Plus, it's hard to spin a school history lesson on Ireland and have the UK look anything but bad, so they barely touch it. An English friend decided to learn some Irish history, recently. He phoned to apologise to my family as "We've only ever fucked you over, eh?". Like I was there for the famine.
For some reason this cartoon on asymmetric relationships comes to mind
You should watch that. They’re also not taught about their role in creating the entire disaster that is Israel and Palestine www.instagram.com/reel/DNQfKV1...
That makes sense for sure
The excellent @empirepoduk.bsky.social podcast (based in UK) did a brilliant series on the whole history of Ireland and Britains colonisation of it all the way up to the GFA. Dermot Ferriter and Fintan O Toole etc took part. Opened up a lot of British minds to Ireland and hosts admit they were
Taught nothing of any of it in school. Host @willdalrymple.bsky.social had some insight through his Irish granny. Well worth checking out. bsky.app/profile/empi...
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll get a listen. For what it's worth, I don't know any Irish that have a problem with Brits themselves, just the govt. But sure, the Brits hate their govt these days too so there's common ground. Ha ha.
I lived amongst yis for a few years and apart from assumptions that I'd be in the IRA and some accent pisstakery that didn't bother me, no drama. But zero understanding or interest in understanding. But then, I've no interest in Norman's and Roundheads so fair play, I guess.
It’s long been the case. Brendan behan said something on it the British people people in slums in Yorkshire or Birmingham no different to the people in Dublin or cork. It’s the establishment is the thing. Can’t remember his exact words but that was the gist
You have to question if it really matters, sometimes. Regardless of nationality, we're all just trying to get through the day. Cultural differences, sure but so what, Ireland, UK, USA, China, wherever, we're all just trying to keep food on the table.
Everything just seems to boil up when the govt starts making life difficult for whatever reason. It pains me that people blame everyone but their leadership and those pushing insane levels of money into steering it. The old divide and conquer seems to be going well at the moment, sadly.