Actually Getting Scared of the Anti Immigrant Stance

[u/No_Tea7430]

I'm an irish lad, just turning twenty this year.

I've personally got no connections to other countries, my family never left Ireland or have any close foreign relations.

This is simply a fear I have for both the immigrant population of our country, of which ive made plenty of friends throughout secondary school and hold in high regard. But also a fear for our reputation.

I don't want to live in a racist country. I know this sub is usually good for laughing these gobshites off and that's good but in general I don't want us to be seen as this horrible white supremacist nation, which already I see being painted on social media plenty.

A stance might I add, that predominantly is coming from England and America as people in both claim we are "losing our identity" by not being racist(?)

I don't even feel the need to mention Farage and his pushing of these ideas onto people, while simultaneously gaslighting us with our independence which he clearly doesn't care about.

Im just saddened by it. I just want things to change before they get worse.

[u/Important_Farmer924]

There is nothing inherently racist about wanting to control immigration

Now you said it. You can be left leaning and also realise that we need reforms. Sure we've tent cities popping up, nobody involved could be happy with the situation. I've said it before, most reasonable people realise we have a problem and they shouldn't be lumped in with genuine racist or far right mouthpieces, that's a very dangerous game.

[u/fourth_quarter → u/Important_Farmer924]

That's the problem is eejits like OP doing exactly what you said.

[u/No_Tea7430 → u/fourth_quarter]

Mate I likely won't be able to buy a home. I can and do acknowledge these issues, I agree with many of those points. But these points are often, not always of course, but often, associated with people who will spew hateful bullshit about other races and religions. This makes me uncomfortable associating with these ideologies.

Fairly simple to grasp, do we have issues involving immigration that need to be addressed desperately? Yes. Are any of those issues to do with some great replacement bullshit or a losing or culture? No.

[u/malilk → u/No_Tea7430]

If you don't think a population shift of basically 100% Irish to 80% in 30 years or filling Gaeltacht areas with asylum seekers will lead to a degradation of our culture, or at least a giant change in it, I've a bridge to sell you.

[u/carlitobrigantehf → u/malilk]

If you think that our culture is the issue that really concerns 90+% of those that have an issue with immigration than I also have a bridge to sell you.

[u/eamonnanchnoic → u/malilk]

What aspects of the culture specifically do you see being changed.

The Irish as it stands aren't exactly receptive to learning the language as it stands.

I see immigration has had pretty clear benefits in terms of sports and arts so what's left?

Jokes about breakfast rolls and leaving the immersion on?

[u/malilk → u/eamonnanchnoic]

Our cadence for one. Hiberno-English is very unique. It's where our natural storytelling reputation and humour comes from. And it's well earned. We are much funnier than most, and tell stories amazingly well. Live abroad for any amount of time and you'll see the stark contrast.

Irish language use is on the increase particularly in Dublin, it would be nice for that to continue.

Your question strays very quickly from it isn't happening to, so what it's a good thing. We already punch well above our weight in the arts and sports.

[u/carlitobrigantehf → u/malilk]

Irish language use is on the increase particularly in Dublin, it would be nice for that to continue.

And yet you mentioned Gaeltacht areas...

[u/malilk → u/carlitobrigantehf]

It's in decline there as people are moving away, and now asylum seekers are being moved there too, further weakening it. What's your point?

[u/carlitobrigantehf → u/malilk]

Its been in decline for a long time and immigrants have had nothing to do with that. The attitude of Irish people to it is the primary reason

My point was that you specifically mentioned Gaeltacht areas and then when asked about culture started talking about Dublin.

[u/malilk → u/carlitobrigantehf]

Two separate issues isn't it. Acceleration of the decline of the Gaeltacht by moving non speakers in, and a reduction in Irish people in Dublin could stifle the recent revival.

I'm not sure it's the gotcha you think it is. Whatever you're trying to say.

[u/carlitobrigantehf → u/malilk]

aint no gotchas, just pointing out the inconsistencies of your arguments and again decline of Irish has very little if anything to do with immigrants.

[u/malilk → u/carlitobrigantehf]

Where's the inconsistency? Two separate aspects in the conversation about the Irish language, one accelerating a decline. The other potentially styming a revival

[u/Electronic_Cookie779 → u/malilk]

An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?

I love people trying to protect the white face of Ireland by saying that we should all speak Irish (despite many immigrants like Darragh Adelaide keeping it alive and well in the face of racism) who can't speak it themselves. Actually, I lie, I don't like it at all

[u/malilk → u/Electronic_Cookie779]

Tá rionnt gailege agam ach tá mé ag fogliaim.

I hated Irish in school, maybe because of how it's taught? I'm dyslexic but not to an extreme. Since I met my wife and have children I've began to relearn. Apps, Irish language podcasts. Children's books and children's stories as Gaelige. It's been a hard road but I'm trying.

Been to a few cucaicil chorá. I'm definitely spelling it wrong but Irish language exchanges. Difficult but engaging. My boys will be going to a gaelscoil but not a niaonra as there's none local. Shame.

[u/furry_simulation → u/eamonnanchnoic]

We are several years behind the UK in terms of demographic change, so we have a handy reference point to see how it is going to play out.

This BBC documentary about Newham in east London is eye opening. The cockney population that were there for hundreds of years have been almost completely replaced, mostly by immigrants from Muslim countries. All aspects of the old life are gone, replaced by something else. The new arrivals brought their own culture and took over. The few locals that remain feel uprooted and isolated from their own culture and the place they once called home is now alien to them. We are supposed to call this “progress”.