“What, in the name of God, is going on? Why are there people homeless, in this day and age? Why are people struggling with depression? Why is there not enough support out there for people who have alcohol, drug, gambling issues? Why? Why is there not enough support out there for their families? It’s an injustice.” – Senator Frances Black
Frances Black is a well-known Irish singer, campaigner, politician, addiction counsellor, and social entrepreneur. She grew up in inner city Dublin and achieved musical fame early in her life as part of Arcady and The Black Family. She featured on the renowned ‘A Woman’s Heart’ album, which became the biggest-selling Irish album of all time.
Frances battled with alcohol dependency in her twenties, and went on to become an addiction counsellor before setting up the Rise Foundation to support families affected by addiction. In 2016 she entered the world of politics, and was elected as an independent senator, a role she uses to highlight issues surrounding mental health, addiction and social justice.
I interviewed her about her life, work and activism for my Love and Courage podcast which you can listen to through the Soundcloud link below. Alternatively download the one hour interview through the podcast App on your iPhone, iPad or through iTunes, or through a Podcast App such as Podcast Addict on other smartphones. There is also a full transcript online here.
Excerpts from Frances Black interview:
“When you’re in your own recovery from alcohol, and you’re looking around you, this amazing country that we have – this beautiful, great, fantastic country with the most amazing people – and everywhere you look, people are getting locked.”
“The reality is that the Alcohol Bill will work towards changing our culture, and our unhealthy relationship with alcohol. And I think it’s vital that we get it through, and passed, and not watered down. But the problem is that the alcohol industry are extremely powerful, extremely powerful.”
“Where is their humanity? Why are they not worried about three people a day dying from an alcohol-related issue? Where is their conscience? That’s what I can’t get my head around.”
“I worry, sometimes, about this lovely country of ours. In the sense that I worry about them putting profits before our people.”
“I do feel a little bit tired, at times. But I have a good, strong sense of spirituality. And that doesn’t mean that I’m religious. I have a very strong sense of – and this would have come from my own recovery – I do believe that my addiction, or my depression, was a soul sickness, and is a soul sickness. And that until I was able to start looking after my spirit, and doing things for my spirit, it was only going to be stronger again.”
“What I used to think is: “Everybody has to like me, or else I’m a failure.” Do you know what I mean? So, I realised, and I learned through many different ways, that that’s what freedom is. It’s not caring what people think of you, and just being you, and just being and accepting yourself for yourself. You know? And since I’ve embarked on that journey, I’ve found unbelievable freedom.”
Ruairí McKiernan’s new Love and Courage podcast features in-depth interviews with thinkers, innovators and activists including Professor Ivor Browne, Sr Stan, Christy Moore and others. You can download it for free on iTunes or any Podcast smartphone App or listen via Soundcloud. Find out more at loveandcourage.org
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