Holy Cross – ask the children
In an open letter, reporters from Children's Express Belfast comment on the ongoing dispute at the Catholic Holy Cross Primary school, which is being picketed by Protestants. The Protestant residents are unhappy about certain community issues and are highlighting it by protesting outside the school.
| We watch how our parents and politicians act and speak. One day we will wake up and probably find that we have followed and copied them. |
To the Editor,
As young journalists we feel strongly about the dispute at the Holy Cross Girls Primary school - but until now no-one has been willing to listen to our opinion.
The notion of rights has been tossed around all over the place by just about every-one.
What does 'my right' actually mean? The parents of the young girls say it is 'my right' to walk with their children along the Ardoyne Road. The Protestant people living there say it is 'my right' to protest against what they see as an invasion of their community.
Has anybody heard what the 'my right' is of the young girls themselves? When you are seven years old your senses are developed to perceive pleasure, pain and fear. It is unlikely any of the school children walking to Holy Cross are fully aware of the intricacies of this issue. For them it is simple - I am scared, I want this to stop, I want to go to school. That is 'my right'.
Those pupils could have been asked what they want but instead we have parents pulling children through police lines, while grown men and women line the road, spit on them, hurl abuse and brick and recently blast bombs- this isn't acceptable, no matter what the circumstances
Watching adults fumble over a community issue which could have been dealt with peaceably and responsibly reminds us as children we are perceived as powerless individuals in Northern Ireland's society. BUT we shouldn't be because we have RIGHTS according to local, national and international law!
If we had a Children's Commissioner in office, our voices and those of the Holy Cross pupils may have been heard.
We watch how our parents and our politicians act and speak. One day, when it is too late we will wake up and probably find that we have followed and copied them.
And that we have sadly made the same mistakes that they have.
If only Holy Cross parents and the loyalist protesters exercised wisdom, we could at least cling to a memory, where good sense has prevailed.
Please think before you act because children might follow you!
Yours sincerely,
Children's Express Reporters
About the team
This article was produced by Children's Express Belfast, and published in Fortnight magazine.
