Whilst many may assume that the most infamous areas of Belfast and located far from the downtown area, they may be surprised to find they are only around a 5-10 minute walk from the city center.
… We were soon at the entrance of the Falls Road which is marked with an enormous sign warning police, British Army, and MI5 operatives to stay away. As we waited, 10:00 am came and went. The IRA was late …
We clearly stood out as strangers and attracted a few suspicious glances from passing cars. Suddenly, we spotted a guy coming towards us with the type of swagger and battle-hardened eyes that only a paramilitary commander has. Dressed in a combination of smart dress shoes and an expensive Stone Island parka, he introduced himself as “Tony” and started to lead us into the Falls Road.
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"Death to the Huns" stickers. How embarrassing. The stickers should have been in the bin not on it.
ReplyDeleteLost me in the first paragraph..
ReplyDelete"Ulster Defense Force".
Can someone explain how the epithet "Hun" has transmogrified from its original meaning as a derogatory reference to Germans in World War I to its modern role as a derogatory monikor for Glasgow Rangers supporters. Genuinely curious as to how nationalists/republicans have appropriated a wartime racist British term for their own culture wars.
ReplyDeleteBarry, I think you've answered your own question there.
DeleteSimon
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not think I have.
"Genuinely curious as to how nationalists/republicans have appropriated a wartime racist British term for their own culture wars."
DeleteThey took a term that the British used to describe their enemy to, in turn, describe their enemy. The excerpt above is what I was referring to in my original reply.
It started off as a semi-harmless jibe at Rangers fans, in the way Rangers supporters use Tims against Celtic fans and it gradually degenerated into a sectarian term most likely due to the religious breakdown of the fans and the violence between them over the years and simultaneously spread and was adopted by bigots in Northern Ireland.
You are reading too much into it, most people just use these terms because they know it annoys their rivals. Since I moved to Scotland I have dear friends who are Rangers fans, never thought that was possible when younger, on a good season when we're winning, they're huns in a bad season, like this when we're shite, they are lucky orange bastards.
ReplyDeleteIn my circles there is no genuine sectarainism, it's all banter. People, particularly the young team, just don't give a fuck. If they ever get round to taking the peace barriers down over the road, it'll dissipate there as well. There's a culture change, talking to the young team at work, in pubs etc, all the do is take coke, talk shite and fornicate in their spare time. Whether somebody is a hun or a bead rattler isn't on their radar.
Celtic and Rangers fans drink together watching the game, when did you ever think you'd see that. Sectarianism, like racism are genuine problems, there's also the fact politicians use things like terminology to make themselves relevant.
David, are you saying "Death to the Huns" or "KAH" (kill all huns) aren't the sectarian brothers of "KAT" (kill all taigs)? Are you also saying KAH is just harmless banter? Like KAT?
ReplyDeleteThere's been violence between Celtic and Rangers fans for decades. I remember my granda telling me how a fan bus at an old firm game had all its windows broken 50 years ago.
That said, I am not linking the KAH or Death to the Huns to Celtic fans just the moniker itself which started out as friendly banter between old firm rivals. Still, we still see sectarian vitriol between the fans, like the death threats against Neil Lennon for example, so I am not saying everything about the Old Firm is fine and dandy.
You lost me with your comment about terminology.
Simon - I went to a Celtic Rangers cup final in 73. After the game we were on the bus and Rangers fans came up to the vehicle and stated banging the windows and exercising their bragging rights. It was a bus of Glasgow people not Belfast. We made to get off and give them what for and the others on the bus reminded us it was not Belfast and told us to stay put. Whatever the rivalry it was no where like what we were used to. Celtic lost 3-2 by the way. Leeds got beat by Sunderland the same day in the FA Cup final!
DeleteThe game my granda went to was between 1965 and 1968. I can't remember who smashed the windows but I remember my granda was shocked. I am inclined to believe it was Celtic fans but can't be 100%.
ReplyDeleteI understand the usage of the term 'hun' by Republicans to refer to the fact that our royal family are of German origins- making the British people 'huns'.
ReplyDeleteAnthony
ReplyDeleteI remember that day particularly well! I felt an hour before kick-off that it would happen. Happy Days. Three FA Cup Finals in four years. Just one League Cup Final in the subsequent 47!
Simon,
ReplyDeleteQuite simply, politicians tried to criminalise certain phrases, poorly. Judges were throwing the cases out. There's always going to be violent sectarianism. In Scotland it's all but dissipated. Over the road it'll take longer for obvious reasons. But with decline of Churches and political groups, it's on the wane. Big difference for me is people who I know who would quite happily have stiffed someone just for being a loyalist, hun whatever. I don't know anyone who would go to such measures nowadays. Maybe I've been away from home too long but I don't know anyone who cares.
All I am saying is findimg KAH or KAT written anywhere is an embarrassment. I guess I have a sectarian view in that I think I can disassociate myself and disown KAT but feel more embarrassed by KAH because it purports to be from "my community" so it is more difficult to distance myself from it and also that it sectarianises Republicanism.
DeleteSimon,
ReplyDeleteIt's embarrassing. No argument from me. It generally doesn't bother me. It was different when the graffiti on the wall was backed up with violence. When you take the threat of violence out it, all that shite doesn't really register.