Some buck eejit on Twitter gathered up a collection of tweets the other day from academics and journalists asking a question about whether or not unionist politicians could or should be expected to reciprocate the generosity of the gesture made by First Minister-elect Michelle O’Neill in attending the coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey last weekend.
This Unionist Truth Forum account claimed that Twitter had been “bombarded” with simultaneous calls for such reciprocation. It suggested that a number of intelligent people asking a question or proposing a course of action was a Connolly House conspiracy and that Sinn Féin has a ring-round list telling intelligent, independent people what to say and what to think. They then tried to orchestrate a pile-on by tagging a load of like-minded mostly anonymous accounts with flags as their profile photo.
It does make you think, however, about what is the nature of respect and reciprocity. What is it reasonable to expect in terms of being mindful of our different cultures, heritages and traditions on this island?
Some of the examples over the past week that have been cited to demonstrate unionist reciprocity have included Peter Robinson’s attendance at a GAA McKenna Cup final, Arlene Foster’s attendance at the funeral of Martin McGuinness and at the celebration of Eid alongside the Belfast Muslim community.
All of those things were great and were welcome but Arlene Foster and Peter Robinson are no longer the leaders of the DUP – Jeffrey Donaldson is. Maybe this coming Sunday provides the perfect opportunity for him to don the orange jersey and support his Armagh neighbours in the Ulster final in Clones?
We do expect a degree of respect, tolerance and engagement from political representatives. Because they are elected to represent a geographical constituency, they have a duty to reflect the make-up of that constituency and the culture and heritage of that electorate. It is important that they attend events in their communities and at least provide the opportunity to meet people face to face and to hear about local issues.
But what about the ordinary 5/8ths? Should the Orange Order send a delegation to a commemoration of the Easter Rising? Should a Catholic youth club go on a field trip to the Twelfth of July parades? Is that what we are really saying when we talk about respect and reciprocity?
No, of course it’s not. We wouldn’t dream of taking young people to the commemoration of a battle whose purpose was to wipe out their co-religionists on this island any more than we would ask a group of Ulster British men to commemorate an event whose purpose was to remove the British presence in Ireland.
Let’s go back to the coronation for a moment. Across Britain the flags and the bunting are being taken down and folded and put away until the next big event – probably the 75th birthday of the monarch next year. In the north, it may signal a two-month extension on the timeframe for the flying of flags and emblems we normally associate with the marching season, though that remains to be seen. But I hope it isn’t the case, if for no other reason than I get embarrassed at the state some of these flags and bunting are allowed to get into by those who supposedly respect them.
Part of respecting other people’s cultures is just allowing them to get on with it, so I was surprised at 'Not my king' signs in west Belfast and an anti-monarchy protest on Lifford Bridge last Saturday. If you’re an Irish republican, then it’s stating the obvious to say Charles is not your king. It is for the British people to decide whether they want to have a monarch or not, and there were a significant enough number of them to be seen in London last weekend.
When republicans and nationalists raise concerns about unionist leaders’ lack of reciprocity, it is not an exercise in othering, it is a legitimate expression of concern. No-one knew, for example, until the morning of Martin McGuinness’s funeral whether Arlene Foster would be in the Long Tower Church when it should not have been even in question. Michelle O’Neill literally stretched herself that day to shake Foster’s hand and assure her that she was welcome.
No-one expects Jeffrey Donaldson to sing Amhrán na bhFiann in Clones on Sunday, but it would be nice if he was there. But big gestures are nowhere near as important as everyday courtesy.
No unionist politicians attended the funerals of Seamus Heaney or Bishop Edward Daly – two people from the Catholic, nationalist tradition held in high regard across this island. We see huge resistance and backlash to anything to do with the Irish language and outright hostility to the suggestion that Irish citizens in the north should have a right to vote in presidential elections.
There is too much talk of big gestures and not enough about everyday courtesy. A simple acknowledgement by unionists that it was good to see people from across these islands represented in Westminster Abbey last weekend would have been mannerly. An everyday acknowledgement of equality and respect for different identities would mean so much more than going to Clones.
Whilst reciprocity for politicians is different than for the ordinary 5/8ths, basic manners are universal.
