AN opinion poll has found that 56 per cent of people have stated they had experienced anti-Irish racism in Scotland.
One participant in the survey told of he was called a “Fenian bastard” and a “bogstomper” and told to “go home ... the famine is over.”
Another said he has been “told to f*** off back to Ireland once my surname is found out, and was told once my family should have died in the famine as a favour to the world”.
Show Racism the Red Card Scotland recently collected data from a sample of 513 people on their experiences of anti-Irish racism in Scotland.
Some 56 per cent stated they had experienced anti-Irish racism in Scotland, while 44 per cent stated that they had not.
According to Show Racism the Red Card, demographic data indicated that 57 per cent of the sample identified as White Scottish; 1 per cent identified at White English; 17 per cent identified as White British; 22 per cent identified as White Irish; 0.2 per cent identified as White Polish; 0.4 per cent identified as any other white; 0.6 per cent identified as mixed or multiple ethnic groups; 0.2 per cent identified as Indian, Indian Scottish or Indian British; 0.2 per cent identified as Other Asian; and 1 per cent identified as Other.
In the poll, 88 per cent of the sample identified as male; 11 per cent identified as female; 0.6 per cent identified as transgender; and 1 per cent identified as gender fluid.
Show Racism the Red Card said: “We then asked participants if they had ever experienced anti-Irish racism in Scotland.
“On a Likert Scale – a psychometric scale commonly used in research – some 20 per cent of participants indicated that they found the incident extremely stressful, 45 per cent found the incident stressful and 34 per cent did not find the incident stressful.”
Show Racism the Red Card added: “We then asked participants to describe the incident and this is what participants had to say:
l ‘I was threatened by a participant from an orange walk that I would get my throat cut.’
l ‘Been referred to as filth. A member of the ‘mhanky mob’ by a manager at work.’
l ‘Was asked by the chief exec of a financial advisors’ firm how I got past the interview, followed by a side remark to a colleague that they would have to have a word with the person who interviewed me. (“He’s English, he doesn’t understand”).’
l ‘Casual anti-Irish racism on a weekly basis on building sites.’
l ‘Had my windows smashed because of a Happy St. Patrick’s day banner.’
l ‘Singing songs about “why don’t you go home”. It wasn’t at a football match. It was on the street. I wasn’t going to football. I rarely do.’
Survey participants from both the Republic of Ireland as well as Northern Ireland indicated that they had experienced racism based on their perceived nationality.
Show Racism the Red Card said: “We then asked participants if they had ever witnessed anti-Irish racism. Some 60 per cent of participants indicated that they had while 40 per cent indicated that they had not.
“We then asked participants if they had reported the incident to Police Scotland. 93 per cent said they had not reported the incident while 7 per cent said that they had which indicates severe under-reporting of incidents.”
The organisation concluded: “We urge everyone to report racism to Police Scotland when they witness or experience it.
“Moreover, incidents range from implicit casual racism to direct threats, verbal and physical abuse.
“Anti-Irish racism within a Scottish context needs to be addressed and Show Racism the Red Card will seek out funding in order to develop and deliver anti-Irish racism education in order to create a fairer Scotland for all.”
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