Madam, - In this era of meaningless soundbites, political correctness and mealy-mouthed politicians, Kevin Myers is be commended for his outspokenness and sincerity. His regular polemics on a wide range of issues are frequently entertaining and thought-provoking in equal measure.
However, for him to call multiculturalism "idiotic" and fundamentalist Islamic cultures "loathsome" is overstepping the mark (An Irishman's Diary, September 16th).
In the present climate, the expression of such prejudiced views is not the least bit amusing, praiseworthy or helpful.
Perhaps most alarming of all, in his attack on multiculturalism he issues what amounts to a warning to burka-wearing Islamic women who come to Ireland that if they want to "walk our streets" they had better dispense with their traditional headdress, or else don't come to Ireland in the first place. And why? Apparently, it's because most indigenous Irish people (whatever that means exactly) are offended by the sight of the burka.
This is nonsense. Moreover, it is dangerous, xenophobic nonsense.
In a wide-ranging harangue, Mr Myers also cites the conflict in the North as an example of how we have already failed at multiculturalism in Ireland.
Would he not agree that some progress has been made in the North in recent years? He might also agree that one of the reasons this has happened is that the leaders of both communities there decided to moderate their language and moderate their behaviour towards each other. Consequently, there has been a softening of attitudes over time, better cross-cultural understanding and co-operation and, most importantly, the beginnings of a process towards mutual tolerance and compromise.
There may be a long way to go, but if they had merely carried on loathing each other, and saying so at every opportunity, it is unlikely the peace process could have got going at all. - Yours, etc.
NEIL FORSYTH,
Rossberry Lane,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - I totally agree with Kevin Myers's comments on "multiculturalism" (An Irishman's Diary, September 16th). I believe he speaks for many who fear to see Ireland led down the same road as her gullible neighbour.
Britain's misguided immigration policy and its drastic results should serve as a timely lesson. - Yours, etc,
JOHN BROE,
Tokyo,
Japan.
Madam, - Kevin Myers states that he does not "believe that all other cultures are as valuable or as enriching as the Western European and North American democratic models". He then attempts to reinforce his point by saying: "Not for nothing did Saul Bellow wonder where was the Zulu Tolstoy".
Mr Myers has chosen an unfortunate metaphor to make his case as I presume the Tolstoy to whom Saul Bellow referred to was Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, Anna Karenina and other masterpieces. Leo Tolstoy was born in Russia on August 28th, 1828. He was not the product of any "Western European and North American democratic models", but of an East European autocratic one.
The West may offer its citizens an unrivalled level of prosperity and personal freedom. However, this should not blind us to the fact that persons living under less favourable regimes have also made valuable and enriching contributions to the world.
Russia for example, under both Tsarist and Communist control, has produced a formidable array of artists, intellectuals and scientists. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL DURKAN,
Westport,
Co Mayo.