Racism and Northern Ireland
Sir, – I have just returned home to Northern Ireland from a funeral in Dublin today of a dear friend of my wife who also passed away only a couple of weeks ago.
I met some delightful young people who were appalled at the racial prejudice shown on our streets in the past week. They are aware of course of similar incidents in the Republic.
I find that our future is in good hands with the positive attitude of these young people in rejecting racism in all its forms.
I'm in my 80s and have witnessed Northern Ireland before the Troubles.
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My wife and I raised three delightful children during those times and am now experiencing the aftermath of the peace process.
The people who are being abused, as we know, are fleeing from hatred and violence to seek refuge in our beautiful country. We should be privileged with their choices.
Unfortunately, our political leaders from both sides of our divide have shown poor leadership in confronting the events of the past week. I fully support the PSNI but they have not had their finest hour.
Our leaders on both sides of the Border need to show solidarity in finding a resolution to this serious problem. – Yours, etc,
GERRY MCQUILLAN,
Saintfield,
Co Down.
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