Sir, - Racism and tribalism are rife in Irish society. Orange drums and waving tricolours are symptoms of this; but our attitudes to the outsider" speak more clearly. The recent outburst of a councillor in Waterford about travellers is an example of this - and also the loud silence that seemed to meet this attack on people who have a traditional role in Irish society, but who now seem to be blamed for crime in an indiscriminate way.
Who are the "aliens" and the "discriminated" in our country? It might be that trying to answer this question might be a significant step along the peace process. I have to say that in my own experience of working in Africa, it appeared to me that Irish expatriates (in Kenya, Zambia and Southern Africa) were, on the whole, ignorant of, and patronising to, local cultures and languages.
Maybe we should not be too surprised when we find the same attitudes to minority cultures in our own country. But we need to examine our consciences. I heard the neologism recently - NIMBY - not in my own backyard. Where do we expect people to settle, if nowhere is to be their address?
Incidentally, as someone who has been concerned with enabling students from Africa to visit Ireland, I wonder if we cannot find a better title for our immigration office than "Aliens' Office". Go to Harcourt Street Police HQ, if you want to know what I mean. Whatever about that, we need to review our tribalistic and narrow minded thinking about people of differing lifestyles, world views and cultures. - Yours, etc.,
Kimmage Road West,
Dublin 12.