Before shit hit the fan last Thursday, I pootled off for a getaway to the Emerald Isle for long weekend away. I took the trip with the lovely Erin with the mindset of de-stressing a bit, take in the lovely sights and sounds of Dublin, and maybe try a Guinness in the hope it tasted better over there than it did here in England (spoiler alert: I still don’t like Guinness but I did finish most of my pint).
*I wrote this piece way before the results on Thursday’s referendum, but thought it would be a good idea and good timing to post it today in the wake of the Brexit.
What shakes me most after everything that’s happened more than the economic fallout, more than political unrest, more than the dumb memes and jokes, is the racist and bigoted rhetoric being used against immigrants and people of colour. Trade agreements may take two years, getting a new PM in place may take till October, people are saying ‘Oh it’s all over now, let’s stop banging on about it, but the hatred is here now and it’s louder than ever. It’s being shouted in the streets, written out on placards and whispered behind the backs of hardworking citizens – some of whom have actually been living, working, and paying into this country for decades. People who have come to this country to seek better in what they thought was a tolerant nation already feel unwelcome and are questioning their place in a country they thought they thought they were safe and accepted in. I know. I’ve seen it. I’ve witnessed it first hand.
You may say this campaign was not targeted at me, to not take it personally.
Well, to that I say. I am British, but I am also an immigrant. And a damn well proud one at that.
And if you strike one of us, it’s a blow for us all.
If you are a UK resident can I urge you sign petitions for a second referendum, to keep lobbying your MPs, march on and keeping fighting intolerance and anti-immigration rhetoric. We can make Britain great again if we stand together against hate.
Ria
Quickie little post to let you guys know that I’m hopping across the sea for a bit over to Dublin tomorrow for a long weekend of some serious r&r and a mini city break with Erin! I’ve been a bit behind on the post front so I’m having a little break from the Internet and disconnecting for a little while.
That being said we’ll probably be Tweeting and Instagram-ing our way through the Emerald Isle. So ping us suggestions on where to go!
See y’all on the flipside!
Ria