Review 'Encounters:How Racism Came To Ireland' [Guardian]
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Monday June 03, 2002 01:04
by GluttonMan
'I want no American aid if it comes across the Atlantic stained in Negro blood.'-Daniel O'Connell
The Guardian has a review of "Encounters: How Racism Came to Ireland", by Bill Rolston and Michael Shannon. The book explores the origins of Irish racism. The review starts about halfway down the page (the 9th paragraph). One of the review's points is that racism has a deep history in Ireland and has not -- contrary to the startled exclamations of contemporary commentators -- suddenly sprung out of nowhere. It's good to see that O'Connell was on the right side, and good to see reminders of the support from "non-white" leaders for the struggle for Irish independence.
Comments (1 of 1)
Jump To Comment: 1This book isn't too bad. I got it last month. Nothing really new or exciting in it though, a lot is mention of other studies or reports. The O Connell stuff is interesting enough. I'm sure there must be a lot more info out there on ethnic minorities in Ireland in historical times, in biographies, newspapers, etc., someone just needs to take the time to dig it out.
It also mentions that in the 18th century Dublin had the second largest Black population in these Islands (outside of London), but no indication what this was in actual numbers.
My main criticism is the cost. The book is really only a pamphlet but costs 11 euro in Easons, which is a bit of a rip off.
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