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Bashir Otukoya

I’m Irish, but the Irish don’t know that I’m Irish

Immigrants who identify as Irish should be seen as equals, as Irish men and women, not refugees or welfare thieves, argues Bashir Otukoya.

I AM IRISH. Not “through blood, sacrifice and beauty”, not even by law. Neither my race, religion, nor my language depicts me as Irish, but nevertheless my identity is Irish; I am Irish by heart. It is baffling still that there are those who remain stagnant in their perception of identity, those who perceive identity as unexchangeable.

I am not aggravated by their views however, for they derive from their lack of human awareness and their non-proximal relationships with others unlike them – their views originate from the blinding whiteness of their associates, those who neglect to embrace the ever so multicultural Ireland that we live in today.

Then, when questioned about their racist connotations, their answer is that they are not racist, that they have been friends with or know many immigrants; which is the equivalent of saying that their sister’s boyfriend’s uncle’s dog is a Chinese Shih Tzu and is brown in colour, therefore they are not racist.

Implicit Racism

The truth of the matter is that there is a severe amount of discreet racism and xenophobia that exists in our society, these tend to be overlooked, and sometimes even forgiven. What do I mean by implicit racism? One very distinct example is our human need to ask someone who appears different where they are from; and when the answer is Dungloe in Donegal or Birr in Offaly, there is a need to seek further clarification as to where they are ‘originally from’.

Most of the time this is used as a popular conversation starter, but in some instances, the answer to the question often directs the path of the conversation. But why is it difficult to believe that an immigrant may choose to call Rosslare in Wexford home, why is the original birthplace required? Though most often unintentional, these implicitly racist expressions are even more psychologically damaging to immigrant individuals than those racist expressions which are explicit and deliberate. It is harmful because the desire is to be seen as equal, as an Irishman, as a Dubliner, not to be seen as a refugee, or a welfare thief, or someone who doesn’t belong.

What is unforgivable however are those racist remarks that are so openly used in the guise of political agendas, such as those expressed by Identity Ireland. When asked about the Mediterranean dilemma, they recommended rescue and repatriation techniques. Why bother wasting tax payers’ money to send LE Eithne on rescue missions, if Identity Ireland’s proposal is to send them back to what they were trying to escape from in the first place – you might as well send LE Eithne to the Mediterranean sea with bricks instead of floats; indeed for some this would be a far better option than returning to their origins. Yet in my 15 years of calling Ireland home, I am yet to perceive Ireland as having such an iniquitous character, though Direct Provision is coming close to it.

208916052_3af3108d69_o William Murphy William Murphy

Identity Ireland?

According to the World Economic Forum, Ireland is among the Top 10 friendliest countries in the world – that is the true identity of Ireland! It is unfair that a country with such high international prestige identified by its hospitality, warmth and openness, should be tainted by talk of inconsiderate repatriation. The fact that Ireland is the top naturalising country in Europe is another clear testament to the true identity of Ireland, a hospitable country that welcomes all nationalities with an open border, a céad míle fáilte to everyone.

Identities are subject to change – the law facilitates this. By law, one who was once a man may be recognised as female – or vice-versa – if he or she identifies as such. Likewise, he who is Chinese or Nigerian may identify himself as Irish, if he so wishes, especially if the law proclaims this. Identity is a subjective phenomenon, a small group of xenophobes and anti-liberals should not claim to be the hero of Irish identity and sovereignty, using freedom of expression as their sword.

I would like to know where their definition of identity comes from; it is not rooted in literature, statistics, nor is it even socially grounded. They opined that “blood, sacrifice and beauty” are the determining factors of ‘Irishness’. This is a narrow definition which excludes every other Irish person that identifies as Irish, most likely through naturalisation or long-term residency. But what differentiates an Irish person ‘by blood’ from an Irish person by heart? The sacrifice they refer to has historical connotations, but these talks of the past are minuscule in comparison to the potential of the Irish future that immigrants have sacrificed, and are continuing to sacrifice for.

Irish by heart

Language is no distinction, as per the 2011 census, French and Polish are the languages most commonly spoken in Ireland, far surpassing the Irish language. The religious breakdown of immigrants is similar to that of citizens; in fact, one may argue that the only true distinction is race, and perhaps accent. Culture is a topic that warrants another article, but is no excuse for differentiation, because on St. Patrick’s day, you will more than likely see immigrants participating in, if not watching, the parades.

Often at times, we are told that we are more Irish than the Irish themselves – whatever that may mean.

I suggest Identity Ireland go back to the drawing board to think of a new name more suited to their objectives, because Ireland’s identity is not theirs to determine, my identity belongs to me and your identity belongs to you, no-one can determine it for us. Yes I am Nigerian by blood, but my identity is Irish, by heart.

Bashir Otukoya is a PhD student at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. His research seeks to analyse both the sociological meaning of being Irish, and the legal process of becoming Irish.

You can follow him on Twitter @Bash_Rich.

Read: We need to take back control of our country, before it’s too late

Read: It’s like being slowly poisoned – I wouldn’t wish the life of direct provision on my worst enemy…

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    Mute Luke Sarpish
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:31 PM

    So basically we have to apologise for everything we say.

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    Mute Jbob How
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:35 PM

    Only the stupid shit. I don’t know how that affects you…

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:42 PM

    I lost a close friend a year ago. I would not be able to joke about it now because the pain is so bad. He was right to apologise. Just because someone is famous it does not mean people don’t have the same pain.

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    Mute Lurfic
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:51 PM

    Deborah you should try joking about it. It’s a very good way of helping yourself get through it.

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    Mute Wolves 1966
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:55 PM

    Jon Snow should have to apologise for being Jon Snow. Channel 4 would be a much better place without the likes of him.

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    Mute Luke Sarpish
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    Jan 16th 2016, 6:19 PM

    I’m sorry for your loss Debbie.Ok.

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    Mute Enda Kenny
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    Jan 17th 2016, 4:33 AM

    @ Deborah Behan

    sorry

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    Mute Keith D'Arcy
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:32 PM

    You can’t even joke about the dead now. The PC brigade have finally put a nail in that coffin.

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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    Jan 16th 2016, 9:14 PM

    Remember when that French comic made a joke about that dead Arab fella.

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:28 PM

    FFF… There’s always room for a bit of humour. The joke wasn’t funny but he’s worse to apologise.

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    Mute Enda Kenny
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:10 PM

    Kevin Costner was gonna play Michael Collins (and direct)

    Alan loved working with Costner on robin hood prince of thieves

    i reckon the ‘dances with wolves’ stars involvement is what attracted Rickman to the project

    he was probably ashamed of himself for being involved in what Neil Jordan eventually made

    same as Gabriel Byrne was ashamed of what Jim Sheridan did with Gerry Conlon

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    Mute Len Brennan
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:37 PM

    Did you for get to take your tablets again Enda?

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    Mute T Beckett is back
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:57 PM

    @Ek

    The Costner interest in Collins is true, but it was Jordan that pitched for that film. He got Rickman involved.

    Costner probably would have been more historically accurate though!

    Don’t know what you’re on about with Gabriel Byrne but I’d take Danny Day over him any day of the week ;)

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    Mute Enda Kenny
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    Jan 16th 2016, 9:06 PM

    would an irish actor make a film that glorified

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Jan 16th 2016, 9:24 PM

    True Enda Kenny and guess who’s script they were going to use.

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Jan 16th 2016, 9:26 PM

    I’ll give you one guess… Otherwise I won’t tell you.

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    Mute Enda Kenny
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    Jan 17th 2016, 4:31 AM

    @ T Beckett is back

    imagine the hatred british people must have had for DDL when he made in the name of the father

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Jan 17th 2016, 5:08 AM

    DDL played Gerry Conlon.. An innocent man framed by the British for murders he didn’t commit.. Why would British people have hatred for him playing that part??

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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:49 PM

    Kinda funny though… Would Mr Rickman have minded?

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    Mute Walter Black
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:56 PM

    Mountain out of a molehill

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    Mute David McShite
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:05 PM

    One of those moments when something seems funny in your head until it escapes and is savaged by the delicate flowers looking to be injured by any perceived slight.

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    Mute Vinnie_the_yute
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:29 PM

    Injured on behalf of a dead person they have no connection with whatsoever.

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    Mute Rasputin
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:54 PM

    I wonder how they’d handle us Irish where in the face of even overwhelming tragedy the first thing out of our mouths is usually a joke…

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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Jan 16th 2016, 7:24 PM

    Unless Richard Wilson himself has complained, I fail to see what gives everyone else the right to take offence on his behalf. Still, you’ve got to hand it to these self-appointed guardians of decency – they never waste an opportunity. As usual, they leapt aboard the outrage bus faster than Usain Bolt at the 100 metre finals.

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    Mute @dela
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:37 PM

    Look once he realised himself it didn’t sound right I’m cool with that. If he apologised cos of some tweets I know we’re near Armageddon. Especially tweets from weirdos who live, sh|t, breathe and fester by that medium.

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    Mute Shane Gubbins
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:44 PM

    You know nothing jon snow.

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    Mute Neil Holland
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:31 PM

    What’s it like to be so predictable?

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    Mute Shane Gubbins
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:37 PM

    You must be fun at parties

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    Mute Tom Burke
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:28 PM

    Some people are just waiting to be offended.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:47 PM

    Ordinarily I would agree but the pain of losing someone is so great that this joke in the week they died is simply horrible. Could you joke about your friends death the week they died?

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Jan 16th 2016, 7:07 PM

    People need to lighten up a bit .

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    Mute ted hagan
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:28 PM

    Yea lighten up a bit people. It was only someone’s death we’re talking about. Anyone got any jokes?

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:36 PM

    The joke was aimed at Wilson so he wasn’t being disrespectful towards Alan . no harm done .

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    Mute Kieran Roche
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    Jan 16th 2016, 10:00 PM

    I really dont know why I read this tripe

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    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:30 PM

    Well as Richard Douchet has already proven, British journalists are masters of putting ones foot in their own mouth.

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    Mute Con O'Donnell
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:28 PM

    I don’t believe it!!

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    Mute Kirsha Sova
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:40 PM

    Not just bad taste ,but also a terrible joke .

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    Mute Grot Master
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    Jan 16th 2016, 4:50 PM

    Generation Wuss, indeed.

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    Mute Evelyn Murphy
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:34 PM

    Absolutely ridiculous. People need to get a grip on themselves. We won’t be able to say anything at all soon for fear of upsetting someone. Alan Rickman would uave probably appreciated the joke for goodness sake.

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    Mute Evelyn Murphy
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:37 PM

    *have*

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    Mute Enda Kenny
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    Jan 17th 2016, 4:39 AM

    @ Evelyn Murphy

    once obama was elected people started sniffing around looking to be offended and when there isn’t anything to be offended by.. t

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    Mute Patrick Fitzgerald
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    Jan 16th 2016, 8:12 PM

    There is a big difference from saying something offensive to saying something in bad taste or some thing stupid or something really awkward. He made a tit of himself and apologised. There is no mention in the article or the tweets about masses of people taking offense. If you just read the comms here youd swear the whole world was up in arms about. Calm down lads. He was right to apologise out of respect alone. Red thumb away

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    Mute FlyingDogThing
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    Jan 16th 2016, 11:30 PM

    You know nothing Jon Snow.

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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:05 PM

    All these celebrity DJ, tv anchor newsreader types, tv hosts and presenters need all to be put out to pasture. Sick to the back gnashers of the lot of em. Condescending, contemptuous, over bearing over paid egotistical self righteousness and centred maggots. Ya you heard me !!

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Jan 16th 2016, 5:27 PM

    What u expect from a man that knows nothing.

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    Mute James Stratford
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    Jan 17th 2016, 6:02 PM

    Saw the interview, didn’t cross my mind that it was inappropriate at all. Was a very personal and difficult enough conversation to have, I thought Jon Snow did his job admirably and it was a moment that lightly trivialised the sad news, which is exactly the normal human response to dealing with something tragic that we don’t want to believe has happened. I’d say most people upon hearing the news of Rickman’s passing couldn’t believe it. It was perhaps just a subtle side note that ironically the person who was famous for the phrase could sadly believe it all too well.

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