The Troubles on the Westside

 THE TROUBLES ON THE WESTSIDE

As a young boy in the third grade at Saint Cecilia’s, we had a substitute teacher for a few days with a foreign accent.  Whenever she spoke it was like nails on a chalkboard: my spine would start tingling and my inside would cringe.  I went home and told my mom (God rest her soul) and explained and said the other kids said she was from England.

My Grandmother Farley must have overheard and came into the kitchen and said Noreen you must tell him. My mother shook her head with an empathic NO: we will not discuss The Troubles.  My Grandmother insisted and my mom started crying and said I can’t do it!  My Grandmother took me into the living room and sat me down on the couch, she said:

My 3 brothers, your grand uncles were lined up in our village in Ireland and shot and killed along with 9 other men.  I asked why?  She said because they refused to renounce their Catholic faith and pledge allegiance to the Queen of England.  I never said another word to either about this…I knew the pain was too much…for them and for me.

It’s a well know secret that the Sunset and Richmond Irish residents contributed heavily (money and guns) to the IRA in Ireland in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.  Some say they were terrorists others say heroes…guess it depends on whose side your on.  For me I don’t really have a say in the matter…. its already in my blood.  The Troubles are over now in Ireland and class warfare is at an end, for the most part.

So, my friends, the end of 2024 is the beginning of the Troubles on the Westside.  Working class v Elites.  Chinese and Irish v WASP’s.  Google and Yahoo v plumbers and carpenters.  Much of the genesis for this, as with the American Revolution, involves “taxation without representation.”  When people are sold out by their elected representatives, taxed, regulated, and then told: “Well this is how its going to be.” You have sown the seeds of discontent with the government. 

This has led to mistrust of all City government officials and all the agencies.  This has led to a malcontented populace itching for changed.  Take away the working-class mode of transportation, take away their parking places, start to build high-rises up and down the lower Great Highway, Taraval Street, Noriega Street, Judah Street.  Turn all the SFD into multi-unit buildings.  Yes, you are planting the seeds of civil unrest my friends.

I believe that the current Supervisor in the Sunset has performed his duties with malfeasance.  So, we know how this began, how will it end?  What’s the solution? I honestly don’t know.  A good start would be for him to step down or be recalled.

Sincerely,

Marty Murphy