{"id":20180,"date":"2021-12-29T19:30:54","date_gmt":"2021-12-29T19:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/?p=20180"},"modified":"2023-02-21T17:13:24","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T17:13:24","slug":"mary-macgregor-speaks-at-brooksbank-124-commemoration-in-lochee-dundee-18-12-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/12\/29\/mary-macgregor-speaks-at-brooksbank-124-commemoration-in-lochee-dundee-18-12-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Mary MacGregor speaks at Brooksbank 124 commemoration in Lochee, Dundee, 18.12.21"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Republican Socialist Platform organised a commemoration for Mary Brooksbank a communist activist, song write and poet on Lochee High Street, Dundee on Saturday, 18th December. Mary MacGregor spoke for the RSP.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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MARY BROOKSBANK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mill worker, writer, poet, musician, class fighter, trade unionist, revolutionary!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Emily Robinson, event compere holds mike for Mary Macgregor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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How wonderful to be holding a commemoration for this inspirational woman.<\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m not in favour of the cult of the individual but there are some people who should be remembered for what they have done and what they represent in the struggle to liberate humanity. Mary Brooksbank is one such individual. So many members of our class have been airbrushed out of history. So many women who have stolidly and bravely laid their colours to the mast have been made invisible or sanitised or silenced to fit in with a bourgeois narrative.<\/p>\n

It is our duty to make sure that our children and their children know about the lives of these folk, OUR folk.<\/p>\n

There are people here like Siobhan who have researched and documented Mary\u2019s life and who can relate the details and historical context of it but I feel very fortunate that, because of my age, I was breathing the same air and walking the same streets at the same time as this remarkable woman.<\/p>\n

I came to Dundee in 1975 and it has been my home since then. Mary dies in 1978. We could have passed in the street. Met in the shops. We could have been comrades But I knew nothing of her at that time. And despite being the only woman with an inscription on the walls of the Scottish parliament building ( a disgrace in itself by the way) and despite having a centre named after her, she still does not have recognition she deserves in our city and beyond.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday Bernadette and I were in the McManus Galleries and we asked what they had about Mary Brooksbank. The only exhibit on display is her violin which is currently unattributed in the mock up pawn shop part of old Dundee streets exhibition. \u00a0It doesnae seem right to me.<\/p>\n

Like many others my first encounter with Mary Brooksbank came through learning socialist songs and of course The Jute Mill song which we will sing together in a wee bit.<\/p>\n

As I learned more about Dundee\u2019s working class history, Mary Brooksbank became a real beacon for hope in the class struggle.<\/p>\n

For me her breadth of political understanding, her internationalism, her unwavering courage as a communist and her belief in collective action was significant. She knew change did not come about through individuals but through unions, through movements, and class consciousness and class action. Remarkable as she was, she knew that we get our strength from each other. From support and solidarity.<\/p>\n

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Listen to this extract from a poem. Of hers called Courage<\/em> where she shows the power of class solidarity,<\/p>\n

Courage I\u2019ll show in the face of adversity,<\/p>\n

Though traitors surround me I\u2019ll still remain true,<\/p>\n

What to\u2019 our enemies hate and revile me<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll keep my ideals fresh as the dew.<\/p>\n

Freedom from want and from life\u2019s insecurity,<\/p>\n

Freedom from fear of the world\u2019s privileged few;<\/p>\n

Freedom from those who would shackle all reason<\/p>\n

Freedom to fashion world friendships anew<\/p>\n

Courage we need for our foes they are powerful,<\/p>\n

Millionaire, Press Magnate, Lord, Baron and Peer;<\/p>\n

Scream through their yellow press vituperation<\/p>\n

Their tirades the measure now great is their fear<\/p>\n

This woman through her songs an poems has touched the hearts of many. And it is her humanity that shines through in her work. Despite the suffering she and her family clearly experienced, she refused to be brutalised, dehumanised. She displays empathy and love and humour. She values music and art and our culture. Till the end of her days she sees herself as part of a world wide movement to liberate humankind. At 73 she is not taking an och well there\u2019s nothing to be done attitude. Instead she is in Hanoi! Helping to rebuild after incessant pounding by B52 bombers and finding the experience one of the most satisfying of her life.<\/p>\n

Well comrades and friends there\u2019s plenty still to be done. The best way we can commemorate Mary Brooksbank is through our collective action against injustice, poverty, prejudice. She dedicated her life to the overthrow of capitalism.<\/p>\n

So whether we are \u00a014, the age Mary was when she took part in her first strike or 84 we can do the same.<\/p>\n

Happy birthday OUR Mary and thank you.<\/p>\n

___________<\/p>\n

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also see:-<\/p>\n

1. Video of the event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mary Brooksbank: revolutionary fighter for her class<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n