As a result of already being separated…
Davy Adams puts the McIlveen killing in the context of a separate lives scenario which may be a pre-condition of current political priorities (subs needed), rather than a result of clear political choices.
After more than a decade of relative peace, Northern Ireland still consists, largely, of two tribal groups living in almost complete isolation from, and opposition to, one another. In most areas, shared ground has long ago been carved up into separate Catholic and Protestant districts where only those of like persuasion are welcome. Even in the occasional mixed community of private-ownership housing, there is little real interaction between neighbours from differing religious backgrounds. In the main, people in Northern Ireland actually prefer to live, work and socialise amongst their own religious affiliates. The communities happily reside separately, in virtual parallel worlds to one another, where stereotyping and demonising is given full rein.It is within that kind of society that we raise our children. Protestant and Catholic youngsters do not live on the same streets, they do not play together, they do not go to school together and they do not socialise together.
Most of them have never knowingly had contact – or at least not enough to form an opinion of their own – with anyone outside their own community until they leave school and start work. By which time, in all probability, enormous damage has already been done.
Many have been taught to distrust, or even hate, those from what amounts to an alien background. Added to this mix, are varying degrees of problems now common within any western society: a more general lack of respect for authority, a high proportion of young men having been raised without any positive male role model in the home, and widespread drug and alcohol abuse.
Kathy C
“It reminded me of someone defending the past segragation in the US …”
I wish I had a pint of whatever you are on! Or did you not even bother reading Adams’ column? Far from defending the situation he is actually bemoaning it. And anyway, aside from your ridiculous, sectarian rant which was acually the only reason you posted, who says that for there to be two separate tribes they have to be equal?
“Finally, Patilla, and this one is to you personally, I salute you for engaging in dialogue. I don’t know what good that salute you will do you but it’s yours anyways.”
“Taigs”
Thanks.
I’ve agreed with virtually nothing you’ve said, but you’ve been honest and up-front expressing your opinions and that’s what’s missing from a lot of the dialogue in NI.
posted by Kathy C
Hi all,
LDallas, I didn’t miss what Davy Adams was saying…. He takes the premise that there are two tribes and then compares the problem with these two tribes having all things as equal to look and react to the situtations in the north. I am saying…that there may be 2 tribes but each tribe will view the world through their experiences…and the tribe of the Irish’s experience is one that has been treated inferior to the unionist side. There have been lots of studies on this type of behavior and it is classic. When one side(tribe) views itself as better than the other…the reason the walls of seperation in society exist have to be addressed and they go far deeper than just children from the different sides playing with each other.
A step in the right direction would be to stop the orange order marches where they go through the other tribes neighbor hood marching in triumph over them. This is the cause…not playing with the other tribe…it is the attitude of that tribe that must change. If the orange order won’t give up their marching willingly..then it must be forced by law.