Easter Rising criticised for lack of diversity and “all white” leadership

The Easter Rising has been criticised for its lack of diversity and “all white” leadership with some people calling for statues and monuments dedicated to those involved in the 1916 rebellion to be taken down.

Chairman of the Irish Refugee Council Frederick Winterbottom said it was shameful that there were no black or Asian signatories on the Proclamation of Independence and claimed that if there had been, the rebels probably would have beaten the Brits.

“When I look at photos and footage of the Easter Rising all I see is white faces everywhere and it really angers me. Maybe if the racist rebels hadn’t insisted on a white only uprising things would have turned out differently. I find it highly offensive that so many Irish people today look at those men as heroes. I’ve been studying Irish history and was shocked to read about the treatment of the black and tan people who came here in the 1920s.”

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy agreed with the views of Mr. Winterbottom, saying RTE’s historical TV drama Rebellion, which told the story of the Easter Rising, was also blatantly racist.

“I think it was disgraceful that all the parts were given to white actors. We live in a multi-cultural society and the series did not reflect this. Idris Elba would have made a great Michael Collins.”