Sir, - Recently, on a bus from Dublin to Kilkenny, I had the opportunity to sit next to a young African woman.
During our conversation, she told me about the regular racism she experiences in Dublin. She has people coming up to her pointing and telling her to go home. When looking for accommodation, she is often told blacks are not welcome. I find this behaviour disgusting. The fact that it is common is frightening.
With Ireland's history of emigration, of being exploited, and poverty, to see such hatred and fear is very sad. I myself am not Irish, I have been living in Ireland on and off for years. I like Ireland, and (generally) the Irish. But to see this blatant racist behaviour surfacing from Irish people is not only unacceptable, but demeaning to Ireland, her history and people.
Ireland is not threatened by other races. It is in fact being enriched. Racism should never be tolerated. - Yours, etc., Thomas Campbell,
Dublin 4.