who you are because other people are not comfortable with your relationship

LegacyUser

I would agree with the general consensus here. You cannot say people are racist just because they look. Some people are racist but to most it is just curiosity; it’s something new, different or unusual to them. People are naturally cautious and some people actually fear or turn against what they don’t know or understand. While racism itself is not natural it does stem from these natural feelings i.e. the fear of the unknown.

CDfm

There are areas in Dublin I wont walk in with a suit on.

There are anti men organisations and anti women organisations and the likes.Luckily most of those things are not mainstream and normal people dont think like that.

You are best avoiding the places and people who are.

LegacyUser

When I was 16, I went to Paris for the first time, I saw alot of African men on the metro and I was fascinated by how they looked, I still am. You just don't see many in Dublin. Try not to be too offended I'm sure the majority mean nothing by it.

Pythia

I am surprised you get this OP. I went out with an Irish guy whose parents were Indian. Never had any problems with this and this was 5 years ago or so, before there was so many immigrants.

Unregistered

Unregistered wrote: »

well im irish myself my bf is from india im really amazed at the amount of people who look at us when wer together and are so surprised that we are boyfriend and girlfriend, do u think when u boil it all down its racism. its actually makes me angry. my bf did experience alot of racism here i dont know how because he is a gentleman. why do people look and find it so strange to see a white man with a different race woman or a white woman with asian man. is it that unusual in this day and age

Personally, I think its just that until about 20 years ago Ireland was pretty much shut out from the rest of the world. More foreigners are coming here all the time, but they're still relatively minor compared to the population. Irish people may have traveled and seen other cultures but I'd say most of them are a bit suprised to see them being here in their own country.

I wouldn't say its racist. Its just a bit of culture shock.

Btw. I've just returned home from China and Australia before that. I only seem to have relationships with asian girls. In Australia my Gf's would get stared at when they're with me (doesn't help i like small women and I'm tall & skinny). In China it was the other way around. I was stared at 24/7.

Most people won't feel anything bad towards you. They're just curious because they haven't been in such a situation themselves.....

girl2

Maybe youre conscious of the fact that people are looking? Sometimes when we think things in our heads, it what springs to mind a lot of the time. Would the same people just be looking at all couples like that??

Yes, there is racism in this country still, and in many a country. Thats part and parcel of life. So long as your family and friends are acceping and you dont have a problem, then thats the main thing.

Im sorry you feel the way you do.

Sangre

Unregistered wrote: »

well im irish myself my bf is from india im really amazed at the amount of people who look at us when wer together and are so surprised that we are boyfriend and girlfriend, do u think when u boil it all down its racism. its actually makes me angry. my bf did experience alot of racism here i dont know how because he is a gentleman. why do people look and find it so strange to see a white man with a different race woman or a white woman with asian man. is it that unusual in this day and age

Try doing the exact same thing in India, see how people react. Its not exclusively an Irish thing.

People react to what they don't know, often resulting in xenophobia and racism.

Dr.Nightdub

Just to give the other side...

My brother lives in England, now married to a woman from an Indian background. Years ago, before they were married, I met them for a drink in Temple Bar when they were over for a weekend. Out of the blue, this woman walked over, told my bro's other half she was gorgeous and told me and my bro "I sincerely hope one of you two is in love with this woman."

dudara

mikemac: Stick to the topic at hand please, referring to caste issues in India is not relevant to the topic at hand.

dudara

DanFarraday

Would anyone disagree that the past 10 or so years of prosperity in this country have instilled in us a certain sense of superiority over the many foreign nationals that have come to these shores in search of a higher standard living?

DonJose

I don't consider the Irish to be anymore racist that any other race. My wife is hispanic and we've lived in Ireland 3 years and she has never encountered racism. On the other hand I have encountered racism on many occasions while traveling through central America. Anyway travel to India and stay there for a couple of weeks and then report back your experiences.

Bottle_of_Smoke

I don't mean to belittle your troubles but just keep an eye out for paranoia.

It's natural for people to double take when they see something different. Like if you show someone a lineup of letters they'll zoom in on the odd one out

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I've been with 3 different girls who weren't white. Sure, more people looked at us when together in public than when I was with Irish girls but I never thought it malicious. Once you get worried about it you'll start misinterpreting glances.

Anyhow, not worth worrying about, most people aren't racist and its the ones who are who have the problem

LegacyUser

People are generally racist because it's a natural instinct which has evolved over millions of years, we evolved to be nicer to those most like us to help their similar genes to be passed on.

That's why we should be taught about are instincts which don't help us in modern society.

dny123456

MIN2511 wrote: »

Don't change who you are for people.....


Some people will accept you and others wont. there is nothing you can do about it but never change who you are because other people are not comfortable with your relationship

Sounds great in theory, but in the real world... if you're gay you must, to an extent. Certainly makes life easier.