Today I’m going to ask you to take hibernophobia seriously, because Wesleyan University has a hibernophobia problem. Hibernophoba, or anti-Irish sentiment, refers to acts of discrimination against the good-faith, kilt-clad, ale-drinking people of Ireland. Even at today’s supposedly progressive institutions, it is unfortunately common to witness hibernophobic jokes, jabs, or otherwise discriminatory gestures; this weekend’s global premiere of student-written musical “Bonar,” for example, was full of vitriolic discrimination against the Irish. I hope by bringing this pressing issue to the attention of the student body, we can all work to make Wesleyan a more inclusive place for the Irish.

While “Bonar” began on the right note (so to speak, in reality, the drummer clearly couldn’t hold a beat) with an important discussion on the discrimination men with silly names face, it quickly diverged into a full-scale attack on the Irish, with choruses of “F**k the Irish” landing many punchlines. However catchy and well-harmonized, it felt like a slap in the face. How can we claim inclusion in good faith if our jokes rely on discriminating against a group who, only 200 years ago, were told “need not apply”? They couldn’t even apply.

I hope we can find the strength and kindness to push back against this discrimination.

Thomas Lyons is a member of the class of 2026 and can be reached at trylons@wesleyan.edu.