I watched this on Hulu and what a timely release it was. Such an excellent watch!
Say Nothing is an adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's nonfiction book that was released in 2018 that covered the Northern Ireland Troubles and the disappearance of Jean McConville.
For those not aware of the Troubles, it was 30 year conflict from the 1960s through 1998 between Irish Catholics (nationalists or republicans) who sought a unified Ireland and Protestants who were British loyalists. Like the Israeli-Palestine conflict that did not start October 7th, 2023, the Irish were under British subjugation and rule for 800 years (yes, you read that right).
First, the acting was brilliant! Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe who play Dolours Price and Marian Price, respectively, were so delightful to watch on screen. You should watch if only for their performances.
The story follows the girls as they become further radicalized after being attacked by British loyalists during a peaceful civil rights protest and their eventual involvement as members of the IRA—their family members also being long-time resisters of British occupation.
It’s interesting to watch a show that is seemingly sympathetic to the history and rise of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) juxtaposed to how we consume news around Hamas and other guerrilla groups formed out of anti-colonial resistance. We know the reason for this—it’s whiteness.
But both anti-colonial struggles are similar—pay attention to the dialogue. The series shows Protestants shouting at Catholics that they breed like vermin, while in news we learn that 70% of Palestinians genocided have been women and children—this is by design. The language and actions of oppressors is always the same. I recall reading awhile back that Catholics now outnumber Protestants in Northern Ireland for the first time in 200 years, a blow to Protestants' own imagined supremacy.
Growing up in Queens and around Irish folks, it was a well-known “secret” Irish Americans were funding and arming the IRA but we never saw Irish folks getting criticized about their support then or now the way we do of Palestinian support of armed resistance groups. While many Irish-Americans may not be in solidarity with anti-colonial resistance movements today, actual Irish folks support of Palestine and other colonized lands has always been resolute. We love to see it!
The repeated disclaimer after every episode that Gerry Adams denies his involvement in the IRA made me laugh because why does he keep up this charade apart from his own Sinn Féin political aspirations and ego.
Apparently, FX did this for liability protection but it was interesting see this disclaimer juxtaposed to Dolours Price’s adamant support of the IRA and disagreement with the Good Friday agreement, despite her own regret about her involvement with the IRA.
🇮🇪🇵🇸
