Sectarianism Flashcards
What happened in 2011?
A number of sectarian songs were banned by Scottish Police and individuals were arrested for performing them.
What is the article called?
Hearing Sectarianism by Simon McKerrell
When did controversy around the Famine Song begin and how?
In 2008 when Celtic football fans complained to the Scottish Football Association and Police about it’s performance at ‘Old Firm’ football matches in Glasgow.
Who is the text of the Famine song offensive to?
Catholics, Irish-Scots and Irish-Glaswegians in particular.
Who is the principle voice of the songs narrative?
White protestants singing about their anger to the Irish catholic immigrants of the nineteenth century.
Why is there debate over to whether it is actually offensive at football matches?
It’s only the final chorus of ‘the famine is over, why don’t you go home’ that is sang at football matches, missing out the majority of the offensive content in the verses. McKerrell claims in the reading that this is still offensive as it carries the implied meaning of the verses.
What tune is the famine song sang to?
Sloop John B by the Beach Boys - a memorable melody with a clear question and answer structure, perhaps a factor for it’s popularity at matches.
What are the two common strategies used by newspapers to defend the song?
Trivialising the sectarianism by saying it’s only a handful of people singing it and most of the other football fans are appalled. Or saying ‘take a joke’ and that much of what is getting labelled as ‘sectarianism’ is football fans winding up the opposition.
