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1. What historical and political events are important to understand in order to research this person’s life? This is important background on the events going on while this person was alive – was their a civil war? Colonization? Poverty in their nation?
When Bobby Sands was born in 1954, Britain had already made Ireland its colony. The British had separated Ireland into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. Only Northern Ireland remained under British rule as Southern Ireland converted from a colony to a free state, and finally to an independent nation through wars and protests (“Bobby Sands MP”).
The official IRA was the Irish Republican Army that fought against the British to gain status as a free state in 1921. The provisional IRA is a paramilitary organization that fights for Northern Ireland freedom from the United Kingdom and a United Ireland instead (“Bobby Sands MP”). The 30-year period of violence between Britain and Northern Ireland is known as the troubles. The two main groups of the troubles were the nationalist/Catholic group, which supported gaining Northern Ireland independence; and the Protestant/unionist group, which supported remaining under British rule (Mahjoob)
2. What significant events in this person’s life shaped their social commitment? In other words what happened in their lives to make them willing to take the risks they took?
Sands was born a Irish Nationalist. He was born in Newtownabbey, which was predominantly loyalist, or protestant. In 1964 Sands and his family were forced to move from their home under loyalist intimidation to Rathcoole (Mahjoob). Bobby Sands had received a job as a an apprentice coach builder, but was forced out of that in 1966 when protestant men with guns threatened to harm him if he didn’t leave. In 1972 his family once again was forced to move from their home and moved to nationalist West Belfast (Mahjoob).
In 1972 Bobby Sands joined the provisional IRA. A reason for this is because it was the year that recorded the highest death toll during the troubles (“Bobby Sands MP”).
3. What did the person want to accomplish or change? These would include overall goals (ending injustice) and specific changes to their nation or the world (gain independence from a colonial ruler).
During the troubles, the IRA wanted to gain independence from British rule, and create a unified Ireland ruled by one government (Mahjoob).
In prison, Sands and other republic prisoners wanted to regain their special category status, which meant they would be treated as political prisoners, or prisoners of war, rather than criminals. They would not have to wear the prison clothes they were given and they would be allowed to have visitors (Mahjoob).
4. What methods did this person use to try to promote justice and accomplish their specific goals.
The IRA used violent methods such as guns. They first targeted Protestants who were aggressive towards nationalists. This gained support because they were seen as standing up for the nationalists that had been oppressed. Libya and US supporters were sending them weapons. They started targeting British officers after the British had fired more than 1,500 rounds upon them in a gun battle that left 6 civilians dead (Daugherty).
The IRA inflicted severe causalities, believing if they caused enough harm to the British then the support of remaining in Ireland by Britain citizens would lessen. In 1972 alone the IRA used 1,300 explosives (Daugherty).
Bobby Sands himself was accused of being involved in a bombing, and a gunfight between IRA members and the British police.
In prison, Sands used the method of hunger striking, or refusing to eat any kind of food (“Bobby Sands MP”)
5. What did they accomplish? Be specific. Note: Awards (like Nobel Peace Prize) are not accomplishments – awards are recognition of accomplishments
They accomplished the Belfast agreement, which established the Northern Ireland Assembly. After Bobby Sands’ death many countries showed their support by placing memorials and closing down Irish bars for a certain period of time in mourning.
6. What did they NOT accomplish? Most all of these people did not fully reach all their goals – what was left ‘undone’?
Bobby Sands did not accomplish Northern Ireland independence from Britain, and therefore they could not create a unified Ireland. Also, Sands did not regain political prisoner status as he died on the 66th day of his 1981 hunger strike.
7. What meaning does this person’s life have for today? How have their accomplishments affected the lives of other people, past & present?
Sands’ death resulted in an increase of IRA activity. Many more people joined the IRA due to his death, which as increased the IRA’s ability to raise money for its cause (“1981: Bobby Sands…”). His death sent a message to the world that standing up for what you believe is important (“1981: Bobby Sands…”).
8. What are three significant quotes from this individual that summarizes their character? Provide some context so the quote makes sense to the reader. See example below.
Bobby Sands was being accused of being a criminal in court when he said, “we refuse to lie here in dishonor. We are not criminals, but Irishmen. This is the crime of which we stand accused” (“Bobby Sands MP”). Sands was trying to show that he was not the criminal in that situation.
When Bobby Sands was in prison he kept a diary until he physically couldn’t due to starvation. In one entry he wrote, “They won’t break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then we’ll see the rising of the moon” (“Bobby Sands MP”). Sands meant that he is only the beginning of a revolution, and that he was confident others would follow.
In the diary entry of the 13th day of the hunger strike Sands wrote, “Everyone, republican or otherwise, has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small. No one is too old or too young to do something” (Bobby Sands MP”). Bobby Sands was trying to show that everybody can do something to help the change, and that it is important for everybody to do something.
9. What, if anything, about their life reminds you of something in your life? Is there anything in their life that you relate to, or that is similar to feelings/experiences you’ve had?
I have not been forced to move from my home, but I have had the experience of being intimidated or forced to leave a certain area. Sands stood up for what he believed in, which was independence, even though he was outnumbered. I also stand up for what I believe in, even if some people may not agree with what I believe.