Timmy Ryan: Shine on Rhasidat

What is the definition of an Irish person? Depending on who you ask, that’s a tricky one. 

Apparently some folk have a problem with some people who consider themselves Irish; Rhasidat Adeleke for one. 

We all saw Rhasidat’s inspirational exploits at the European Athletics Championships recently. What an athlete, what a performance. 

Gold in the 4 x 400 metres relay and Silver in the 400 metres. Stunning. 

She broke records into the bargain and we all shared her joy, or so I thought.

I subsequently found that certain individuals saw fit to knock her and worse online. 

Sadly, the Dublin born girl, just 21, was yet another victim of vile racism. These faceless muppets had enough of the spotlight already and there’s no need to give them any further publicity. 

I even refrain from giving them the title of keyboard warriors as even the word ‘warrrior’ has a certain nobility that they don’t deserve. 

They do not speak for me. As far as I’m concerned, Rhasidat now ranks up there with any other Irish sporting heroes, including Paul McGrath. He’s an absolute Irish footballing legend. I’m sure he’s endured his fair share of abuse over the years, but again it’s emanating from a pathetic minority. 

Unfortunately, social media has made it easier for cowards to spew their hatred, but I like to think that decent Irish people can see them for who they are.

Currently we have a whole new generation of young kids growing up here in Ireland who may have a very different background to myself. Going back over hundreds of years, from what I’ve been able to discover, my immediate family line was born here. 

The trail goes a bit cold further on down the line but it came up once in a family conversation that some of my ancestors might well have come from Norway. I’ve no way of verifying this right now but it’s of little or no importance to me. 

It might suggest though that some of these creeps who attack Rhasidat Adeleke and others might unknowingly have “foreign” blood in their own history! Wouldn’t that just stick in their craws?

Irrespective of birthplace, if you are here and you obey our national laws and accept the Irish nation has customs and ways that you may not agree with but adhere to nonetheless, I consider you welcome. 

I’m thrilled to see youngsters with Nigerian or Polish parentage growing up as Irish kids playing GAA, soccer and the like. They should never forget their heritage, but they are the next generation here and good luck to them.

I hear arguments occasionally referring to the number of non nationals that our beloved Government has accepted into the country in recent years. 

I personally believe that the system is broken, has proven to be unworkable and is badly thought out. 

Housing is probably the biggest issue facing us right now and it seems we have no real clue what we’re doing. Racism is an evil cancer and while it may not be the fault of our government, they haven’t helped us by getting it so badly wrong. If Croke Park is full, you don’t allow thousands more to enter. It just doesn’t add up. 

We need common sense here, not anger and bitterness towards someone who finds themselves here whatever the circumstances. Taking it out on non nationals is wrong on every level. If the system makes provision for individuals to benefit from it, who’s responsible?

Fixing it is another story. 

One thing is obvious to me. There’s a growing number of people who seem to blame everything on non nationals and this is worrying. The internet here is a feeding ground for misinformation and fear mongering. 

There’s way too many anonymous idiots spreading hate online and, sadly, gullible surfers who believe everything they say. 

Still, it will always come back to the light dispelling the darkness. 

When you have a rising star like Rhasidat bursting onto the scene, she will be seen and admired by every kid on the island and that’s a great starting point. She’s a role model now whether she’d like to think of herself as such or not. 

I would love to see her visit every school in Ireland and share her life and career. Young, impressionable minds are precious. They are going to need heroes going forward and we all know it’s not easy growing up at the best of times and particularly for some kids in disadvantaged areas.

For some of our online trolls it might be too late but there’s a whole country of wonderful, intelligent kids who need to be shown that real Irish stars come in all shapes and sizes and we don’t all look the same. 

I hope Rhasidat and others who’ve been targets of ignorance will push on and turn something ugly into something brilliant. These lyrics from the classic song say it so well: “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way” – George Benson.

Racism isn’t new. It almost amuses me when I see documentaries about the laughable organisation in the US called the Ku Klux Klan. Professed to be a “Christian” group, they’re clearly just bigoted white supremacists. 

Call them out for what they are. The irony being that the person they claim to “worship”, as in Jesus Christ, was most likely a fairly dark skinned individual himself. That seems to escape them. 

Try bringing that up at their next mountain top barbeque. I’d imagine it would go down like a lead balloon.