Simple response to blight of bigotry

It is precisely this over-analysed mumbo-jumbo spouted by him and his like that gives knuckle-draggers who attend every Old Firm match the misplaced belief that they are somehow entitled to shout and sing what they like, no matter how offensive it is to the vast majority of others attending the match, watching on TV, or listening to the radio.

We all know what the two senior police officers he refers to meant when they passed comment on the subject – we do not need it analysed in psychobabble from Prof McLachlan.

It is not the complex conundrum he tries to make it, but is quite simple really. The overwhelming majority of the population are offended by something, politicians decide to do something about it, parliament passes legislation, and the police enforce that legislation.

Which part of that does he not understand?

David Moncur

Redding Road

Brightons, Falkirk

I was interested to read Hugh McLachlan’s piece in which he expressed reservations over Nil By Mouth’s (NBM) suitability to assist the British Transport Police with issues surrounding sectarianism in Scotland.

I’d like to clarify a few things for both Prof McLachlan and your readers.

Firstly, we are not recent converts to this cause. NBM has been in existence for more than a decade, having been set up by a Glasgow teenager in response to the brutal sectarian murder of her friend.

It was the first organisation of its type in Scotland and has, since then, often been a lone voice calling for change.

Secondly, we are not an organisation which deals in absolute truths, nor do we provide a list of “right or wrong” answers.

Rather, we seek to raise awareness of sectarianism, encourage tolerance and change, and emphasise the importance of education in achieving these goals.

We fully understand that sectarianism transcends dictionary definition and that it is a fusion of religion, politics, cultural identity and ignorance.

Thirdly, we have provided sectarianism awareness workshops in hundreds of schools, colleges and workplaces across Scotland.

These are provided free of charge and raise awareness of the issues surrounding this deep-seated and complex issue.

In every session we seek to encourage participants to ask as many questions of themselves as they do of others and, more often than not, this results in participants feeling able to look at the issue with a wider perspective and feel more confident in identifying and dealing with sectarian attitudes.

I would hope that Prof McLachlan now has a greater appreciation of this process and I would extend an open invitation to him, or any of his students, to participate in a future workshop.

Dave Scott

Nil By Mouth

Wilson Street

Glasgow

Professor Hugh McLachlan’s inspired essay should be compulsory reading for all Scottish politicians and senior police staff.

Crimes are defined as such, and should not be subdivided into sectarian, racial or the latest category, “hate” crime.

This is yet another attack on freedom of expression: we are all entitled to hold and express views regarded by others as bigoted or extremist.

Claimed Scottish sectarianism is almost exclusive to two sets of football fans, and even there it is limited to songs and chants, which those in authority wish to ban.

This can refer only to the words, but once these are known it becomes impossible to consider the tune without the lyrics.

If, then, Rangers fans give air to The Billy Boys or The Sash sung to “da-da” or “la-la” will they be charged with “thought crime”?

There is surely no more overtly sectarian a group than the Orange Order, yet it enjoys the freedom of our streets for its annual parades with their colourful uniforms and rousing flute band music.

Prof McLachlan’s assertion that police and politicians have no right to seek control of our personal beliefs is correct: that way lies the ultimate police state.

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent