The case of the racist blackcurrant drink

Mango Joe wrote: »

I don't want to invite the World in on top of us - I'm just pointing out that people have an obligation to conduct themselves with a some sort of basic degree of common decency and respect towards others and not to behave like small-minded, inbred, ignorant ar$eholes.

And I'd agree with you... however, there is also a degree of onus on people not to get offended or upset because everyone doesn't rush and gush in welcome of people from different backgrounds.

Overt offensive or threatening behavior shouldn't tolerated in any society for anyone. Regardless of race, culture, etc. However, at the same time, a person should be allowed to keep their distance or to limit their interactions with those they genuinely don't want any involvement with. Many irish people already people do that for social or cultural reasons (beggars, alcoholics, drug addicts, Jehova witnesses )

Personally, I don't have any issues with race. It doesn't bother me, although i can remember what it was like when I first starting encountering black people in my small midlands town. There was no racism intended. It was simply a degree of discomfort, that honestly, didn't disappear until I formed friendships much later in life (with groups of black people rather than individuals). When I was a teenager, there were a grand total of three African families in my hometown, and they all arrived when I was about fifteen. Limited exposure to any of them. A few priests from African countries, who were lovely, but priests tended to be a different breed of people regardless.

The point is that there was no expectation that they be accepted immediately as other Irish people were. They were different. They knew it, and we knew it. We treated them with courtesy and respect, but there was still discomfort for the differences in behavioral norms, and cultural differences.

Nowadays, though, there's this obligation to skip that introductory period, and immediately accept everyone. That's fine for kids or teenagers who grow up in a mixed environment, but I know many older people (many from West Galway) whose exposure to black people is limited, and do find themselves stepping lightly around them.

We should be decent people. That should be a given. However, if someone doesn't want to interact with a black person or sit beside them on a bus, then it should be their choice to be that way... as long as they don't behave in a manner that is offensive in doing so. Personal space is also a element in common decency.