Just thinking of something that came up in the pub after the Blogging the Election Conference when someone asked me where I was from:
'Northern Ireland originally.' I replied.
The questioner immediately tried to engage me into a conversation on Northern Irish politics and see what my opinions were.
'I'd rather not discuss that.' I continued.
'Why?' came back the immediate question.
I launched into my usual spiel about it being a bad conversation while drinking as people were usually polarised on the issue, and further I don't live there anymore (and never plan to again) so I don't see how it concerns me any more.
My questioner continued probing, raising issues of social responsibility - 'Surely since you have left NI, got yourself a university education and a good job, don't you have a responsibility to try and make things better for those who still live there?
In my opinion, No. Having grown up there, I know that there are two kinds of people in Northern Ireland, those who realise that it's stupid to hate someone of the same race, ethnic background and culture just because their religion split from yours a few centuries ago. I mean, I understand how the whole dispute between Muslims and Western nations has escalated, after all their beliefs are very different as are their culture and way of life.
But when you break it down, the only difference that there seems to be between Protestant and Catholic is that one believes that the communion bread and wine transform into the body and blood of Christ and the other believes that it is representational. They believe in the same God, the same Saints, Holy Days and religious books - and live side by side in most western countries, yet are 'at war' in NI... sounds crazy doesn't it?
In my experience, the second type of people that exist in NI are those that read the two paragraphs above and immediately flare into anger. They will never be able to look at the issues involved objectively and have usually been raised to 'hate' the other side since birth. When the 'NI problem' is discussed, they refuse to remain rational and usually have trouble putting their point across and their 'solutions' to the problem are not sensible and workable (i.e. kick all the Protestants out - 'send them back to Britain' - exactly how would the country keep running then? Who would pay for all the new housing needed in Britain??).
So, how far does social responsibility go? Should you try to change someone that doesn't want to be changed? Do you have a responsibility to try and do that? Often when people speak about this issue to me, they discuss the concepts with a perceived "I know what would be right for you because I have more experience/brain power etc"...
That sort of attitude is OK between parents and their children, but what right do we have to act that way to another adult? Would it make us as bad as George Bush/America? (opens huge can of worms.....)
Tags: IrishBlogCon IrishBlogCon1 IrishElections2007
'Northern Ireland originally.' I replied.
The questioner immediately tried to engage me into a conversation on Northern Irish politics and see what my opinions were.
'I'd rather not discuss that.' I continued.
'Why?' came back the immediate question.
I launched into my usual spiel about it being a bad conversation while drinking as people were usually polarised on the issue, and further I don't live there anymore (and never plan to again) so I don't see how it concerns me any more.
My questioner continued probing, raising issues of social responsibility - 'Surely since you have left NI, got yourself a university education and a good job, don't you have a responsibility to try and make things better for those who still live there?
In my opinion, No. Having grown up there, I know that there are two kinds of people in Northern Ireland, those who realise that it's stupid to hate someone of the same race, ethnic background and culture just because their religion split from yours a few centuries ago. I mean, I understand how the whole dispute between Muslims and Western nations has escalated, after all their beliefs are very different as are their culture and way of life.
But when you break it down, the only difference that there seems to be between Protestant and Catholic is that one believes that the communion bread and wine transform into the body and blood of Christ and the other believes that it is representational. They believe in the same God, the same Saints, Holy Days and religious books - and live side by side in most western countries, yet are 'at war' in NI... sounds crazy doesn't it?
In my experience, the second type of people that exist in NI are those that read the two paragraphs above and immediately flare into anger. They will never be able to look at the issues involved objectively and have usually been raised to 'hate' the other side since birth. When the 'NI problem' is discussed, they refuse to remain rational and usually have trouble putting their point across and their 'solutions' to the problem are not sensible and workable (i.e. kick all the Protestants out - 'send them back to Britain' - exactly how would the country keep running then? Who would pay for all the new housing needed in Britain??).
So, how far does social responsibility go? Should you try to change someone that doesn't want to be changed? Do you have a responsibility to try and do that? Often when people speak about this issue to me, they discuss the concepts with a perceived "I know what would be right for you because I have more experience/brain power etc"...
That sort of attitude is OK between parents and their children, but what right do we have to act that way to another adult? Would it make us as bad as George Bush/America? (opens huge can of worms.....)
Tags: IrishBlogCon IrishBlogCon1 IrishElections2007
posted by ellybabes at 11/11/2006 11:16:00 pm
1 Comments:
I think a milestone in N. I. will be when people aren't afraid to speak out and go against the flow in their own communities.
We've a new 'problem' here now, that's the New Northern Irish. In my local paper this week 6 out of 30 court cases reported, they had a translator for.To me this is either the New Northern Irish being picked on by the police. Or is N.I. attracting only a certain type of immigrant?
'So, how far does social responsibility go?' I'd say as far as your neighbours. Neighbours today could be on the internet or living next door.
Thats my 'speel for Sunday' AMEN :-)
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