Davy Carlin – Belfast Calling

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Thursday January 17, 2008 13:20 by Davy Carlin

A ‘Vision of our future

Now - ‘Arise from your slumber.

One year ago to this very day I had put up an article on my online Diary entitled, ‘Step by Step to Journeys end – A new beginning’ Link –

http://davycarlin.allotherplaces.org/?m=200701

Indeed there has been much of that word that I have long used, that of ‘Change’ - Yes, that change, the Peace Progress, and with that the Progressive Movement for change.

Now this new online series that I put up on Indymedia will last 33 months, that is, until my 40th birthday. And those that have followed those footsteps – like those made in the sand – can continue to follow that Journey, step by step – that new journey that is to be embarked on -on this site.

It will cover activism, thoughts on local and International issues, and other such. And while I was going to take a step back, there are though essential issues that do need to be addressed – as we move forward, seeking unity in the process.

Below I give links to important events and a number of quotes from my previous writings as so to give an understanding of that change that we have come through and of those Movements visible and otherwise that had played {and will play} an essential role in all that has been moved to happen.

Firstly though a few points on the Peace Progress

I read in recent times of those who think that now we have the Assembly that that is it, or now it is all so boring. Indeed I can understand the ‘buzz of War, I can understand the ‘buzz of such ‘on the edge’ activism, and at times situations of life and death, of the camaraderie, of the mass mobilisations etc.

Yet we do have issues of life of death, the health service for a start, we have issues that will effect the generations growing up, from education through to housing. Indeed it is not the cut and thrust of ‘War but it is as real, and deals with real issues that effect real people – and therefore the Journey of Change continues.

For me I deal with the reality, and at this moment, I believe, it is about {as what I have stated before}, that of seeking to ‘revolutionise, to change things from the status quo for the better for all our citizens. Indeed it is better to win and seek such change rather than remaining static or even slipping back to the days of the murder, mayhem and brutality that effected so many, in many ways.

Self interest should not be put above the interest of our citizens and important issues such as I have stated above, and other issues like Devolution of ‘Policing and Justice’, the Irish Language Act, the 11 plus, dealing with the past, and many other issues, are indeed important for many, {and that is the reality} and I will give my thoughts on all such on this thread.

On each I will state how I believe such can be dealt with – in real terms given our situation – while still holding my own beliefs.

Again steps forward, rather that remaining static.

Indeed whatever those on the left say, it was a step forward from War, to where we are now. Indeed I know many who have far more opportunities and are able to live out their dreams who never thought it would be possible. In saying that there are still many who live in poverty, many who are moved to take their own lives, and these issues and more need to be addressed, and it is we as citizens who can seek such change from below – as we have done in the past.

I will not be engaging on this thread but seeking to use it in similar terms as I did with a previous thread – http://www.indymedia.ie/article/69964

1} Links to Movements of Change
2} Movements and History
3} Links to quotes of Change -{WAR and PEACE}.

1} Links to Movements of Change

Growing up in West Belfast - http://www.phoblacht.net/DC19070618g.html
An Historic Beginning and Ending - http://davycarlin.allotherplaces.org/?m=200706
A Progressive Movement for Change - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/85291

2} Movements and History

Anti War - http://www.phoblacht.net/DC23090610g.html
Anti Racism - http://www.phoblacht.net/dc15112g.html
Anti Poverty – http://davycarlin.allotherplaces.org/?m=200508
Trade Union Militancy - http://www.phoblacht.net/nipsastrategydc.html
Falls and Shankill March as one - http://www.phoblacht.net/f&s.html

3} Links to quotes of Change.

AT WAR -

1} -I also remember another occasion when it was a lorry full of roller boots and eventually ‘the kids’ armed with the speed of those roller boots and the knowledge of the alley ways, then took to making home made ‘catties’ (catapults) made out of a wire coat hanger, elastic bands and a piece of leather. With that then for a few days one felt confident enough to skate forward with the very small army of seven to twelve year old ‘roller booters’, and armed with the wee catties, to then take on the might of British Imperialism and every thing she could throw at the kids in the form of her tanks, trucks, personnel carriers etc. It was not the classic guerrilla hit and run tactic but I think some may have been responsible for inventing the first ever hit and roller tactic’.

2} -With a scarf around my head and little black hands sticking out of the sleeves of my jumper, I did not realise that I was not fully covered, but it didn't matter. We rocked and rocked on the large van as it swayed to and fro seeking to turn it over before setting it alight. One of the older boys told me to get back but I wanted to be part of turning it over, I wanted the barricades and road blocks up before those 'Black Bastards' came.

I rocked the van with many other of the older boys with my tiny child hands before one of the boys removed me to the side. I stood there wide eyed, covered in dirt and smelling of burning tyres and more, as I looked up and down the Road waiting for those hateful Brits.

As I did my anger built and my adrenaline grew as I held bottle and brick in hand watching all unfold before me.

I could feel the sheer anger burning in the back of my throat, as I waited once again for them to come.
I was but a child, but had lived already to date, the life of a wronged man’.

3} -Now he looked into the eyes of a primary school child, a child no longer remembered, a child with a bottle and liquid inside – a bomb in hand.

Indeed looking at that ‘unknown child, such was his eyes, though he carried no gun, I believe had he been given a gun he would very well have used it – Yes I believe that child had taken enough, indeed everything that could have been, had been thrown against him’.

4} -Now once again in my life I was now seeing eyes of defiance and also now of hate emerging as I looked into that mirror. From fear, to tears, to a smile, and of now slightly laughing to oneself at my image in that mirror, I then walked back out the door of my home and made my way down my street onto the Falls road to join the gathering crowd, but now this time,

- for the first time,

stopping to pick up bricks and any unbroken bottles I could find on my way.

- I was but seven years old, yet I had taken enough' - .

5} - 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.

As a child, I had no gun - but nevertheless, I too was fighting a war’.

AT PEACE ---

1} - and then there where the young soldiers again from working class areas, many joining up as such areas afforded little other chance of getting out’

2} - And so as the leaders of parties and countries assembled at Stormont with the world’s media there, our plane took of from the isle of Ireland. And with that I first looked out the window as we rose into the ‘Sky, and then looked to Marie and smiled a peaceful and chilled smile. Then I noticed her pentacle that I had bought her, worn by many who hold a belief in Wicca. Indeed it was a star shape that many believe offers protection, and hope. A star of hope -that Marie carries on her person, and I have long carried also -in my heart and mind’.

3}- For me May the 17th was to be a day to chill and much would have been put to ease, and in thought I had visioned a place where this would be moved to be. And so on May the 16th in a far of land, in a place known locally as Witches Hill, what had been in mind we had happened upon with ease. It was a place where neither Marie nor I had ever known or had been, but it was as I had in mind. Now as we sat only Marie and I beside a lake, with fish jumping up out of the water and trees on hills enclosing us, the sun had shone right across the lake and onto us – with that we listened to the quietness of nature – and held hands.

Then we sat there and chilled until nightfall and watched as only two stars appeared in the sky.
Indeed as we had sat there that day, holding hands, it was to be the case that on that very day and for the very first time publicly back in Belfast, that key figures of the IRA Army Council and the UDA Inner Council had met - and shook hands’

4} — And so, that once child of the Ghettos, now the man, arose to his feet, under the roof of the once Bastion of unionist mis-rule – and at this Journeys end -

And with that - he looked once more around the council chambers, briefly, at the sheer make up of grassroots citizens etc, from many sections of our society, and with that,

- he breathed in – then spoke -

- CITIZENS,
- THE TIMES,
- THE TIMES,
- THEY ARE A CHANGING…………………….

5} - And now as I dandered back home 25 years on from that time, I had took my hood down and looked up towards Black Mountain and the Heavens, and felt that rain ever so lightly once again on my face - but this time I had smiled - as I knew that my War was over’.