Davy Carlin

Having moved originally from the ‘Murph estate down to the Lower Falls in the mid seventies, we then eventually moved to the Twinbrook estate of ‘Bobby Sands {Hunger Striker}, at the start of the 80s’. Although one of the reasons for the move was for a new modern house, in large part though, it was also to get the kids ‘away from it all {away from the heart of the ‘war being played out within the Murph and Lower Falls}.

Twinbrook then was in the ‘countryside and a far cry from the lower Falls. Yet it had turned out to be a case of ‘from the frying pan into the fire. Indeed it was only a short time, as a child, before I was once again looking into yet more friends, neighbours, and children coffins, seeing more mangled bodies and those ‘lumps of meat that where once walking, talking and living. Also smelling that nauseating smell of burning and burnt flesh and much more – through to banging my bin-lid on the news of Bobby Sands death, before a short time later, looking upon his face as he lay in his coffin in his home.

Indeed it was not long after Bobby Sands death and others locally that I had went back to the Murph. On doing so I had went back upon Black Mountain one evening and sat and listened to the war and all the events below.

Then it had started to rain ever so lightly and with that I knelt up upon my knees with my arms out stretched, and looked up to the ‘heavens as the rain slowly came down and soothed my skin, and in part my mind.

And with that, and from that position, and from the very depths of my ‘soul, from the very core of my being’ I let out the most almighty and heart wrenching cry which echoed not only around the streets below, but I believed around the city of Belfast.

- Indeed as a child, I had no gun – but nevertheless, I to was fighting a war

Indeed many have their own personal memories of such times. Some such memories will go to the grave; others will be spoken, talked and written about presently. While others will be articulated when people feel that they can bring themselves about to do such.

Looking back to such times and now 25 years on, much indeed has changed, but much still has not. I also had found that on the 25th anniversary of the Hunger Strikes that I had found oneself at the forefront with others, organising support and solidarity for another hunger strike in Ireland.

A point I shall go into later on.

Indeed over recent years, and I had touched on it before, of the extreme, heightened, re- occurring and intense sense of Deja Vous – amongst other things one experiences

Indeed in saying that, I must say, that I have come to understand that there are parts of the brain – etc- that are not yet tapped unto, and as yet fully understood.

Going back to such times one of my core memories was that of the real poverty that existed. Ones family had seen five or six kids in a box room, extremely poor housing and unemployment, this due to decades of Unionist discrimination, and ‘misrule in relation to such. I remember the yellow food parcels that where given out {from the EU ‘food mountains, I believe} and of how there ‘was to be no ’shame in seeking help, {through absolute necessity].

Indeed, this when all were in the same position and therefore it was a matter of necessity to help out, as friends, family and neighbours rallied round, may it have been for clothes, food or helping out at Xmas etc.

Indeed if one links here – http://www.indymedia.ie/article/72852#attachment15631

One can see my street of old in the Lower Falls Road, in which I was reared in the mid seventies through to the start of the eighties. Indeed the picture shows and represents what it was like, in real terms, on those streets in which I was reared.

It was on that very street that I had been ‘driven to pick up my first bricks and bottles by the actions of those state forces around me. In saying that though it must be said that not all such ‘Brits had ‘tortured me as a kid, and that there was some who had tried to intervene and direct their ‘comrades, attentions away from me.

- At times I listen and read of some Unionist politicians about how this and that didn’t happen. Well it did happen, and I know this because not only did I live it but on many occasions was victim to it, seen it, or simply had borne the brunt of it through out my life. Yet despite that I have not one bigoted bone in my body and have always sought to reach out to the ‘other community despite such ‘powerful memories of real injustice, and isolation at times from some in ‘my own community for doing so.

Yet I have come to understand the nature of such politic, where a stand against all injustices is ascended by the ‘politic of community, which takes primacy.

I believe that the ‘us and them’ is so ingrained within the establishment fabric that it sometimes could go unnoticed. This from politicians where some cannot, whatever the case, be seen to say injustice is injustice because it was injustice to the ‘other side. Or the way some in the media always try to concentrate on the ‘youse and them’ even when some politicians are trying to talk about bread and butter issues, but such is simply brushed aside for the ‘sexier ‘them and youse’ questions.

Indeed I have come to understand that many such have ‘fixed points not only in a local context but those writing about our wee patch of earth from afar.

Indeed many years on from a child when I had got involved in activism I had starting reading various pamphlets etc on such times and on those theorising on it all. In doing so I had found some such writings were academic while others less so, but in relation to some; they breathed mantra and little else. Which of course was further enhanced to fit into a specific tradition or ideology. Yet ‘distance or non-involvement does not impair anyone writing about issues, especially those who are Internationalists. I have found though that life experience is more, ‘real, and less ‘abstract in many cases. More especially if it is written as ‘real - and not to fit into an unbending and specific tradition. Indeed in some cases I had found some to go as far as rather than dealing with the reality {and what actually happened} some instead attempt to create a reality, as so to fit into a specific tradition. Such I have found in quite a few such writings from the ‘left.

Yet for oneself Racism, Imperialism, Repression, Discrimination, Poverty, Brutality etc, was very very real, and in some cases still is. Yet in my early days of activism, for some, a working class lad like oneself, who had little academic Qualifications and who has and does battle against mild dyslexia, had seen my written words ridiculed and my spoken words dismissed, {by those ‘comrades’ on the left} including by those who had thought themselves academic authorities of the Conflict.

Not the case anymore though as ones words and writings are listened to, read and collected by many local and International activists and organisations. More importantly for oneself though, seeing much support and solidarity provided and forthcoming, this both visible - and otherwise.

On that point I would like to thank big Mackers and Carrie of the Blanket site and a few from Indymedia who had advised and helped me throughout the years on improving both my writing and computer skills, while my spoken word I am told is sound enough.

And so while others on the left had ridiculed me over that time - such support will not be forgotten.

Now though I continue to ‘self educate, through reading and studying many issues from many ‘traditions and none, while learning from, and being active at the forefront of various ‘living Movements over the last decade. Of course, I am to do other forms of study but this out of necessity to gain ‘progressive employment under and throughout the system.

- Going up and ‘down the Road brings back so many memories.

Indeed I can remember my first day starting in Primary 1, right through to going to La Salle in Andytown. On that point I had went along to the closing of my old secondary school {to be moved elsewhere}. It was though a throw back in time going around the classrooms I had attended in youth and talking to my aul teachers including John Allen my form teacher for five years. Seeing the pictures of oneself projected on the wall or photos of myself receiving football trophies from Gerry Armstrong and Mal Donaghy in the 80’s{not long after their superb world cup performance} brought back many memories. Indeed many such cuttings of youth from the local Newspaper {Andytown News} I have still.
.

Sometimes though on looking through such cuttings or old photographs I think of how one just has to turn a ‘ different corner, be some where when one shouldn’t have been, or happen upon a street stall’ etc, and your whole life can change for many years. May it be through meeting a new friend or partner, joining an organisation etc - your life is directed’ {DC} - and changed’ in the space of but a few moments.

Although I have many memories of the time of the conflict {and my memory goes back to the age of four and to the Murph estate of 1974} I also have many - ‘chilled and happy memories. From sitting on a deserted beach with my partner watching the sun go down in a far of lands on our Honeymoon, through to sitting at Lake Geneva with the Alps behind and pine trees surrounding us, on a little bay on which we had put up our tents. Indeed sat there, with a dozen or so other activists and ‘travellers from around the world, sharing a smoke, a few beers, food and songs of solidarity and resistance from our various ‘countries. Indeed, knowing that we probably shall never meet again, but for that night savouring every moment of eaches company and Internationalism.

Picture this - {looking back}

Then there are other times when looking at front-page cuttings of oneself in the Irish News. With one such occasion having pictured oneself ‘storming and pushing past Guards at a Multinational in Belfast’s Royal Avenue as we ‘occupied and ‘plastered various such stores, in what was the largest {and first} of such Anti Capitalist demos in Belfast with several hundred Anti Capitalists on the march.

{AHHHHHHH those early days}

Below is a few more links to pictures of Movements and campaigns that I have come across on the net, in which I am pictured with activists.

Belfast Anti War 03 – and Civil Rights Movement 04–

http://homepage.mac.com/grow/PhotoAlbum23.html

West Belfast Anti Racism Network 03 -04 –

Falls Road -

1} http://www.mcrc-ni.org/ARN/pictures/WARN%2009.jpg

2} http://www.mcrc-ni.org/ARN/pictures/WARN%2008.jpg

3} http://www.mcrc-ni.org/ARN/pictures/WARN%2014.jpg

MPH Movement 05 –

http://www.makepovertyhistory-ni.org/event_motiv8_roundup_3.html

{and yes, attached again, as indeed that is me standing next to Gary Lightbody of SnowPatrol – as I have been asked, again and again}

More updated links of reports and pictures attached below of more ‘recent activism.

ACTIVISM = SPEAKING, WRITING, AGITATING AND ATTENDING

SPEAKING

Over the last few months we in Organise! have been busy both in initiating and lending support to various initiatives.

Firstly though, I had pencilled into my diary to do a number of meetings I had felt were important to do, such as below, the speakers where –

MIGRANT WORKERS’
DR NEIL JARMAN, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF CONFLICT RESEARCH

EMPOWERED FOR INCLUSION’
MS BERNADETTE McALISKEY, SOUTH TYRONE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

COUNTERING RACISM’
MR DAVID CARLIN

PLURALISM & EDUCATION’
PROF TONY GALLAGHER , QUEENS UNIVERSITY

Link to the reasoning as to my attendance found here –

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75567?&condense_comments=false#comment146503

WRITING

I also found time to get involved in some important online debates with ‘associated individuals

Firstly on the issues of Dissident Republicanism – link here –

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75378

and that of

Sectarianism, Collusion and the Media, – link here -

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76275&comment_limit=0&condense_comments=false#comment151217

and here -

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76019?&condense_comments=false#comment149170

Through to debating and discussing such issues as

Socialist Factions Battle for heart of new Germany party – link –
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75892

AGITATION

This year had seen one of the most ‘Diverse Trade Union Marches in years, where the Movement took to the streets

The march itself as was widely acknowledged had seen very little advertisement and was working itself up to be a march simply to do, as in Dublin May Day. But some activists decided to attempt to turn it around as so to be a celebration of the Movement. more especially given the actions of unity and ‘historic victories in recent times.

And so in doing so we had seen a great day with the Movement on the streets of Belfast

Link to build up - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75760

Loads of photos of the Movement in Belfast that day {includes first pictures of oneself carrying the Organise! Banner with Sean}

Link - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75888

Indeed someone over from London has stated to me that

‘You could actually breathe in the Movement here’ –

This on the back of the Postal workers, and Joanne Delaney mobilisations and victories in Belfast!

And now seeing the Movement in its diversity on the streets of Belfast.

- Then a short time later we had seen tens of Afghans going on hunger strike in Dublin, and with that Organise! had initiated solidarity actions in Belfast.
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- {This on the 25th anniversary of the ’Irish Hunger Strikes}
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- While there was a momentum created I had also found that it had also re -vitalised and re- generated others into once again street protest, pickets etc, And so it was good to see the ARN once again calling a picket through the momentum that we had created, and I hope it will see such visible and further action on the issue of ‘Asylum and detention etc - here in the North, to which I will distribute ‘personal support for such calls.
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Indeed the ARN - RAG had organised such similar at one time before, this where I and another activist had organised to mobilise up at Belfast International airport. And although being the only SWP member to attend {as well as organising it -as the SWP had other campaign ‘priorities that day} – it seen thirty activists travel all the way up to protest on a Saturday afternoon.

- Reports of Belfast actions linked below {also many ‘various links, if one trawls, which can be found on Indymedia in relation to the Dublin actions and others in other ‘Southern Cites. Such were initiated and participated in by various organisations in the course of providing such essential solidarity}.

Belfast Solidarity {with photos} – Link - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76063

ATTENDING

I had attended a number of events in West Belfast.

Firstly the rededication of the James Connolly plaque on the Falls road where Connolly had lived. This was done by Gerry Ruddy of the IRSP and Fra McCann of Sinn Fein. Then across the road Marie and I had attended the unveiling of a mural to James Connolly where the oration was given by Gerry Adams. And then I had also attended another well attended event, a ‘Talk Back’ event on the hunger strikes with various people on the platform who had direct experiences of those times.

- Indeed as I look back 25 years I remembered those whom I had known who are no longer here – and there are many of them. Many murdered while others having committed suicide, then there are more who had been jailed for a long time, and it had ‘changed them, with others again who had become ‘destitute, because of the conflict.

- Yet I am fortunate enough to firstly have survived and secondly to have travelled a lot, and on such travels it has enhanced ones realisations of how many ‘here are but relics of the past. Such speak and act as if we are still in the seventies – or indeed the fifties, and hold an entrenched sectarian mindset. Indeed their words as like on the issue of racism, give succour to those who wish to ‘attack on the issue of sectarianism – there is no ifs or buts about that.

Whatever the case about such mindsets, change, will continue to roll on, as there is no other alternative to that. The only difference though is, do they embrace it or do they need to be dragged with it. Either way, I believe, that there is only a forward mode from now on in {in that regard}, as already I see my ‘own generation miles ahead of such a mindset, as we see a society in change.

Indeed ‘with or without such – such forward mode and ‘beneficial change will continue, so there is little worry ‘specific in that regard.

For oneself though I seek fundamental change, the real change that can bring ‘real equality and justice – and it is in that where I direct my attentions, while lending full support for that forward mode that wins each bit more for those that need it most.

- You know, I believe I am fortunate, despite all one had endured and witnessed as a child.
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Yet, fortunate, in the sense that I can at least in myself find it to move on, and have a life, while seeking to bring benefit to others.

The small things in life to me, while of little consequence maybe to others, I though enjoy. May it be on a winter’s night with the wind and rain howling outside and my partner and I cuddled up on the sofa with a pizza and a good flick on. Or in the autumn walking through the park with our wee dog admiring the bountiful colour and array of leaves on the autumn floor.

In the spring it would be cycling around looking and finding out about our local history or in the summer sitting upon our mountain or down at the meadows chilling and talking about life as the sun beats down as we admire the wildlife around us.

This while, and as always, Black Mountain watching and looking over us.

Such things ascend greatly for me as I move on in years. I also believe that if one can, one should seek to do as much as they had wanted to do, and not be held back simply because others may wish to hold you back.

One only gets one shout at this life and one should not look back with regrets.

Yet there is a world out there that affords little opportunity to many and whose main concern is of where to get the next bucket of water from and where to get the next loaf of bread from. Indeed our problems are miniscule in relation to the plight of the majority, and it is in that context that on many occasions I look on how oneself and others live.

In that regard, I believe one should attempt to do what one has always wanted to do and wished to do, and not to be held back from such - if one can do that. Yet at the same time seeing and organising against a world, both local and International, who puts the interests of a minority over the needs of the majority – a world that needs fundamental change.

-Well that is me, for now, I will be back every six months or so as I will be knuckling down to work, study, activism, and time with friends and family. I will continue to write and will be writing more ‘specific articles on other sites etc –

I hope you have enjoyed and I will return in November or so.

Links to where I will be writing

Organise! - http://flag.blackened.net/infohub/organise/news.php

Street Seen - http://streetseennews.blogspot.com/2005/08/davy-carlin-fill-up-my-senses.html

Indymedia - http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire?author_name=Davy%20Carlin

The Blanket - http://www.phoblacht.net/dc23124g.html