helenwatson wrote:
Agree totally. But ever the optimist, I think it's not too late to stop it. I just think people have to act, in any way they can, whenever they can, big or small, to make a difference.
For instance, my children's school is mostly closed tomorrow because the teachers are on strike about cuts in their pensions. So this morning, I went up to my son's form teacher and said (in a very loud voice, much to his shame) that I was sorry she was having to go on strike over this as I know teachers don't let down their pupils lightly. But that I didn't want her to think all the parents were against the action and that I for one supported them wholeheartedly and wish them all the best.
She was really pleased. She said she was so used to being criticised, she thought I was going to have a go at her. I told her that I had also sent an email to the headmistress, giving my support and explaining why.
I don't think this will change the world or help them win – I'm a 45 year old mother of two, who the fuck listens to me. But what it did do was quieten the self-centred mumbling from school run mums about the bloody teachers and how inconvenient it was that they had to look after their kids for a day. I work for a living too so I know that it is inconvenient. But sometimes in life you have to put yourself out for others.
And when the Tubes were on strike because of cuts in station staff, I made a point of going up to the ticket collector and saying that I didn't want to travel through unstaffed stations and I backed their action. All day he had had people abusing him about disrupting his travel but he has two kids and is due to lose his job. What choice does he have?
I think small actions are important. We all need to do things, even if they are small or you feel stupid, and be more vocal so that changes we don't agree with don't just go through because we don't speak up.
If this was Europe, people would be on the streets, setting fire to wheelie bins and smashing up the place. I don't advocate that but we all need to be more arsey if we are going to stop this gang of fuckers.
Besides I find being a big-mouthed, self opinionated, embarrassing bore has its upsides – fuckwit Tory mums do not speak to me or invite me to their stupid coffee mornings and fanny waxing parties. And nobody stands near me on the Tube in the morning, which means I don't have to suffer over intimate contact with fellow commuter's armpits. It's a win, win situation. x
Helen - there needs to be more people like you.