Cosplay Republicanism

It can only be a welcomed sign that the Occupied Six Counties is witnessing a breath of fresh air into the Irish language — along with hip hop music, Irish culture and the not so subtle ‘Kneecap’ with their social rebellion status: while pontificating, every word of Irish spoken is a bullet for Irish freedom.

 

A trio of Irish language enthusiasts: namely ‘Kneecap’ has been entrusted by youthful Ireland to revolutionise a sleepy soul by bringing a new spirit to Gaeilge. Music has always been an important part of the Irish cultural landscape. For many generations, music has been the medium through which stories of war, religion, mythological creatures and resistance have been shared. Irish revolutionary Pádraig Pearse was famously quoted as saying, “tír gan teanga, tír gan anam” or “a country without a language is a country without a soul."

 

According to linguistic sources one indigenous language dies every 40 days. 

 

A long way from their early endeavours of having a communal squat. When everyone would go out until 2am, then pile back and bring out instruments and play Irish music, dancing till 6am. MDMA and Guinness. According to Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap they started doing this while hanging out in their teens. Nowadays ‘Kneecap’ has made a popular decision to utilise a genre: hip hop, which has been the voice of Black resistance to oppression in the United States.

 

I do believe it’s vitally important to provide a voice for the Irish youth and Kneecap's attitude to unpopular British societal constructs has earned them the respect of politically aware Gen Z fans. 

 

What we do know is that Gaeilge is the language of the Irish rebellion. Many times during the past four hundred years the people have asserted it in arms. 

 

Therefore, let’s not misunderstand cosplay coupled with pseudo-republicanism; as being a method of getting the Brits out of Ireland. 

 

That is a more complex task! 

 

Meanwhile, the parents of politically aware Gen Z fans vividly recall the, oppression, murder, collusion, and hunger. Collectively these methods shaped Britain's colonialism in the Occupied Six Counties that has also plagued the Irish people throughout history. These tactics were ruthlessly employed by the British regime in an attempt to crush the indomitable spirit of the Irish nation. 

 

I personally welcome the insurgent nature behind using creative mediums to reaffirm the Irish language. But let’s be clear, only as the primary means of enhancing communication in ‘the Republic’ sought after from the rebellion of 1916. 

 

In addition, this should go along with teaching Irish history in such a way, as it will foster a pride in our cultural heritage and a sense of rights and responsibilities in our people as citizens of that Republic. 

 

Whilst ascertaining our indigenous Irish language rights; others residing in the Occupied Six Counties may not confer with aforesaid heritage—they will push back highlighting Kneecap's responsibilities.

 

You cannot present as cultural class chavs cosplaying in Republican chic, whilst rapping about consuming large quantities of ketamine, cocaine, acid, and MDMA. These actions don’t sit well with socialist principles that are so intertwined to the Republican cause. This type of doctrine pokes the eyes of many Irish Nationalist and Republican persons and is particularly antagonistic and hurtful. Especially to the people who continue to suffer the loss of a loved one, little by little from the scourge of drugs. 

 

We need to remember that if Kneecap proclaims: ‘every word of Irish spoken is a bullet for Irish freedom’. This is what their loyal politically aware Gen Z fans will ascribe to. In addition, to consuming copious amounts of drugs. 

 

The recent Kneecap movie takes place in 2019 in West Belfast. It has been described by a British film critic as having an allure in:

 

its frenetic, drug-fuelled pace. The style of the storytelling – and the superhuman number of drugs being snorted, chomped and smoked by the trio and their friends. 

 

Society understands drugs are deemed to be part of youth culture. But on the contrary, so is addiction; which slithers alongside waiting for an unspecified victim. Young people have reported that drugs are something that we don't talk about because it’s a big taboo subject in Ireland you therefore can’t really speak about. Meanwhile, Kneecap claim they are, creating a dialogue here for people to talk about these things. 

 

We have to be real about the cause of Irish freedom: which is to achieve a 32 County all-Ireland Sovereign Independent State, namely ‘the Republic’. I recognise Kneecap’s is working-class Belfast; but they’re self-proclaimed “lowlife scum”. And we don’t need some utopia where everyone is living like it’s the “Second Summer of Love”. 

 

Kneecap have claimed people who are outraged don’t want to see what they actually stand for. They conceptualise themselves as activists rather than dissidents. 

 

As you might be able to tell, drugs play quite a part in Kneecap’s world. They even have invented Irish words for them, because the language didn’t have them. “Snaois” is coke, “capaillín” is ketamine. Tattooed across Móglaí Bap’s chest is 3CAG, the title of their 2018 album. It stands for “3 chonsanagus guta”, the Irish for “three consonants and a vowel”, meaning MDMA - the acronym for a very powerful drug. 

 

The lads have hit the limelight and have been well received with an ever-growing youthful fan base. They have also been giving extensive interview coverage in the media. Mo Chara has been clear that rave, rebel songs and great tunes all still central to what Kneecap are about. Kneecap was born of the need to represent that identity, says Móglaí Bap.

 

(We were part of) . . . this weird first group of young people in an urban setting in Belfast to really speak Irish together socially … sharing the words and the youth culture, and taking recreational drugs, and all that melded together.