Societies are imperfect entities. Composed of unequal parts, of unfair power struggles. They are misshapen, with nooks and crannies into which the most horrific of injustices can be visited on those who are afraid to come into the light.
Over the past century, Ireland has had many of those nooks and crannies, of hidey-holes where the unspoken was unseen. Where the unreported was unleashed on the unsuspecting.
In fact, it could be argued that these dark crevices were constructed to aid and abet, to conceal the reality, to keep the opportunity for exploitation very much alive.
Over the past few decades, the much vaunted light has been shone into these crevices and what has emerged has been horrific. Whether it is Tuam or Bessbrook or the laundries or swimming or domestic abuse, there is now a greater awareness of what went on, exposed in the hope that this can never happen again.
But let us not kid ourselves that just because a light is shone, that those who need to do evil cannot find dark places. I dread to think of what will emerge in the decade ahead when we look back at the Direct Provision schemes and the capacity-restricting manner in which some people are allowed to live in this country.
So how does this light retain its lustre? Through expression and freedom and courage and support and through seminal works of art such as those penned by Patricia Burke Brogan, who will be laid to rest in Bohermore tomorrow after a life lived well.
If she had only ever written one thing, then Eclipsed was sufficient. Although she was oft at pains to express her belief that it was just a play, it was much more than that. By showing a past in the present, it aimed to ensure that the future would be different. It also gave voice to those who up until then had been reluctant to tell their story in the belief they would not be given any credence.
For the many who had been downtrodden by those instructed to care for them, it was an avenue for them to walk upon where they could feel somewhat valuable after a lifetime of being an exploited and abused commodity.
The written, spoken, and performative word is a powerful medium. One hopes that the artists of today will use their creativity to highlight what is wrong with current society so that it can be fixed.
We still have people who are vulnerable and exploited and looked upon as less — even here in this part of the world. If the legacy of Patricia Burke Brogan is to inspire one more artist to be like her, then it is a worthy one.
To her family and friends, and to those who suffered in the places she wrote about, my condolences at her passing.
