A Letter From Ireland
a Chara,
I have a confession to make: I am a closet tech geek.
I remember the onset of the first steps of the internet, email, and file sharing.
The new social media platforms developed with the promise to build communities, connect with people from around the world, and contact people with whom we had lost touch, and allow us to share events in each other’s lives. It still does many of those things, though sadly it has also grown into some dangerous territory.
This week the Irish Times ran a front-page story that a leading member of the Ku Klux Klan was advising Irish racists on anti-immigration protests and tactics. Sinn Féin as anti-racist leaders in working-class communities are the target of the vitriol of many of these groups. On the same day, British racists encouraged Irish racists to join them in protests.
These British racists have supported the killing of Irish nationalists in the North of Ireland and celebrate the partition of our island.
Back in the day, every village had an idiot and every bar a loudmouth. They were mostly ignored. Today social media has allowed them to meet others from across the globe online. Not only that, but the loudest voice in the room is rewarded with likes and greater shares, their voice amplified and promoted.
Their playbook is well-thumbed; play on legitimate grievances and stoke up fears to blame others for the failing of governments. In the south of Ireland, there is a housing crisis that in turn has led to a cost of living and public service crisis. All of which is the responsibility of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael who have governed the state for 100 hundred years. Mostly but not exclusively white Irish, wealthy, and middle-aged men.
This crisis was not created by workers, struggling families, or those seeking shelter.
The fear that these racist groups spread is that Ireland is that “Irish culture” is threatened by new communities. Absolute nonsense. Our history is marked by groups that have arrived and assimilated from the Vikings through to today.
In my hometown of Belfast, it was Presbyterians who revived the language, recorded the music, and led the united Irishmen.
These Irish racists align themselves with groups that support and celebrate the colonization of Ireland and other nations by the British.
We are a colonized nation. We are a nation of emigrants.
When Britain colonized Ireland, our language, music, sports, and history were outlawed. Our harpers were hung and Irish Catholics were persecuted and practiced in secret. Partition in the North failed to end Irish culture being celebrated in the six counties.
Irish culture survived for centuries because it is of value. Not just in Ireland but across the world of Irish bars, the GAA, poetry, writing, and music. It has always been inclusive and celebrated. Just look at the global St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It is under no threat.
Next week an award-winning film featuring Irish-speaking rappers Kneecap will go on global release. We are in the middle of a summer of festivals. This Sunday 83,000 spectators will descend on Croke Park to watch the All Ireland football final. Millions more will be watching on TV and online across the globe. The match will be between Galway from the West and Armagh from the partitioned North.
Irish culture is thriving and evolving. It will continue to be the case as the new Irish line out for their counties, lead the sessions, and write their stories.
The crisis of housing can be ended. All people who call Ireland their home should be treated with respect and offered opportunities. Do not listen to those who seek division. It is not ‘us against them’. It is all of us working together for a better and united Ireland.
The future is bright and I look forward to many more games in Croke Park and sessions in the pub.
Have a great weekend.
Is mise,
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. Each week he writes a letter from Ireland with news and analysis. It is featured in the weekly Friends of Sinn Féin USA Newsletter. Be sure you are subscribed to stay up to date.
