I admit to being quite fascinated by the idea of the Irish being not-White in England (and the US). I've had irish friends from the UK say that they didn't feel like they were part of the White majority, and felt very much one of the oppressed racial minorities, and I've certainly come to appreciate the extent of English racism against the Irish. Its perfectly illustrated by the title of Johnny Lydons autobiography No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish (a common sign on boarding house doors from his childhood). But it fascinates me because it makes so little intuitive sense to me -- I grew up after it all but disappeared from Australia, I think, apart from the lingering vestige of Irish jokes, and now Irish background is, if anything, a social asset.
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I admit to being quite fascinated by the idea of the Irish being not-White in England (and the US). I've had irish friends from the UK say that they didn't feel like they were part of the White majority, and felt very much one of the oppressed racial minorities, and I've certainly come to appreciate the extent of English racism against the Irish. Its perfectly illustrated by the title of Johnny Lydons autobiography No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish (a common sign on boarding house doors from his childhood). But it fascinates me because it makes so little intuitive sense to me -- I grew up after it all but disappeared from Australia, I think, apart from the lingering vestige of Irish jokes, and now Irish background is, if anything, a social asset.