Grace McManus

AN PHOBLACHT INTO THE FUTURE WE WILL ALWAYS NEED OUR GUIDING LIGHTS

BY GRACE McMANUS

Guiding lights are moments of illumination along our pathways, that show us where we are, and where we might go. Often, guiding lights are left by people who’ve walked a path before us, or are created by those companions who are on our journey with us. When I think about An Phoblacht, what purpose it plays in the hands of activists, and what role it can play into the future, I think it can continue to be road map, a place to educate, connect, and inspire, and bring a lightness to the struggle for a better • Sharing knowledge, skills, and experience – Gerry Adams and Ireland. Mícheál Mac Donncha One of the things that is hard to never met. There is little more powerful than that, and I believe An reconcile as an activist is that you Phoblacht continues to be a living space of such connections. cannot be an expert in everything. That old phrase of “we stand on the shoulders of giants” is true, However, that realisation is precisely and you don’t need to look further than the contributors to An the moment where you learn Phoblacht to feel that connection either. It feels like being a part of gratitude for being a part of a team, a relay race, where long time activists and powerhouse’s hand over a movement of people, each with their achievements, lessons, and perspectives for the reader to take their own knowledge, skills, and and carry forward. That is an essential fabric of connection in a social experience to share. movement that will continue to be essential into the future. Articles in An Phoblacht, be it Finally, An Phoblacht inspires and energises. A fabulous example historical insights from Mícheál Mac that comes to my mind is from the edition that came out after the last Donncha or a perspective on a United general election in the 26 counties earlier this year. Who could deny Ireland from the depth of experience the power of the faces of some of our newly elected reps under of Gerry A, give younger activists the banner “Championing the Change” in the article where they so like me the language and ideas on a vast range of relevant and passionately laid out their priorities for the term ahead?! important topics. I know I have gone back to that article several times since,

That political education is everything in a grassroots movement especially on colder and darker nights when a boost of inspiration is like ours. Every read expands the republican mind and every copy needed. And we will always need that boost; for activism is a steady on the bedroom bookshelf adds to an archive and driven heart, but sometimes the body for reference for whatever challenge or is tired. It is then when you read the words obstacle is being faced in the moment. I see of somebody who is on the same journey as An Phoblacht needing to continue this role, for you that can guide you back to your fullest as long as our activism exists. Of course, journeys of political movements It’s a really lovely feeling enthusiasm. An Phoblacht provides this for activists, and I hope it continues to do so, in are little without the connections between people. An Phoblacht is a home for our shared to pick up an edition, see whatever way, into the future. The way we consume media has changed experiences, shared history, and shared stories. Those shared tales come together an author’s name that and will continue to change. Change from words to videos, long reads to 30 second to shine a light on our shared vision for the future, not just a 32 county socialist republic, but a shared goal of what that’ll look like in you don’t recognise, and read their words that attention grabbers, letters to tweets. I think An Phoblacht, as an entity, will need to continue to adapt and grow with society into the future. reality and our goalposts for getting there. It’s a really lovely feeling to pick up an speak directly to your own However, my hope and vision would be that this publication continues to educate, edition, see an author’s name that you don’t recognise, and read their words that speak sense of purpose and connect and inspire the hearts and minds of activists who will deliver on our core mission, directly to your own sense of purpose and perspective on the world. It almost feels perspective on the world and I look forward to the time in the not so distant future, when we can pick up the like you could go anywhere in Ireland and “United Ireland – Achieved!” edition. Until find a friendly face of someone who’d have then, we will rely on it as a guiding light on a welcome for you, even though you’ve our republican struggle.