http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/03/08152206
Jean Campbell OBE, Trustee of Nil by Mouth, said:
"Nil by Mouth welcomes the new funding from the Scottish Government. Regretfully, as recent events have shown, there is much still to be done to challenge sectarianism in many areas of Scottish life. Nil by Mouth will expand our anti sectarian work, mainly through education in schools and workplaces throughout Scotland. We will continue to challenge sectarianism wherever it exists in Scottish life."
http://nilbymouth.org/what-is-sectarianism/
The page above offers seven examples of sectarianism in three areas – schooling, the workplace and social experiences.
I defy anyone who has ever been to school to make it to the end without laughing. If only it were funny.
You may notice the theme: only one of the seven is a case of someone who isn’t imagining Roman Catholicism being under attack.
The story about the birthday party is, we can safely assume, completely fabricated; as ludicrous as the well-spread idea a year or two back about “killing a (certain type of Irish freedom fighter) before I die” being a song sung by football fans. It existed only in the minds of the troubled.
What’s of more concern is the idea put forward – the agenda pushed – concerning discrimination in the workplace.
Tom Devine – who is a devout Roman Catholic, Celtic fan and a very well-respected historian – has been at pains in recent radio appearances to point out that the levels or indeed the existence of widespread discrimination in the west of Scotland workplace has, in practical terms, as good as died out. Other experts such as Professor Steve Bruce, whose work on social links, marriages, etc suggests that Glasgow is much more tolerant and composed of inter-faith relationships than ever before, seem at odds with the impression being developed on this site.
Even a passing familiarity with the legal system in Glasgow will demolish the idea that Roman Catholics aren’t well represented, and at senior levels. Indeed, the recent fame of Paul McBride QC will perhaps assist in future discussions; to say nothing of the significant presence within the Procurator Fiscal or those who are senior partners in major firms, some of which even bear their name.
So what we have here is a mixture of hearsay, prejudice, misconception and imagination put forward as examples of something real. This simply won’t do. The contribution from one young girl, who sees sectarianism as one of the worst things since global warming and somehow linked to Glasgow’s reputation as a murder capital, brings to mind the commonly-expressed question: what exactly are we teaching these kids? It seems, to a sensible observer, that we’re filling their heads with unsubstantiated and plain wrong-headed ideas and imprinting on them the mantra that ‘sectarianism is Scotland’s biggest problem’.
Perhaps the 60k would be better spent on some books or some re-training. Less rumours and stories about golf clubs and fantasy parties: more links to academic studies, government sanctioned figures and a widening of the discussion to include, not bowling clubs, but schooling and political parties and councils?
No laughing at the back, thanks.