Theatre Performers subjected to racist abuse in Dublin

You have your own personal experiences and I have mine. I trust my black friends opinions above your made up stories any day of the week.

I can definitely agree that this was a racist act. My initial incorrect assumption was that this was just some attention-seeking social media post. The fact it was reported to the Gardai means it should be taken seriously and recognised as an act of racism. This does not make Ireland a racist country though, anymore than somebody drawing a swastika on a wall makes Ireland a nazi country.

OK but what does that mean for Africa's future if the 'brightest and best' (dubious) come to Europe? Who will build and improve Africa in their place?

Accidentally yes.

Racism gets clicks. If there was racist abuse every day of the week you can be sure the media would be covering it. It gets people riled up. It's like the old adage that "sex sells" but nowadays "emotional righteousness" sells.

I've lived abroad, where white people are a minority, and been on the receiving end of racist abuse. I've also received racist abuse in the UK for being Irish. And I've also experienced homophobic abuse in a variety of countries (both predominately white nations and non-white nations).

At the same time, I have been called a fag by people who didn't know I was bisexual, had no idea of any of my personal habits, and were simply throwing out an insult, based on what they consider to be awful. For example, I've always found motherf to be a ridiculous insult, but I've a friend who, for him, it's incredibly insulting, and will always set him off in the worst way.

I think the point being made is about the intent behind the insults being used. If I'm called a white fag, is that racist or homophobic? Or is white meant as a statement of fact, and the *beep* being the actual insult? However, if you consider racism to be important to you, you might look at being white as an indication of intent for a racist slur. It's doesn't work so well for "White" but Black *beep* is far more likely to be considered racist. no? Which insult is actually worse? The homophobic one or the racist one? And does that mean that the person was both homophobic and racist or simply racist?

People who seek to offend others will use whatever they can to insult others. It doesn't automatically make them actual racists, just that they've chosen to adopt racist language (as a communication tool). Someone calling me a fag might not be homophobic, because he/she considers that particular insult to be terrible to assign to a heterosexual male (and from experience I remember the paranoia of heterosexual teenagers over being considered gay, while not actually being homophobic in their interactions with gay people)

This is not downplaying racism or homophobia. It's about recognising the nuance involved in human behaviour. I realise that many people (not directed at you) want to live in a simplistic world with a black/white right/wrong perspective on things, but that doesn't really reflect the complexity of human behaviour. Is it wrong to behave that way, or wrong to insult others? Yes, definitely. But appreciating the nuance of what's really going on, provides the best opportunity to counter that behaviour in society.

Whereas, I would imagine they would hurl abuse at anyone they considered to be vulnerable and less likely to be able to defend themselves. A woman on her own, regardless of her race, sexuality, etc, would probably be harassed by these idiots. Does that make them dedicated misogynists? No, it's the nature of little gangs of scumbags to behave in this manner towards anyone they consider a vulnerable target.