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'We must show our humanity to each other' - Imelda May


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Imelda May.

Imelda May.

Imelda May.

Melanie Finn Twitter Email

Singer Imelda May has said people "must show our humanity to each other" as her anti-racism poem was chosen for a new campaign against discrimination.

She wrote 'You Don't Get to be Racist and Irish' in support of the international Black Lives Matter movement.

Now her image and poetry will feature on 200 billboards nationwide to coincide with the launch of a new €3m Equality Fund to help those most affected by inequality.

An Amárach survey for Rethink Ireland found that while some 94pc of respondents felt Ireland had a duty to treat all of its citizens equally, less than a third believe there was currently enough education about discrimination.

Poetry in action: Singer Loah and Daniel Lambert, director at Bohemians FC, help to launch Rethink Ireland’s Equality Fund in front of a poster bearing the title of Imelda May’s anti-racism poem at St Mary’s Place, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins Expand

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Poetry in action: Singer Loah and Daniel Lambert, director at Bohemians FC, help to launch Rethink Ireland’s Equality Fund in front of a poster bearing the title of Imelda May’s anti-racism poem at St Mary’s Place, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

Poetry in action: Singer Loah and Daniel Lambert, director at Bohemians FC, help to launch Rethink Ireland’s Equality Fund in front of a poster bearing the title of Imelda May’s anti-racism poem at St Mary’s Place, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

Poetry in action: Singer Loah and Daniel Lambert, director at Bohemians FC, help to launch Rethink Ireland’s Equality Fund in front of a poster bearing the title of Imelda May’s anti-racism poem at St Mary’s Place, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

Rethink Ireland is an organisation that supports charities and community groups with cash grants and business supports. Every euro raised in philanthropy is matched by the State's Dormant Accounts Fund. It has raised more than €26m in philanthropic funding since 2016.

The €3m fund will be used to support groups working with marginalised people, ethnic minorities, Traveller and Roma communities and those with disabilities.

Speaking from her new base in London, May said: "We are all human and so must show our humanity to each other, otherwise what are we?

"I'm delighted that my poem is being linked to this campaign. I'm really glad that the poem has sparked some conversation and I'm grateful that I've had the words to be able to write it.

"But I think at the moment, now is not the time to hear my voice. It's time to hear the voices of those that need to be heard.

"Thanks to Rethink Ireland and the Equality Fund that's more likely to happen - and thanks to them for fighting for everybody for equal opportunities and for love and kindness, so thanks very much for listening."

Equality Minister Roderic O'Gorman said the fund would give vital support to groups working with the most under-represented communities and "help strengthen the equality landscape in Ireland".

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