It’s an unfortunate truth but sectarianism does indeed exist in the north. That’s not to say we must be tolerant towards, indulge or exploit the root causes of sectarianism for political benefit.
In fact, we must do the opposite by exposing its proponents, expunging its language and by demonstrating positive leadership at every level of society.
Though some would like to think otherwise, sectarianism transcends class. Some golf clubs are as riven with entrenched sectarianism as the terraces of certain Irish League soccer clubs. Subtlety and a posh accent doesn’t guise the stench of sectarian attitudes.
Mr Lyons demonstrated considerable bravery and restraint in confronting this group of loyalist thugs. Personally, being less diplomatic I favour the John Prescott approach to roguish behaviour.
But let’s face it, these were only teenagers; too young to know anything about our troubled and complicated histories. The repugnant words and offensive language spoken were not, as they say, ‘licked off the ground’.
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These young adults have been weaned and nurtured on a diet of deep-seated hatred and rancid racism by an older generation, people whose sense of identity is so insecure that they can only self-define by what they are not: not one of “themmuns”.
Cultural populism is alive and well in both nationalist and unionist narratives. Neither has any respect for each other. The media has a role to play here, too. Instead of lazily, stereotypically and perennially framing every argument as a pitched battle between unionism against nationalism and vice versa, there needs to be more emphasis on social and economic perspectives and less on identity and culture wars
Social media feeds demonstrate all too clearly that this feral and febrile fanaticism is not one-sided. There is always an ample stable full of populist wannabes ready to ramp up sectarian tensions with their acerbic use of language, sowing seeds of distrust and demonising the other side.
Cultural populism is alive and well in both nationalist and unionist narratives. Neither has any respect for each other.
The media has a role to play here, too. Instead of lazily, stereotypically and perennially framing every argument as a pitched battle between unionism against nationalism and vice versa, there needs to be more emphasis on social and economic perspectives and less on identity and culture wars.
The BBC’s much-feted Nolan Show has a format which often can turn any mundane matter into an orange and green ding-dong.
Northern Ireland is neither democratically mature nor weather resistant enough to be described as a post-conflict society. The conflict is plagued by ongoing skirmishes, verbal and physical, any of which has the potential to escalate.
The north hasn’t yet found a way to become a diverse melting pot, like the Republic. It’s still very much a simmering cauldron and that’s reflected in much of the heated public debate and commentary about the future.
Some seasoned voices repeat and give oxygen to tiresome cliched taunts and historical grievances, solely with the aim of provoking reaction and a counter reaction. These masters of verbosity offer a battery of jingoistic and offensive jibes but little else.
Such is the north, there’ll always be those fashioned by their circumstances, trapped by history or simply overcome with personal bitterness who will never be able to climb out of the sectarian cesspit.
As for everyone else, Martin Luther King offers better advice: “Let’s not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” The late John Hume would approve.
