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Irish eyes ain't smiling.
Jul. 13th, 2004 05:19 pmOn the international scene, it's marching season in Ireland again! Yes, that jolly time of year when parading Protestants and outraged Catholics try to kill each other over... well, it depends on who you talk to, but basically it's over being Protestant or Catholic. Supposedly, of course, the Protestants are marching to celebrate the 1690 victory of William of Orange (among other things). In effect, though, what the marches really celebrate is the 18th century founding of the Orange Order, a not-so-secret "secret" society formed to enforce and support Protestant power in the region. Nowadays, Protestants see marching season as a exercise of their freedom as Protestant citizens. The Catholics see it as a ritual demonstration of Protestant power (or, to quote "The Simpsons,": "Freemasons run the country!") Basically, both groups see the marches as important demonstrations of who really has the power in the country, which is why we have fits and giggles happening over in Belfast. (For the latest fun, see http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040713.wirel0713/BNStory/International/ ).
Coming from a Irish Catholic background, my kneejerk reaction is to support that end of the equation: after all, the last thing you want after centuries of oppression is your oppressors celebrating the fact they're still on top. (And throwing molotov cocktails into your houses to get their way, of course.) But I can also see the point of view of Protestants who are practicing what they consider to be an age-old tradition celebrating *their* freedom from Catholic oppression. Throw in the fact that various non-secetarian marches have been added over the years (the honoring of WWII soldiers, for example), and you've got a real can of worms. (And plenty of molotov cocktails whizzing around.)
Complicated though America's racial and ethnic politics are, at least we don't have to deal with the controversial question of whether or not to get rid of "Yay White Guys!" week and reroute the centuries-old "WASPs Rule" parades. :(
Coming from a Irish Catholic background, my kneejerk reaction is to support that end of the equation: after all, the last thing you want after centuries of oppression is your oppressors celebrating the fact they're still on top. (And throwing molotov cocktails into your houses to get their way, of course.) But I can also see the point of view of Protestants who are practicing what they consider to be an age-old tradition celebrating *their* freedom from Catholic oppression. Throw in the fact that various non-secetarian marches have been added over the years (the honoring of WWII soldiers, for example), and you've got a real can of worms. (And plenty of molotov cocktails whizzing around.)
Complicated though America's racial and ethnic politics are, at least we don't have to deal with the controversial question of whether or not to get rid of "Yay White Guys!" week and reroute the centuries-old "WASPs Rule" parades. :(
