I hear you’re a racist now, Bertie?
About this episode
The episode discusses Bertie Ahern's controversial comments on immigration and the implications of public discourse on racism.
Bertie Ahern says he rejects ‘racism in all its forms’. So what is it if not racism when a former Taoiseach says ‘we can’t be taking in people from Congo and all these places’? On Free State today we ask how do you talk about immigration and not get mistaken for a racist? Is it best not to say things that a racist might say to begin with? Ahern defended himself by saying ‘I don’t think there is anything wrong talking about what the people are talking about’. But what does this mean? What is the requirement of a leader, even a former leader, when people are troubled and anxious? Do you resort to the lowest common denominator or do you provide a vision? What did Bertie Ahern do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Hosts: Joe Brolly, Dion Fanning
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Free State, Acast
Places: Congo
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