4 Corners - Trouble Over the Bridge
“What’s today’s event?” Asked dad. “It’s called ‘Trouble Over the Bridge’ with selected readings from the play and a panel discussion.” Dad then began to go into the history of the play. Recalling the controversy around Sam Thompson’s theatrical examination of sectarianism in the shipyards of Belfast in the 1950s, a stark reminder that the religious and political bigotry that led to “The Troubles” was deeply ingrained in the culture well ahead of 1969.
Dad shared how the Ulster Group theatre had initially agreed to put on the play, but then reneged on their commitment out of fear the play was too controversial. James Ellis would leave the Ulster Group and work to put on the play which eventually opened in 1960. It was at the Empire Theatre in 1960 that my dad and my grandparents went to see it during its opening run.
Knowing dad had seen the original performance of the play brought an additional layer of significance to the readings brought to us by the Bright Umbrella group. The selected readings were well presented and gave a great sense of the tensions that existed in the shipyard back in the 50s. As the emotional content of the play came across in the readings I found myself once again wondering how is it possible for so much hatred and vitriol to exist between people living in the same city, “Can’t we figure out how to get along as neighbours created in the image of God?”
Following the readings Judith Hill lead a panel discussion with Robbie Butler of the Ulster Unionist Party, Deirde Hargey of Sinn Fein, and Non-Subscribing Presbyterian minister Chris Hudson. As expected Judith asked some excellent questions that challenged the participants to offer a critique of their own cultural backgrounds and acknowledge places where their traditions fell short of brining people together. Needless to say the politicians answered the questions with their own idea of what they had wanted to be asked rather than given clear and concise answers. It’s hard to know what holds them back, are they afraid of how their constituents will respond? Are they more concerned about protecting their position of power than they are about true reconciliation? Or maybe they genuinely can’t see beyond their own cultural captivity.
When I left Belfast thirty years ago there would have been no way the UUP and Sinn Fein would have been at an event like this. Progress has been made. It was great to see senior representatives from these two parties on the same stage listening to one another. However listening is not enough, we have to learn to hear one another. To truly hear another requires setting aside our own biases and prejudices in order to understand the background and perspective of the other. This is turn can lead to a mutual understanding and respect for one another that acknowledges the fears, anger, and pain of each tradition and work toward a more equitable future.
Unfortunately this is not easily accomplished. This is one reason why I come to the 4 Corners Festival, they are working hard to accomplish this.
