Neil Lennon labelled a "Derogatory Term" by Roddy Forsythe in the Telegraph

[Admin]

There is also reference to Neil's looks as being "strikingly akin to the 19th century Punch cartoons of the stereotypical Irishman"

Wonder what that means exactly?

"And that aspect of his persona – the irrepressible Taig who has haunted the imaginings of Ulster Protestants for 300 years – has to be a factor in the visceral hatred directed towards him."

Absolutely disgusting comments.

Click here for the full article

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic/8510762/Neil-Lennon-is-an-Irishman-who-polarises-opinion-like-no-other.html

Just in case anyone does not understand thwe term Taig, here is Wikipedia's explanation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taig


Taig is a derogatory term for an Irish Catholic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Catholic). It is mainly used by loyalists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_loyalism)<sup id="cite_ref-CAIN_0-0" class="reference">[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taig#cite_note-CAIN-0)</sup> in Northern Ireland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland) and Scotland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland). It has been used in sectarian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectarianism) slogans such as "Kill All Taigs" (KAT), "All Taigs Are Targets" (ATAT) and "Any Taig Will Do".<sup id="cite_ref-CAIN_0-1" class="reference">[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taig#cite_note-CAIN-0)</sup> The latter was painted on murals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murals_in_Northern_Ireland) by loyalist paramilitary prisoners during "The Troubles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles)" and implied that all Irish Catholics were legitimate targets.

[danimcguire]

"strikingly akin to the 19th century Punch cartoons of the stereotypical Irishman"...

"And that aspect of his persona – the irrepressible Taig who has haunted the imaginings of Ulster Protestants for 300 years – has to be a factor in the visceral hatred directed towards him."


When first read in isolation, I would agree that these comments appear derogatory and disgusting. However when the whole of Forsythe's article is read, it becomes apparent that he is pointing out that these perceptions of Neil Lennon are the IMAGINED fears and intolerant views held NOT by himself, but by those who wish ill-will upon Neil Lennon. Forsythe is quite clear about to whom he is referring, ie., the editorial staff of "Punch" magazine in the 19th Century, and those Ulster Protestants whose attitudes remain entrenched in the 17th Century. Shoot NOT the MESSENGER Admin.

[Admin]

It is a matter of perception is it not? You read and understand it as you indicate, I did not read it as such. For me your perception is not clearly apparent.