PROPONENTS of an independent Scotland like to declare that it will be a multicultural, inclusive and tolerant country when it eventually arrives. However, as Gerry Hassan’s excellent article on “Scotland’s shame” considers, we really need to get serious about sectarianism in modern Scotland if we are to confront and eradicate the blight of anti-Irish racist behaviour that is still in evidence, particularly but not exclusively in the west of Scotland (Why we need to get serious about sectarianism in modern Scotland, Sep 7).
As ever, basic education regarding the anti-social and pernicious nature of racism and sectarianism must be vigorously addressed in our schools’ PSE programmes and in individual school subjects.
In my experience most school pupils are ill-informed or ignorant of key historical facts about events like the Battle of the Boyne, upon which much of the skewed mythology of organisations like the Orange Order rests.
READ MORE: Gerry Hassan: Why we need to get serious about sectarianism in modern Scotland
Factual clarification showing that the Pope supported King William as part of his power struggle against the French, who lent their assistance to James VII, would be a good place to start. The Pope later celebrated a mass to demonstrate his (and presumably God’s) delight at hearing of “King Billy’s” victory at the Battle of the Boyne, where more than half of William’s armies were made up of Spanish and Italian mercenaries. How many pupils are aware that at least one-third of Irish people who emigrated to Scotland due to the appalling famines of the 19th century were of the Protestant faith? Would that put the singing of the dirge-like Famine Song into some kind of perspective?
Of course historical accuracy matters not a whit if individuals or groups are determined to maintain a level of sectarian strife to suit their own ends.
Mr Hassan correctly mentions the vexatious Tory list MSP Murdo Fraser as a high-profile Glasgow Rangers fan who is loath to call out the club’s more extreme right-wing and bigoted supporters as he courts their political support to retain a toehold in the Scottish Parliament.
READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: BritNat attempts to play victim are fooling no-one
The 34 Orange marches taking place this month in Glasgow in a single day should highlight exactly why a modern Scotland must seek a way to dilute their ability to stoke sectarian tension and racial hatred.
If large numbers of people took to the streets to sing anti-Muslim or anti-Jewish songs they would, quite rightly, be lambasted by those in authority and perhaps even by the majority of those in the media. Yet every year these antisocial celebrations of anti-Irish and anti-Catholic contempt parade through our streets spreading revulsion, alarm and bewilderment in equal measure. They are a shocking anachronism practised by a gathering of bigots and hypocrites and they should be confined to stadia of their choice whilst paying any bills for security themselves.
Finally, Rangers FC needs to be more proactive in sending out their message of zero tolerance to their more atavistic supporters. Regularly and consistently sending out a message that bigotry will not be tolerated should an overwhelming responsibility of the Ibrox club as part of their role in combating sectarianism.
Owen Kelly
Stirling
IS it not passing strange that the two stages of the 2021 Tour Of Britain that are in Scotland are in essentially Tory Scotland? Stage five is Hawick to Edinburgh but goes across to Berwick-on-Tweed. Stage six is Stonehaven to Aberdeen. On Sunday in Cornwall the nationalist flags of Cornwall dominated. I do hope we see plenty of Saltires and Yes flags even through Tory Scotland. Live TV coverage is good publicity.
Thom Cross
via email
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