A Traveller poet believes platforms should not disable racist comments made under videos of content celebrating minority voices, saying it feels ‘like a knife in the chest’ for those targeted by online abusers.
Caitlyn O’Reilly, from Tallaght, Co. Dublin, spoke out after she unexpectedly appeared in an RTÉ news clip connected to the recent launch of a commemorative Irish Traveller stamp.
While stressing she did not mind appearing in the clip itself – ‘I did not know I was going to be on the news. I wasn’t told that was going to happen.
‘Though I don’t mind’ – she said what followed online left a deeper impression.
She told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘What disappointed me was that the comments were turned off. I found them turned off on every social platform the clip was posted on.’
Ms O’Reilly noted a similar trend following the racist abuse directed at Dublin Rose Suad Mooge.
Sligo-born Mooge won the Dublin Rose title last week and will represent the capital at the Rose of Tralee in Co. Kerry this August.
Ms O’Reilly said: ‘It has become a trend to [turn comments off]. I saw it also with official posts about the Rose of Tralee winner, a black Irish woman.
While disabling comments may be intended to limit abuse, Ms O’Reilly said it also reflects a broader unwillingness to directly confront racism online.
‘Racism is becoming so normalised within Ireland and yet we present ourselves as this prejudice-free utopia.
‘Any Traveller or person of colour can tell you that’s far from the truth,’ she added.
Caitlyn O’Reilly, currently studying Classics at Trinity College Dublin, said disabling comments can also reinforce the idea that racism is inevitable
Ms O’Reilly noted a similar trend following the racist abuse directed at Dublin Rose Suad Mooge
The young poet, currently studying Classics at Trinity College Dublin, said disabling comments can also reinforce the idea that racism is inevitable rather than something to be directly challenged.
‘Turning off the comments may look like protection, but still feels like a knife in the chest. I definitely think turning comments off is an act that tries to help but ultimately hides what we already know is being said.’
Ms O’Reilly said the digital environment exacerbates the mental health crisis within her community.
‘Social media has both made racism worse and highlighted the racism already there. You can scroll for hours letting the hate pour out of you in every comment section you can get your hands on.’
A search for ‘Irish Traveller Culture’ on short-form video platform TikTok reveals hundreds of videos, many flooded with hostile or derogatory comments.
Ms O’Reilly also spoke about the impact this environment can have on young people within the Traveller community, where mental health is a significant issue.
A search for ‘Irish Traveller Culture’ on short-form video platform TikTok reveals hundreds of videos, many flooded with hostile or derogatory comments
National suicide prevention charity, Suicide or Survive, noted Traveller suicide rates are much higher than for the average population.
Traveller men are seven times more likely to die by suicide than the rest of the population. Traveller women are five times more likely to die by suicide.
Although themes of travel appear throughout her writing, she said her experiences abroad have shaped her identity more deeply than traditional stereotypes associated with Traveller culture.
‘I’ve travelled more abroad than in Ireland and that is the type of travel I have showcased in my poetry.
‘By travelling abroad, I’ve actually become closer to my identity. I didn’t need a wagon to do that. There is “good” travel and “bad” travel in this world.
‘The diaspora of Irish people is so well known but we hate the ones who engage in the nomadic movement inbound.’
She said her poetry explores themes from identity and travel to classics and education, reflecting the ‘diversity of experiences among young Travellers today’.
Ms O’Reilly hopes the new An Post stamp will help ‘normalise’ the community and encourage young Travellers to see their existence as valued in public life.
An RTÉ spokesperson said the option of allowing comments on content posted by RTÉ News on third party social media sites is an editorial decision made ‘on the basis of a wide criteria of factors’.
