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06/28/2006: "CR FAQ dismisses "A Handbook of the Scottish Gaelic World" writer as racist and misogynist"

As we continue exploring the CR FAQ that went "live" last week, we notice another noted Celtic scholar's work being marginalized. Michael Newton's "A Handbook of the Scottish Gaelic World", a gem that takes one into the realm of Scottish Gaelic culture is the latest work to catch flack from our CR elders Kathryn Price NicDh�na and Erynn Rowan Laurie, though on this one, according to Laurie on the Imbas Public list tonight, the objections are all NicDhana.

NicDhana accuses Newton

of being a misogynist (woman-hater) and says he "subtly promote racism" in his book, serious caveats indeed, if they were true.
http://www.paganachd.com/faq/caveats.html#newton

But they are not. Perhaps to someone like NicDhana, who seems to spend more time supporting CAORANN (Celts Against Oppression, Racism, and Neo-Nazism) than the Celtic League and the Celtic Studies Association of North America, books about living Celtic cultures are a mystery when read without the necessary tools/desire to develop a Celtic worldview untainted by American political correctness and neopaganism.

Chris Thompson, a reviewer for Amazon, a former officer of IMBAS, a Celtic language speaker/reader (Scottish Gaelic) and a respected defender of Celtic traditions and living Celtic cultures, states, "Anyone who is interested in any aspect of Scottish Gaelic culture - the language, clan history, pipe or fiddle music, bardic poetry, Highland dance, spirituality and so on - should read this book first."

Further, Thompson declares, "The author discusses Gaelic culture in terms of its own traditional values, and in its own words (by quoting many Gaelic poems and songs). This is an almost revolutionary approach, considering how much tartan sentimentalism, New Age marketing and anti-Gaelic propaganda have distorted the picture. This book gives a much clearer view. But there is a coherant philosophy to the book that also puts the Gaelic experience in the context of the broader world. Those who are interested in Celtic spirituality will find many illusions dispelled here. But in the process, they will also be introduced to something far more beautiful and valuable - real Gaelic spirituality and culture, which can only be understood on Gaelic terms."

To those of us who have read and enjoyed the book, who are neither racist or women haters, Newton's work is a necessary read for anyone wishing to explore Scottish Gaelic culture on its own terms. NicDhana, despite her noted work in other areas of CR, got this one wrong.

To purchase Michael Newton's book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/185182541X/002-9817914-4997663?v=glance&n=283155

Replies: 4 Comments

on Wednesday, June 28th, Brock said

I enjoyed the FAQ, but I do think the authors went too far with the caveats. I've read several of Newton's books...he is no racist or woman hater. He is a lover of Celtic culture.

on Thursday, June 29th, warriorkelt said

She got some jam calling MN a racist and woman hater...Y r they going on about him anyway? He didn't write that book for CR.

on Monday, July 3rd, EmP said

When the FAQ was initially presented for commentary on the CR_R community, I asked exactly what they meant by their bit on Newton. There was no response. I was not surprised.

Having read what they objected to since (on the Imbas list), it seems as if their problem isn't with Newton, but with Gaelic culture. Again, I am not surprised.

on Wednesday, July 5th, Seamus said

The CR FAQ writers owe Newton a big apology on this one. With this kind of spin, they are no better than Llewelyn when it comes to responsible writing concerning Celtic culture.