Deplorable.
As many of you will know, the popular Twitter account for Ireland ( @Ireland ) is curated by a new person each week. For the next seven days, Michelle Marie – a mother and plus sized model that lives in Mayo – will be running the account.
Michelle is passionate about quashing and highlighting the culture that makes people ashamed of their bodies and she has been pursuing this agenda during her brief tenure at the helm of the Twitter account.
Physical features don't define you. The number on the scales doesn't define you. Your clothes size doesn't define you. YOU define you.
— Ireland / Rohana – LeCheileDND (@ireland) August 22, 2016
Unfortunately, some mindless racists, almost all whom are based out of America, have been fixated on the colour of Michelle’s skin rather than her progressive and positive message. Here’s what Michelle had to say.
I am not an Irish citizen or of Irish descent. Correct. But I do live in Ireland and this account is to represent all residents here.
— Ireland / Rohana – LeCheileDND (@ireland) August 22, 2016
Just to be clear this was said tongue in cheek. It's frustrating that race is commented on in any context in 2016.
— Ireland / Rohana – LeCheileDND (@ireland) August 22, 2016
Here’s a small example of the vitriol that has been directed towards her.
https://twitter.com/RebeccahLouise/status/767762197833453568
Thankfully, there has also been plenty of people that were quick to rally around Michelle.
https://twitter.com/damianobroin/status/767715084508471296
Lot of ugly racist tweets aimed at @ireland today, interestingly many are American
Do they literally search for accounts to be racist about?— Darren Geraghty (@GeraghtyDarren) August 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/margaretmutters/status/767757445531828224
Have a feeling the @ireland account is going to get retweeted A LOT this week! Deep breaths and enjoy Michelle! ☘❤️ https://t.co/2QZn49XGEW
— Emma Wheatley (@EmmaAWheatley) August 22, 2016
It appears that she’s not letting these hateful remarks detract from her work. We wish her the best of luck for the week ahead.
Big thank you to all those standing up to the prejudice I'm facing. All I can think is wait til they find out I'm gay as well 😂
— Ireland / Rohana – LeCheileDND (@ireland) August 22, 2016
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