10 Comments
Jan 15Liked by Jemar Tisby, PhD

Thanks, Dr. Tisby, for your helpful context on Northern Ireland & the Troubles with your reflections & travel experiences. I look forward to hearing more. Last year I watched the documentary, which Chris mentioned. Then, I learned the Telos Group focuses on Northern Ireland; I appreciate hearing about folks' pilgrimages & reflections.

I noticed this article: Lauren Frayer, "Britain Bans Prosecution of Past Catholic and Protestant Killings in Northern Ireland," NPR, Nov 3, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/03/1202684198/northern-ireland-troubles-prosecutions-ban-new-law

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Yes. This ban on prosecutions was a hot-button and very sensitive current event while we were there. Lots of people angry and lamenting they may never see accountability.

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Thanks, Dr. Tisby, I appreciate your updates and reflections and learning from subscribers' shares too. I look forward to hearing the music from the collaboration.

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Jamar, I hope you had a chance to meet my friend Gary Mason who was instrumental in the Good Friday Agreement! Look up his organization Rething Conflict!

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I didn't meet him, but would be grateful to hear his perspectives. Quite the resumé of reconciliation!

"In June 2009 two of the loyalist paramilitaries groupings the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commando after almost 35 years of an armed campaign announced the decommissioning of their weapons statement in Gary’s church. They were the only group of ex-combatants to do so in a church setting. In March 2014 Gary was one of five people from Northern Ireland asked to hold a private briefing with President Bill Clinton on his visit to Ireland to discuss the NI peace process."

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Be sure to check out his website, his work at peacemaking continues!

https://www.rethinkingconflict.com/

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Jamar, have you seen Kenneth Branagh's movie "Belfast"?

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Thanks for the reminder! I had forgotten about it until you just mentioned it. Adding it to my watchlist!

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Jemar, Gary and Joyce liked Branagh’s “Belfast’ but the documentary “ Once upon a Time in Northern Ireland “ was much more true to life.

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Thanks, Chris. I watched "Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland" on PBS; The 5th episode especially impacted me. For anyone interested, I share the episodes:

"Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland," PBS, Aired May 22, 2023, Expires: 05/21/24.

It Wasn’t Like a Movie Anymore, Ep 1, https://www.pbs.org/video/it-wasnt-like-a-movie-anymore-cgythe/ (55m)

Do Paramilitaries Lie Awake At Night?, Ep 2, https://www.pbs.org/video/do-paramilitaries-lie-awake-at-night-h8emz7/ (55m)

So Many Broken Hearts, Ep 3, https://www.pbs.org/video/so-many-broken-hearts-uysr6j/ (54m)

The Dirty War, Ep 4, https://www.pbs.org/video/loose-talk-costs-lives-2qtocx/ (55m)

“Who Wants to Live Like That?” Ep 5, https://www.pbs.org/video/who-wants-to-live-like-that-t9qrj8/ (56m)

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