White Irish people have an “unearned privilege simply being white,” according to the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork.
The remarks were made this morning by Green Party Councillor Colette Finn on social media, in a post marking International Migrants Day.
“White people in Ireland need to understand that we have an unearned privilege simply being white,” she wrote.
“Let’s examine our own biases on International Migrant’s Day.”
White people in Ireland need to understand that we have an unearned privilege simply being white. Let’s examine our own biases on International Migrant’s Day. pic.twitter.com/hjYBJXVGsV
— Cllr. Colette Finn (@ColetteFinnCork) December 18, 2023
The post was immediately met with significant scorn and backlash from social media users.
“You clearly haven’t got a clue about Ireland’s history. Absolute disgrace,” wrote one individual.
You clearly haven’t got a clue about Irelands history. Absolute disgrace.
— Bo (@KingBobIIV) December 18, 2023
“Stop rolling over for every single imported woke idea for fear of offending whoever is peddling it,” wrote another, who included an image of an art piece depicting Irish people’s deprivation during the potato Famine.
Just Stop.
Stop rolling over for every single imported woke idea for fear of offending whoever is peddling it. pic.twitter.com/f26D9youwS
— Feels Like Kevin☘️???????????????? (@K4Climate) December 18, 2023
“You can celebrate Migrant’s Day without gaslighting people about the colour of their skin,” another person chimed in.
You can celebrate Migrants Day without gaslighting people about the colour of their skin.
— Christopher O’Flynn, M.Ed (@MuinteoirChris) December 18, 2023
Some users expressed disbelief, asking “Is this a real tweet or parody?”, with another claiming that they were reporting the tweet as “racism.”
Is this a real tweet or parody?
— Dave (@davecoughlan80) December 18, 2023
Actually I’m reporting this tweet as racism.
— Tweed Cap (@CapTweed) December 18, 2023
“If you hate yourself, that’s fine,” one person said.
“Just don’t project that feeling onto others.”
If you hate yourself , that’s fine.
Just don’t project that feeling onto others— Leo from London (@DurdenLeodad) December 18, 2023
The topic of Irish people having “white privilege” is a topic which has been increasingly discussed by politicians, having been brought up repeatedly in the Dáil and the Seanad in recent years.
"During [Ireland's] oppression, we still maintained our invisibility cloak of white privilege."
Irish politicians discuss "white privilege" and the need for racial quotas, with one recalling the "very dull, white, pasty Ireland" that he grew up in before mass migration.#gript pic.twitter.com/0FT3g8ywMP
— gript (@griptmedia) November 29, 2023
Gript previously asked Education Minister Norma Foley about official proposals to teach school students that they have a “privileged status” if they are white, Irish or male.
WHITE IRISH PRIVILEGE: Education Minister Norma Foley is asked about the new draft SPHE curriculum, which urges students to recognise their “privileged status” as a white person, a male, or an Irish person.
Question by @Ben_Scallan.#gript pic.twitter.com/07nDh1XsRS
— gript (@griptmedia) October 16, 2023
The question was also put to the head of Ireland’s national curriculum body that proposed the idea.
"I would emphasise the fact that it was a draft": Arlene Forster, the head of Ireland's national curriculum body, defends a proposal which would teach white Irish and male students that they have a "privileged status." Question by @Ben_Scallan.#gript pic.twitter.com/gggH7hnC04
— gript (@griptmedia) December 13, 2023
Tánaiste Micheál Martin also reacted to the suggestion after being asked by Gript reporters, saying that “There are some people who are privileged in society as opposed to others.”
"There are some people who are privileged in society as opposed to others": Tánaiste Micheál Martin is asked about the SPHE draft curriculum which says that white people, Irish people and males have a "privileged status" in society. Question by @Ben_Scallan:#gript pic.twitter.com/dHvH34OckL
— gript (@griptmedia) July 24, 2023