Combatting the Far Right

Firstly, a big thank you. I was really cheered and encouraged by the response to my first step into the world of blogging and though that was about gender equality in film and TV, my overall intention is to discuss many things that concern me and I hope many of you too.  However, be assured, underneath everything I say and do is my conviction that equality, particularly gender equality is at the heart of a healthy, creative and inclusive society.  

This dream is constantly under threat though whether it be from old cultural stereotyping or modern day conflicts waged by those that have, or are seeking to have, power and wealth. This is very apparent in world news presently as the prominent players on the stage seem invariably male, as they are in any Shakespearean tragedy we pay to see.

Starring this month are Donald, Vladimir and Benjamin while Elon and other supporting players stand by for the best moment to take over centre stage.  Other aspiring boys like Nigel lurk in the wings.  There they hover listening for a cue that will invite them on for a useful cameo appearance, along with some good guys, as I see them anyway, primarily Volodymyr, hoping for some positive sensible dialogue at last.  Others in the shadows remain there, real motives hidden, who can, like Shaw said, upset the applecart.

It’s all too easy of course to dismiss this as just ridiculous entitled posturings, but they are symptomatic of a much more worrying trend. This trend swings away from ‘woke’ - apart from having views that are kind, sensitive, liberal, understanding, what actually does ‘woke’ mean? - (and if it does mean that then I am proud to say ‘I am ‘woke’) - pushing opinions to the right, but more than that, towards the far right. 

Many believe that Trump’s America is dumping democracy, becoming fascist and displaying many of the doctrines and actions reminiscent of Germany in the thirties.  The same seems to be emerging over here sadly with immigrant communities being blamed for getting better treatment than the indigenous population and for the violence displayed towards women and girls.  All factually wrong but emotionally used to change hearts and minds.

Last month I attended the annual TUC Women’s Council of the Isles, this year held in beautiful Derry, Northern Ireland. Each year trade union women from the nations gather to discuss and share strategies around an important issue.  Last year, in Wales, it was on paid and unpaid care.  This year it was on combatting the far right. 

How very fitting it seemed to be in a city that celebrates with its Peace Bridge the Good Friday Agreement, which in Spring 1998 reaffirmed the two governments’ commitment to “the principles of partnership, equality and mutual respect and the protection of civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights in their respective jurisdictions”.  Are you listening the Donald? Rather woke don’t you think?

Photo taken from the Ebrington Hotel built on the site of the former Army Barracks with in the distance the Peace Bridge snaking across the River Foyle.