The late David Dunseith, one of the more courageous broadcasters from these parts, used to be quite frank when he presented Talkback. If there was a caller, and there were plenty, who came out with some outrageous comment Dunseith was not afraid to turn around and tell them ‘Will ye ever catch yourself on!’
Well, just listening to a radio discussion last Friday on an Irish Language Act produced several ‘Will ye ever catch yourself on!’ moments. One caller cited by the presenter, I suppose to highlight the feelings about the Irish language, said that when she was in hospital she was afraid every time she saw that the nurse had an Irish name.
Now if ever there was a caller who should have been told to catch herself on that was one. What was she afraid of? Did she think that because the nurse had an Irish name she was going to poison her or something? Instead of being grateful for the care and attention she was receiving, this woman was claiming an Irish name made her fearful. That is heading down the road we see now in other parts of the world, where to speak in Arabic or read the Koran is to get thrown off planes. An Irish name makes people afraid. Whatever next?
Then on the same show on the same topic we were told that an Irish Language Act would ‘change the complexion’ of the North. Again wouldn’t it be great if that particular pundit had been told to catch himself on? How does an Act change the complexion of the North apart from to make it a more diverse place? Are the unionists so insecure that they believe if there is a Language Act they will all go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning speaking a cupla focail?
If a culture and a tradition is so shallow that its adherents cannot abide anything outside their own sphere, surely it is time that they had a long hard look at themselves. We are supposed to be living in the 21st century, but there are times when it feels like we have never made it past the 16th century where the outsider and the unknown were to be feared.
However there is also a bigger picture for our broadcasters and journalists. It is about time that the more outlandish views were challenged and dismissed, rather than pandered to. It is not sufficient to say that the woman felt as she did and she is entitled to her views. She is indeed, but they should not be given the space on the airwaves to spout such ridiculous nonsense. If we are to assume that our broadcasters see themselves as performing a public service, then it is time they stopped pandering to the extreme backwoodsmen and women in this society and started telling people what is what.
Let’s hear ”Will ye ever catch yourself on!’ a bit more often.
David Dunseith is badly missed. He presented TB with dignity, grace and equity, and though he was careful to listen to all viewpoints with respect and question them with equal rigour. I always got the impression he was a not quite closet nationalist. Suamhneas are a anam uasal.
people all have different opinions.you could be easily told to catch yerself on praising an ruc man in your opening line.
David Dunseath was never replaced by anyone with the same political knowledge.Nolan for instance has’nt a clue about the political system.This morning he “shot down” a caller with the “fact” that “popular Arlene” topped the poll in FST.The fact is the DUP vote in FST fell by 3%,her personal vote was down and the DUP lost a seat.Conversely Michele Gildernew could have topped the poll easily .Instead she increased the SF percentage but balanced the vote with her comrades to ensure all 3SF candidates were elected.
Whether the woman’s fear of an Irish name was genuine or not , we’ll probable never know….but I have met some people from the Unionist family holding some bizarre and totally irrational beliefs. Recently I was hospitalised for a week and when the other patients in my ward saw my Irish name , I was immediately ostracised ….no amount of trying to engage in conversation worked….They wouldn’t or couldn’t even make eye contact ….completely unothhodox and unjustifiable behaviour in the 21st century.
Unfortunately the retirement and subsequent death of David Dunseith corresponded to the period when the BBC were introducing the dreaded ‘dumbing down’ of talent, which has continued to this day!
Spot on Eamonn. I’m sick and tired of hearing commentators tell people that they’re entitled to their opinion without challenging the lunacy and inherent sectarianism/racism in their comments.
Don’t know how many times I’ve switched tb off for these catch yerself on reasons,makes you wondwer what goes on in their lives to have to come out with such tripe……..*blondes anyone???
So if this woman ever needed a blood transfusion she’ll be asking. Did the blood come from Caoimhe, Aine, Roisin or Sammy.