|
Sometimes it can be too easy for folk in a modern
day society to forget about the past. Indeed in Northern Ireland
there are many agencies that would suggest that we should
be in some way embarrassed if we associate ourselves with
anything of a British nature. There are others who have been
known to say that we shouldn't dwell on the past and concentrate
on the future.
Now it's true that we should put the past is behind us and
we should all live for today and potentially for tomorrow,
but it could prove to be a damaging exercise. We all need
to know of our identity, where we come from and what makes
us the person we are today. For example, one of the growing
tourism products is genealogy as thousands around the world
go in search of their roots.
The recent debate surrounding the removal of symbols from
a public space at Banbridge District Council Offices has increased
suspicion that Britishness is being removed from right under
our noses, but thankfully the Orange Order took the lead on
this occasion and has challenged the powers that be in a variety
of ways including face to face lobbying and the peaceful protest
outside the Council Offices.
But the question has to be asked, why do local authorities
find emblems relating to britishness so offensive? For instance,
Banbridge Council decided to remove presentation plaques from
the public area before any form of consultation had taken
place with the wider public. The items in question are the
Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Choir Plaque, Ulster Defence
Regiment (UDR) Plaque, Royal British Legion (RBL) material
and an historical photograph of then Princess Elizabeth, now
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on a visit to Dromore Co.
Down before her coronation.
So what is so offensive about these objects and why is there
increased pressure to get these items removed? Before we examine
the possibilities of why they may be removed, let's take a
look at some of the insignia in question and try to uncover
the symbols of these organisations.
 The
Royal Ulster Constabulary's logo was quite a simple design,
with an Irish harp central to the design surrounded by shamrocks
and a crown placed on top. Queen Victoria, inn recognition
of the heroism and dedication to duty shown by the Royal Irish
Constabulary in successfully quelling the rebellion, granted
the force its 'Royal' prefix and conferred upon it its badge,
the harp and crown of The Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick
as worn by the R.U.C.
 The
Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) symbol again is a simple design,
which includes the Irish harp and a crown. Formed in 1970,
the 11 battalion UDR was designed to replace the Ulster Special
Constabulary (The "B-Specials"). The regiment was
reduced to nine battalions in 1984, then to seven in 1991
through amalgamations, before being amalgamated as a whole
with the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 to form the Royal Irish
Regiment. The Ulster Defence Regiment was presented with its
Colours by Her Majesty the Queen in 1991.
So what can we establish from these findings and how offensive
is it for a community to remember the bravery of all those
who served within these organisations throughout the course
of the Troubles. Are local Councils really removing items
from their public areas as a means of creating an environment
of neutrality? I don't think so. Perhaps it's more to do with
Sinn Fein applying bully boy tactics under the guise of equality.
We should never be ashamed of the emblems associated with
Britishness and it's encouraging that the Orange Institution
has led the way in the fight to preserve our British identity
here in Northern Ireland. The orange family will never be
ashamed of the symbols associated with the security forces,
as over 330 members of the Orange Order were murdered or otherwise
lost their lives due to the Ulster conflict.
Ensure that you are allowed to express your identity within
the community as it is recognised and stated in the European
Convention of the Rights of the Child the following:
Article 29
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall
be directed to:
(c) The development of respect for the child's parents,
his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for
the national values of the country in which the child is living,
the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations
different from his or her own.
Therefore, encourage your school teachers and youth leaders
to allow you to explore and express your own identity in school
or any other organisation that you may belong to.
|
