In his defence of Newton Emerson, Gerard Herdman (July 1) makes claims Newton does not. I am surprised if Newton joins Gerard in support of the 25 male members of the Alabama legislature who voted recently to deny women control over their own bodies.
The state of Alabama is no longer empowered to discriminate against African Americans, though a racist majority might still be contrived for that purpose. Similarly, unionists in the Northern Ireland territory are no longer permitted to actively discriminate against its growing nationalist minority (growing because fewer nationalists are leaving to escape persecution).
I do not understand some of Mr Herdman’s obscure observations (SF deal made the six counties a wheel?) but I get his drift. He does not want women to be able to control their own bodies and he is reluctant to admit to being on the same side as the DUP on the subject. He agrees with them that the six county equivalent of ‘state’s rights’, no interference by outsiders, should come before women’s rights.
But there is no evidence that the Protestant evangelical DUP (plus its Catholic fellow travellers) are in a majority on this question – though that should no more prevent women from exercising their rights than it should African Americans in Alabama, or nationalists exercising theirs in the North of Ireland.
Westminster had to intervene in 1968-69 to force the local sectarian majority to give way on some of the more brutal effects of sectarian discrimination. If that happens on abortion, I am fine with that. Alternatively, even better, a Dublin-London conference could arrange it.
My disagreement with Newton Emerson was over his failure to understand that, despite its enforced political evolution, Northern Ireland is still a sectarian state. That is revealed in The Irish News front page statistic (July 1), showing that Catholic youths make up 76 per cent of young people in custody. In the US the majority in custody and suffering the death penalty are African American.
Such evidence will deter young nationalists from joining the police.
The 50-50 recruitment ratio should be re-imposed and remaining apologists for the RUC should be cleared out. It is obvious that further policing reforms are required and that, within the judiciary, sentencing disparities and those that impose them should
be interrogated.
A number of reasons were offered for the lamentable statistic, apart from one at least as reasonable as any other, structural sectarianism. That leads me to another reform that should be imposed on the northern territory, a bill of rights. In my opinion, a united Ireland is a rational solution to the problem of the northern state. While it exists, it requires constant intervention so that sectarian sickness does not overwhelm the body politic.
TOM COOPER
Dublin 6
Band should be commended for responsible attitude
I am writing regarding a recent article by Ewan Murray, who is the Guardian’s Golf and Scottish football correspondent, in which he referenced the upcoming Open Golf tournament at Royal Portrush.
Rather than focus on the golf and the massive amount of work that has taken place to ensure the Open returns to Portrush for the first time since 1951, he chose to obsess about the Portrush Sons of Ulster Flute Band in particular, band parades in general, the Orange Order and bonfires.
His tone can only be described as sneering and snide and he almost seemed disappointed that parades can take place in an uncontested atmosphere.
The facts are that we have an estimated 660 marching bands across Northern Ireland, which are a major feature of cultural life here.
They provide a great deal of enjoyment for many people and a 2013 study estimated they generated almost £55m in economic and social benefits for Northern Ireland each year.
The local Portrush band realised that The Open would coincide with their annual parade – which last year attracted 48 bands – and agreed to scale back the occasion and have a concert in the town centre instead. They should be commended for their responsible attitude, which is indicative of the entire community on the north coast who realise what a great opportunity this is to showcase the area to a global TV audience.
Clearly this does not fit with the agenda of Ewan Murray, and for his readers’ sake, I really hope he has a better understanding of golf and Scottish football and I suggest he sticks to that.
ROBIN SWANN MLA
Leader, UUP
Film evokes memories of a very dark time
Recently Washington, DC had the honour and privilege of viewing The Ballymurphy Precedent – the film by director Callum Macrae about the Ballymurphy Massacre – hosted by the Pulitzer Center and strongly promoted by the Irish National Caucus.
In a follow-up Press Release, the Pulitzer Center captured my own “review” quite well: “The film resonated with the audience. Fr Sean McManus was resident in Co Fermanagh when the massacre happened. He thanked Mr Macrae sincerely for his efforts publicising what he called ‘a declaration of war on the non-unionist, non-loyalist, Catholic community’ of Northern Ireland.”
The film evoked many memories of that very dark time. In a commendable display of ecumenism (and just plain decency), the Church of Ireland bishop of Connor, the late Reverend Arthur Hamilton Butler (1912-1991), attended Fr Mullan’s funeral Mass. For that act of Christian charity and humanity, the good Bishop was condemned by his own Select Vestry for conduct “incompatible with the teaching of the Church [of Ireland].”
God rest Bishop Butler, and God forgive that Select Vestry.
FR SEAN McMANUS
President, Irish National Caucus, Washington DC
Embracing diversity
At a time when more people than ever before in Northern Ireland are embracing diversity and acting upon the need for LGBTQ+ recognition and inclusion, it sadly comes as no surprise there are still those who will baulk or even react with outright opposition.
The reaction in the recent case of Sainsbury’s displaying a banner outside its Ballymena store declaring its support for the LGBTQ+ community was quite staggering, given it was just a major business and local employer declaring its support for diversity one month out of the year.
It is widely accepted Northern Ireland lags considerably behind in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. This deficit, set in the context of progress made by our near neighbours on these islands, mean LGBTQ+ people continue to look south or east and see better.
Gestures, such as that demonstrated by Sainsbury’s, go some way to reassure those affected their situation is being taken seriously.
Most people see Pride season for what it is – a vibrant festival, celebrating diversity and the rich strands which come together to form the fabric of society.
Those who oppose it clearly don’t realise or don’t want to realise that none of us are equal until all of us are equal.
JOHN BLAIR MLA
Alliance, South Antrim
