Sir, - It is quite honourable of John Waters (Opinion, May 21st) to defend the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and Minister for Justice against the alleged charge of racism, but does he really think this trio need defending? While he has a point about some clumsiness in the wording of the Amnesty advertisement, I, for one, think the campaign deserving of the support of all opposed to racism.
Mr Waters actually brands Amnesty as racist in its attitude, because (he declares) its racism of "condescension" is as bad as the racism of "contempt", quoting a piece of post-modern psychobabble in support. Condescension is never a pleasant phenomenon to encounter, but I don't think condescension ever smashed the window of a Nigerian-owned shop, or caused the stabbing of a man who spoke up against thugs on behalf of his black wife.
Mr Waters comes very close to making racism a rational choice by ineptly trying to distinguish between racism and "legitimate regard for the integrity of. . . communities". He has still not realised that the old language of race and volk has been replaced by a more insidious racism that poses as the defender of "culture" and "community". But behind is still the same irrational and violent prejudice. - Yours, etc.,
Toby Joyce, Balreask Manor, Navan, Co Meath.