PARAMILITARY FLAGS, emblems and graffiti dominate lampposts and gable walls in many areas across the country - marking out territory and, unfortunately, sending out the blatant message that certain parts of our community are the exclusive preserve of one side or the other.
What must tourists and potential investors think when they see our society divided up in this way?
These type of flags are the physical manifestation of the sickening sectarianism and segregation that pervade our society and a sign that paramilita
ry groups have entire areas in their sights.
Many residents are too frightened to complain to the authorities because of the threat of being targeted.
Indeed, staffs of government agencies feel powerless to do anything about the paramilitary paraphernalia.
Many people are understandably offended and outraged by the continued usage of flags and emblems on public property by paramilitary organisations.
While many people see the artistic talent in many of the works on gable walls, murals depicting guns and those which bear the initials of paramilitary organisations are totally unacceptable.
Tattered flags - and this also includes the Irish Tricolour - left flying throughout the year are nothing but an eyesore.
While there are no easy answers to the issue, we need to recognise that there is a serious problem and face up to it rather than run away from it.
The full article contains 222 words and appears in Journal Tuesday Derry Edit newspaper.
