DOCSLIB.ORG

Social Capital's Imagined Benefits in Ardoyne Electoral Ward 'Thesis

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Social Capital's Imagined Benefits in Ardoyne Electoral Ward 'Thesis 1 Social capital’s imagined benefits in Ardoyne electoral ward ‘Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Liverpool for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy by Michael Liggett.’ May 2017 2 3 Abstract Social capital’s imagined benefits in Ardoyne electoral ward Michael Liggett This study examines how access to social capital impacts on the daily lives of residents in an area of Northern Ireland ranked as one of the most deprived areas in the UK but equally, one that is rich in social networks. The thesis challenges social capital paradigms that promote social dividends by highlighting the role of power brokers in locally based social networks. The research uses grounded theory to deconstruct the social capital paradigm to show its negative and positive attributes. Survey and interview data is used to show how social capital contributes to social exclusion because social capital depends on inequitable distribution to give it value and that distribution is related to inequitable forms of social hierarchy access that are influenced by one’s sense of identity. This thesis challenges normative assertions that civil society organisations build trust and community cohesion. The research is unique in that it is focused on a religiously segregated area transitioning from conflict and realising the impact of post industrialisation. The research is important because it provides ethnographic evidence to explain how social capital functions in practice by not only those with extensive participatory experience but also with those excluded from social networks. 4 Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Challenging social capital paradigms ……………..……. 9 1.1 - Definitions of terms ……………………………………………………. 13 Weak and strong ties ……………………………………………… 13 Community and in-group identities ………………………….…… 14 Social norms …………………………………………………….…. 14 Membership and volunteering ………………………………….… 15 1.2 - Studying the counter-intuitive ………………………………..………. 16 1.3 - The locality context of social networks ……………………………... 17 Ardoyne - a post-industrial urban village ………………….…….. 18 Ardoyne – a collectively organised residential settlement ......... 19 Ardoyne - a focus for policy intervention …………………..……. 20 Ardoyne’s Interface status ……………………………..…………. 21 Transition from armed conflict ……………………………………. 23 Reshuffling the local civil society landscape ……………………. 23 1.4 - Previous social capital research in Ardoyne ……………..……….… 25 1.5 – Chapter summaries …………………....…………………………….. 27 Chapter 2 - Positioning social philosophies ………………………….. 35 2.1 - A definition of social capital ………………………………………….. 37 2.2 - Historical evolution of social capital theory …………………………. 41 Social exclusion discourse ……………………………………...… 45 UK Social exclusion discourse …………………………………… 48 2.3 - Communitarian claims for social capital and their counterclaims… 54 2.4 - Liberal individualized claims for social capital and network theories ………………………………………………. 57 Densities of social connection ………………………………….… 60 2.5 - Challenges of measurement ………………………………………… 64 2.6 - Challenges of interpretation ………………………………………….. 66 2.7 – Conclusion …………………………………………………………….. 71 Chapter 3 – Research methodology ……………………………………. 73 3.1. - Research aims, purpose and ontological premise and ethics ….. 75 3.2 - Multiphase approach ………………………………………………….. 78 3.3 - Identifying a representative sample …………………………………. 79 3.4 - The quantitative survey……………………………………………….. 81 3.5 - National and International Social Capital measurements…………. 82 3.6 - The qualitative interview………………………………………………. 85 3.7 - Data Analysis – developing coding paradigms……………………... 86 3.8 - Choosing grounded theory for data analysis ………………………. 87 3.9 – Constructivist grounded theory coding process in practice ……… 89 Chapter 4 - Social capital indicators in family networks and their determinants …………………………………………………….. 92 4.1 - Defining local social hierarchies ……………………………….…….. 95 4.2 - Interpreting historical perceptions……………………………………. 100 4.3 - The importance of personality………………………………………… 102 4.4 - Reliance and interdependence………………………...…………….. 102 4.5 - Inculcating social norms………………………………………………. 104 4.6 - Gendered roles of engagement ……………………………………... 105 Gendered access to services ……………………………............ 107 4.7 - Physical proximity conditions ………………………………………... 110 4.8 - Frequency of contact …………………………………………………. 113 4.9 - Duration of residency …………………………………………………. 114 4.10 - Educational and employment conditions ………………………….. 115 4.11 - Relationship lifecycle ………………………………………………… 116 4.12 - Family brokerage roles and social rituals…………………..……… 119 4.13 - Manufacturing support networks……………………………..…….. 123 4.14 - Conclusion ……………………………………………………..…….. 128 5 Chapter 5 – Exploring social capital indicators in civil society …… 134 5.1 - Measuring rates of volunteering .………………………………….…. 138 Conditional reasons to volunteer ……………………….………… 141 Gender related conditions …………………………….………….. 148 Other motivating influences…………………………….…………. 149 Summary of informal and formal volunteering ………………….. 150 5.2 - Mapping civil society networks …………….………………………… 151 Management Committees and governance roles ……………… 155 Organisational governance models ……………………………… 157 Reasons for disengagement ……………………………………… 161 Sports and social club membership trends ……………………... 163 Health cluster membership trends ……………………………….. 166 Youth cluster membership trends ………………………………... 168 Culture and arts cluster membership trends ……………………. 169 Church-based cluster membership trends ……………………… 170 Community cluster membership trends …………………………. 171 5.3 - Social Network Participation and Awareness ……………………… 175 Social Network Consumer Reach ……………………………….. 177 Duplication or complementarity? …………………….…………… 178 Service provision and consumption ……………………………… 181 Participation in sports activities ………………………………….. 182 Participation in campaigning ……………………………………… 183 Participation in cultural/arts activities ……………………………. 186 Participation in school or education related activities ………….. 187 Participation in youth or parent activities ………………………... 187 Participation in religious or church based activities ……………. 189 Summary of network involvement and awareness …………….. 190 5.4 - Conclusions…………………………………………………………….. 192 Chapter 6 – Exploring social capital indicators in civic society…… 197 6.1 - Measuring contact with public officials or political representatives.. 199 Accessing dividends from power based relations………………. 199 Dividends from access to political representatives……….......... 202 6.2 - Measuring propensity to vote ………………………………………… 203 Gender variables…………………………………………………… 204 Voting motivation variants…………………………………………. 206 Group membership as a determinant of voting ………………… 210 Perceptions of choice and privacy ……………………………….. 211 The influence of social norms …………………………………….. 217 6.3 - Measuring trust in civic society groups ……………………………… 218 6.4 - Measuring perceptions of personal influence ………………………. 224 Examples of community consultation…………………………….. 225 Who benefits from local decision-making ……………………….. 229 6.5 – Summary of civic society social capital indicators …….……….…. 230 Chapter 7 - Trust, reciprocity and locality views …………………..… 236 7.1 - Trust and Reciprocity………………………………………………….. 239 Personal tolerance of religious difference ………………………. 241 Personal tolerance of ethnic difference …………………………. 245 Personal tolerance of political difference ……………………….. 248 How similar are neighbours in Ardoyne? ……………………….. 249 Perceived neighbours’ tolerance of religious difference ………. 250 Perceived neighbours’ tolerance of ethnic difference …………. 252 Perceived neighbours’ tolerance of political difference ………… 253 Perceptions of neighbours’ trustworthiness …………………….. 260 Analysis of trust and reciprocity ……………………………..…… 264 Favours and vice versa ……………………………..…………….. 265 7.2 - Locality views…………………………………………………………... 267 Contentment ……………………………………………………….. 275 Discussion ………………………………………………….………. 279 6 Chapter 8 – Social capital - a rhetorical governance distraction or a tool for social good? ………………………………………..………. 285 Bibliography ………………………………………………………………….………. 294 7 Tables, figures and appendices Figure 1: Extent of acquaintance with neighbours by age group ………………… 117 Figure 2: Frequency of volunteering………………………………………………… 140 Figure 3: Extent of locally and externally organised civil society participation….. 152 Figure 4: Extent of participation membership………………………………………. 153 Figure 5: Multiple choice exit interview frequency response…………………….. 163 Figure 6: Participation trends across six activity themes………………………….. 191 Figure 7: Percentage opinion scale on the extent that civic institutions act in respondent’s best interest………………………………………. 219 Figure 8: Percentage frequency of personal attitude to religious diversity……… 241 Figure 9: Percentage frequency of personal attitude to ethnic diversity………. 246 Figure 10: Percentage frequency of personal attitude to political diversity……… 248 Figure 11: Percentage frequency of opinion on neighbours’ acceptance of religious diversity…………………………………………………… 250 Figure 12: Percentage frequency of opinion on neighbours’ acceptance of ethnic diversity……………………………………………………… 252 Figure 13: Percentage frequency of opinion on neighbours’ acceptance of political diversity……………………………………………………. 253 Figure 14: Percentage frequency of perceptions of neighbour’s honesty…….... 260 Figure 15: Percentage frequency of perceptions of comparative neighbour trustworthiness……………………………………………. 262 Figure 16: Percentage frequency of wariness of neighbours’
Load more

Recommended publications
  • O'rorke, MCDONALD & TWEED, Sol- Icitors, Belfast and Larne
    59, Justice in Northern Ireland, to Charles Anthony Brett, Edward Cunningham, of Crievekeeran, in the County of 9 Chichester Street, in the City of Belfast, of Armagh, Farmer, the sole Executor therein named. Solicitor, the surviving Executor named in said Will Dated this 8th day of March, 1949. and Codicils. CORR 6 O'CONNOR, Solicitors for said Dated this 3rd day of March, 1949. Executors, Mayfair, Arthur Square, Belfast; L'ESTRANGE & BRETT, Solicitors for the and Crossmaglen. ; .. Executor, 9 Chichester Street, Belfast. To:—The Ministry of Finance for Northern Ireland, To:—The Commissioners for Charitable Donations and all others concerned. and Bequests for Northern Ireland, and all others whom it may concern. NOTICE OF CHARITABLE BEQUESTS , In the Goods of Charles McHugh, late of Glencop- NOTICE OF CHARITABLE BEQUESTS pogagh, Plumbridge, in the County of Tyrone, Farmer, deceased. In the Goods of Emily Close, late of 3 Islandbawn NOTICE is hereby given, pursuant to Statute 30 Drive,- Belfast, Spinster, deceased. and 31 Vic., Cap. 54, that the said Charles McHugh, NOTICE is hereby given, pursuant to 30 and 31 by his Will with one Codicil dated respectively the Vic., Cap. 54, that the above-named Emily Close, 23rd day of December, 1947, and the 24th day of who died at Belfast on the 30th day of January, 1948, March, 1948, made the following Charitable Bequests: by her Will dated the 27th day of July, 1943, be- The sum of £50 each to Rev. Father Houghton, queathed the following Charitable Bequests: C.C., and the Parish Priest of Plumbridge for Masses.
    [Show full text]
  • Twaddell Ardoyne Shankill Communities in Transition (TASCIT)
    Twaddell Ardoyne Shankill Communities in Transition (TASCIT) Peace Walls Attitudinal Survey Summary of Results October 2017 CONTENTS 03 Forewords 07 Introduction 09 The Peace Walls Programme 11 Community Safety: Perceptions & Realities 14 Community Safety: The Role of The Peace Walls 16 Interaction & Community Relations 18 Looking to the Future 21 Conclusion 22 References and Footnotes The terms PUL and CNR are commonly used in Northern Ireland when referring to both communities. They have been used in this report: PUL Protestant Unionist Loyalist CNR Catholic Nationalist Republican Removal of a Peace Wall on Crumlin Road in 2016. – 2 – Foreword Today, almost 50 years since the first Peace Wall was built, more than 100 physical structures remain as visible symbols of continued division and segregation. The IFI Peace Walls Programme is currently working with local communities impacted by approximately 66 of these barriers. There should be no place for physical separation barriers in a truly reconciled society but we have not yet reached that stage and, given that the risks associated with barrier removal processes lie almost exclusively with those residents and communities most impacted by their presence, it is right that we prioritise their views and concerns while supporting them to bring about positive change if and when they decide the time is right. The vast majority of physical barriers are located within communities that have suffered disproportionately during the conflict. These interface areas continue to endure high levels of multiple deprivation including educational under-achievement, mental and physical health inequalities, inadequate facilities, poor delivery of public services, physical blight and neglect.
    [Show full text]
  • A Year in Review, the Year Ahead
    2018: A YEAR IN REVIEW, 2019: THE YEAR AHEAD Foreword from Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Senior Adviser, FTI Consulting 2018 was the most unpredictable and tumultuous year in politics … since 2017. Which was the most unpredictable and tumultuous year in politics … since 2016. And there’s no sign of let-up as we move into 2019. The unresolved questions of Brexit - how? when? whether at all? - will inevitably dominate the coming year. Even if Theresa May brings back from Brussels a new political declaration sufficiently compelling to command a majority in Parliament - a highly unlikely prospect at the time of writing - the end of March will mean the start of a fresh, complex round of negotiations on a future trade deal, conducted under the shadow of the Irish backstop. For most people, that would be preferable to the collapse of Mrs May’s deal and, almost inevitably, the collapse of her government and a subsequent constitutional crisis. Faced with the choice between revoking Article 50 or leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal, the Commons could well produce a majority for a new referendum. Under the pressure of a leadership contest, the personal and political rancour in the Conservative Party could finally break apart Europe’s hitherto most successful party of government. A no-confidence vote that would be defeated today could command enough votes from the Brexiteers’ kamikaze tendency to force another General Election. And Labour - with most of its moderates MPs replaced by Corbynistas in last-minute candidate selections - could win on a ‘cake and eat it’ manifesto of a Brexit that would end free movement but provide frictionless trade (Irish backstop, anyone?).
    [Show full text]
  • MANIFESTO GENERAL ELECTION 2019 PARTY MANIFESTO Let’S Get the UK Moving AGAIN
    Let’s Get the UK Moving AGAIN MANIFESTO GENERAL ELECTION 2019 PARTY MANIFESTO Let’s Get the UK Moving AGAIN Leader’s Message he Democratic Unionist Party has set The outcome of this election is not assured. This out our 12-point plan to deliver on the manifesto and our 12-point plan for a brighter Tpeople’s priorities on health, education, future would be the basis on which we would jobs, childcare and protecting the vulnerable negotiate with those seeking our support. We through having a working Assembly back and will talk to both Conservatives and Labour but an All-Party Executive in place. we are clear we will not support Jeremy Corbyn We are now offering our manifesto for the United as Prime Minister. Kingdom, the sister document for our plan to get Others seek a mandate to do nothing in this Northern Ireland moving again. election – nothing in the Assembly and nothing in For Northern Ireland to truly flourish then it needs Parliament. The DUP seeks a mandate to turn up, a the United Kingdom to succeed and likewise for mandate to work, and a mandate for: the UK to truly flourish it needs all its constituent • Working with others to get things done for parts and regions to succeed. This can be aided by Northern Ireland. a strong and unified voice for Northern Ireland in • Our plan to get Northern Ireland Parliament. The DUP is that voice. Moving Again. The UK needs to do much more to fulfil its true • Protect Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.
    [Show full text]
  • UNITED Kingdompolitical Killings in Northern Ireland EUR 45/001/94 TABLE of CONTENTS
    UNITED KINGDOMPolitical Killings in Northern Ireland EUR 45/001/94 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 Killings by members of the security forces ........................................................... 3 Investigative Procedures: practice and standards ...................................... 8 The Use of Lethal Force: Laws and Regulations/International Standards ..................................................................................... 12 Collusion between security forces and armed groups ........................................ 14 The Stevens Inquiry 1989-90 ..................................................................... 14 The Case of Brian Nelson .......................................................................... 16 The Killing of Patrick Finucane .................................................................. 20 The Stevens Inquiry 1993 .......................................................................... 23 Other Allegations of Collusion .................................................................... 25 Amnesty International's Concerns about Allegations of Collusion ............ 29 Killings by Armed Political Groups ...................................................................... 34 Introduction ................................................................................................. 34 Human Rights Abuses by Republican Armed Groups .............................. 35 IRA Bombings
    [Show full text]
  • A Democratic Design? the Political Style of the Northern Ireland Assembly
    A Democratic Design? The political style of the Northern Ireland Assembly Rick Wilford Robin Wilson May 2001 FOREWORD....................................................................................................3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................4 Background.........................................................................................................................................7 Representing the People.....................................................................................................................9 Table 1 Parties Elected to the Assembly ........................................................................................10 Public communication......................................................................................................................15 Table 2 Written and Oral Questions 7 February 2000-12 March 2001*........................................17 Assembly committees .......................................................................................................................20 Table 3 Statutory Committee Meetings..........................................................................................21 Table 4 Standing Committee Meetings ..........................................................................................22 Access to information.......................................................................................................................26 Table 5 Assembly Staffing
    [Show full text]
  • Legacies of the Troubles and the Holy Cross Girls Primary School Dispute
    Glencree Journal 2021 “IS IT ALWAYS GOING BE THIS WAY?”: LEGACIES OF THE TROUBLES AND THE HOLY CROSS GIRLS PRIMARY SCHOOL DISPUTE Eimear Rosato 198 Glencree Journal 2021 Legacy of the Troubles and the Holy Cross School dispute “IS IT ALWAYS GOING TO BE THIS WAY?”: LEGACIES OF THE TROUBLES AND THE HOLY CROSS GIRLS PRIMARY SCHOOL DISPUTE Abstract This article examines the embedded nature of memory and identity within place through a case study of the Holy Cross Girls Primary School ‘incident’ in North Belfast. In 2001, whilst walking to and from school, the pupils of this primary school aged between 4-11 years old, faced daily hostile mobs of unionist/loyalists protesters. These protesters threw stones, bottles, balloons filled with urine, fireworks and other projectiles including a blast bomb (Chris Gilligan 2009, 32). The ‘incident’ derived from a culmination of long- term sectarian tensions across the interface between nationalist/republican Ardoyne and unionist/loyalist Glenbryn. Utilising oral history interviews conducted in 2016–2017 with twelve young people from the Ardoyne community, it will explore their personal experiences and how this event has shaped their identities, memory, understanding of the conflict and approaches to reconciliation. KEY WORDS: Oral history, Northern Ireland, intergenerational memory, reconciliation Introduction Legacies and memories of the past are engrained within territorial boundaries, sites of memory and cultural artefacts. Maurice Halbwachs (1992), the founding father of memory studies, believed that individuals as a group remember, collectively or socially, with the past being understood through ritualism and symbols. Pierre Nora’s (1989) research builds and expands on Halbwachs, arguing that memory ‘crystallises’ itself in certain sites where a sense of historical continuity persists.
    [Show full text]
  • Belfast Interfaces Security Barriers and Defensive Use of Space
    2011 Belfast Interfaces Security Barriers and Defensive Use of Space Belfast Interfaces Security Barriers and Defensive Use of Space Belfast Interface Project 2011 Belfast Interfaces Security Barriers and Defensive Use of Space First published November 2011 Belfast Interface Project Third Floor 109-113 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FF Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 2828 Email: [email protected] Web: www.belfastinterfaceproject.org ISBN: 0-9548819-2-3 Cover image: Jenny Young 2011 Maps reproduced with permission of Land & Property Services under permit number 110101. Belfast Interfaces Security Barriers and Defensive Use of Space Contents page Acknowledgements Preface Abbreviations Introduction Section 1: Overview of Defensive Architecture Categories and Locations of Barriers: Clusters Ownership Date of Construction Blighted Space Changes Since Last Classification Section 2: Listing of Identified Structures and Spaces Cluster 1: Suffolk - Lenadoon Cluster 2: Upper Springfield Road Cluster 3: Falls - Shankill Cluster 4: The Village - Westlink Cluster 5: Inner Ring Cluster 6: Duncairn Gardens Cluster 7: Limestone Road - Alexandra Park Cluster 8: Lower Oldpark - Manor Street Cluster 9: Crumlin Road - Ardoyne - Glenbryn Cluster 10: Ligoniel Cluster 11: Whitewell Road - Longlands Cluster 12: Short Strand - Inner East Cluster 13: Ormeau Road and the Markets 5 Belfast Interfaces Security Barriers and Defensive Use of Space Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge the support of Belfast Community Safety partnership / Belfast City Council / Good relations Unit, the Community Relations Council, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in funding the production of this publication. We also thank Neil Jarman at the Institute for Conflict Research for carrying out the research and writing a report on their key findings, and note our gratitude to Jenny Young for helping to draft and edit the final document.
    [Show full text]
  • Multimodal Metaphors in the Wall Murals of Northern Ireland Roberto Asenjo Alcalde
    MÁSTERES de la UAM Facultad de Filosofía y Letras / 15-16 Lingüística Aplicada al Inglés Multimodal Metaphors in the Wall Murals of Northern Ireland Roberto Asenjo Alcalde Multimodal Metaphors in the Wall Murals of Northern Ireland TFM Student: Roberto Asenjo Alcalde. Director of TFM: Manuela Romano Mozo. Master´s Degree in English Applied Linguistics. Multimodal Metaphors in the Wall Murals of Northern Ireland 1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................. 3 2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4 3 Socio-historical background .................................................................................................. 5 4 Theoretical Background ...................................................................................................... 15 4.1 Conceptual Metaphor Theory ..................................................................................... 15 4.2 Multimodal Metaphor Theory .................................................................................... 21 4.3 Blending Theory and Conceptual Integration Theory ................................................. 23 5 Data and Methodology ....................................................................................................... 26 6 Analysis of Wall murals from a Socio-Cognitive perspective .............................................. 27 6.1 Pro-Irish
    [Show full text]
  • Women in the General Election in Northern Ireland 2015
    Research and Information Service Briefing Paper Paper 48/15 11 May 2015 NIAR 261-15 Michael Potter and Anne Campbell Women in the General Election in Northern Ireland 2015 1 Introduction This paper briefly summarises the results of the UK General Election 2015 in Northern Ireland by gender. The paper is written in the context of the approval by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 March 2014 of the report of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee on Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly, which recommends that political parties consider measures to increase the representation of women in politics. This paper supplements a previous paper on candidates for the election, General Election 2015: Gender Representation1. 1 Research and Information Service Briefing Paper 43/15 General Election 2015: Gender Representation, 14 April 2015: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2015/exec_review/4315.pdf. Providing research and information services to the Northern Ireland Assembly 1 NIAR 261-15 Briefing Paper 2 Women and the General Election 2015 Constituency Candidates Elected Votes Share M F Belfast East 4 2 Gavin 19,575 49.3% Robinson (DUP) Belfast North 5 1 Nigel Dodds 19,096 47% (DUP) Belfast South 6 3 Alasdair 9,560 25.5% McDonnell (SDLP) Belfast West 9 0 Paul Maskey 19,163 54.2% (SF) East Antrim 6 2 Sammy Wilson 12,103 36.1% (DUP) East 4 3 Gregory 14,663 42.2% Londonderry Campbell (DUP) Fermanagh and 2 3 Tom Elliott 23,608 46.4% South Tyrone (UUP) Foyle 6 1 Mark Durkan 17,725 47.9% (SDLP) Lagan
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of the Building Peace Through the Arts: Re-Imaging Communities Programme
    Evaluation of the Building Peace through the Arts: Re-Imaging Communities Programme Final Report January 2016 CONTENTS 1. BUILDING PEACE THROUGH THE ARTS ................................................... 5 1.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 5 1.2. Operational Context ............................................................................................. 5 1.3. Building Peace through the Arts ......................................................................... 6 1.4. Evaluation Methodology ....................................................................................... 8 1.5. Document Contents .............................................................................................. 8 2. PROGRAMME APPLICATIONS & AWARDS ............................................ 10 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Stage One Applications and Awards ................................................................ 10 2.3 Stage Two Applications and Awards ................................................................ 11 2.4 Project Classification .......................................................................................... 12 2.5 Non-Progression of Enquiries and Awards ...................................................... 16 2.6 Discussion ...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • INTRODUCTION Spatiality, Movement and Place-Making
    Introduction INTRODUCTION Spatiality, Movement and Place-Making Maruška Svašek• and Milena Komarova Vignette 1 As a young child, I had always loved visiting the city. A chance to wonder at the huge fanciful department stores filled with treasures. A chance to get a special treat of fish and chips or tea and cake. But one day that changed. The city was under attack. In the chaos we were forced into the path of the explosion. My senses were overwhelmed: the dull thud; the shattering glass propelling through the air before crashing to the ground; the screaming and shouting; and the sight of helpless policemen and shoppers trying to figure out what to do in all this chaos. I was uninjured but the encounter left its mark. My visits became less frequent and eventually stopped. (Reflection on ‘the Troubles’, Angela Mazzetti, 2016) Vignette 2 During my fieldwork in Belfast, one of the members of the women’s group told me how they bonded over everyday problems and supported each other. ‘When my daughter Kate was 19,’ she said, ‘the fella who she was with was an absolute dick. I remember speaking about her with the girls, in WLP. “Yes, yes, that’s terrible,” I said, “let me tell you what happened to my girl.”’ Talking about such things, Catholic and Protestant women found out that they had a lot in common. ‘You have the same problems,’ she explained; ‘There is just this underlying thing of Catholics and Protestants, 2 Maruška Svašek and Milena Komarova but it’s not of our making, and it’s not of their making’.
    [Show full text]