I am not embarrassed by the Irish tri-colour. I am not ashamed of the Irish tri-colour. I never was and I never will be. I am proud of what it stands for, I am proud of its meaning and I am proud of its history.
At the same time I detest those that have now weaponised the tri-colour as a symbol of hate, and have adopted it to express their own racism and a false sense of superiority.
The ongoing ‘controversy’ about the erection of flags in certain areas across the capital is entirely manufactured. To give credit where credit is due, the racist right have played this brilliantly, a perfect trap that so many people have walked straight into. This is a win win situation for them. The fact is that even decent people, some whom I’d credit with at least a bit of intelligence, are being caught up in the “defend our flag” rhetoric. This is a false narrative.
What we are witnessing is not about an expression of Irish pride or of genuine patriotism, this is a very clever political strategy developed alongside English racists and Ulster loyalists. We know of the organisational links which exists between these elements, and the whole flag strategy is carefully thought out. The exact same thing is happening in Britain, and our fake-patriots are getting in on the act like the post-colonial lap dogs that they are.
The flags are being erected in areas where anti immigrant tensions are high, and where we have seen increases in racist rhetoric & activity and the inevitable violence which follows. Those responsible are often the same degenerates who have dragged their own communities down through their criminality, drug dealing and anti social behaviour. They are people who have never shown any ‘patriotism’ or pride in the past by doing anything useful or beneficial for their local areas, their city or country.
Decent residents in many areas understand the agenda driving the new flag strategy. People are not opposed to the tri-colour nor are they opposed to seeing it displayed publically. What they are opposed to and are outraged by is seeing the flag abused and adopted as a symbol of hate, which is accompnied by an undercurrent of threat and intimidation.
This weaponised use of the flag is an abuse. We have already witnessed the neanderthal behaviour of protestors waving flags and chanting “get them out” on anti immigrant marches. They have carried our flag with the same venom that groups like the fascist National Front and British National Party carried the Union Jack while targetting Pakistani, Afro Caribbean and Irish families in very dark days across the water.
The historical knowledge (or any glimmer of intelligence ) is largely absent from our fake patriot flag wavers. The Union Jack did not earn the title ‘Butchers Apron” by accident. It is a flag of Empire, oppression and brutal colonialism, much of it suffered by the Irish. To my mind, any display of the Union Jack is a reflection of its blood-soaked history. It is entirely appropriate for hate filled racists to be proud of it.
Not so the Irish tri-colour. This is a Republican flag that is foreign in origin, gifted to us as a revolutionary gesture. It symbolises unity, togetherness overcoming division, and it is anti sectarian and egalitarian in imagery and intent. That is a flag we should all be proud of. I AM, and no West Brit racists working in alliance with foreign fascists and racists will ever change that.
So how do we address the current manufactured controversy ? How do we address the weaponising of this symbol of unity as a weapon of hate ?
We do so not by knee jerk responses, and we do so by first of all not walking straight into a trap set to create controversy, a trap set to create a backlash and a trap set to allow the racist-right to play the victim and rally the gullible around a false narrative that others are “anti Irish”.
Promote pride in the flag. Promote knowledge of the flag, and ensure it’s true meaning is understood. Make sure the history of the flag is known and appreciated. Celebrate the legacy and value of the flag. OWN THE FLAG !
Removing the flags would be playing into the hands of those who are currently abusing it. They want to be victims so they can gain politically from this.
Simply leaving the flags up is also playing into the hands of those who are currently abusing it. They can claim their marked territory, enjoy the unease they have caused to large sections of our communities, while also benefitting from the threats and intimidation against council workers they are promoting.
Their may be legal restrictions or local authority by-laws that guarantee the removal of the flags. There seems to be some uncertainty but I hope this is resolved soon.
However, I am in favour of seeing the tri-colours displayed, but that is not good enough. This must be accompanied by signage which explains the proud and honest history and meaning of the flag. An awareness or education approach would also be hugely positive, and many of ‘our own’ could do with a bit of this more than anyone else.
This is something which can be embraced by all who share our streets and communities, and in my experience many of the new arrivals to our country are fascinated by Irish history and are anxious to learn more about it and be part of it.
As I said at the opening :
I am not ashamed of the flag.
I am not embarrassed by the flag.
I never was and I never will be.
That is why it is so important to me that we do not allow racists and those working hand-in-glove with foreign agitators to claim ownership.
IT IS OUR FLAG.
FLY IT WITH PRIDE.
