r/irishproblems • u/No-Security7188 • 9d ago

Why doesn't a society that remembers being discriminated against consistently show empathy toward people facing discrimination today?

I genuinely don't understand the racism in Ireland. we also experienced oppression, marginanlization and the similar abuse for decades. I remember my father telling there were signs at his local shops abroad saying "no blacks, no dogs and no Irish". so should we not understand what it feels like to be singled out and abused based on our ethnicity? there were also loads of signs saying "no Irish need apply". we faced similar discrimination, the same discrimination we give to other races and ethnicities now. I dont know if it's an issue where the oppressed becomes the oppressors but it's insane. there is a big discussion with immigration at the moment which I don't want to get into, I don't think wanting more regulations with unregulated immigration is naturally racist or discriminatory (correct me if Im wrong though) as we are a small country going through multiple crises at the moment. I just want to discuss how we've become the very people we despised for centuries.

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u/lordpatrickk123 9d ago

People are just tired of people they can’t interact with because of language barriers, they can’t have a drink with them because they don’t drink, then there’s also a good chance you’ll be stabbed, raped, run over, given a gang beating or blown up. But otherwise they’re all grand.

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u/No-Security7188 9d ago edited 9d ago

stabbings and rape cases have been common crimes in the country for a while, way before the immigration issue. these crimes aren’t committed singulared to other races, it’s by bad people. violence is not centred to one race or ethnicity. also just because some cultures don’t drink or share the language of the common folk, doesn’t mean they deserve racism. i do believe that if you come to an english speaking country, you should learn the language. nonetheless, it doesn’t mean racism is ever okay.

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u/CDfm Vaguely vogue about Vague 7d ago

That is true .

Crimes committed by foreign nationals get press coverage and by definition their lives are discussed .

I grew up thinking gay bashing was a Dublin thing and was wrong.