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East Belfast GAC

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Replying To zinny:  "Do people in NI do not go around with images of H&W on flags proclaiming they are Superior to others, whether Catholics or other religions and just because of their religion they should be treated as subhumans?
Do you really think the BLM movement is only a social media spin and something that is cool? is that your intelligent response to BLM?"
There are plenty of genuine activists in Black Lives Matter who work hard for change and to change mindsets. Rhiannon Giddens, is one of them, has been campaigning for years for equality for women and black people. Check out these lyrics, powerful stuff about a slave girl in 1830.

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But I also think there are those that jump on the bandwagon from afar, many of them since George Floyd was murdered. And media outlets on the same bandwagon jumping on it to sell newspapers and advertising. Putting a few Black Lives Matter pictures and videos on your Facebook does no good when you're being racist to the local Traveller or the Polish girl working in LIDL.

But I fail to see what good comes from banning flags and emblems. Wiping out history serves no good for me. There's an Auschwitz museum a Hitler bunker museum and many others there to let people learn the lesson that this should not be allowed to happen again. I don't think removing reminders of atrocities like the Confederate flag helps anyone to learn from mistakes made, nor a Harland and Wolf symbol. People need to discuss the past and learn from it rather than ignore it.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8319 - 20/07/2020 14:20:46    2284633

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "There are plenty of genuine activists in Black Lives Matter who work hard for change and to change mindsets. Rhiannon Giddens, is one of them, has been campaigning for years for equality for women and black people. Check out these lyrics, powerful stuff about a slave girl in 1830.

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But I also think there are those that jump on the bandwagon from afar, many of them since George Floyd was murdered. And media outlets on the same bandwagon jumping on it to sell newspapers and advertising. Putting a few Black Lives Matter pictures and videos on your Facebook does no good when you're being racist to the local Traveller or the Polish girl working in LIDL.

But I fail to see what good comes from banning flags and emblems. Wiping out history serves no good for me. There's an Auschwitz museum a Hitler bunker museum and many others there to let people learn the lesson that this should not be allowed to happen again. I don't think removing reminders of atrocities like the Confederate flag helps anyone to learn from mistakes made, nor a Harland and Wolf symbol. People need to discuss the past and learn from it rather than ignore it."
Ok so I think we were at cross purposes and agree with each other up to the point of the symbols. I would like to see anything that was used as a symbol of oppression or that represented evil end up in museums where they can be used to educate people in the future. However we are talking about symbols that people are using to keep the movement alive, some would say the marches for the 12th are exactly the same as the CF. Like the tricolour and the anthem its something that has to be discussed in the future.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2110 - 20/07/2020 14:50:53    2284637

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Replying To Marlon_JD:  "Well, I don't, do you? You sneered at plight of people in the six counties in your response to GreenandRed, and then you used the plight of people in the six counties to try to make, well, lets call it a "point" for the sake of civil discourse, in your response to me. So thats a little unclear."
I didn't sneer at the plight of people from the 6 counties. I just sneer at the idea going around that supporting BLM means forgetting about or ignoring problems in white areas.

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 20/07/2020 17:09:08    2284656

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Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "The was a thread on this a couple of months ago when the plan to set up the club was first announced.

You will find more things to criticise so if the Harland and Wolff logo doesn't sit right with you. They also wont be playing Amhrann na bhFiann at games and intend to campaign for it to be dropped by the GAA nationwide in the long term.

Personally, I wish them every good luck. If it leads to a widening of appeal of the GAA and to people from the other tradition embracing our national games and identifying with them I am all for it and I would have no issue with any changes that come about to the non essentials such as possibly eventually dropping the anthem."
Have you link to this campaign?

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 20/07/2020 21:18:43    2284684

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Replying To catch22:  "The confederate flag has nothing got to do with the GAA or Irish sport. The H & W shipyard is part of the history of this part of Ireland and represents a significant part of its past and the people who might decide to become part of this club.
If the GAA wants to accommodate all those who are part of this country in its association and who wish to participate in our games then let's move in the right direction."
The Confederate flag has been associated with Cork since the formation of the GAA.

The Untold Story Of Cork And The Confederate Flag
https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2020/06/12/the-untold-story-of-cork-and-the-confederate-flag/

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2866 - 21/07/2020 19:02:00    2284782

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I think I read somewhere that Malone Rugby club offered their pitches to them which was a nice touch.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2102 - 22/07/2020 13:38:11    2284860

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "I think I read somewhere that Malone Rugby club offered their pitches to them which was a nice touch."
Fair play to Malone Rugby. Not too far into the east of the city but next door to the Cregagh estate. I wholeheartedly wish them the best of luck. It would be nice to see some barriers removed in the 6 counties and this would be a significant one.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2591 - 22/07/2020 14:20:00    2284867

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Good article in the Sunday Times sport pages. Club President Linda Ervine has certainly has an interesting background. She sounds like the right person for the job. I wish her and East Belfast GAA club all the best.

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1072 - 30/07/2020 14:43:07    2285847

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Hopefully they can find who did this.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8319 - 06/08/2020 13:15:03    2286604

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "link

Hopefully they can find who did this."
Disgusting...many GAA clubs in the north have had to put up with crap like this down the years.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11809 - 06/08/2020 13:51:26    2286611

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "link

Hopefully they can find who did this."
I cant say I'm too surprised. A bunch of coked up drug dealers who call themselves 'paramilitaries' or even 'community leaders' while at the same time plaguing their community with drugs and extortion racquets etc. Progress will always be haulted by their likes. The sooner that time can move on and leave anyone of that mindset in the past where it belongs, the better it will be for ALL right minded people.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2591 - 06/08/2020 14:59:27    2286615

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sad news and sad people. Only thing article didnt mention if there was a package or if the call was verified.

Canuckgael (USA) - Posts: 31 - 06/08/2020 15:51:14    2286622

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "link

Hopefully they can find who did this."
Sad to see, and so soon

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 06/08/2020 15:56:35    2286626

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Desperately sad situation, particularly in light of the death of John Hume. Dinosaurs still walk among us, and they are not going anywhere. Unfortunately to these people, the GAA in any capacity represents the enemy and the hidden vices of the enemy. We shouldn't be surprised but in a way given just how much the republic has progressed in the recent era has created a culture gap between the republic and the north where this kind of thing genuinely is very depressing and mind boggling to self-professed free staters like myself who have barely ever been in N.I. A stark reminder that time is only relevant, and this emotion has largely sat dormant for the last 25 years in the state. Here's hoping for a positive outcome for all who desire it, and best wishes to all in East Belfast for putting in the work they have.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 612 - 06/08/2020 17:45:09    2286645

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It doesn't matter if the devices were real or are hoaxes, the damage has been done. Many parents will be loathe to put their kids in a position of danger now and I will be surprised if the club survives at all. Loyalists have got the reaction they wanted. This is what it's like to be a Gael in the North.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9838 - 06/08/2020 17:48:43    2286646

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Replying To yew_tree:  "
Replying To GreenandRed:  "<a href="https://www.thesun.ie/sport/gaa-football/5749966/east-belfast-gaa-training-explosives-planted-psni/?utm_source=pushly">link</a> Hopefully they can find who did this."</div>Disgusting...many GAA clubs in the north have had to put up with crap like this down the years."
Well to a degree yes.

This particular club is at more risk.

Its inane stuff. The unionist people that did this or support it need to own their Irish identity. Embrace the sport and the language rather than becoming entrenched in their binary view that they can't be unionist and Irish. Carson played hurling after all.

Gator (Monaghan) - Posts: 238 - 06/08/2020 18:02:38    2286653

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These morons do nothing and offer nothing to society. They are a plague of leeches that unfortunately seem to flourish in certain parts of our society. They have always existed and are usually a product of their background and peers. Hopefully they will get what they deserve.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 06/08/2020 18:49:20    2286659

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These morons do nothing and offer nothing to society. They are a plague of leeches that unfortunately seem to flourish in certain parts of our society. They have always existed and are usually a product of their background and peers. Hopefully they will get what they deserve.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 06/08/2020 18:49:20    2286660

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Replying To Suas Sios:  "
Replying To GreenandRed:  "<a href="https://www.thesun.ie/sport/gaa-football/5749966/east-belfast-gaa-training-explosives-planted-psni/?utm_source=pushly">link</a> Hopefully they can find who did this."</div>Sad to see, and so soon"
Absolutely shameful stuff. There's no cure for ignorance unfortunately.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2557 - 06/08/2020 18:51:49    2286661

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Replying To catch22:  "These morons do nothing and offer nothing to society. They are a plague of leeches that unfortunately seem to flourish in certain parts of our society. They have always existed and are usually a product of their background and peers. Hopefully they will get what they deserve."
There's a plague of leeches on both sides that have nothing to do with unionism or nationalism except that's were they are rooted, the are just scumbag criminal drug dealers, smugglers and pimps, it's high time the unionist and nationalist communities got rid of these leeches from their midst. easier said than done I know. I hope the new GAA club survives and thrives in east Belfast.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3534 - 06/08/2020 23:41:43    2286687

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