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The Daltaí Boards » Archive: 1999-2004 » 2000 (January-June) » WGSM vs. An Ghaeilge « Previous Next »

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ANBHUAIN: The Gaelic Conceptual Art Collective
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 07:46 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Recently, NYC's already besieged Irish-speaking community has become a target of invectives hurled by WGSM's Dennis Owens. The Washington, DC-based radio station broadcast Owens' thinly-veiled attack on Irish-speakers under the guise of a commentary on NYC's St. Patrick's Day Parade. While the Parade Committee is by no means beyond reproach, the City's urban Gaeltacht is well-represented in the event by a heavy contingent of Irish-language organisations. These brave men and women take untold risks by identifying themselves as Gaelgeoirí in Guiliani's "New" New York.

Owens quipped, "What's three miles long and has an I.Q. of 40? The NY St. Patrick's Day Parade." Owens comments have struck as a direct hit against a community which is still in shock due to the closing of the City's only Irish-language bookshop. One wonders whether Owens' comments stem from resentment towards the presence of the Washington branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in that City's own Parade.

Owens' Gaeilgephobic comments were so egregious that WGSM's station manager was forced to acknowledge their "inappropriateness". The station will broadcast an apology this week.

However, contrite words are not sufficient for Gaeilgeoirí of the New Millenium. Now is the time for us to present a list of demands to WGSM:

1.) The immediate suspension of Dennis Owens and subsequent dismissal if he refuses to seek professional counseling for his Gaeilgephobia.

2.) Monetary reparations in the form of a large unconditional grant to the Washington Branch of Conradh na Gaeilge .

3.) Broadcast rescheduling to include a weekly one-hour programme in the Irish language similar to that produced by Dr. Séamus Blake on WFUV in the Bronx. Such a programme would be hosted by Colleen Dollard and include news, music, interviews and riveting documentaries on the plight of Gaelic Conceptual Artists in America's large urban centres.

E-mail may be sent to WGSM at .

Gifts of tuna salad may be sent to the station at following address:
WGSM 103.5
3400 Idaho Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016


"BRADÁN FEASA ~ TÚNA DÍOLTAIS!!!"

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Matt
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 08:56 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

I'm curious--why was the only Irish language bookshop closed down in NY? Why is the Irish speaking community in NY besieged? Are they discriminated against?

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Sáfach
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 09:32 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Others may have better or more complete information than I have; the store's lease, along with others in the building, was not renewed. I had been there about a year ago, and had spoken with Angela on the phone several times. It was a shock to hear the store had closed.

I understand - and can't remember whether I read it here or on the Gaeilge-B listserve - that Anglea was thinking of winding down the business anyway, which might explain why she didn't make an effort to relocate, or perhaps she did and I just don't know about it.

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An t-Aon Daithí Amhain
Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 09:39 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

A cháirde,

Seo i an litir a scríobh mé do WGSM.
Tá súil agam go scríobhfaidh sibh go léir chomh maith!

Beirigí bua!

~Daithí

**********************************************************************

Subj: Dennis Owens' hate speech
Date: 00-03-25 10:49:57 EST
From: Daithinyc.aol.com
To:

I don't know which is more appalling: Dennis Owens' attack on the Irish language and those who speak it - or - your disingenuous "apology"...

I would suggest that you add some substance to your contrition by the following means:

1.) The immediate suspension of Dennis Owens and subsequent dismissal if
he refuses to seek professional counseling for his Gaeilgephobia.

2.) Monetary reparations in the form of a large unconditional grant to
the Washington Branch of Conradh na Gaeilge .

3.) Broadcast rescheduling to include a weekly one-hour programme in the
Irish language similar to that produced by Dr. Séamus Blake on WFUV in
the Bronx. Such a programme would be hosted by Colleen Dollard and
include news, music, interviews and riveting documentaries on the plight
of Gaelic Conceptual Artists in America's large urban centres.

Is mise, gan meas,
Daithí Mac Lochlainn
Woodside, Nua-Eabhrac

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william fuller
Posted on Sunday, April 02, 2000 - 03:48 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

A chairde: Ni feidir liom "cupla focal" a scriobh as Bearla anois. -From a memorial poem to be found on this Forum's tree it seems to refer to the enire block on Broadway from Prince to Houston.The real estate section of the New York Times might well have news about matters affecting such a considerable area.

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