In a country fraught with conflict, it sounds odd to say that I have found peace here. It is hard to explain, really, but my experiences in Derry have given me a sense of hope and assurance that I had not expected to receive. My definition of peace itself has been broadened over the course of the month, granting me a fresh understanding that incorporates ideas of perseverance, listening, and trust.
For me, the single most significant landmark in the city is the walls. Being the subject of my first blog post, Derry’s fortifications have been a place where I can walk, reflect, and take in the various sights within and outside of the city center. The walls also figure into a greater overarching theme of perseverance that appears throughout Derry’s history: In 1689, starving residents withstood James II’s months-long siege, and their survival prevented him from conquering Ireland, Britain, and ultimately Western Europe. Three centuries later, during the Troubles, individuals of both CNR and PUL communities endured much violence and suffering amidst riots and street warfare. Today, people such as Eamonn Baker, Maureen and Richie Hetherington, and many others tirelessly promote peace and reconciliation in the region.
When we visited the Giant’s Causeway a few weeks ago, I stood in awe of the beauty and expanse of the northern Irish coastlands. When I was not snapping photos or trying not to slip atop the stool-like rock formations, I stopped and simply listened—to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the seagulls soaring overhead, and the wind sweeping through the meandering coastal landscape. Oftentimes, listening seems like such a simple act, and yet it can take a lifetime to master. We have done much listening during our time in Derry, whether it be in our meetings with authors, social activists, or former paramilitaries. As demonstrated through Theater of Witness, I believe that listening is key to creating peace in any divided society.
The man whom I interviewed, Gerry, told me that there must be trust in order for Northern Ireland to find true peace. In many ways, peace can be imagined as a bridge, such as the Peace Bridge across the River Foyle. As cliché as it may sound, trust is a two-way partnership in which both sides leave behind their respective comfort zones and meet in the middle, despite the raging currents of fear and uncertainty that flow around them.
As I look to the future, I am reminded of the words of Aslan the Lion in C.S. Lewis’ The Last Battle. Even though the path to paradise was long with no immediate end in sight, Aslan encouraged the inhabitants of Narnia to keep moving “further up and further in.” In the same way, my time in Derry has inspired me to continually pursue peace in my own life, my community, and beyond.
SOCI 387 Diversity, Conflict, and Peace in Northern Ireland 