Recent events could damage the wellbeing of the Creggan community and the legacy of 70 years of solidarity, writes CONAL McFEELY
There is widespread community disappointment and anger over the events which transpired in Creggan, over the last week or so, that resulted in an unwelcome return to the failures of the past.
The fallout from a heavily policed Easter Commemoration Parade, which resulted in young people engaging in rioting in frustration and defiance against a backdrop of heightened and over the top security policies, gave the media all the reason they ever need to descend en-masse to promote their portrayal of Creggan as a troubled and lawless community.
The arson attack at the home of the community development worker Cllr. Kevin Campbell at the weekend is unjustifiable and needlessly endangered the lives of an innocent family.
Other incidents, of threatening behaviour and intimidation, have been reported in the aftermath and only add to the negative portrayal of a community at war with itself. These activities do nothing to advance the more pressing needs of Creggan residents, who are suffering greatly under the lash of Tory austerity, nor do they advance a future that respects the dignity and rights of all those who live and are passionate about enhancing the wellbeing of the Creggan community.
Creggan has always been renowned for its history of community solidarity, self-help and resilience. It is a proud community which stood tall against the troubles, social exclusion and the many hardships it has had to endure over the last 70 years. But recent events only damage the overall wellbeing of the Creggan community and that legacy.
The unravelling of community cohesion will only create further difficulties and generate more distrust in an area which is already fractured across lines of politics and principle. It is important that all our community activists, leaders and political groupings remind themselves that the levels of community tensions stirred up by such events and negative activities only undermine the Creggan community.
Social media issue
Recent impassioned and unfiltered community debate on social media has escalated to a level which has become unhelpful and toxic. It is impossible to engage in meaningful, considered and tempered discourse within such an unregulated environment, which enables the proliferation of unverifiable information and caustic commentary.
Social Media is not the platform to engage in sensitive and serious dialogue, particularly when tensions are so high and access so unrestrictive. We need informed and pragmatic decision-making which makes use of an intermediary influence and appreciates the benefits of serious deliberation. The real-time nature and power of Social Media should not be taken lightly; its pervasiveness and proclivity to facilitate rash or ill-informed commentary make it a dangerous and inappropriate medium for community dialogue.
It is the local community that suffer most from the failure of community dialogue and engagement as they are caught in the middle and used as pawns when there is such fallout caused by recent events we have all witnessed.
Therefore, the community needs to stand together and demonstrate that they are committed to building a cohesive, inclusive, stable community and to find solutions to the issues that have led to recent events.
Only by working together can we build a shared and better future for all – a community which is at ease with itself and where everyone shares and enjoys the benefits of equality and greater social and economic justice.
Hurt
We have all witnessed recently how easy it is to create a climate of unease and recent events show us the fallout that comes about with heightened community tensions.
The Creggan community has been hurt and brutalised by the tragedies of the past and the legacy of suffering resulting from conflict. There can be no going back to the past and intolerance that cause community conflict. There is sufficient injustice and inequality in the world for us to combat together – without the need for fractured communities.
It is time for everyone to step back from the brink. Now is the time for cool heads and local leadership to prevail.
Creggan’s long-term interests can only be served through inclusive processes, which give all local people equal opportunities, equal esteem and equal treatment.
Central to any concept of community cohesion, is a belief in the fundamental importance of relationships based on respect and dignity. We need greater investment to support work around issues of social justice, human rights and community healing.
We need a framework for community leadership to advance social and economic regeneration and renewal especially in communities experiencing multiple deprivation.
The blame game will get us nowhere, we need to work on finding solutions that will contribute to rebuilding trust.
Policing
The PSNI also needs to accept it has a responsibility to police local communities in a way which doesn’t make the situation worse. The PSNI were offered the option of taking a sensitive approach to policing the recent Easter March, by community leaders, trade union representatives and local businesses. Their adopted approach, however, is out of step with community expectations regarding progressive community policing. Whilst the community respects the rights of republicans to commemorate, those who organize these activities should do so in a community focused, dignified and respectful manner.
When communities like Creggan complain that there is a ‘disconnect’ between the police and the streets - such issues need to be heard.
Many people at the coalface of community development are coming to the view that, the absence of an Assembly is only furthering this disconnect. Clearly many important issues are not getting the attention they deserve: human rights, civil rights, socio-economic rights, social justice, and policing oversight.
These are precisely the kind of issues which cause inter-community conflict, and they are precisely the kind of issues, which communities should insist government address. Isn’t it ironic that on the 20th anniversary of the GFA that addressing these core issues remain unresolved. Whether or not you agree or disagree that the GFA has lived up to its potential, I think most people would agree that the spirit and sentiment behind the agreement had merits. At its core was a hope for a better future for the whole island of Ireland.
It is time to deliver a proper future for all sections of our community. Young people need a positive future to aspire to; families need social and economic security, and older people need support to live in respect and dignity.
All this must happen under the stability and blanket of a peaceful community.
We deserve, and will accept, nothing less.
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