Dear LAD,
I'm Northern Irish, I'm Irish, and I'm British, (Scoff at this if you will). I grew up in "Bandit Country", but I let myself arrive at my own conclusions with regards to politics. I arrived at the moderate “side”, wanting Northern Ireland to function as a normal place, however, the 15 years since the GFA have deepened my dissatisfaction. Sinn Féin and their “Don’t worry, eventually there will be a United Ireland stance”, The DUP and UUP (Can they be classed as separate political entities anymore?) with their staling rhetoric, homophobic, racist, and boldly sectarian outbursts have made me lose hope somewhat. It disappoints me to see a deep, trench-like divide in politics, instead of working for the good of NI, (or so they will claim) they frequently only seem to think of their votes, not voters or constituents, but votes.
Simply put, they cannot agree on anything. They cannot agree on a bridge. On a flag. On economic support for the less fortunate among us. On integration of education. On dealing with the past. The list goes on.
Where is the next generation in all this? Where are their voices? They struggle to make themselves heard over chants of TIOFAIDH ÁR LÁ! And NO SURRENDER!
Inspiring young people like Hanna Nelson, who said in her speech upstaging Barack Obama, “As a 16 year old I don’t want to live in the past, I want to live for the past. I want to live in a country where it is not my religion that is important but my value as a person which is significant”; have their bold, impassioned and exciting sentiments praised by politicos like Peter Robinson, only to have them utterly forgotten about and ignored the next day by those same people.
Some vain hope is laid on the shoulders of the Alliance party, the SDLP, and new parties such as NI21. NI21 is an excellent example of how attitudes can change, perhaps more can in the future, but for now, these parties strain to project their ideas, or, indeed, take action. They remain as silent as the majority they represent. Again, heartbreaking for those among us who just want peace.
It seems to be a boorish and disgraceful cycle of bombs, bullets, rhetoric and incompetent leadership.
Can it change? Yes. Everything can be changed, if we try hard. If young people speak out, against the deadly cycle, and the sectarianism, break down barriers, and re-think our mentality. Only then, will we truly see change, and truly see human respect for everyone. I will not lower myself to saying “sides” as it makes me cringe.
Where are the silent majority? We want to hear you!
Yours sincerely,
A disheartened 15 year old.
My hope for this place? That there will be more and more people like this young LAD coming forward and that their voices will be heard. Great piece.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you, Nelly. x
DeleteWell said young man.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, NI21 seemed promising but they've become gaffes galore and are big on PR and little in substance as of yet.
ReplyDeleteSinn Fein are entrenched in many ways on sectarian divides but on social issues, education, equality for all they do seem to be much more progressive and liberal than unionist and the SDLP.
They are also entitled to whole a United Ireland as a political aim, as long as it stays within politics and keeps up their criticism of the dissidents who do not. An all-island state could provide more streamlined education, health and economic benefits, i think both sides of the border do some things better than each other but together, with strong trade links with Britain-Scotland, it could be a prosperous move, while still continuing the British-Irish councils and recognising dual citizenship.
Alliance is possibly the only party which concurs with much that was said above, and they were unfairly scapegoated, caught between the rival sectarian factions. I too think, for now, with a United Ireland still far away we should be creating a strong Northern Ireland, which competes with the rest of the isles, for investments and tourism, strengthening the democracy here before any new agreements on nationality and statehood are conceived.
It needs to be shared for the betterment of all, the sooner dissidents from both sides realise the damage they're causing, we can move on quicker and perhaps find arrangements to suit all sides.
If everyone was like this lad it would be great. The problem with speaking out is these fucking reptiles will have you locked up in jail/mental hospital like myself for doing so, or fined for libel and blacklisted. Its time crowds of like minded persons got together and psychically boot these fuckers out of power. Maybe if the PSNI will allow us some 'Royal privileges', you know the same ones they use to vilify us for speaking the truth and start hitting the nails on the head.
ReplyDelete"Where is the next generation in all this? Where are their voices? They struggle to make themselves heard"
ReplyDeleteI'm in the PUP, so I suspect that you won't agree with my political views. (Though I also identify as British, Irish, and Northern Irish). I also am no fan of LAD, as I'm sure they are no fan of mine, so it pains me to comment on their blog. However, I think it's worth saying that in April I represented our youth wing at the media launch of a PUP document on reconciliation. (I hated every moment of being in front of cameras, and I would ask LAD to consider the atmosphere they are creating when they mock people -- no matter who it is -- for their appearance, their speech, and so on). Progressive Youth had discussed the document and wanted to ask other young people to engage in dialogue with us about what it is (if anything) that divides us now, in 2013. In fact, I wasn't asked any questions by the media, and what I did say wasn't reported. I could share more stories and I'm interested to know if others have had similar experiences. As far as I can see, good news and positive messages aren't reported, and young people are largely ignored. If the President hadn't visited would we have heard of Hannah Nelson? And even then, was the audience representative of all sections of society?
Given all that, I can't give enough praise to Where Is My Public Servant? They do excellent work and I recommend to any young person to look them up and get involved if possible. Young people reaching out to each other and voicing their opinions is the only way forward.
I know how this kid, feels ...
ReplyDeleteI know how this kid, feels.
ReplyDelete