2005-09-09 Can we judge?

Living in England, it is hard to find a person who respects this man for his beliefs. This is because upon reading tabloid newspapers you are immediately brainwashed with the view of the writer. Before you can make a valid opinion on Martin and Republicanism, i think it is important to understand why there is such people. You need to be educated of the problems young Catholic Republican people faced during the 1970's and 1980's. A young Loyalist (mainly Protestant's who wish to remain British) couple could aquire a council house in as little as 3 weeks, when at the same time it would take a similar Republican couple 2 years to be housed.

When you understand the extent of racism in Ulster, perhaps you can understand why a man would chose to live a life like Martin's.

Nelson Mandela was labeled a terrorist when he was sent to jail, now he is seen as a hero. In my eyes, Martin seeks a similar freedom which is sought by Mandela, but unless people escape the propaganda which they are fed by British newspapers and educate themselves on the 'Struggle', Martin will always be labeled a terrorist by people who are too ignorant to see both sides of the argument. After all, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.