I did some research on this topic when I came back from a Burns Supper here in California. We were all having a great time, dancing and playing music, when I played an English tune. When someone asked me what tune it was I replied.... and it was all downhill from there.

What followed was nasty remarks and downright racism. I was extremely uncomfortable, expecially when I mentioned I was going on my first trip to England soon (my grandparents were born there) and one man turned to me and said "my people killed ALOT of your people!" The most interesting thing........most of these people had NEVER even been to Scotland or Ireland.

Anyway, I stopped going to any of the Celtic Organizations. I have to add, Im sure alot of folks that go to these are not racist and not even aware of the overt racism that is perpetuated, almost all against the English. I recognize the terrible wrongs done in the past, but to harbor, guard, and perpetuate hate just seems wrong to me.

Oh, and an interesting note. When one of the guys was talking about how the English took away their Scottish language, sent them away from their homelands etc I remarked how the same thing happened to the American Indians. Killed, sent to schools to be "civilized," banned from speaking their own language or worshipping their own religion by the european invasion it didn't even make a dent on him, he'd never even considered that point of view. Interesting.

PS
Im an American of Scots-Irish, English, Welsh, and Cherokee descent and I don't hate anyone.......except George Bush:)