I wrote these reflection in Belfast, occupied Ireland in July and August 2012.
Along with the fellow Celtic warrior, Scotland, Ireland is a land that I am connected to through my ancestry. Every day I feel the murmurs of the Wolftones, Connleys, Farrels, Sands and all of the martyred giants rising up in me like a volcano, demanding complete unification and freedom. I wanted to share with the reader some of my impressions from visiting a divided country that strives to be one.
The Irish Nation
Ireland is the oldest colony in the world. The year 1191 marked the initial invasion by marauding Vikings who plundered the coasts of Ireland. For the past 800 years, Britain has quelled every attempt on the part of the Irish to free themselves from foreign rule. To this day, Ireland is divided between the 26 counties of the south (The Republic of Ireland) and the 6 counties of the north, artificially referred to as “Northern Ireland.” There is no “Northern Ireland” any more than there is a “North Korea or a North Vietnam.” The dismemberment of one united nation is a tactic to divide and conquer a fighting people who stand for their self-determination. “Northern Ireland” is still considered part of the United Kingdom or the old English empire much like Puerto Rico is considered part of the United States. Any map shows the unnatural divide that continues to be imposed.
A people with its own language, land, customs and history, Ireland, is its own nation. Irish Republicanism is the belief in and movement for one united Socialist Ireland. Republicans, or Irish Nationalists, seek to drive out of Ireland all of the forces which seek to subdue and stunt the Irish will to be free and to culturally and economically empower themselves. Like Palestine, the Basque country and the Native American nations, Ireland unfree will never be at peace.
Bandit Country & Memory
Today I attended a march in “Bandit Country,” South Amargh, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of the Long Kesh hunger strikers. The British had to airlift their soldiers to this insurgent country from Whales and Belfast, because by land they were continually ambushed by the local flying guerrilla squads. Throughout colonial history, “the Murder Triangle” -as the area between Portadown, Banbridge and Newry is known- was the most dangerous place on earth for an occupying British soldier. The locals made their own street signs in the countryside which read: “SNIPERS AT WORK,” telling the enemy soldiers just how they felt about their presence. The Palestinian, Iraqi and Afghan people have been sending a similar message to their invaders for decades now, lest we forget.
A youthful Sinn Fein counselor explained to me that there was a move away from armed struggle as a tit for a tat left so many families shattered. Many “dissidents” saw the situation differently. Deep in Bandit Country they never decommissioned -the British term for disarmament. The song “Stick your Decommision up your Arse” offers a sense of how many in the nationalist community feel about peace with the British crown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6XBM015wg8
The natives of Bandit Country never had any respect for the laws and impositions of the invaders. From the slave plantations of Haiti to the back streets of Baghdad to South Armagh, guerrilla squadrons have been the tactical necessity of the oppressed to wage war against their invaders. Fearless. Relentless. Unyielding. How many thousands consciously chose death over submission? It reminds me of the slogan from Managua. In reference to Augusto Sandino, Carlos Fonseca and the fallen warriors, the the next generation of fighters pledged: “To live like them. To live as the saints lived.” Tradition and ancestral honor make today’s Irish rebels just as tenacious as their forefathers.
Do not March through Our Communities!
Tonight, I was in Ardoyne. Ardoyne is the interface of a Protestant and Catholic community in North Belfast. There are rebellions every July 12th during marching season to protest the Orangemen, who insist on parading through their neighborhood. Before centuries of hate and exclusion, the “minority” Catholics have learned to be valiant. Stone-throwing ten-year-olds, resolute in their mission, spearheaded the effort to push the police back.
The issue of the highly contentious Loyalist marches is simple. If the Unionists stay clear of the Nationalist neighborhoods, there would be no clashes. The descendents of the Protestant “conquerors” do it to rub their supremacy in the face of the native people. The Nationalists see it as the KKK marching through Harlem. The settler analogy extends to Zionists building homes in Gaza or Afrikaneers waving their flags of white supremacy in Soweto. The Irish do not march with their tricolor flag through Protestant neighborhoods. There are still five contentious marches every year which inevitably end in violence. Why do the Orange men provoke the Irish people? Colonial arrogance.
Pulled into the Ring by Day, the Pubs by Night
I couldn’t take in the full breath of the struggle without entering the pubs. That is where the rebel music was, such as “Go on Home British Soldier Go On Home.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rgRg6j8mQo My nine year old son Ernesto Rafael entertained himself with the taytos (potato chips) and bey blades, as I listened to the locals’ testimonies and anecdotes. The pubs are community gathering grounds, where people catch up, exchange information and “break balls.” The lack of sun on the island drives people indoors. Even when the sun pokes its face out, inviting people to take their coats off, shortly after, it withdraws behind layers of clouds, pregnant with rain.
The bar scene was intense. There was chest thumping, as men squared off to see who could take a stronger punch to the gut. I met veterans —tortured by the Brits and the touts (snitches)— who worked with the highly revered Blanket men and hunger strikers. A former political prisoner, nicknamed Geek, slapped me in the back of the head when I said “Northern Ireland.” Six pints to the wind, he grabbed me by my neck and said: “Lad we don’t recognize foreign control here. It’s all Ireland.”
These snapshots of Belfast give the reader a sense of how the war is still fresh in the natives’ minds and how the conflict continues to play out.
We walked down Springfield Road last night in Belfast at 9:50 pm in plain view of the Loyalist neighborhoods. There was a giant wall and gates that the peelers (the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI) closed at 10 pm. A group of Protestant kids between the ages of 12 and 17 threw rocks in our direction. Stones rained down on the Catholic side. The towering, Israeli like-wall wasn’t enough to divide Falls Rd. from the Shankill (The Protestant area), so the authorities built a massive fence on the top of it to further divide the communities. A dozen or so local kids quickly assembled and launched back bricks, stones and bottles. Sirens appeared in the background. Everyone scattered then reassembled. A 50 year-old Nationalist veteran strolled by and remarked: “The Huns again? Fuckers!” He too jumped into the fray. My son, Ernesto and I followed the lead of our hosts, joining the swelling crowd.
The next night, I entered a local West Belfast pub. A burly, bald-headed, rambunctious reveler questioned the Cuba jersey I had on. He rebuked me for wearing any blue or orange, the colors of the “orangies, the blue snouts, the Huns.” He knew I was not from Belfast. It was all in jest but with an undertone of seriousness. He slapped my shoulder and bought me an Irish cider. 90% of my clothes are no good in the six counties. Between the freezing, rainy “summer” weather and the blue colors on the Cuba and Knicks jerseys, I didn’t know what to wear.
“I cannot fly my flag in my own land?”
Today, the members of the Immaculata boxing gym took Ernesto and I on a road-trip to see Giant’s Causeway. I trained and stayed with the Immaculata Boxing Club on the Falls Road, in the heart of an anti-imperialist community which continues to dream of and strive for a United Ireland.
Before we set out, Gerry and Liam began to argue. 
They both had Irish boxing jerseys on. Liam, who was preparing for the European championships, insisted on putting a coat over his jersey when we left the Falls Road area for the Protestant outskirts of Belfast. Gerry, not half as experienced in the ring, exclaimed “For Christ’s sakes, who cares? I’m Irish. I can’t wear this?” They went back and forth, weighing the risks that were entailed in wearing their nation’s colors. Even in 2015, a Irishman cannot wear his own flag in his own land?
Outgunned but Never Out-Hearted
Today in the gym I met Martin Rogan- “the toughest man in Belfast, the Iron Man, the Irish Tyson.” http://www.boxingnews24.com/2009/03/martin-rogan-a-real-life-rag-to-riches-rocky-story/ He was from Croydon, a neighborhood that was burnt to a crisp in 1969 by Loyalist gangs. I watched him train in the gym getting ready for a heavyweight fight in London. I asked the famous local trainer, Nugget Nugent, about Marty Rogey and what made him so tough. He responded: “Ay! Oh Rogey…they burnt ’em out of his home in the Falls. He hates the fuckin’ huns. Fuckin’ hates ’em.” In his punches, one could feel the built up fury of a people denied their sovereignty. Unremitting, this is why he won. It was more than talent. It was sheer determination not to be beaten. A fitting metaphor for a people outgunned but never out-hearted.
My main contact from the local friends was Paddy. What a story! Flagged as a ‘troubled child’ amidst “The Troubles,” the local school committee chose him for a scholarship program and sent him to Southie in Boston “to scare him straight.” He returned to his native Portadown and continued to burn and loot the British out. As a teenager he grew up near Garvaghy Road, a Catholic neighborhood the Orangemen insisted on marching through. He was beaten off and removed from the road by the authorities from the time he was 6 years old, alongside his family and community. Paddy’s father walked me to the doorway and showed me how he makes the sign of the holy cross before leaving to try and make peace with Ireland’s ancient enemies.
Internationalism
Community leaders painted a mural on a Derry community center with Mark Twain’s words: “Traveling is fatal to hatred, bigotry and prejudice.” I wish my friends who I grew up with in the Bronx and Brockton were here to see what I am seeing.
Being in Ireland was significant to me because it was the first time I ever listened to workers —socially defined as “white”— connect with Palestine, the Basque struggle, Venezuela, Malcolm X and Libya. Irish militants explained to me that historically they were never “white” until the British-imposed hunger (famine) pushed them over the sea to America. They see themselves first and foremost as a people struggling against oppression who are involved in something much broader than just the unification of the 32 counties of the Republic of Ireland. In the Nationalist areas, I saw murals paying tribute to international struggles. In contrast, in the Loyalist areas I only saw British, Israeli and UVF paramilitary flags. There were also murals of men in balaclavas (ski masks), threatening the Irish community. The oppressors have their tenor; the oppressed have theirs. One perspective is based on hatred; the other on love.
I set out with my hosts for a march to remember the political prisoners. Today promises to be peaceful as it is led by Sinn Fein. There is a tense divide between the masses of youth and the official Sein Fein movement. When the sun descended, it was unclear if there would be another round of violent clashes with the British-trained police.
Traveling Rejuvenates the Spirit
As I sent off quick dispatches from South Armagh to my family and comrades, I remembered the computers I jumped in front of in Rio de Janeiro, Managua, Port-au-Prince and beyond. What an honor to be here and to connect different struggles striving for the same goal!
It is important that the reader familiarize themselves with Ireland’s inspiring history of resistance. A Black and Latino audience is often shocked to learn that British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful march in Derry on “Bloody Sunday,” hunted down anyone who stood up to colonialism in Belfast and used Irish natives for medical experiments. My students’ knee-jerk response is usually disbelief: “Wait! white people caught hell like that too?”
As Ireland teaches us, oppression is about one social class exploiting and controlling another. The colonial slavocracy introduced racism in the 1600’s in order to justify their exploitative economic system and drive a wedge between the masses of workers. It was only upon arriving in Jamestown, Virginia in 1680 that the slave-owning aristocracy of Virginia told the Irish that they were white. This was written into color-coded laws because the colonizers’ greatest fear was that the poor of Europe would identify and fight alongside the Native maroons and the rebellious slaves, just as they did in the 1667 Bacon’s Rebellion. “whiteness,” in the words of W.E.B. DuBois became “a psychological wage” so that labor in white skin felt superior to labor in Black skin. What was introduced in the realm of ideas, was then enshrined into the laws and attitudes of a society, and hardened over centuries into the racially-divided America that we see today. Upon crossing the Atlantic, the Irish underwent a “sea change of identity,” adapting over the course of generations to their new found privilege as “white Americans,” losing sight of their humble origins. (Noel Ignatiev)
An Emotional Anniversary
Last night, August 8th, was the 40th anniversary of “Internment.” Internment was the British policy of arresting any “suspect” accused of IRA involvement. The British paratroopers invaded Catholic neighborhoods harassing the population and locking up thousands of young men who they falsely accused of being IRA soldiers. This cruel policy was carried out without formal charges or trials, popularizing the anti-occupation struggle and radicalizing the occupied areas.
As the sun set over West Belfast, the multitude gathered around the bonfire. The youngsters started their own mini-bonfires as the crowd increased. By sundown, the scene was somewhere between a club, riot, protest and block party. House music was blasting across the crowd which by then had spilled over onto the main strip shutting down traffic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzyG2tD6MeA As the crowd grew in number they grew in boldness and shut down the entry way into the largest Catholic neighborhood in Belfast. This is where the IRA had most of its leadership during the troubles. The police tried to intimidate the community. As guests to the Falls Road area, we followed everyone else’s moves. When the police circled around a third or fourth time, kids, teens and adults came flying out of the crowd yelling “Fuckin’ Peelers” and bombarded them with rocks and bottles. This was my son Ernesto’s cue. Ernesto ran to the traffic light and hurled everything in sight at the police. He emulated the fearless example of a chubby little ringleader who had emerged. The young boy, who could not have been older than twelve, picked up a 2-by-4 and bashed the windshield of the police patrol van which was trapped at the intersection by the crowd.
Contrary to the spirit of the past generation’s fighters, from the 70’s and 80’s, the youthful crowd drank, smoked marijuana and sniffed cocaine, at the bonfire. The IRA’s Green Book outlined very specifically the consequences for volunteers who engaged in “drunk, loose talk.” This took away from the political edge of the event. The bonfire was ignited at twelve midnight. A DJ spun the hottest club music, adding to the ambiance of defiance and revolt. What an empowering feeling to go the community go toe to toe with the police. I imagined 149th street back home, mobilized in defense of the hood. If the police retaliated against the bottle-throwing protesters, they would have had to contend with the anger of thousands of the battle-tried Belfast youth. It was a feeling of empowerment similar to what the silenced rebels of London, Manchester and beyond must have felt in those same August, 2012 days across the English Channel.
A Bonfire that Rages On
When the protest organizers lit the bonfire, the music reached its crescendo and everyone started chanting “Whoop there it is.” Meanwhile Ernesto and his crew of young IRA men —ranging from 8 years old to grown teenagers— tempted the police. They burned tires in the street and then began to launch petrol bombs (Molotov cocktails). I made a few runs with him but it was now time to keep him safe.
It was 3 a.m. My host and main contact –a washed-up boxer, Kealim who took a few too many punches and plates of Chinese food in his day- was drunk. Bottles were flying everywhere and the god-fearing mothers and fathers had long since retreated to their homes. One stray bottle struck seven-year-old Curtis in the leg. Someone asked me where I am staying. I pointed over at my host. Precisely at that moment, Kealim tumbled to the ground, embraced in drunken revelry with his mate. The timing was impeccable. I was not sure where and when we would eventually lay our heads down that night.
As Ernesto kept the tires lit, three older gentlemen approached us and introduced themselves as former volunteers (armed urban guerrillas). They shook our hands and told Ernesto: “Keep it up lad…You and the lads are doing a great job.” I struck up a conversation with the only other sober people still gathered before the blaze. Tommy —who was older than 50— was a former IRA fighter whose hand was blown off by a bomb that went off prematurely. He also had scars spotting his face.
We plunged deeper into the state of the struggle and the separation between Sinn Fein and the community today. He talked about the splits that have occurred and how he joined Eirigi —a socialist and nationalist political party. He pointed at the police and said “If it was up to us veterans lad…” and he used his two remaining fingers to motion as if he was firing a bullet.
Ernesto Che Guevara Lynch’s grandfather once stated: “The blood of Irish rebels flows through my grandson’s veins.” As Tommy and I watched over my Ernesto and the other youth, I felt a great deal of pride and joy at being alive in a world that hosts so much determination to be free. The bonfire and electric music raged on, towering above us. I stared into eternal flames that can only be appeased by complete victory.
It’s really an eye opener and a feeling of revelation when your traditional way of thinking changes. I mean I never would of thought that Caucasian people were oppressed in similar ways that Latinos and African Americans were.This all feeds more into my ideology that it’s more about classism than racism. Racism is the huge tool used to disguise the real problem. It is evident that this is on full effect with this example of Ireland, and the funny thing is not too many people know about this and it is kept hidden for that same reason so nobody could understand the truth. It’s inspiring to see how these people don’t care about the police and embrace them head on so people could for their rights. It’s so inspiring to see you allow your son participate and indulge in such experiences that will help him form a strong character. This is something Americans should take into consideration. Not to promote and instigate reckless behavior just for the hell of it, but to express freedom and to remind the people in power that citizens are stronger than them.
It is an interest article I did not have such a great insight about the history and struggle of the Irish people. In addition what amazed me much is reading about kids putting their lives at risk for the liberation of their country.One thing that is sticking to me is a person or people will invent ways of fighting an oppressor even if it means giving up their own lives. A research i was doing on a paper and i came across a saying in one of the articles which states that “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. And as i continue to broaden my understand of the affairs of humanity i might one day go along with that saying.
Ireland is divided between the republic and Northern Ireland. Inside Northern Ireland it is under the British rule and the people in Ireland will want to unite from this war. Here Ireland fights for their country, within this fight it led into many wars to fight for there place. What I found interesting was that some people in Ireland found the British Rule acceptable, besides this the loyalist and protestants were on battle between each other. With this is caught much tensions between these groups.
Here I found the clothing a major interesting part of reading the article, Shaw wasn’t able to wear majority of his clothing. In 2015 it a shame the Ireland people couldn’t wear their own country’s flag in their own land. Its raised much questions because doing to the circumstances there was a game and not even for a game the people were taken away from there choosing. The Irish historically never seen themselves consider “White” until the British pushed them over the sea, here in Ireland the people wanted the unification in Ireland. Here in this article it shows two sides of understanding the Irish communities. Here one side is based on hatred and the other side is based on love.
In this article it shows much details into the Irish historical events, here it helps understands the whole logic of being called white, here we look back into the 1600’s where the Irish heard the term “White” for the first time. Here it opened a wide door into racisim, and the oppressors used that to make sure that the Irish wouldn’t seek help from other nations to help fight back.
In the article “Bandit Country Until All Of Ireland Is Free”, I learned a few things. I thought it was a wonderful article. I was able to learn more about a topic I was not very familiar with. Something I did not know is Ireland happens to be the only colony in the world that is the oldest. I knew of Ireland and that it had history. Also I would want to know when did they get rid of “Northern Ireland ” and why ? More down into the article where it is titled “Do Not March Through Our Communities” , it mentions that the people in the community struggled so much that they only know about hate and how to live in violence. In a way my family can relate to it because back in their country they faced smiliarities. My family has told me about times when they had to protect theirselves and family because the neighborhood was just filled with crime and violence.
Throughout my reading of Belfast, I’ve learned that a lot of the poor European countries we’re colonized by the British. Ireland sovereignty been revoked by the monarchy of “Great Britain” greediness, it shows that Britain enjoys labeling people by skin color and work ethic. The Irish natives left a history of rebellion & the genocide of religion, so the questions is what culture did Ireland had prior to England take over of northern Ireland? The rebellion still take place today through celebration, but what are they really celebrating? Victory over a colonization state that was already sovereign when the Moors ruled, or when rebellion Englishmen who moved to Ireland, too move the Moors out? Even though they we’re called white and classified as other, what made it OK for some Irishmen to take it upon themselves to gain that privileged of “whiteness” maybe because of fear, or they had know choice to associate with their own?Overall it’s great to see someone who found out their ancestry, and understood the significant of what their people went through.
This article was really interesting because has a lot of historic concepts. Ireland was one of the first colonies of the world and throughout the years, we’ve seen the history of Ireland and the struggles that Ireland has been thru to be a free country. My favorite part of the article was “I cannot fly my flag in my own land?” were Liam and Gerry began to argue over an Irish jersey. I believe Gerry wanted to wear the jersey that had the color of his country and he states “For Christ’s sakes, who cares? I’m Irish. I can’t wear this?” i think Gerry is proud of being an Irish and he wanted to represent the Irish no matter of the struggles Irish still one country for the Irish people.
First off, i have to say how bad i feel for the children who are witness this violence and how the adult’s hate is not letting them (even with the nation issues against the british) have a normal childhood without them being involved in this revolution. What makes them different then the british promoting violence, if they are doing the same? Children shouldn’t be in meet ups where all the adults are going to be drunk and profanity is hugely part of their communication.
Reading what the British have done to Ireland and understand the hate and how it has become them at this point with the now going disrespect that they are still going through just as we (people of color) are going through here but aren’t they fighting for a free future for their children and wouldn’t they want their children not to grow up with the same hatred mentality. The experience was a learning experience to me now how the British have ruined other then of color but it was over shadow on how children’s lives were put in danger and no one thought that was wrong.
Reading these blogs about the places you visit seem to always make me learn more. I never knew Ireland was the oldest country in the world, and there’s been plenty of stereotypes, whenever I think of Ireland I think of Jacksepticeye from Youtube. In the beginning I was astonished by the fact that while the “Bandit Country” March was present, the British had to provide air transportation for their soldiers because of how dangerous it was on the ground for them. “The Murder Triangle” as the area was called has been the most dangerous area for an occupying British soldier. Snipers were on surveillance and locals set up a sign to show how they felt about them which said “SNIPERS AT WORK”. For me if I were to live in that area I’d feel like I was being watched at all times, not even the feeling of being watched would be the only bother too. It would be extremely unsafe and uncomfortable for your area to be watched by people with Sniper Rifles. I read on and noticed that the Irish also feel neglected and trampled on by the foreign people who have parades that go through their own community. Then I chuckled on how your 9 year-old son ate these chips called taytos and played with bey blades, which reminded me of the hobbies of one of my brothers. Reading forth, I can tell how crazy it must be that even the Irish had discrimination and many other issues in their own land, it shocked me that they couldn’t even represent themselves with their own flags.
This is a very interesting reading,I’m glad that I have the chance to learn a little about the Irish cultural and social problems that it seems that the fighting Irish would not be defeated that easily cause the fight is always going on.
Irish people consider themselves to be a whole country and not a divided one. As per the reading the Irish people are experiencing what the Germans experienced for many years, but that all changed when the wall came down uniting the west and east Germany for good.
Ireland in my opinion should become one nation just as the US is, they should claim what its their’s. Bandit Country: Until all of Ireland is Free also spoke about other countries that divided their own country into 2 different countries, in this case north and south korea this in my opinion is oppression to their own people that have to live different lifestyle just because they where divided by an overpowering controlling government.
After reading this article, I now have a vivid understanding on what Ireland is like. When learning about history back in highschool, it was always colored people being bullied around this way. To read this article and learn that once upon a time white people were treated just the same way colored slaves were; it is honestly shocking to me. The way you described your journey and how Irish people act towards police officers also shocks me. I havent heard of such chaos since the 1950’s when segregation was going on. Just when I thought that the Bronx was a dangerous place to live in. I read this article and learn that out in this world they’re people living in worse dangerous perdicaments than us out in the Bronx. This was an amazing article, I really enjoyed learning about Ireland’s history.
clearly they feel extremely angry about the fact that they are divided, however im sure they will keep fighting to get their right of becoming one nation. my question is who you felt beeing there and seeing the way these people reacting ao angry? do you believe that ireland will one day be free and a complete unique nation free of separation? are irelands capable of obtaining this freedom alone or would they need intervention from other democratic goverrments?
This article reflects on how everyone lives differently, everyone struggles and have different point of views. The Irish don’t consider themselves as “white” or something they wanted to be but are ever once it was conquer. I believe being white is nothing but a label. One of the many things that stood out to me was when Liam didn’t understand why he couldn’t wear his jersey which was from his own country, just to think that till this day still a Irishman can’t wear his own flag in his own land is so odd. I’ve never thought about how the “white” people might have struggled and suffered too, they also are people but I will sat there are those that like to abuse their power or feel like they have different authority because they are “white”.
I can imagine yourself feeling disappointed of not being able to be yoursel when it comes to choose your own clothes back in your own country. Is like people can go there but you have to be careful on how you go outside. This reminds me back in the days when you can’t wear black and yellow because people might think that you belong to the Latin Kings and beat you up to death if they belong to another gang. As I continue reading it took me back to my country when there is strike everywhere like for example in hospitals, the university call USAD , the barrios and many more places. They use molotov bombs and burn tires as well to make their voices to be heard. I hope one day all this nonensence end once for all and everybody could live in peace without hurting anyone and live united as one world, and one big family.
Well i liked this article because i learned new things about this country, for example did not know you cant simply wear certian color, and at the moment he saw you proffesor with a blue and orange jersy he slapped you on shoulders and bought you another jersy to wear ” thats” crazy. Also i like the point you are trying to make with the boxer champ that for him this is not just a fight, is more than this is them ocupying my country and they burnt down my neirborhood againts my people this is why is so important for him to win. Moreover, i can not picture myself living in such of place where i can not the colora of my flag that’s crazy
While reading this article I get a clear idea of why Republic of ireland didn’t classified themselves as white and why northern Ireland classified themselves as irish. Great Britain wanted all Europeans to feel happy to be white but not be proud of where they came from as a method to colonize them. The conflict Ireland is living today is the division of their land one part of Ireland feel themselves as British and the other side as irish. The Republic of Ireland and the northern Ireland do not share same ideology creating a conflict between them.
My response might not be right because there were many words I didn’t recognize making it even hardest for me to understand the reading because I had to be reading a dictionary, but I least I tried. I actually like reading like this one because I learn new vocabulary that I can use in my writing.
What I really like about this article was it wasn’t an ordinary bandit country; it was redemption for the people of Ireland. This had happened in the past. I never thought of doing something that is illegal in a different country.
I like the ending because it is not whether you win over the police in Ireland. It would be more of a European history than a Latin Caribbean history.
I didn’t know that Ireland was just a divided and damage nation, with just six counties on the south and a non-existing “Northern Ireland.” Everything and everyone is divided to a point that you need to watch out on what you wear, where you, and what you do. Also not being able to wear the flag of your country in your country just shows how undermine the nation is. How can there be five marches each year knowing that every time there will violence. The different counties do not have someone that talks to them and puts some sense into them? It is also thought-provoking that ten year olds were also showing hatred to people that are supposed to represent safety and order. Overall I enjoyed your journey and the history Ireland is having. I also like the different comparison you made, like the kkk marching through Harlem, it makes the reader have a better understanding of the situation. I would like to know more about your son’s opinion of the trip and the whole situation he saw. How did he felt and what he thought of it? What questions he had?
Its great to know that even after all of these years of being politically seperated that
this country still fights to become one again. It would be nice to see the bronx and
every other borough come together and fight to be treated equally, maybe not fight
but a peaceful protest to bring awarness. The way they are divided they might as well
all come together it makes no sense for one side to be a group of 26 & the other side
only be 5 to 6. I love how the young children are not only aware but involved and they too want to become one instead of being divided. Even though it seems like a scary thing to be involved with its still something to be proud of. The earlier on you teach them about whats going on the better, and the more they can spread the awareness & they can pass it on to their children and then sooner rather than later Ireland can become a whole again.
When you go onto reading this article with a mindset that was molded by society, you start to see the reasons why that was never painted for us. For years we were, forced like, to view the Irish people as angry and aggressive people. Reading this I realize that there’s more to the story, in regards to the actions towards them that lead to their reactions. What I got from this article was that they have similarities what we, here in the history of America, has been going through, fighting all their lives. If they’re all so called “angry” people, then they most defiantly have a reason to. It’s unrealistic that these people of Ireland can’t even represent their country by wearing their countries’ flag/flag colors nor being able to put up there flag. Yet, it amazes me how they all still have that spark in their hearts to keep on going and fighting in what they believe in.
I have an interesting personal connection to this article: I’m part Irish. The struggle for Irish independence is one topic that has intrigued me for years. It’s a subject that doesn’t come up all that often, but one I’m very much interested in. This article really gives me an interesting perspective: that of the irish. It seems like we discuss Irish nationalists as if they’re terrorists, which the British may genuinely see them as. But these people are actually struggling for an identity and fighting against the division that an Anglo-Saxon hierarchy placed upon them. This is not unlike the struggles of black people in this country, although our riots are rarer. Perhaps we should seek to be “more revolutionary” like the Irish.
Jatnna K Pena
your reflection about your visit to Ireland in 2012 is amazing, is fully abundant of details that makes the reader want to read more about your experience. in the first place the first thing that catches my attention was when you stated that “Ireland is a land that is connected to your ancestry”, so this part made me feel like I wanted know more about the Irish ancestry. in the same way, another thing that impacted me in the reading about this culture was the “road trip to see Giant’s cause away, I read over and over but I couldn’t understand why Gerry couldn’t wear his flag in this event. lastly but no less important, I realize that most of the police man over the world are cruel and brutal and one example that supports my opinion is stated under the subtitle “an emotional anniversary” there you expressed that the police man were cruel and brutal and were intimidating the community. I call it abuse of power.
The more educated and aware I become of the history and backgrounds of other countries and cultures, the more I begin realize that the term “white” doesn’t represent a specifically distinct group of people. “White” represents the group of people who want to reign supreme amongst another group of people, whether they have similar physiological features, or not. Appearance wise we are mostly all guilty of labeling and Irish person as being “white”not knowing that they also endured the same oppression and griefs that black and latino people have been dealing with.
I have never taken into consideration the differences of culture of “white people” until now. I will be the first to admit that I am ignorant in the topic because it is something that I have never explored. I was amazed that the people of Ireland are still going through such tragedies and fighting the injustices in their country as well. My prospective on whether or not white people have culture have slightly changed. My prospective to has changed because I was not fully aware of the fact that Irish people came to America due to living in poverty in their country and treated less than the occupying British people in the US. It is actually refreshing to know that Irish people did not initially hate Africans and Blacks until the British gave them a more powerful status above us.
What I learned as I’m reading this article is that in Ireland if you have your own language, land, custom, and history then that means you are your own nation. It is also very difficult to understand how Ireland being it’s own country cannot represent it’s Flag or Flag colors. It’s nice to actually see people and young kids trying to fight for their equal rights. Even though those protests seem scary and tough, that still did not stop them. Even thought their entire country may not be free that does not stop the Irish people from being prideful and representing where they come from. They still keep fighting for what they believe in.
The hidden facts behind Ireland
Things amaze me about how Ireland was divided of how it used to be Northern ireland but not any longer.This caught my interest to talk about it because I have my own opinions about things having names and having it removed because of wars and deals.I find it highly unfair of how some countries and states lost their original names because of other ethic back grounds or of someone that wants it .The main reason why is because I feel you are taking their history and their roots also their home land away from where there started. Who is anyone to chase or divide anyone from their original home land and roots. It still up lifts me that the simple fact that everything that happen within them they are still trying to become one as whole.
While reading this article, what caught my attention was how a divided country wanted to be unified and also the purposes they had to be free. It’s very interesting knowing that, because nowadays, there is no unification at all since everyone wants to be apart. Therefore, it is very sad that the Irish can’t march with their own “tricolor” I can say I know how they feel because by putting in their position I’ll feel bad if one day I cannot wear my country’s colors. Another issue that made me feel kind of weird was that they can’t “fly their own flag” it is indignant because you flag represent you and of course where you come from. This part of the reading touches me the most because I feel very patriotic and even now that we are in the 21st century they still cannot wear their flag on their own land. After all, I liked this article because I learned from this country.
I like the article because It inform me that we are actually divided in many States and countries and that we are not alone fighting for our freedom. I can’t imagine how Ireland people can feel for not wearing the on flag or know that that part of their country has a wall dividing them their native land that’s crazy. This world is full of angry people because we’ll all divided. I just hope that one day we find pace.
This paper was very informative for me seeing as tho this was my first time learned about Ireland. The determination of their people is motivating. Divide they stand and they pride for there country is stronger than ever. It is awful the fact that certain colors couldn’t be wore or even raising they country flag in their land. Being able to show pride in your country is put of you identity and for that right to be taking away its unbearable to me.
This article was very informative for me seeing as tho this was my first time even reading on Ireland. What I like about this article was that it gave you incite on the history and then thru your experience readers get a real sense of truth. This country is so divide physically by walls build by there oppresses but yet spiritually it seems they are together. The pride and determination this countries people have is inspiring and it was awesome for me to read. Its awful that the people of this country can’t even raise a flag or wear certain colors. I can’t imagine how I would feel like I couldn’t get to the Puerto Rican day parade or even wear my flag freely, yet that doesn’t keep them down and I love that. That’s the kind of determination we need in our communities today.
discrimination is something that has eaten up the entire world. white discriminate blacks and blacks discriminate among themselves. the power of discrimination did not only destroy stolen lives ( slaves from Africa) but it continues to eat up everyone including the young generation. I have heard of Ireland but never read anything like this. Today i salute you sir ( Professor Shaw) for such an eye opener. whether it comes from Kentucky to Harlem New York or Ireland the word “STRUGGLE” is something we have been subject to live with for the rest of our lives. we must continue to fight with wisdom in order to overcome ignorance. we must stand with two hands up like mosses did with the rod in order for our Aaron to come (other people who wants peace). unity and peace is everything one should have in life and if a country is divided into two how will that peace and unity come along. Generation to generation in Ireland wishes to unite and one day they will unite. Just like the African continent. to be determined is one thing, to put it into action is another thing. Ernesto understands at only age nine.
This is a very great article, I never knew the Ireland had it this bad, and also never knew that Ireland was the oldest country in the world. What I found very interesting was that
Prior to the annexation to England, the United Kingdom, Ireland was never unified under a single monarchy like other European countries. Instead there were hundreds of minor kings waging war with one another on a nearly permanent basis.
Ireland was one of the last countries in Europe to adopt the feudal system (it was introduced by the English). Throughout the Middle Ages, Irish society preserved the traditional Celtic organisation of society based on tribes/clans. The absence of feudalism means that there were no serfs, but slaves. Ireland was one of the last European nation to abolish slavery of its own people (as opposed to slaves imported from abroad). The sad part is we judge each other and discriminate without even knowing the history of one other. The Ireland are a very strong people and they stay fighting for what they believe in I pray that things works out for them. I can imagine Nigeria without a flag and to see that they can even show off their flag is very heart breaking to me.
This article “Bandit Country; Until all of Ireland is Free” is very interesting and educational. Not until this artiicle did I learn that Ireland was the oldest Colonie in the world, also they were colonized by Britain. Like China and Korea, Ireland is divided by North and South regions where the South (Republic of Ireland) has 26 counties and the North (Northern Ireland). I really did not enjoy this article but it was very informative for a person that is interested in visiting or studing Ireland.
I am intrigued about the Irish culture and learning about the vikings. You see television shows but never a precise introduction on how they come to part. The marches are inspirational and very specific to the point. Even the signs as the professor explain meaning. Oppression wasn’t only in African American communities. I was surprised how much Caucasians endured.
This article shows that the main tool used by these colonialists is divided and conquer.They come into a once united nation and divided them creating contention among brothers.They make one group feel superior believing they are better than their brothers so as to conquer them. They do this because they know that there’s strength in unity.This article help me understand even some white people are still being oppressed till date which means there are racism and prejudices deep within humans. It is amazing to know certain colors belong certain people in Ireland.in conclusion man has dominated man in injury just the bible said.
Bandit Country, Until all if Ireland is free.
I didn’t get the gist of the reading until I actually I read a second time, the culture and the tradition of the Irish people. An interesting piece of article, The oldest country in the world, really who knew, that was certainly an eye opener for me. Like any other country they were held down by their oppressors, and used faith as a reason to stay strong. It is nice to learn about other cultures and their history. The content of the reading was very informal.
Francis J Mateo It was interesting and full of rich history by a freedom writer by saying freedom fighter. Until all of Ireland Is Free was a long road coming for a descendent to walk upon. I really didn’t know much of how Ireland stood separate, I thought it was a country people immigrated from but was still standing as a whole. It still is standing as a whole but somehow it has been divided, so is there a President, democracy all that I will love to know. It feels to be a great natured nurtured country that will always have strong feelings for its people and their known for their strength. It didn’t surprise me all they been through, and how you explained the people treated you; they are very embracing in their own ways I think. As for the death in activist fights, rumors of Irish people fighting for their rights are heard out some through related news of close countries and because of the migration they had all together, so I was kind of awaiting on that but, it is not understandable why there was like a battle going on. Aren’t they one continent?
I was interested in how they cannot wear their same colors when fighting, I find that outragous. Just because the country is divided don’t they have some sort of harboring light for each other when that comes to show? I was surprised to hear that in the middle of your visit in the countries festival celebrating the rights, it turned out to be an all out riot causing people to result to some sort of mild violence. It was like to celebrate it was to reenact a freedom fighting country. As the young ones got into the issue I saw their was unjustifications for how the government goes up against the youth like that. That they have to resort to that; but all in good light.
The autonomy of a country is what defines it as an independent and sovereign nation. Unfortunately, we have seen countries that, despite having a strong presence both culturally and socially, continue to “belong” to other countries. A couple of examples of this terrible situation is what is happening in places like Puerto Rico and Basque Country.
Ireland is no different from other countries that have been invaded in the past. The color on people’s skin doesn’t mean nothing when the invader knows that they can take advantage of the poor. I always learned about discrimination against colored people but never about irish people. Everyone should be treated equally no matter where they come from because you don’t know their history. Reading this article made me realize that not all white people are treated the same.
Based on this article, Ireland is a developed country based on revolutionary actions and strength. Ireland is a country that are divided into two different divisions. Just as there are Democrats and Republicans in the united states, there are two classes in which dwell in Ireland. Socialist and Republicans. These two groups are not under one united country, they divide the country into two, metaphorically, based on their views and indifference. These actions show the fighting spirit that the Irish have in order to pursue what they want. According to the article, There is a march called “Bandit Country” to commemorate the end of the Hunger strikes. To end these strikes, Irish people brought it upon themselves to practice guerrilla warfare in order to prevent the British role. These acts help end these hunger strikes and the memory of this are the signs that were posted up that read: SNIPERS AT WORK”. Furthermore, these actions were based on the idea of Irish citizens and their feelings towards invaders. Since Ireland is a country of fighting, there are many marches that end with violence. It is based upon history that is remembered in the wrong way. People of “Southern Ireland” believe that there is no Northern Ireland just Ireland. Foreign control of government is ignored and banished in the minds of the Irish. This is what causes issues between the people. The issues are so intense that certain colours are forbidden to wear. Freedom is a controversial topic in Ireland based on the divisions of two people who want similar yet different things. Two different colours of the same flag exemplifies the international war between the people.
after reading this article I just can related with Basque Country, what is happening in this part of Spain is a terrible situation, they been fighting to be independed, but sadly it is not the only one, we can relate to many others.
This article was very interesting and eye opening in many ways. I knew there was a lot of countries at war striving for the peace and freedom they deserve but I didn’t think it was this bad to the point have of having walls and fences involved to divide communities. Its sad to see how those young people and their families struggle and risk their lives to live at peace in their own country and community, But its also inspiring to see how much they care enough to fight back and have the strength to do so.
Bandit country reading point it out the issues of one nation called Ireland been incapable to be united together the problem became a shame form this nation because the have north and south to make a difference between them . Further more the write giving us more exam ple from different country us as palestin and Israel ,whose nation are not united but are from the same nation this is call a lack of consideration from those two nation
What I enjoyed about reading this blog was the experience that you endured from this trip and what you got from it. Most people don’t go explore their roots, and I find it cool that you had the opportunity to go to Ireland to learn more about your background, as well as the culture there and their stories. What I learned was Ireland is divided into 26 countries and 6 of those countries are considered, well named the north part of Ireland, which apparently is the where you want to be, because anywhere else, would have to be questionable. As well as the British was very cruel and mean to the Irish, and Irish people hate them, which I understand and sympathize deeply. What I find funny is when you said “A Black and Latino audience is often shocked to learn that British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful march in Derry on “Bloody Sunday. My students’ knee-jerk response is usually disbelief: “Wait! white people caught hell like that too?” which I was saying in my head as well. As much as “white people” treated minorities poorly. I had no idea that white people treated other whites wrongly too. To correct myself, I was informed that it was only upon the Irish arriving in Jamestown, Virginia in 1680 that the slave-owning aristocracy of Virginia told the Irish that they were white. So another words, Irish descents are not even consider to be “White”. Overall, I was entertained, I was amused by the sense of humor, and I enjoyed it. I learned that in all honestly, you can’t judge a race on what you bought up to know or even taught to feel around a group of people, because when it all comes down too, these groups of people have stories too, and they are not pretty.
Discrimination and oppression has been a target for many years. It is sad to know that so many countries and their population continue to suffer the maltreatment and inequality amongst their same kind of people. Whoever doesn’t take the time to learn and educate themselves when pertaining to their roots, will never know the story behind their country of origin. The article was very interesting and informative, its always good to have the opportunity to learn about the history of different countries other than your own. The system (government) is corrupted all over the world. The true of the matter is that not only people of color suffer adversities. White (Caucasian) people are also being persecuted and treated unfairly, especially when considered a minority. Sometimes we tend to judge others without knowing the true historical events of either the individual or the country itself. Life is like a roller coaster, it has its ups and downs but is our choice to try to make it the best we can. We people should always stand together because unity not only gives us power strength courage but it is also needed and very important for our survival.
Throughout reading “Bandit Country: Until all of Ireland is Free”, I was in awe of finding out how divided Ireland is because “Northern Ireland” is still considered part of the United Kingdom. It’s clear that the rest of Ireland outside of the northern area feel threatened when the British soldiers try to invade their land. Northern Ireland was practically attacking their neighbors, thus starting protests and wars throughout the country. The division of the country had gotten so bad, that an Irishman felt the need to cover up his Irish jersey when entering a different area.
Reading on, I found the British policy of Internment interesting because such policy is similar to the policies in many other countries throughout the world, just different circumstances. The way the youngsters reacted during this bonfire was a way to express their rage, but also brought them together as a community.
In all honesty I didn’t know much about ireland , other than the basic history we learn in global history in high school , even with that I don’t remember much of the history . I found it surprising that ireland dealt with issues that most african americans has to deal here in america . I would have not thought that oppression and racism would happen to other countries other than united states. Never did I think that caucasian that is concerned “ more privileged” in america would have the same struggle that minorities have in a different country. A part that I found it interesting was when where you couldn’t wear the color of the flag even though you are irish , my question is why is someone’s patriotism or pride of where they are from is offended or questioned based on your beliefs or opinion? All in all I think this article was an eye opener to the oppression that doesn’t only happen to minorities .
It was an interesting article. Being clueless and uneducated about Ireland, reading the article “Bandit Country: Until all of Ireland is Free,” gave me a brief history of the country.
As Shaw mentioned, “A divided country that strives to be one” this statement allowed me to understand and know that Ireland wants to be free, and not be divided between 26 countries of the south.
A piece of the article that stood out, was to learn that they couldn’t wear their colors of their country (flag) with pride, not even to sport events.
After the brief history given, not only do Latinos, and people of color face inequality, but “Whites” do as well.not having any knowledge and being little ignorant about this topic, I though the “Whites” had it easy. I’ll admit, I was absolutely wrong.
Reading this article brought many interesting things to my attention. I’ve learned that the people of Ireland are proud of their land and who they are. They do not see themselves as a divided nation but as a whole. Many of the poor European countries are colonized by the British, which is a tactic to divide and conquer people who stand for their determination. However, the Irish tend to not let that get in their way. Even though there are fair amount of loyalist, every year on July 12th the Irish protest the Orangeman who parade through their community. They Even have special songs for the British. Such as, “Go on Home British Soldier Go on Home”.
This article was very eye opening. I thought it was interesting that in 1680 the Irish were told that they are white. According to the article the colonist fear that if they didn’t color-code them as white the Irish would identify, and fight alongside the Native maroons, and other rebellious slaves. This took away who the Irish really were. Even though they are considered white, it is very interesting that they are still being oppressed like how African Americans, Natives any other ethnic group are. The British wanted them to feel proud of being white but not proud of where they come from.
Over all, this article showed me that there are other nations fighting for their rights and freedom, from children to adults. I never knew that people were afraid or weren’t allowed to wear their own countries color. Irish people are brave and proud of who they are and will continue to fight their country to complete be one and not under the British control.
When most of us stop to think of Ireland the first thing that comes to mind is “the luck of the Irish” or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, or most importantly to some of us, their pubs. What we seem to lack is the knowledge of the history and the ongoing struggle that Ireland and Irish people everywhere struggle with. Just like many of our countries back home, the Irish have to deal with people controlling them, telling them when where and how to do things. I really enjoyed reading the article “Bandit Country: Until all of Ireland is free” because it taught me a lot that I didn’t know about. It told me about Ireland’s history and struggles and I connected with the fact that professor Shaw exposes his son to all his culture and background. I come from a Mexican background and every chance my parents had they too took me back home to Mexico to meet and learn about my culture and background. Sadly, many of us don’t ever learn about the struggles that people overseas go through. We are quick to think that because these are people are “white” or “European” then they are just born privileged and don’t have to go through any hardships like we do, but we are wrong. It is good that articles like these are written so that we continue to learn about things going on all over the world not just in our own backyard. With reading this I learned that people back in Ireland are still very sensitive with certain things even such things as the colors that are represented. It shows that they are not willing to give up anytime soon and will keep fighting for what they believe in.