No offence intended
A Chairde,
We are writing as the people responsible for the Sheela-na-Gig/Easter
lily poster that was erected on Derry City's walls for Easter. We are
keen to take responsibility for and explain our action, as we are
very aware that the poster has offended some people.
We never intended to be disrespectful or offend anybody and we regret
so many people have reacted negatively to the poster. Our intention,
as republican feminists, was to provoke discussion about the tensions
between nationalism and feminism by contrasting two very strong,
positive symbols with each other. The Sheela-na-Gig is an old
fertility symbol found in churches around Ireland since the 13th
century. For years, Sheela-na-Gigs were hidden away in the vaults of
the National Museum and not displayed as their explicit celebration
of female sexuality was frowned upon. More feminists have adopted it
as a celebratory, positive and playful image of female sexuality.
Images of Sheela-na-Gigs are now widely available in craft shops all
over Ireland.
Sheela-na-Gig is an entirely positive image for us. Placing the
Easter lily on the Sheela-na-Gig's genital area was therefore not
meant in any way to be disrespectful to the lily.
It is the same shape, and the lily closely resembles women's sexual
organs, more than most flowers.
While the lily represents the people that have died for the struggle,
we were also seeing it in the broader sense of the spirit of 1916,
when the Proclamation guaranteed women the right to equal citizenship
with men. We wanted to remember the 1916 Proclamation as still being
the best document enshrining equality for all. The lily is symbol of
revolution that people have died for and it was never our intention
to devalue that. We think it is a fair question though, to ask how
much the revolution has been realised. In commemorating the past,
questions are raised for the present.
Contrasting the two images then, throws up some questions, not just
for republicanism, but feminism also. Is it enough for feminists to
celebrate women's sexuality and value women but not engage with the
national question? Are we being true to the spirit 1916 with its
commitment to women's rights without qualification? Does ``Tiocfaidh
ár lá'' mean different things for men and women? We believe these are
important and valid political questions that need ongoing debate. We
appreciate our method of raising them was a bit obscure but we hope
our clarification will help people who were offended to see the
poster in a different light.
Finally, some people have agreed with the issues we were raising but
argued it was not the right time. We would argue though, throughout
history, it somehow never is ``the right time' to raise women's
equality issues. If anyone requires further explanation on our part,
we would be happy to attend a meeting to discuss this further.
The Derry Sheelas
Praying for Peace
In response to Denis Bradley's article (Irish Times Monday 19 April)
and suggestion that days of prayer should be organised by the
Cathilic church in Ireland, I am happy to inform your readers that
this is in fact happening.
The St. Oliver Plunkett for Peace and Reconciliation Committee has
written to every parish priest and religious community throughout the
country, inviting them to organise a day of prayer for peace on
Wednesday next, 28 April. Specifically, we are inviting parish
communities to organise a special Mass for peace on that day and to
recite at all Masses celebrated on that day the Prayer to St. Oliver
for Peace and Reconciliation in Ireland. St. Oliver is an ideal
patron to adopt for this cause as he was a tireless champion for
peace throughout his lifetime.
Many parish communities have already pledged their support for this
day of prayer, and quite a few have requested prayer cards from us.
To date, 200,000 of these cards have been distributed, and many
people at home and abroad are reciting this prayer daily for peace
and reconciliation in our country.
Peace be with you.
Fr. Paddy Rushe cc,
Parish of St. Peter's, Drogheda
Belfast handicrafts wanted
A Chairde,
The Greater Ballymurphy Commemoration Committee and Carnmore
Historical Society are planning a weekend of events for 31 July/1
August to commemorate the part played by the people from this area in
our struggle during the last 30 years. Several exhibitions have been
arranged, including one on the various phases of the prison struggle
which will include handicrafts made by the prisoners at the time.
We would like to make an appeal to anyone, especially ex-POWs and
their families, for any items they may have which could add to the
success of this exhibition, if so could you please get in contact
with anyone from the above two committees.
Máire Cush
Greater Ballymurphy Commemoration Committee.
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