Young and Independent
Regarding a recent Ógra Shinn Féin mobilisation in Omagh as part of a very successful Demilitarisation Weekend, I feel it necessary to write regarding the presence of uniformed colour parties as such events.
If Ógra Shinn Féin is to be an organisation based on equality and which is open and transparent, with an ability to recruit large numbers of radicalised young people, why is there a need to have a uniformed colour party whose members feels it appropriate to wear dark glasses in Autumn at such a key mobilisation as the hunger-strike commemoration in Omagh.
I believe colour parties in terms of Ógra mobilisations to be a most unnecessary departure, which could have the negative effect of creating a uniformed elite. If the aim of having the colour party was simply historical re-enactment my answer is that historical re-enactment at this time is best left to the Pike People of Wexford!
Ógra must remember at all times that it is not Fianna Éireann, a militaristic and secret organisation that was disbanded sometime in the mid 1980s after much long debate about the future of republican youth activism.
For the record, Fianna Éireann was an organisation which I much admired, in terms of its commitment to struggle and the sacrifices made by its young activists, often resulting in imprisonment and death.
Thankfully we are now in a different political space and at a new juncture in struggle. Different political circumstances demanding a different approach to mobilisations. Left wing activists who are currently swayed by the sects have been laughing their heads off on Indymedia at the photographs taken at the Omagh mobilisation.
Why do we give them such opportunities? Comrades, all colour parties make me cringe and I ask myself why do we leave ourselves open to ridicule? Ógra Shinn Féin must now engage in the debate which began sometime ago and spearheaded by Coiste na nIarchimí at their 2005 summer school - Can Irish republicanism be militant without being militaristic?
The IRA initiative in 2005 clearly indicated that its volunteers do believe it to be so at this time. I also believe the answer to be yes and know that if we are to attract the large numbers of young Irish people into a mass movement for radical change on this island, we need to adapt our political culture and style of mobilising to be that which is most advantageous for the successful conclusion of the struggle for national liberation and socialism.
There are also lessons to be learned by Republican Flute Bands. In fact I say DECOMMISSION REPUBLICAN FLUTE BANDS as they like all colour parties I see, are mostly out of step and out of time as well as quite often being without a good tune.
Comrades, I suppose the future of republican flute bands is another debate that we will have in the near future. I say let us see an end to uniformed colour parties - Let us all mobilise as equals behind the flag of the Irish working class, The Starry Plough, all dressed as we individually choose - Young and Independent!
Beirigí Bua
8 comments:
here here a chara, scared me when i saw the colour party,probably well intentioned but inapropriate under the present climate where we are trying to attract new members.
While I agree with the article I don't think that it is appropiate for us to modify our public appeareance in an attempt to attract new people. If people are not comfortable with who we are then this organisation is better off without them.
I say decommission such rubbish I read in this article. What is the author on about?
How can we decommission republican flute bands??? We owe Republican flute bands a lot- they have kept the spirit of our Irish patriots alive. When morale has been low within republicanism music kept the spirit high. Having been a member of a Republican flute band I was proud to keep the memory alive of an Irish martyr who died for our freedom.
In regards the Ógra Shinn Féin colour party I was pleased to see it taking to Omagh on the day of the commemoration. Ógra Shinn Féin are radical young republicans- not a youth club. I think the colour party showed that radicalism. Now lets not kid ourselves its not as if the appearance of the colour signalled a return to the armed conflict or anything remotely near that. And if you look at other radical actions undertaken by Ógra in recent years in places like south Armagh, south Fermanagh (Roslea) the appearance of an Ógra colour party is nothing.
Well said Oisín.
The recent Sinn Féin mobilisation in Dublin calling for an All-Ireland health care system, based on equality and not ability to pay, was a fine example of how republicans can effectivley mobilise.
A lot of effort was made by Ógra Shinn Féin activists, and our contingent ensured vibrancy and colour.
Eugene Garvey's street theatre performance was outstanding.
Up Louth! Come on Tyrone!
Indeed Ógra got a bit of stick for the way there were dressing and normally do get it for most posts on Politics.ie and Indymedia to be fair. There is really no need for the dark glasses an berets, what have the young activists really got to hide? By the same token are colour parties a part of tradition in republican linked organisations? Colour parties in step are definatly impressive and good for moral in my opinion but can they not be mobilised in a uniform that isnt militeristic? (For instance the Sinn Fein Colour party at easter in the green coats) At the end of the day it isnt about who carries the flag and what they are wearing, but what the flag stands for. What it represents. Don't let petty comments from the armchair activists get in the way of how Ógra wish to display the flags they serve. If young republicans coose to honour their flag in this manner so be it.
Onwards to the socialist republic!
A chara, Dominic Adams here from Coiste na nIarchimí. Firstly, comhghairdeas on the website - maith sibhse. Can I get permission from the author of "Can Ogra mobilisations be militant without being militaristic?" to use the article in our next edition of Múscail? This edition will be out coming up to Easter (and not to be confused with this year's Chridtmas edition)and would be appropriate subject with Easter commemorations coming up. Reply to dominic@coiste.com or I will log into website as normal.
Dominic Adams
Dominic, a chara
Please feel free to proceed with publishing article in Múscail.
Keep up the good work and best wishes to everyone involved in republican youth media.
Beirigí Bua
i agree with getting rid of the dark sunglasses, but why would there be any reason to have no uniformed colour party at all, thats ridiculous.and as for geting rid of all the republican flute bands?!
sure lets get rid of republicanism alltogether!!
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