Dear Blues=Life,

I didn't have to search for the newspaper quote I posted in my message here in Part 2 of this thread. All I had to do was open the Sunday edition of my local newspaper, as I stated in that post.

I won't argue that you (a) have never heard of the Irish Travellers or (b) have not seen any coverage whatsoever about them in the newspapers you read or electronic media to which you may have access.

However, I would suggest that this is a great opportunity for you to learn about the Irish Travellers (and the other travelling communities of the world), and the prejudice that they have faced in the past and still face with today. Besides the informational links that I provided in my previous post (which I provide once again below), other folks have provided links to informational sites and songs. Why don't you take advantage of this chance to inform yourself about the Irish Travellers; and perhaps you'll better understand why there is a genuine concern about how this group is treated by civil and law enforcement authorities and the media.

All the best, Áine

Links:

The Handbook of Texas Online

The Gypsy Lore Society; Information on Gypsy & Traveler Cultures, Gypsy and Traveler Groups in North America, (adapted from the introduction to Gypsies and Travelers in North America: An Annotated Bibliography (where the original citations will be found)

Travellers' Rest: Fact And Fiction About Irish Travellers in the U.S.A.

Irish Traveller Notes and Resources

Pavee Point Travellers Centre; Supporting Human Rights For Irish Travellers

The Irish Traveller Movement