Sports and Ireland

In America, we adore football. Every Sunday, we gather around the TV and cheer for our favorite team. For a little while, the color of the player’s skin or what political side they are on does not matter. Can they catch the ball? Yes? Great.

In Quietly, soccer is used as a unifier. Everyone is sitting in the bar watching the game and bickering about what team is better. It was all that Robert and Jimmy could talk about in the beginning of the play. It was also the last thing that Jimmy’s father was watching with his friends right before they were killed. So, in the story, soccer was incredibly important. It unified everyone in that bar because it was a game everyone was interested in. It also shows where people’s identities lie. Robert, who’s polish, of course woots for the Polish team because that’s where he was born and raised. Even though he is not living there anymore, you can tell that he still loves Poland because he wants that team to win. His loyalties lie in Poland, not  Belfast. Jimmy, on the other hand, has no ties to Poland, so it’s clear that he is loyal to the opposite team. While reading Quietly, we get the sense that sports can be a great unifier, and can show how people identify on a national level.

When we went to see the Greyhound races, I thought about Catholics and Protestants. If these races were held in Belfast, Would they need separate seating for each side? I feel like the issues between them would dissolve for the races, simply because all that matter was what dog was faster and how much money you were losing. The political issues would dissolve if a sport was distracting everyone. I think the concept of using sports as a way to temporarily keep the peace is very interesting.

 

A priest with a gun

I’m not too well versed in the teachings of the bible (Or any religious text, honestly). However, I do know that all religions,in their purest, original form, say that people should refrain from participating in war and violence. We’re taught the Golden Rule in Sunday School. Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Most Pacifists become Pacifists because of religious teachings. Kids are taught to be like Jesus,and adults struggle to refine the art of turning the other cheek in order to restrain themselves from being violent with their bad bosses. These churches are run by priests and  deacons who are representatives of the word of God. So, what do you do when the same priest that gave you the blood and flesh of Christ is now carrying a gun?

This was the case in Ireland during the civil war between the Catholic and Protestants. Anne Delvin paints this image in her play Ourselves, Alone when she talks about Cathal. While Josie and Donna are talking about love, Donna states plainly that Cathal is a spoil Priest. This is true for two reasons. The first, is because Cathal is having an affair. The second, and more important to the subject of Conflict in Ireland, is that he is fighting in this civil war. Instead of literally practicing what he preaches, he goes against the teachings of God and takes up arms in the fight. Now, taking a step back from the play and into reality. Why was this useful?

Having a priest next to you, doing the exact same thing you are doing, I am pretty sure you are not going to doubt if you are doing the right thing. I mean, the man is God’s bro. He is always right…right? So, seeing a priest next to other “troops” might just help retention  and morale.  Also, fun fact: Priests were one of the few people who had formal educations, so they also potentially made great leaders.

Last post, I talked about how martyrdom became a strong, successful political move instead of a religious representation. Now, priests make good soldiers? The disconnect between religion and the conflicts in Ireland seems to grow larger and larger.

The power of martyrdom

The Oxford English Dictionary defines martyrdom as basically someone killed for their beliefs. Before, I had only seen the term “martyrdom” in reference to someone who died for their religious beliefs as a way to remember them and their faithfulness to God. For example, Oscar Romero (who is not officially considered a martyr, but many consider him one) was killed for believing that the poor should be taken care of. So people remember him and think “that’s what God really wants us to do. We should take care of the poor and help others, even if other people disagree.” In light of the conflicts of Ireland, however, being a martyr is so much more than that. Making someone a martyr is a smart political move that can also erase someone’s past and replace it with one that is blemish free. We see this when we read a Star Called Henry. The Architect sees an opportunity to use these deaths to make the British look awful and make the Irish look like poor victims, despite the fact that the Irish might possibly be poking the bear. He knows that if the Irish were to do something, the British would respond. If that response leads to the death of Irish citizens, then those people can be called martyrs and then they can cry out and say “look at what they are doing to us!”

A real life example of this is when we went to Belfast and looked at the different neighborhoods, we saw so many murals of people who died for the cause. But, they are not only seen as someone who died because of what they believed in. They are seen as perfect and a reason to keep up the fight. One man nicknamed “Top Gun” had a mural in the Protestant neighborhood. This mural was meant to say “look, they killed him because of his beliefs”, which makes him seem as though he was just this innocent, pure person that became a victim of violence. Yet, what the mural excludes is the fact that he killed around 20 Catholics and did not discriminate between civilians and other violent groups. They purposely kept this hidden and made him a martyr in order to create this sense of victimhood. The benefit of this is that they end up getting more support to their cause, because they seem like the good guys who are suffering,  and it keeps the members of the group angry and motivated. I am sure it’s hard to forget why you hate Catholics if at every corner in your neighborhood there is another mural commentating the deaths of these martyrs. So, in my eyes, I feel like this conflict is adding to the definition of martyrdom. It’s no longer being used strictly as a was to represent religious sacrifice, but now it’s also being seen as a way to change your identity to that of a victim in order to boost and retain your number of supporters.

Religion in conflict

I have learned that the main divide here in Ireland is Catholics versus Protestants. I actually really enjoy learning about how religion motivates people to make certain choices, so I have always found the conflict here to be very intriguing. However, as we get deeper into the conflict, I am learning that religion does not really play a strong role in the problems here. I have learned that the only real reason why it seems like there is a divide amongst religious views is due to the coincidence that Catholics were mainly the ones were native Irishman, and that Protestants reflected those who were either British, or who supported to British rule in Ireland. Politics played a key role in the violence and conflict in Ireland, but it was masked by religion because people were certain religious views often had the same political background.

Last time I made a blog, I talked about how some people here were openly Athiest and I stated that I could understand why given their history, but now I am not so sure. Religion often motivates people to do things that other people might not agree with (ehem, the Crusades.), and we are quick to say “see this is what religion does to us!” However, if religion is just the mask here, should we still condone it? In a way, religion is still making this conflict worse. It is being used in order to have this clear cut divide amongst citizens, resulting in numerous deaths and it is hiding what the actual problem is here (colonization), but should this be a reason why people turn up their nose when they hear a conversation about Jesus? Should people who have lived through their troubles here be mad at the concept of religion, the government, or both? When I realized that the conflicts that Ireland is dealing with is not as simple as one religion versus another, I got really confused. So much time has passed since the 1916 rising and the civil war afterward, so why is there still a wall in Belfast? Why is religion still an indicator that someone is either your friend or your enemy? Shouldn’t it be who you vote for? Or your views on the British?

note: these are questions I plan to ask tomorrow, professors! 🙂

Religion in Ireland

the other day, I had the pleasure of visiting the Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College. It was really fascinating to see the works of art that were in the Book, along with the meanings of all the symbols that were present in the book. I think it’s interesting to see how people viewed religion then, and how that compares to how religion is expressed in Dublin today.

What really fascinated me was the use of animals in these works of art. Of course, I’m used to seeing animals in art. But in the Book of Kells, animals play such an important role. They used the animals to represent people and characterizations of them. St. Luke was represented by the ox, The eagle is St. John, peacocks were the symbol for immortality, and stags were representative of the soul thirsting for redemption. It was clear that these imagines and the meanings behind them ment a great deal to those who made them because it took much time and effort. But, it seems like that is not the case anymore here.

I spoke to some locals in the area, and although they had a great understanding of Christianity, they seemed to be really disinterested in religion. They made it clear that they did not believe in God, nor saw Jesus as a religious figure. I thought that was very interesting, yet not totally surprising, given Ireland’s history. There was such incredible tension between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, and as a result, I supposed that people in Ireland would be one or the other. However, when I think about it further, it makes sense why people would, in a sense, turn their nose up at religion. If two religions aided in such an incredible amount of violence and hatred in your land, I suppose you would want nothing to do with religion. Either way, it currently seems to me that Ireland has lost its religious emphasis that it once had.

 

 

 

This is difficult

When you speak one of the most popular languages in the world, it’s difficult to empathize with people who’s languages have been stolen from them. I imagine it feels like suddenly becoming mute. The words were literally stolen from you, along with your culture’s history,your family’s most important bond, and your childhood memories.

Today, our class talked about how language is a part of a person’s identity. We went into detail about how the British would prevent the Irish citizens from speaking Gaelic in order to make them more like the British. Now, even though there are signs posted everywhere that are written in both Irish and English, only a few people in Dublin actually know the language. How sad is it that the consequences of British rule still show today? I mean, so much was written in Gaelic. When this language begins to disappear, it’s literature does as well. Even when these things are translated, you risk the meaning and feeling behind the words being altered and demolished. At yet, people here not only decide not to speak the language, but they also no longer want it taught in school. Wasn’t this what the rebels fought against? This conformity? I would think that they would want their culture and language to thrive, not become extinct.

Im repeating myself when I say that the feeling behind all of this is something I don’t think I can fully comprehend. I can only think of it in terms of what if my language is next? What if, decades from now, no one can read Yeats original work? Or if people shrug with disinterest when you bring up Emily Dickinson? Ahhh! It’s frightening, isn’t it? So many thoughtful words would suddenly mean nothing.

When looking at a piece of paper with English written on it, people would stare at it like it was the work of a cave man and then walk away, getting nothing from the words that were written. I got that sense when I was touring the Book of Kells. When we looked at the actual books, no one knew the words or the power behind them. We knew what it was discussing because someone was nice enough to create an exhibit that told us the subject. But other than that, we looked at the book and then walked away. We received nothing from it other than something similar to a modern man looking at the works of a caveman. When really, that was their religion. Their carefully translated words, and elegant paintings were extremely important to them, but now they are just part of a quick exhibit to us.

Does freedom need diversity?

In a Star Called Henry, there is a man called the Architect. This man was important because he knew a lot about how to create a rebellion. His plan to make the British react so that they look bad in the media was detailed and realistic, however one thing about him made me cringe. The Architect want to make a Republic of people who were alike. He wanted the people of the Republic to think the same and know how to act in this new, independent country. In fact, another character is killed because he was a Jew. He was killed because he did not fit into the mold that the Architect made for his citizens. This raises two questions, do you need diversity in order to have freedom? And does Ireland reflect the Architect’s ideal?

I think, in order to have freedom and a functioning government, you need diversity. At home, we have two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. These two parties don’t agree on a lot of issues,and it can cause a bit of a mess sometimes. But these differences in opinion allow for everyone’s voices to be heard. This not only allows for greater freedom, but it helps find a proper solution to problems. If one man thinks that a conflict can only be solved through war and if everyone agrees with him because they all think alike, then obviously a war is going to take place. However if one person who lives in that country is a pacifist and knows another way to resolve the conflict, then lives could potentially be spared. However, that only works if you allow people with different opinions and backgrounds into the country.

Looking at Ireland now, I think they are incredibly diverse. When you are looking for somewhere to eat,you find Mexican restaurants, Indian food places, Chinese food that delivers,etc. I also found a place where Quakers gather as well, so not only are they diverse when it comes to yummy food, but they are also tolerate of other religions. I find that to be very appealing and welcoming.

Women in Irish society

Cathleen ni Houlihan was supposed to be the image of Ireland. She convinced men to go off to war to fight for her and gain back her land.

Countess Markievicz became an influential person in the war, and later became a senator.

Mary Plunkett ended up in Jail for her political drawings a few years after her husband was executed at that same jail.

Average, everyday women were essential during the Easter 1916 rising, but they unfortunately are not really recognized for being the awesome superheroes they were.   Are women still seen as inferior in Ireland today?

In the United States, feminists seem to be everywhere. I think our gender issues at home are pretty obvious. In Ireland, I feel like that is not the case. When I first started walking around Dublin, I saw that there was a women’s health center right by the Ha’penny bridge. To my amazement, no one was standing outside with signs talking about their religion. People would walk right by it as if it were just another building. Of course, this warmed my little Women and Gender Studies heart because it was so unlike the treatment that women’s health centers like Planned Parenthood recieve at home. When I saw that no one was causing a ruckus about the health center, I figured things here must be going pretty well. That was also backed by their recent anniversary of the passing of their marriage equality law. However, it’s hard to tell if things are really better for women here, or if that’s just how it looks on the surface. I mean, abortion is illegal here from what I hear. That’s a big deal;especially because the housing problem here makes it so hard to find a home. I can’t imagine being homeless AND  being pregnant. Maybe things are not so good after all.

Gender is tricky. It’s tricky because in many instances, oppression and unfair treatment is not obvious. It’s not like there’s a blinking sign that says “Women are treated like crap here!” So, even though I was expecting a clear cut answer on how women were treated here versus how they are treated back home, I don’t think I’m going to get that answer after being here for three weeks.

I can only hope that they are better off here than they were in 1916.

 

Remembering 1916

After seeing how people in Ireland remember the Easter rising, I like to compare it to how we remember our own fight for independence.

I think, in Ireland, they do not just focus on the overall goal like we do. I feel like Americans just think in terms of “we wanted our independence, and we got it…yay!” But, in Ireland it is a lot more intense. They have buildings with banners that show the uprising, plaques of final letters that people wrote to their families are placed where that person died for everyone to see, and prisons are restored to show the conditions people had to deal with after they were arrested for the uprising. Not only do they know WHO fought in the war, but they know their stories. They know what happened to them afterward, how/if they were executed, and the families they left behind. Now that I know so much about Easter 1916 here in Ireland, I feel like I do not know enough of American soldiers and their lives during the Revolutionary war. I know a few leaders on both sides of the war, and I know what happened to two or three of them after the war, but I’m unaware of the finer details of the battle. We all learned about it in school, but I don’t think the details really matter that much to people.

“We got our Independence, yay!” You get to celebrate and have a day off,but how many people died? Was anyone arrested? What was it like on the Homefront? What were the roles of women? Most of these things I learned through a comic book series, Rebels , but other than what I read in the comic and what I remember in school, I don’t know anything. Learning so much about Irish history made me realize that Americans, including myself,really should care more about the finer details of our own history and cherish it.

Bring a spark,light a rebellion™

Easter 1916 was a poem written by Yeats. This poem was written to commentate those who passed in the Easter rebellion. Yeats states “a terrible beauty is born” after every stanza to signify that although these people perished, it’s still a success because those lives, the martyrs, sparked a fire in others. People joined the fight, because those martrys revealed the injustice that was happening. To me, that makes sense.

lighting a fire in others is really beautiful because it’s what made those deaths meaningful. Instead of cowering and giving up, the groups fighting for this cause grew. Even though these different groups ( Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, Fenians,etc.) all had different ideas on how to be independent and successful, they all knew that the lives that were lost should not be a waste. As Yeats said, everything “changed utterly”. Because once you have 12 men line up to shoot one man with his hands tied to his back, you cannot take it back. I think that is something the English learned when they saw how the citizens of Ireland reacted to their definition of justice.

Hearing that citizens volunteered to restore the jail also had an impact on me. It shows that the fire in the hearts of Irishmen continue to burn,and that makes my heart happy.

Taking the tour around the jail and hearing the stories of those that were sentenced to death was really shocking. It reminded me so much of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. To learn that firing squads were used not only the Middle East, but also in Dublin, Ireland is appalling and made me appreciate the justice system we have had in America. Throughout the whole tour, I thought of both Persepolis and Yeats quote, because they both helped me really grasp on what was happening during this time.

Stone By Stone…

Today, I learned that the Irish are resilient. Their history has shown that they are not the type to give up easily. During the rebellion, the citizens of Ireland were defeated. However, their spirit did not falter. Its amazing, really. In comparison to American history, they seem far more brave and determined. While we had the French on our side during the revolutionary war, the Irish had no one. They were far out numbered, and less skilled than the British army. However, the Irish knew exactly what they wanted. They did not want to be forced to conform to British standards of living. No more laws on how women should dress! No more telling men how to groom their beard! They wanted their culture to shine through. They wanted to be Irish, not British. The had formed their own Identity against the Other. The Other, in this cause, being the colonizing power that is Great Britain. I can not help but picture a little boy standing up to his strong, muscular father. “No, you can’t tell me what to do anymore!” scary. This is not just an image that is in my head though. This was real. People went off to war, probably knowing all too well that they would not return. Unbelievable. That is certainly the definition of Patriotism. Romantic love for your country and culture. Love deep enough that makes you willing to sacrifice your life for the greater good of your state. This is what Yeats shows in his play Cathleen Ni Houlihan. (Background Information: Cathleen Ni Houlihan was said to embody Irish culture and would lure people to go to war for her.)

“He died for love of me. Many a man has died for the love of me.”

Yeats shows that Patriotism is not just waving around a flag or wearing fancy red,white, and blue sunglasses during the fourth of July.

“If anyone would give me help, he must give me himself, he must give me all.”

Patriotism is all encompassing. It means doing what needs to be done for your country even though you might not see the change you are fighting to enact. Now, one last quote from Yeats:

“I have good friends that will help me.They are gathering to help me now.I am not afraid. If they are put down today, they will have the upper hand tomorrow.”

Cathleen Ni Houlihan says this to mean that soldiers will come to protect and earn back her land. If they lose, they will not give up. They are determined. They are patriots.

These soldiers knew they would probably never return home, but they still fought for Ireland. because they were fighting for Cathleen. In other words, they were fighting for their home and their culture.   Learning about this made me think of a quote I saw spray painted on a wall during our bus tour of Dublin. It was rather tucked away, and the tour guide did not point it out, but I thought it was grand.

“We will build stone by stone by fallen stone.”

It really made me realize how hard it was to be Irish in the past. I now have a deep respect for Ireland and its history because they really have been through a lot.