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"One
Nation once again," a one day national playing
vs. one day a year Irish. What does this mean? Follow
the interwoven circles from 1916 to the present. The
poor and working class are fast becoming a vanishing
source of bulk for the cause. Modern middle class
Irish, like their American cousins, are nationalists
one day a year.
Long
financial supporters of the "Irish Cause"
Irish Americans are now mostly third and beyond generations
removed from their land and culture. New found wealth
and prosperity in both countries diminish activism.
Leaders
like U.S. AOH President Ned McGinley attend rallies
for things like Bloody Sunday in U.S. cities that
attract less than 20 people. Ned's IOU (Irish Organizations
United) draw few people. An appearance by Gerry Adams
saw only about 250. This is typical in small town
America.
I
am speaking about a country which now counts Irish
Americans as the largest ethnic group. There are over
60 million in the United States. The sad fact is that
they, mostly, are Irish one day a year "St. Patrick's
Day" . They know and care little about North
Ireland. Only sensational headlines get their attention.
British
plans for ethnic cleansing didn't happen, out of fear
of reaction from Irish America. Before there is little
or nothing to fear, action must be taken. It is now
or never. There are tidbits of information from the
past that should be considered now.
Bernadette
Devlin's messages, for example, cry for a united poor
and working class and social justice. This is one
of many good concepts from many people and ideas now
ignored or forgotten. The thing is, how do you unite
the Union and Nationalist working class when they
now eat regular and have satellite dishes?
A
United Ireland is possible. It will take leaders in
the North of Ireland who can put their differences
aside and work together. In unity their is strength.
The old "three musketeers" saying "One
for all and all for one" should be the game plan.
Disunity creates delay and chaos. Only when there
is "One Nation once again" should Nationalists
fight in public.
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