About
I
have to admit that I have been fortunate. I am not going to claim
that I grew up in some mythical golden age where everything was
perfect. I grew up at a time when
things were simpler and choices were limited. There was no boggy
man. I lived in the country, summers were long and hot, you could
play outside without supervison and go on long walks with a jam
sandwitch and a bottle of tizer. There was limited or no television,
no 24 hour 15 minute media cycle.
In fact I think media conspired to represent the world as legal, decent, honest and truthfull. People in the public eye were honourable any transgreshion was kept under wraps
I received a good education that was broadbased with many opportunitys.
I think it is safe to say I have never been hungry or without a roof over my head. I have occasionaly felt I was not in a safe environment. But, I was never trapped. I didn't always have everything I wanted. But I did have everything I needed
I did attend church and was confirmed in the Church of England. Sang in the choir. At some point I came to the conclusion that whatever is written. The message is in the medium. The kind generouse vicar I had known through childhood was replaced by someone distant, bound up in their ritual. It was probably the day when in the middle of a cerman we were told 'life is so futile' that I lost faith. I still want to laugh when I think about it.
The first significant choice I made, at the age of 16, other than to leave the church, was not to go to university. I didn't have the temprement for exams. I was not aware then of the choices available. I applied for two jobs. As a result I was in full time employment from 17 until 47 with the same organisation. I was fortunate to be in a company which, for the greater part of its existance, held the conviction that personnal development was key to the success of the business. I was given the opportunity to take a first degree. I held wide range of jobs that helped me grow. In the main I felt valued and well rewarded.
I don't know how I came to my political standpoint. I can't say that I have changed significantly over time. I am less binary with an awareness of the issues that create bariers. I can't shake off the conviction that the right wing are selfserving and exploititive.
I keep thinking about what Mark Rylance said at the 2017 BAFTA ceremony. ‘So many stories of society that I took for granted are being challenged. Stories that I learned from my parents and my grandparents, such as 'be kind to strangers'." He summed it all up in such a clear and simple way.