Gender Equality Officer
Ógra Shinn Féin
I caught up with 19 year old Waterford Ógra activist Jade Kinsella during the week, to continue the women in struggle series of interviews.
The keen fisherwomen is currently studying biology in WIT, and is politically active on campus and in the local community.
Tell me a bit about your-self:
I am a 19 year old student, currently studying for my higher cert in applied biology.
Where are you from?
I'm from Waterford originally the city, then moved to the county and now living in Gracedieu.
What do you do? (student/occupation) if student what are you studying:
I am a student, studying science in the WIT
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to just relax I seem to be always on the go between college and work. I like to go fishing, meet with my friends, read, and spend time with my family.
How did you get interested in politics?
As far as I can remember I have always had an interest in politics since I was young. My parents were very open with me and helped explain what was going on in the country at all times and translate what the news meant for me.
Were you involved in politics before getting involved in Ógra?
No
How did you find out or know about Ógra Shinn Fein?
I read a notice in college
Has your interest in politics come your family influence? And How?
I suppose both yes and no. My dad would support Sinn Féin and my mother votes Labour so I had mixed views on politics growing up. In the end I suppose I did my own research, kept up to date with the news and decided for myself.
No
How did you find out or know about Ógra Shinn Fein?
I read a notice in college
Has your interest in politics come your family influence? And How?
I suppose both yes and no. My dad would support Sinn Féin and my mother votes Labour so I had mixed views on politics growing up. In the end I suppose I did my own research, kept up to date with the news and decided for myself.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in Ógra?
If I wasn’t involved in Ógra I don’t think much would change, I am always active and on the go, I probably would just have a bit more free time.
What actions have Ógra taken in your area (weekend’s protests etc)
Ógra have protested against the student fees, and have participated in protest with main party Sinn Fein against unemployment.
What do you like most about Ógra Shinn Féin?
Ógra has given me an opportunity to really evaluate the political system today. I have attended talks with Ógra which focus on the economy and I must say have been very informational.
Ógra has given me an opportunity to really evaluate the political system today. I have attended talks with Ógra which focus on the economy and I must say have been very informational.
Also Ógra has given me the opportunity to speak the Irish language in a comfortable, relaxed environment. I love speaking Irish and would definitely consider that I have much to learn before holding good conversations but I now have the opportunity to do that over a quite drink and a social chat.
Have you any major achievements within Ógra or things that you will remember for a long time to come?
Within Ogra I can say that I haven’t achieved anything major as of yet. However I am determined, and was the first female to represent Ireland Internationally in angling so you never knows what’s in store for the future.
Within Ogra I can say that I haven’t achieved anything major as of yet. However I am determined, and was the first female to represent Ireland Internationally in angling so you never knows what’s in store for the future.
Why do you think it is important for young people to get involved in politics?
It’s important for young people to get involved in politics because we are the future of the country. And in order to achieve a government that has the best interest of the people at heart one needs to learn how politics works from a young age, and can be given the ability and confidence to speak up against systems that do not benefit people.
Politics not only gives people the information they need to make informative discussions such as when voting but also gives one a voice.
Politics not only gives people the information they need to make informative discussions such as when voting but also gives one a voice.
What do you think are the major pressing issues for young people?
Currently as a student myself the proposed fees are a big issue at the moment, for many students are worried that they won’t be able to afford to return to college, or that they will have to put the burden of loans on themselves or their immediate families which will lead to long term debt.
Quick fire Round
Favourite Food: Prawns
Favourite Drink: Orange Juice
Favourite Music / Artist: Christy Moore/ Traditional Irish
Favourite songs: Do not stand at my grave and weep, Ordinary Man
Favourite Films: PS. I love you
Favourite Music / Artist: Christy Moore/ Traditional Irish
Favourite songs: Do not stand at my grave and weep, Ordinary Man
Favourite Films: PS. I love you
Favourite Book: Pride & Prejudice
Favourite Holiday resort: Australia
Person most influential in your life: Dad
Favourite Holiday resort: Australia
Person most influential in your life: Dad
Person you would like to meet (living): Gerry Adams
Person you would like to meet (deceased): Michael Collins
If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?
The Health system, there is too many waiting lists for simple procedures, tests. The health system is not efficient enough, and needs and a lot more funding.
Unemployment: It would be an objective of mine that all people that have the ability to work, are given the opportunity to freely educate themselves and have the chance to work.
Tackle social issues like homelessness, drinking problems, drugs, anti social behavior.
If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?
The Health system, there is too many waiting lists for simple procedures, tests. The health system is not efficient enough, and needs and a lot more funding.
Unemployment: It would be an objective of mine that all people that have the ability to work, are given the opportunity to freely educate themselves and have the chance to work.
Tackle social issues like homelessness, drinking problems, drugs, anti social behavior.
1 comment:
I might start bringing some of my songs to your attention whenever you do a post that gives me even the slightest excuse- actually I probably won't go that far, but I think with this one I have a pretty good excuse. Below are some notes and URLs for songs that recognize the contributions made by women to republicanism/etc.
What I do is take lyrics of songs I listen to and alter them. One category is taking songs that are generally liberal-left and making them N. Ireland or vice versa. The other category is taking songs whose politics I don’t like and twisting them into the exact opposite of what they’re intended, I explain that more at http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/01/just-call-me-billy-bragg.html (most songs are both a change in subject matter and twisting).
I do these songs because it’s a fun creative process, I get to express myself and explain things (I post them on my blog), and some of them are really good.
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/04/final-war-songs.html
"In The Spirit Of Mairead Farrell" Unfortunately, not my favorite, although that might change if some republican/anti-fascist band performed it with the original music. (this is the last of the 6 songs in that post, the others are okay-good)
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/05/battles-of-bogside-and-of-hayes-pond.html
"Battle of the Bogside" VERY good, highlights Bernadette Devlin's role.
(this is the last of 4 songs, the 3rd one is great, the first two are okay) (I actually might be adding a bit to this song, so check back in a day or so (I hate changing stuff after I publish, but this will simply be an addition and might be worth breaking my rule))
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/04/volunteer.html
This is possibly my very favorite, it is so freaking much fun to sing my version while I listen to the original. It almost feels tokenistic, but when I had to say "he" or "she" I went with "she." (looking at how often I specify sex in my songs about Volunteers, you'd think something like most of them were women, but probably closer to 15%??)
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/04/five-more-songs-mlk-rosemary-nelson-etc.html
"Rosemary Nelson" I get the impression that republican might not be a totally accurate label, but certainly she was a woman in struggle. (4th out of 5 songs)
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/03/belfast-republican.html
Refers to the sisters.
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/02/even-more-lyrics.html
"Hail The New Dawn" refers to daughters, the 3rd song.
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/02/more-new-songs.html
"Sick Society" Although I indicate that people are free to change "girlfriend" to "boyfriend" it's about a lesbian former Volunteer, 2nd song.
http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/01/just-call-me-billy-bragg.html
"The Spirit of Che Gueverra" (3rd song) refers to daughters.
Unless more or less impossible (there's three lines where this has happened) with songs I "write" and some songs I listen to and have memorized, I remove any trace of sexism (i.e. with "Belfast Brigade" I've switched it from "men who fought and died" to "those who fought and died").
There's two connections between this (republican women in struggle) and another set of songs I thought that for various reasons you OSFers might like. There's a collection of songs that for various reasons I have not published on my blog although most of them I'm so close to publishing that there's a draft post ready to go. One of them, although I'm currently exploring whether or not it was a good idea to involve her name (in the notes for that song I discuss that), is called "The Bernadette Devlin Brigade" based on "Belfast Brigade." It's part of my SHARPs (SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice) collection, part of which I'll describe:
1) Three songs are based on republican stuff. Besides "Belfast Brigade" I also did one based on "Come Out Ye Black And Tans" and just did one last night based on "Billy Reid."
2) Two ended up being about anti-racist skinhead GIRLS/WOMEN (aka WOMEN IN STRUGGLE).
3) If you like my idea of twisting politically bad lyrics into something good (see http://devlin-mcaliskey.blogspot.com/2009/01/just-call-me-billy-bragg.html), I've now done three songs based on loyalist crap that you might like (loyalist crap seems to be good material SHARP songs).
4) There's one song that's a perfect combination of SHARP and republican. The best line is "If republican-socialism means celebrating racial diversity/Then you can call me a republican-socialist and I'm fucking proud to be." Of course, I bumped into a SHARP from Bray on myspace and he lectured me about stupid Americans supporting "terrorists" (IRA), but I ripped him a new one, he didn't even bother responding.
5) If you think supporting SHARPs is crazy (I somehow doubt that with OSFers) let me know, I'll change your mind.
If you want to see these songs, email me via my profile on my blog.
I think that's it. Probably long enough already.
Tom
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