peter
“‘Half-cast’ is still a term that makes my blood turn cold. A small incident that occurred when I was a shy ten-year-old stayed with me for much longer than it should have. The person who described me using that is actually now a good friend, but I’ve never brought it up because I know it wasn’t what she really thought of me, but rather how society had taught her to label me. It didn’t stop it hurting at the time though. I remember the feelings of pure hurt and frustration. One little word. I’m half Irish and half Egyptian, but I’m as Irish as they come. I love tea, I can pull a decent pint of Guinness, my family grow potatoes and my answer for just about everything is ‘Ah sure it’ll be grand.’ Yet despite this, I without a doubt experienced mild forms of racism growing up. Nothing major, just small comments like the one I mentioned earlier, and being made feel just a little bit different. My primary school days made me develop skin as tough as old leather and for that much, I’m thankful. I’m very patriotic, and I love Ireland, but I find that some Irish people tend to be of the opinion that we’re somehow a superior race of some kind. A friend once said to me, and I find this particularly amusing, that she just ‘couldn’t go out with a guy who isn’t Irish.’ And she couldn’t even say why. Talk about thinking highly of yourselves! People don’t realize that statements like these sound ugly, arrogant and well, downright stupid.”