Opinion

Chris Donnelly: Unionists left perpetually angry as world changes around them

Chris Donnelly

Chris Donnelly

Chris is a political commentator with a keen eye for sport. He is principal of a Belfast primary school.

The BBC found itself in the sights of the perpetually angry last week over claims the broadcaster had not provided sufficient coverage of the Orange Order’s centenary parade. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
The BBC found itself in the sights of the perpetually angry last week over claims the broadcaster had not provided sufficient coverage of the Orange Order’s centenary parade. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press The BBC found itself in the sights of the perpetually angry last week over claims the broadcaster had not provided sufficient coverage of the Orange Order’s centenary parade. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

The cycle of contrived unionist fury often follows a familiar pattern, perhaps a nod to the place of tradition within unionism.

The incessantly polemical pro-union daily press and commentators pick an issue to highlight claiming it has provoked great fury, anger, outrage or at times even stoked concerns or fears. Unionist politicians and/or loyalist spokespersons, including those from the dark and ludicrous fringes, are contacted to provide supportive quotes to confirm the veracity of the allegations. The broadcast media picks up and amplifies the story. Sensible people roll their eyes as the farce runs its course whilst the perpetually angry become angrier, all the more certain of their world courtesy of the narrow prism through which they view it. And so it goes, with a new story found to repeat the cycle.

Tesco was in the sights of the perpetually angry and furious last week. There was apparent outrage at the absence of evidence that the multi-national firm’s Cookstown store was sufficiently loyal and royal in the lead up to the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations. Firmly file this one under ‘Things you could not make up’ outside of the world of HM OWC (‘Her Majesty’s Our Wee Country’ for the non-elect amongst us).

The three main unionist parties sent out spokespersons to clamber over one another, each proclaiming their concern and indeed outrage at the situation facing hapless shoppers in the Tyrone town.

Immediately prior to the Great Loyal Royal Tescogate episode, the BBC found itself in the sights of the perpetually angry because, it was claimed, the local broadcaster had not provided sufficient coverage of the Orange Order’s centenary parade through east Belfast Saturday week ago.

At this point, it is worth reminding ourselves that, every July, the BBC provides extensive live coverage of a parade marking a battle which led directly to the introduction of the Penal Laws and which features many paramilitary-aligned loyalist bands playing loyalist music whilst marching through Belfast’s streets.

Were the BBC to take serious their obligation to treat communities of the north equally, they would be providing a live broadcast with commentary of an annual republican parade, involving marching bands playing republican tunes, never mind facing accusations of not giving enough airtime to the loyal orders.

It would be funny, even hilarious, were it not so serious.

William Ulsterman was a character, developed by the renowned comedian Harry Enfield, featuring in a number of his television sketches more than 20 years ago. The caricature nailed the sense of anger, fury, rage and entitlement commonly typifying unionism in this part of Ireland.

We hear often about people living in echo chambers, closing themselves off from the opinions of others so as to avoid the discomforting moments which occur when inconvenient facts and the reality of diverse perceptions and interpretations are voiced.

It is possible for many of the angry, enraged and furious followers of obdurate unionism to exist between the worlds of the Belfast News Letter and Stephen Nolan Show, finding comfort in the deliberate and consistent framing of stories to reflect their worldview, mentally or even physically switching off when contrary views are aired.

For such people, elections are increasingly a disconcerting experience, revealing the reality of an ever changing world which they no longer fully understand nor control.

The state of perpetual anger, outrage and fury affecting unionism is a product of an insatiable desire for the return of an entitled superior status for the unionists of the north being frustrated by the onset of an era marked by respect and moves towards equality. A failure to make peace with the Good Friday Agreement has unionism in a permanent tailspin.

While Angry from Ards, Furious in Fairhill and Outraged in Ahoghill were being spoon-fed the latest contrived grievances to sustain the rage, the Sinn Féin leadership was busy preparing warm and gracious congratulations to the British Queen, exemplifying true leadership in a divided society and demonstrating once again why they remain streets ahead of their unionist counterparts.

Meanwhile, a hate-filled video emerges capturing the cultural 'celebrations' mocking the horrific murder of a beautiful young life, consciously targeting a loving and decent family already burdened with pain that will never go away.

A stark reminder of the truly outrageous mindsets continuing to exist amongst us.