I have an Irish first name and went to an English public school in the mid-1970s. The result was that I regularly had the shish kicked out of me for being one of Paisley’s IRA murderers, this with the tacit approval of quite a few masters and the active encouragement of a few. There was a simple lack of understanding of what was going on and a feeling that ‘our brave boys’ were being murdered by the Irish as they tried to protect the Unionists, who were really British patriots with a funny accent (don’t they wave Union Jacks). The whole of society was anti-Irish (remember all those jokes about the stupid Irish) and almost nobody had any understanding of the deep seated roots of the problem and the actions on both sides that just kept it going. Any attempt to try and understand had you branded as an appeaser of terrorists.
Bloodstains take a long time to be washed out of the soul in Ireland. (I read that years ago and it stuck.)
Edited to correct date.
Very similar happened to me on the Hertfordshire street where I lived from age 6 until I left for university. Regular kickings ensued from other kids for being an Irish terrorist ******* - when they weren't blanking me totally. All it did was strengthen the Irish element of my identity in later life. By age 8 I knew all the words to "Men Behind the Wire" and by 10 pretty much every rebel song going. Still remember all the words.
I took my GCSEs in the late 1980s and studied the "Troubles". I too recall a balanced take. Finally it felt like someone English took my community seriously, while understanding and explaining the complexity underneath to everyone. My history teacher, a Greenham Common veteran, lit a fire (metaphorically) that led me to a Master's in Irish history and politics, and a lifelong interest in the subject.
When I worked at the City of London Corporation a decade ago, I remember the corporate welcome from the Town Clerk that took place with 400 other colleagues in the Guildhall. His stock question was to ask newbies what the red hand above the green door in the courtyard meant. I replied, describing the Red Hand for the funders of the 1609 Plantation of Ulster. Later he told me I was the first person ever to answer it properly, although my offer that The Honourable The Irish Society created the only city with six silent letters in its name was apparently a smartarse move too far.
So I understand the issue deeply.
Big House unionism died when Paisleyism came along (I met him on the way - found him very charming despite being diametrically opposed to him on almost every measure) and I don't think political unionism has ever recovered. It fails its young people on every measure, which is why the twin appeals of Loyalism and violence are so potent every summer. Anyone who's ever witnessed a Belfast Orange march and its aftermath will know what I mean.
No one, not one, of the Unionist leaders of any stripe elected since the days of David Trimble at the turn of the century have been able to transcend the accusations of selling out by the hardliners of the DUP and TUV. As long as inequality persists, the easy (but wrong) answers will remain attractive to their constituency. Blame the immigrants, the asylum seekers, the others. At least it makes a change from blaming the Catholics.
But nationalism has yet to make its case clearly, even in the rubble of Brexit. How will a unified polity address public service breakdown and the absence of opportunity in the North? What will be different? How will people benefit from a change in flag over Belfast City Hall? Hearts and minds is one thing, a solid plan is another. And the taint of Sínn Féin's association with the Provisional IRA lingers. Yet leaders in the Republic seem unwilling to step forward. Perhaps Leo Varadkar can be persuaded?
My own hope is for Irish unification. I think it is the only way to move beyond the division. The wound needs to heal - socially, culturally, economically. Until then, this summer, like every one since partition and probably like every one to come, will be ruined by hollow triumphalism, continued division and violence.
THC
