Gemma McKenna joined Ógra in September 2007 when she entered Queens University Belfast. She talks to Barry McNally from Ógra Shinn Fein about her involvement in youth politics.How did you get interested in politics?
In my area when I was younger there was always conflict around the summer because of the marching season. And so from a young age I always wondered why things were the way they were. I guess it began as childish curiosity and as I got older and realised the discrimination happening all around me, I began to question things even more and get more and more interested in politics.
Were you involved in politics before getting involved in Ógra?
Not formally, I had a keen interest in politics and did different debating competitions in school such as model EU and model UN.
How did you find out or know about Ógra Shinn Fein?
Through reading about it on the Sinn Fein website and then a friend in school told about it. And the at Queen's freshers in September 2007 I joined the Sheena Campbell Queens Cumann. I came to Queens knowing I was going to join Ógra, as I felt Sinn Fein was the only party that have the same values as myself and therefore wanted to join their youth wing.
I was then elected to the position Equality officer along with another boy in the Sheena Campbell Queen's Cumann. Gender equality is probably the biggest issue in Ógra in general and so I am trying to recruit more females into the Cumann but this is not an easy task. I am also trying to make the other members aware that women should be seen as equal in EVERY aspect
Has your interest in politics come your family influence? And How?
I have never really talked to my family much about politics and so in many ways it came from my own interest. However my parents have always been supportive of Sinn Féin and I guess that has influenced my way of thinking. But to be honest I think it was the society I was brought up in and the inequalities that I know I and others experienced that really influenced me.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in Ógra?
To be honest I don't know.... it has become an important part of my life and so therefore I cannot actually imagine myself not being in it.
What actions have Ógra taken in your area (weekend’s protests etc)
We recently held the Sheena Campbell memorial vigil and talk, we also visited the H blocks including the prison hospital were the hunger strikers died, and we have also organised and taken part in Shell to sea protests. In addition to this we have showed support for Nigerian immigrants, organised two functions, launched the N.A.R.C campaign in QUB, Participated at National Congress and also Bloody Sunday commemoration march and helped with the establishment of an Irish language cumann of Sinn Féin in Belfast. In the future we are planning a number of events including a vigil and talk for Gibraltar 3, a Function in the Hatfield, we will also be taking part in Easter commemorations and selling Easter lilies. In addition we have also planned a Civil rights exhibition and a visit to Armagh jail.
What do you like most about Ógra Shinn Féin?
As a new member you are immediately made feel welcomed not only in my own local cumann but by all you meet. People are eager to listen to your ideas and take on your points of view. I believe in the work Ógra does and feel that they actively try to tackle the problems that young people encounter in today’s society.
Have you any major achievements within Ógra or things that you will remember for a long time to come?
Firstly, I don't think I'll ever forget my first Congress, as it was when I started to really understand what Ógra was about and was able to see the bigger picture. Also actually being able to get up and speak increased my confidence as I felt that although I was new my opinions were listened to equally.
I got the opportunity to go to Barcelona in the Catalan countries last weekend which is something that I will always remember. It made me realise the international support and respect both Ógra and our struggle in general has. It is also rather moving to just meet some-one, you don't even speak the same language, from completely different cultures but yet I share similar views to then and have a connection I don't even have with me best friends.
What do you enjoy doing outside of Politics?
I do love to socialise and so enjoy going out with my mates. I am also trying to learn Irish at the minute and enjoy reading. I really enjoy working with young people and will be going to America again this summer to work at a Camp.
How do you think you make politics relevant to young people and what are the major pressing issues for young people?
By making people aware of the Ógra campaigns and how politics directly affect their lives.
In terms of major pressing issues I believe the sexuality of young people is a subject people still feel uncomfortable about and so avoid talking about. Just because it might not effect out lives directly we cannot dismiss the fact that increasingly more young people are discriminated against because they are gay or lesbian. This is something which I think should be challenged.
Teenage pregnancy’s are still frequent in Ireland and an issue that needs to be tackled. Similar to the view that "no it won’t happen to me... I won’t get pregnant" is the naive opinion that people won’t get a STI but yet statistics show that increasingly more young people are becoming infected.
Concluding Gemma said
“The task is up to young republicans to continue to campaign, agitate and push for change. In pursuing our objective of a 32 county democratic socialist republic in Ireland we realise it is a massive task of work. But we in Ógra are up for it. It is clear to see by the calibre of activists we have in Ógra that the struggle is in safe hands. Onwards to the republic!!!
Quickfire Round:
Favourite Food:
What actions have Ógra taken in your area (weekend’s protests etc)
We recently held the Sheena Campbell memorial vigil and talk, we also visited the H blocks including the prison hospital were the hunger strikers died, and we have also organised and taken part in Shell to sea protests. In addition to this we have showed support for Nigerian immigrants, organised two functions, launched the N.A.R.C campaign in QUB, Participated at National Congress and also Bloody Sunday commemoration march and helped with the establishment of an Irish language cumann of Sinn Féin in Belfast. In the future we are planning a number of events including a vigil and talk for Gibraltar 3, a Function in the Hatfield, we will also be taking part in Easter commemorations and selling Easter lilies. In addition we have also planned a Civil rights exhibition and a visit to Armagh jail.
What do you like most about Ógra Shinn Féin?
As a new member you are immediately made feel welcomed not only in my own local cumann but by all you meet. People are eager to listen to your ideas and take on your points of view. I believe in the work Ógra does and feel that they actively try to tackle the problems that young people encounter in today’s society.
Have you any major achievements within Ógra or things that you will remember for a long time to come?
Firstly, I don't think I'll ever forget my first Congress, as it was when I started to really understand what Ógra was about and was able to see the bigger picture. Also actually being able to get up and speak increased my confidence as I felt that although I was new my opinions were listened to equally.
I got the opportunity to go to Barcelona in the Catalan countries last weekend which is something that I will always remember. It made me realise the international support and respect both Ógra and our struggle in general has. It is also rather moving to just meet some-one, you don't even speak the same language, from completely different cultures but yet I share similar views to then and have a connection I don't even have with me best friends.
What do you enjoy doing outside of Politics?
I do love to socialise and so enjoy going out with my mates. I am also trying to learn Irish at the minute and enjoy reading. I really enjoy working with young people and will be going to America again this summer to work at a Camp.
How do you think you make politics relevant to young people and what are the major pressing issues for young people?
By making people aware of the Ógra campaigns and how politics directly affect their lives.
In terms of major pressing issues I believe the sexuality of young people is a subject people still feel uncomfortable about and so avoid talking about. Just because it might not effect out lives directly we cannot dismiss the fact that increasingly more young people are discriminated against because they are gay or lesbian. This is something which I think should be challenged.
Teenage pregnancy’s are still frequent in Ireland and an issue that needs to be tackled. Similar to the view that "no it won’t happen to me... I won’t get pregnant" is the naive opinion that people won’t get a STI but yet statistics show that increasingly more young people are becoming infected.
Concluding Gemma said
“The task is up to young republicans to continue to campaign, agitate and push for change. In pursuing our objective of a 32 county democratic socialist republic in Ireland we realise it is a massive task of work. But we in Ógra are up for it. It is clear to see by the calibre of activists we have in Ógra that the struggle is in safe hands. Onwards to the republic!!!
Quickfire Round:
Favourite Food:
Chocolate
Favourite Drink:
Favourite Drink:
Sukie
Favourite Music / Artist:
Favourite Music / Artist:
A bit of everything.
Favourite songs :
“Stand by me" or “Lean on me"
Favourite Films:
Favourite Films:
The wind that shakes the barley.
Stand by me
Sleepers
Notebook
Favourite Book:
Pride and Prejudice
Alias Grace
Currently reading and enjoying Ten Men Dead
Favourite Holiday resort:
Alias Grace
Currently reading and enjoying Ten Men Dead
Favourite Holiday resort:
Not a big fan of Holiday resorts I prefer doing sight seeing.
Would love to go to go interailing around Europe
Person most influential in your life:
Would love to go to go interailing around Europe
Person most influential in your life:
No-one person is an over arching influence, I like to think I am in control of my own life but my family and friends are key to my life.
Person you would like to meet (living)
Person you would like to meet (living)
The first Taoiseach of our 32 Socialist Republic.
Person you would like to meet (deceased)
Mairéad Farrell.
Person you would like to meet (deceased)
Mairéad Farrell.
If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?
Set up a 32 Socialist Republic
Set up a 32 Socialist Republic
Have the Irish Language taught from the age of 3 in all public schools.
Work to help ensure the independence of other countries still struggling for their independence.
1 comment:
The best interview of a member I have read to date. Well done. Id just also like to say how the quality of the blog has improved over the past few weeks and how often it is updated. Well done.
maxi
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