We may have peace, but have mindsets really changed? |
Northern Ireland has moved on in so many positive ways.
My children know nothing of the murderous past, the war of ideologies that gave rise to unconscionable violence. Families forever marred with the unforgivable loss of a loved one. The unspeakable depravity of a bomb blast tearing through towns and cities, leaving chaos and tragedy in its wake.
But while the physical acts of violence may be now few and far between, I’m not entirely sure the mindset behind the horror has gone for good.
Where we once saw a war on our streets, we now very clearly have a war of words emanating from social media, with equal amounts of vitriolic hatred and intolerance of political and religious expression.
It is our new norm. Always bubbling away under the surface, capable of exploding at a moment’s notice. A barrage of bigoted abuse, sectarian attacks and personal vendettas. All without consequence, all without fear, and all wallowing in the mob mentality which makes them feel superior and untouchable. Welcome to politics in Northern Ireland.
My unionist identity was never born out of hatred of my Catholic neighbours, intolerance of........