NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
During the Scottish Independence campaign I started following a wide range of blogs from supporters of the campaign.
One of the sharpest (as I’ve mentioned before) was by Paul Kavanagh aka ‘The Wee Ginger Dog’. Paul has continued to write the blog since the independence debate concluded and is still working for an independent Scotland although he has stressed he is not an SNP member.
He also writes for the Scottish newspaper ‘The National’ and those articles and some of Wee Ginger Dug often have a hard hitting social justice theme.
Recently I was astonished at some of the bile and xenophobia unleashed in the comments section of ‘Isle of Man Today’ after groups like the Celtic League (and others) called for more assistance for the large numbers of migrants fleeing war and oppression to Europe. To his credit the Manx Chief Minister, Allan Bell, has said his government will do what it can to assist the migrants. It would seem he and the rest of us who care about humanity will have an up hill struggle if IOM Today comments are reflective of the general mood here, I hope not! It is depressing to think that such attitudes can exist on an Island that has recently been celebrating its part in the struggle against fascism in WW 2.
My depression over this situation was however shrugged aside when I read Paul Kavanagh’s recent blog posting;
‘REFUGEES ARE WELCOME HERE’
His article written before David Cameron made a volte-face and agreed to take more migrants concludes:
“Refugees enrich our society, they give to us all. Refugees are your future colleagues, the friend you’ll bond with over a coffee at work. Refugees are our university graduates, our doctors, our lawyers, our mechanics, our teachers. Refugee children will play in the park with your kids. Refugees are our future partners, our lovers, our spouses. Refugees are our family.
Refugees are welcome”
How very right he is! These Islands have been enriched by multi-cultural migration for decades and bigotry and xenophobia should not be allowed to obscure that fact. It will be a sad day for the Isle of Man and the rest of these Islands when greed not need is the criteria for entry. When the size of your wallet ‘opens the door’ not the fact you are fleeing oppression and trying to save your family from death and deprivation.
The ‘Dugs’ full article can be found at this link:
BERNARD MOFFATT
Issued by: The Celtic News
06/09/15
THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE
The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues
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