Those who read or saw the images on our screens of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 by a policeman were horrified and angered by the brutality of this act. What for me was most chilling was the total disregard shown by the policeman and his colleagues for the life of this totally innocent man.
The lack of even a basic humanity is surely a warning to the United States that the deep-rooted racial division of their nation is as potent today as it ever has been in their chequered history of racial discrimination and oppression. What is equally worrying is the willingness of so many to come out and attempt to rationalise this vile act or to engage in the usual whataboutery that is the stable of those who refuse to engage with the injustice that is in front of them. The riots and violence which they sparked are a symptom of a problem and an injustice that has haunted America since the original thirteen colonies gained their independence from Britain.
In Ireland, our history has taught us that to concentrate on the symptom of the problem and to ignore its cause serves only to prolong conflict and injustice. The US Civil Rights movement was an inspiration to the emerging Civil Rights movement in the Six Counties, and we should remind ourselves of this when these faux republicans issue their latest anti-immigrant or racist diatribe. This brings me to my purpose here. For quite a time now I have noticed on social media usually anonymous accounts popping up which on the surface espouse a traditional Irish republican view of history and the issue of partition. On occasion they will let the mask slip and a homophobic, racist or anti-immigrant post will appear or be shared by them. It is an insidious attempt to equate traditional Irish Republicanism with the poisonous doctrines of the far right. It is anathema to the very ethos of Irish Republicanism.
As someone who has spent a lifetime both studying the history of republicanism and as an activist, I would be the first to acknowledge that Irish Republicanism can be a broad church, as any national movement tends to be. Within its ranks throughout the decades there have been those for whom everything including social and economic issues are secondary to “breaking the connection with England”. Indeed, some would be conservative regarding any change to property relations or the economy of a New Ireland. In Unfinished Business: The Politics of ‘Dissident’ Irish Republicanism, by Dr Marisa McGlinchey, former republican prisoner and activist the late Tony Catney claimed: “There are people that I know who are involved in republican struggle and their politics are as right wing as Maggie Thatcher ever was. They just want to be right-wing Irish rather than right-wing English.” (McGlinchey, 2019, MUP.)
As pointed out by Tony Catney, Irish republicanism as a national movement has always had room within its ranks for this divergence of views on issues beyond the national question. However, the overarching philosophy of republicanism has always been progressive. As a political philosophy its historical roots lie in the European enlightenment. The founders of the Society of the United Irishmen were explicit as to the aims of their new movement: “The greatest happiness of the greatest number – on the rock of this principle let this Society rest.”
This is essentially the philosophy that has guided revolutionary or traditional republicanism throughout its 229-year history. The three major proclamations issued in 1803, 1867 and 1916 all sought more than a mere British withdrawal from Ireland. Each, to a greater or lesser degree sough radical social and economic change in terms of property relations, universal suffrage, and church state relations. Irish Republicanism while naturally drawing on a distinct Irish cultural and historical identity has also never been afraid to look outwards. Just as the United Irishmen sought aid from revolutionary France, the Fenians forged links with the nascent First International. Irish Republicans have forged links with other anti-colonial struggles, from India to Kenya.
Forgive me if I digress slightly at this point but I believe it is necessary to confront a smear that is continually leveled at traditional republicans. Already I can hear the hackneyed references to Sean Russell being lined up regarding his contacts and presence in Germany in 1939/40. I will address them here. To understand Sean Russell you must first grasp the fact that he was first, last and always a Fenian separatist and all that implies. We can argue about the political naivety of his actions but to view them through a contemporary lens is unhistorical. In the 1920s Russell traveled to the Soviet Union on an arms-buying mission. Russell was a soldier and his objective was the freedom of Ireland. In his book, the nuances of ideology were for the politicians. Russell looked at his missions to the Soviet Union and Germany through the prism of Irish history. He saw himself following in the footsteps of Casement in 1916 or Tone and Emmet in the 1790s. All sought aid from states currently at war or hostile to England. For Russell, the adage of ‘England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity’ was no mere historical slogan, but rather a programme of action.
Russell famously told one German official: “I am not a Nazi. I’m not even pro-German. I am an Irishman fighting for the independence of Ireland.” He made it clear that any military aid could not have any strings attached. The historical illiteracy of those who seek to foist ideological labels on Russell is encapsulated in the various attacks that have been made on his statue in Fairview Park in Dublin. Both the far right and far left have at various times vandalised the statue, labelling Russell alternatively communist and fascist. Russell was neither a fascist nor a communist, he was a Fenian. Those from the right and the left who took it upon themselves to attack his statue are united by the same historical illiteracy and failure to understand the Fenian tradition of which Russel was an exemplar.
On the continent strong links have historically been created with Basques, Bretons, Catalans, and Corsicans. In the Middle East Palestine has always been a cause close to the heart of traditional republicans. In the 1950s, a period often portrayed as dominated by an insular and conservative republican leadership, one has only to peruse copies of The United Irishman to see the attention that was being paid to anti-colonial struggles in Kenya, Algeria and Cyprus. In the case of Cyprus cooperation between the IRA and EOKA prisoners in British jails led to the escape from Wakefield prison of IRA prisoner Seamus Murphy in 1959. I had the pleasure of knowing and meeting many republican veterans of this period and was always struck by their well- developed and informed internationalism. It was this siting of the Irish struggle in the context of the global struggle against imperialism that created the international awareness of, and sympathy for, the 1981 Hunger Strike. The tens of thousands who marched in cities across Europe and the world did not emerge from a vacuum. They were the result of consistent and methodical work internationally by republican leaders such as Ruairí Ó Brádaigh in the 1970s.
My own journey to republicanism was signposted not by the darkness of racism and reaction. I was drawn to republicanism because I saw in it a vision of a new and better Ireland, I saw a philosophy that was always on the side of the oppressed wherever they were to be found. For all of these reasons I am angry when I see these dubious figures emerging from the shadows in an attempt to cloak their philosophy of hate in the noble and enlightened banner of Irish Republicanism. They hijack and twist the words of Pearse to impose on them a meaning that denigrates the noble aspiration to an Ireland that is truly in the ownership of the Irish people. This aspiration to the ownership of Ireland for the people of Ireland is later to be found in the 1916 Proclamation. This is no crude racist slogan but an appeal to the historic right of Irish people to national freedom. I say to them as a lifelong traditional republican you do not speak in my name.
What brought me to republicanism was a belief and an appeal to the highest instincts of our nature, not a recourse to the darkest and most base. Those who wish to place Ireland’s historic and legitimate demand for national independence and Irish identity on some twisted idea of “blood and soil”, have no place in traditional republicanism. As we rejected the Blueshirts we should also reject these later incarnations of a warped religion that emerged from a Munich Beer Hall.
Racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sectarianism, or any other discrimination or hate based on gender, colour or ethnicity have no part of Irish republicanism. Our cause has always been that of humanity. We take our stand shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed of the world and like Connolly we wish to see a free Ireland take her place among a community of free nations.
⏭Des Dalton is a long time republican activist.
"For our part we are for a narrow platform, a platform so narrow that there will not be a place on it where anyone not an uncompromising enemy of tyranny can rest the soles of his feet.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet broad enough for every honest man ..."
James Connolly (as quoted in 'The Lost Writings' Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh - 1997)
Absolutely agree. That had always been the essence of Irish Republicanism. It was that belief in always being on the side of the underdog that was essential to my own personal republican journey and that I always understood to be at the core of republicanism. Those that engage in this far right racist ideology, one that excludes and attempts to rationalise the oppression of minorities, doesn’t reflect the Republicanism I grew up with or the republicans that inspired me.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Des.
ReplyDeleteit is an excellent post. Needs said more often
DeleteDes - great post. I think you did justice to Russell - he was no more a Nazi than Ryan. I think he was probably a neutral in the matter of the war although in fairness the most ethical position to take was supporting the anti-Nazi forces. But even that would eventually throw up a moral dilemma - consider the British war crimes with their firestorm bombing of civilian populations in Hamburg, Dresden etc. Even Churchill warned Harris that there should be no terror bombing.
ReplyDeleteThe Ira and Nazis bombed English cities during Ww2 # Dead civilians # Brothers in arms
ReplyDeleteWhy are irish republicans so reluctant to criticize American imperialism? Scared of offending Noraid members whose offspring serve in the war mongering military # Peter King Muslim hater If the Nazis invaded Ireland, Jews ➡ Belsen. Multiculturalism is working well across Europe ( not) . Rsf is nearly always on the losing side of every referendum. One councillor elected across the 26 counties shows how out of touch it Always is.
I have never seen a reluctance amongst Irish republicans to criticise the US. My wife found the criticism very pronounced when she arrived here from the US where she was a citizen. SF might be reluctant but that has nought to do with Noraid - more playing the game of alliances. SF abandoned Noraid a long time ago
DeleteVery well argued and a valuable post.
ReplyDeleteI have seen racism in Republicanism, more often than that I have seen sectarianism and antisemitism and I am thankful these sentiments don't gain traction. They don't gain traction because they are empty of merit and because they go against the Republican ethos.
The Republican leaders of a century ago and more, were much more progressive than much of the globe at the time. Casement's human rights, Connolly's internationalism, the Rising's emancipation of women etc. were ahead of their time. It's a pity that took a knock in Ireland.
People like John Mitchel were the exception in Republicanism. Saying this isn't to diminish the harm Mitchel caused but to demonstrate how bigotry hasn't gained traction.
We should nurture the progressive attitudes of the past and work against sexual and domestic violence, racism, homophobia etc. so we make lives easier for people who are more vulnerable than ourselves.
I read this a few days ago and thought it a good article and it reflects my experience with republicanism -for me I believe in equality -which negates the worst of things like sexism and racism. My understanding of republicanism was that it stood with the ANC and people of South Africa in support of their cause for equality for all.
ReplyDeleteBut I am also aware of 2 seperate incidents that could have cost 2 young men their lives -in completely unprovoked attacks. One took place only last night where a 17 year old kid was stabbed multiple times and kicked in the face. If the posts that I saw are legit -then there are black youths extremely racially hostile and aggressive toward "Irish white people" (a photo shows them posing menacingly in masks and balaclavas). My concern is that Irish society may view them with misplaced sympathy and tolerance -rather than taking them on as would be done if they were a white gang talking the same way about black people -black on white racism should be no more tolerated than white on black racism -last nights stabbing was not even mentioned on the news -reverse-racism will create a monster.
# Brits out # Everyone else welcome
ReplyDeleteWhy do so many want Ireland to develop the same social problems as much of the western world? When I visited New York, there were more black beggars than in Johannesburg ; I'm not referring to areas with tourist attractions. Small Ireland will easily become as big a dump as the rest of Europe. Look at the state of the English cities,30 yrs ago they were bearable, now a lawless crowded mess # New Labour limitless immigration # George Galloway gets it ✅
but you don't know any more than I do as to why people voted the way they did in the Brexit referendum. WE presume many of them were just the usual racist types but many others dispute this and offer a host of reasons.
DeleteRonan
ReplyDelete"In New York there were more balck beggars than in Johannesberg"
These black beggars, I would suggdest, are not immigrants but US citizens in a country whose institutionlised racism is written into ots DNA. Isn't that what Black Lives matter is about?
And from waht tract by Nigel Farage did you read that English cities are a crowded mess owing to limitless immigration under New Labour?
I see it each time I visit London or Birmingham, so did a majority of those who voted in the Brexit referendum.
DeleteI have been in Dublin on a daily basis for years - most of those begging there are white with Dublin accents.
DeleteBarry,
ReplyDelete" Isn't that what Black Lives matter is about? "
What about all live matter regardless of their sun tan...As I've said before Barry on countless times on TPQ we all eat sleep and shit in the positions. I know what exactly what MSM want people to believe at times, I take on board MAGA has been hijacked by racist's on both side of the argument too. But when you scratch below the surface the truth is stranger than fiction and the evidence that some heads refuse to look at dispels a lot of those myths. Here are a few classic examples that give either food for thought or at least raise a few questions about what black lives matter, it appears to me that there is a hierarchy of what does and doesn't matter.
Do Black Lives Matter In Israel? , then there is Immigrant says he was attacked for wearing 'MAGA' hat.
If none of those make to think about black lives, you can throw into the mix or any equation you want and factor these into your argument.. KingFace On the Trump Effect In Black Communities (Kingface was once a leading member of The Bloods, grew up being racially abused and all the rest).
Morocco: outrage of a constant discrimination against Black Africans. What about brown on black racism... Africans face widespread racism in India | DW News
What about the black lives who vote for The Donald (ever factor that in). Black Trump voter: I still support the President.
If all that is too much for you to process, what is your honest opinion on your favourite poster girl making a racist joke...
Hillary Clinton's Racist Joke or the time your poster girl said to one of the founding members of BLM... I will only talk to white people about BLM
So what black lives Barry matter? The ones in Israel don't seem to get much air time, the brothers in Morrocco don't get much attention...You never hear much about Kingface's views on MSM or an immigrant who got beaten by two African American brothers and a Hispanic (is that because there is little to no political capital to be made?). I honestly don't care about peoples sun tans, If whoever treats me with respect, I will treat them the same. Again Barry what Black lives matter (apart from the ones MSM want you to believe..)...
Frankie
ReplyDeleteBlack Lives Matter because for so many decades and centuries they did not matter in the USA due to segregation and Jim Crow; they did not matter in the British and other colonial empires; Black Lives Matter now because of the institutionalised, interpersonal and structursal racism that are the legacies of the slave trade when black lives literlly did not matter as they were disposbale items of commerce.
Black Lives matter yes because of the institutionalised racism that desendants of African slaves in Brazil face; because of the prejudice and persecution of Africans by Atab regimes such as Sudan, Moroccco, Libya etc. Because racism and fascism does not always come with a white face, Black Lives matter because of the racism that people of Arican origin face in China and in Modi's Hindu supremacist India.
Black Lives Matter because of the disproportionate amount of Afro-Caribbeans amongst the prison population of the UK; amongst low educational acnhievers; amongst the unemployed and low paid and in the lower echelons of the NHS (along with other people of colour) and conversely because of the high Covid-19 death rate amongst these workedrs and BAME communities generaslly.
Bl;ack Lives Matter is a grass roots campoaign generated by the lived experiences of young African Amdericns and Britons not by your usual canard of the MSM.
Framkie, it is very easy for white Caucasians like you and I to fall back on meaningless tautologies such as "All lives matter regardless of their sun tan" (skin pigmentation is a more accurate term) when we never have been and never will suffer the daily and historical degradation of the lives of people of colour. A suffefring that is the legacy of religious and then racist prejudice around their supposed worship of different dieties; their supposedly primitvde savagery; the sexual rapacity of black men and the rear ends of black women; that they were nborn to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water."
Btw Hillary Clinton is not my poster girl; I just believe that she would have been a much better president than the current one; a belief which is validated every day.
Framkie
DeleteI also condemn the treratmenmt of Ethiopian Black Jews in Israel if that answers your question. I also condemn looting and any other acts of violence. But my central point remains: Black Lives Matter bdecause for centuries they did not mattedr to slave traders and colonialists and still do nmot matter to so many police forces in the USA, UK and many other democracioes including Israel. Racism is still alive and kicking and no amount of your straw men, Frankie, will change that.
Frankie
ReplyDeleteAnd yes Hilary Clinton made a crass joke that she should not have made; some blacks did vote Trump and no one should be beaten up for wearing MAGA caps. But those are all straw men arguments wnich do not take away from the causes or racism that have propelled Black Lives Matter.
Barry,
ReplyDeleteWhat your poster girl said wasn't crass but racist. When she said she would only talk to whites about BLM showed her white supremacist side (her mask slips more than Dick Turpin's ever did) They are only two of many examples I could have linked. I could have linked Obama calling her a racist when they both ran for President.
I (and I am sure other Quiller's) noticed you didn't reply to how Israel, the state you want everyone to believe is fair and gives everyone an equal opportunity unless you are an Ethiopian jew, Palestinian or black stamps out racism...While I lived in the leafy suburbs of Paris, I watched heads from Mali racially abuse heads from Senegal who in turn racially abused Algerians who showed no brotherly love to Tunisians (basically blacks abusing blacks who abused Arabs, all Africans all Muslims and all followed Islam).
What I've yet to hear much if anything about is the murder of David Dorn, a black retired police officer who was defending a friends pawn shop from black looters and was shot dead by a black man in the wake of George Floyd's death. Is that because it was black on black, no political capital to be made... or because it won't look good on a 55" TV screen, while someone wearing an Armani suit predicatively program's the sheeple while reading from a script?
Tell me what the looters (mostly black) are doing to help preserve the memory of George Floyd, help stop racism anywhere on this rock be it in Israel, Africa, Indian sub continent or any country you or anyone cares to mention.
What if I or anyone put a sign up saying "White lives matter" or "Chinese lives matter"...Would that be racist? To me Barry, your thought process works somewhere between a Windows operating system and at best a Mac book pro, either way you are stuck in a box. Start thinking outside the box and see the bigger picture. All lives, not just black lives, matter.
This 'Black Lives Matter' movement seems to have become a broader commentary on Racism in general rather than Police action upon Black communities. A friend's son recently left the Texas Sheriffs because he was sick of dealing with scum everyday, and never being sure whether a car he pulled over was driven by Ms Daisy or piece of shit on his third strike who'd do anything to stay out of jail.
ReplyDeleteOne thing he did point out though, is the psycological training/vetting for becoming a cop is non-existant. Many cops should just flat out not be allowed anywhere near a postion of authority regardless of the colour of their skin, and it was well known there's a lot of bribery going on.
Nobody deserves to die like Floyd did but focus on changing the system, weed out those who should not be cops instead of spitting dummies out over racism.
Steve R
ReplyDeleteThe policeman charged with the murder of Gdeorge Floyd has as well as having previous in the police service been dismissed from thr security industry for his bad attitudes as a bouncer.
It seems to take a remarkly shortter length of time to become a copper in many US states than anywhere esle in the West.
Barry,
DeleteYes, I just heard there was known bad blood between the Cop and Floyd too, from when they worked together as bouncers.
They need to up the level of entrants to the police, psycologically weed out the malcontents and psychopaths and support them mentally as well. It will mean upping the pay to make it attractive as who wants a shitty job with shitty pay?
Besides they are supposed to keep the peace and uphold the law not enforce tax generation which is what they are doing the world over.