IT is sometimes very easy to believe the hype. We think of Scotland as a welcoming, liberal country. And for the most part, it is.
We look at Ayr last Sunday, where a group of campaigners from the right-wing Scottish Defence League turned up to protest about the possibility of refugees being housed in a local hotel. And we think that the 200 people who turned up to counter protest are the real face of Scotland.
And, again, for the most part they are.
There’s always been that line that we’re too busy dealing with the sectarianism of Rangers and Celtic to be racist in Scotland. It is quite clearly nonsense.
But yesterday’s announcement that Police Scotland are investigating 64 accusations of racial or religious hate crimes should jolt us awake. We have a serious problem.
The attack on Mohammed Khalid in Methil last Sunday was sickening. This is a man who has been an important part of this Fife community for 25 years, and he is attacked by thugs simply because of the colour of his skin, his name and his religion.
The torching of the mosque in Bishopbriggs isn’t just about destroying one building, it’s about threatening all Muslims who live in Scotland.
What was more worrying at the meeting held in Glasgow Mosque yesterday was the insistence that most people subjected to these attacks will not contact the police. The victims of this form of abuse would rather keep their heads down than cause a problem.
You only need look at the replies to just about every tweet Humza Yousaf sends to see proof of how often and frequent and prevalent that abuse is.
Let us make the first step in tackling the problem of racism and Islamophobia in Scotland by admitting that it happens and that it exists. Do not sugarcoat this. We are not special. Hate crime is as much a problem in Scotland as it is everywhere else.
Mhairi Black: Looking after ‘our own’... what does that mean?
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here