An article I read this morning
suggests that Valentine’s Day has its origins in the Roman feast of Lupercalia.
From the 13th to the 15th of February the celebration included animal
sacrifice, nakedness, drinking, sexual activity and the whipping of women (in
the belief that this would increase their fertility). Following a number of
developments and changes Valentine's Day is now a more intimate, romantic event
for many. It's big business too:
According to market research firm IBIS World,
Valentine's Day sales reached $17.6 billion last year; this year's sales are
expected to total $18.6 billion. Well that's ok then. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day
I'm sure many of us would agree that the world is a pretty dark place at the moment and we all need
to find pockets of joy and celebration to get us through. For in just the last
couple of days we have been reminded (not least) of:
- The need for those of us in the UK to keep fighting for the NHS,
to keep exposing the government’s cuts and deals. Just released plans highlight proposed or likely closure of 19 hospitals, including five major acute
hospitals by 2021. This will mean the closure of 2,000+ beds in acute and community hospitals and the loss of nearly 3,000
jobs to create a ‘smaller, more agile’ workforce.
- Further evidence that the now teeth-grinding phrase 'the will of the people' is only relevant when politically useful. Today we are told:
HM Government believes the President of the
United States should be extended the full courtesy of a State Visit. We look
forward to welcoming President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalised.
HM Government recognises the strong views expressed
by the many signatories of this petition, but does not support this petition.
During her visit to the United States on 27
January 2017, the Prime Minister, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, invited
President Trump for a State Visit to the UK later this year. The invitation was
accepted. This invitation reflects the importance of the relationship between
the United States of America and the United Kingdom. At this stage, final dates
have not yet been agreed for the State Visit.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- The evidence suggesting that we have much, much more than a visit
by Donald Trump to worry about. Just a few things here, there are more:
The Investigatory Powers Act which received Royal
Assent on the 29th November 2016 means that Britain is the most advanced
surveillance state in the democratic (I typed demoncratic at first, seems
more appropriate somehow) world, as the government now has
unrestricted access to everyone’s personal information and internet browsing
history.
The
Calais Wall built to keep refugees out of Britain. The four-metre-high wall, which separates the refugee camp from passing traffic, was completed in December, cost £2.3 million and was funded by the taxpayer. Add to this the government’s U-turn on the Dubs amendment which committed the UK to help the most vulnerable unaccompanied children in
Europe and Home Office confirmation that it has placed a temporary halt on
accepting refugee children with disabilities.
The proposed overhaul of existing secrecy
legislation aimed at whistleblowers and journalists with a maximum prison sentence
increase from two to 14 years and a redefinition of espionage
to include obtaining sensitive information, as well as passing it on.
- That, sadly, oh so very sadly, some people care little about anyone else’s rights, needs or comforts. And indeed appear interested only in their own entertainment. Tim Loughton MP - a Conservative who voted for the bedroom tax; for reductions in welfare spending, including for sick, disabled people, people unable to work; against laws promoting human rights; against legal aid being available for sick, disabled and dying people appealing wrong welfare decisions - tweeted on Sunday evening: Just had a great night at the BAFTAS apart from the usual predictable drivel from Ken Loach in his own La La Land.
Loach accepting the award for Outstanding British Film said:
Thank you to the academy for endorsing the truth of what the film says,
which hundreds of thousands of people in this country know, and that is
that the most vulnerable and the poorest people are treated by this government
with a callous brutality that is disgraceful. It’s a brutality that
extends to keeping out refugee children that we promised to help and that’s a
disgrace too.
But films can do many things. They can entertain, they can terrify,
they can take us to worlds of the imagination, they can make us laugh, and they
can tell us something about the real world we live in. And in that real world –
it’s a bit early for a political speech, I’m sorry – but in that real
world it’s getting darker, as we know. And in the struggle that’s coming
between the rich and the powerful, the wealthy and the privileged, and the big
corporations and the politicians who speak for them on the one hand, and the
rest of us on the other, then film-makers – and we’re all film-makers here
– the film-makers know which side they are on. And despite the glitz and
glamour of occasions like this, we’re with the people.
In their coverage of the awards the BBC TV news following BAFTA
failed to even mention Loach and the award, let alone his speech. Never mind
for many have shared it online since and here it is again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FO1ODjceBM
- The
evidence to suggest that Tim Loughton is not a one-off. Although Loach has
received much support and praise for his approach there are many others
(including politicians) who seem to have forgotten that film, drama, art,
literature and the like has always been a way of ‘doing politics’. Like Loughton many of these people are criticising Loach for ‘spoiling’ their Sunday evening viewing. As I was watching this particular twitter drama unfold the following came up on my Twitter feed. No words for this, just a feeling of despair. . .
- The confirmation (as if we needed it) that
sexism, racism and the especially nasty mix of the two as it plays out in misogynoir (misogyny directed
towards Black women
where race and gender both play
roles in bias) is alive and kicking. That we even have to have a discussion
about whether or not Diane Abbott MP was abused and insulted, in person and in a
text exchange with a friend, by David Davis MP, is horrifying.
I have worked in organisations were
the culture has been bullish and bullying. If senior individuals treat others
badly this gives permission for everyone (unless they resist the
pressure) to behave badly too. This is what, I think, is happening in both
Theresa May’s government and society more generally, with examples of
mistreatment (some of which I've considered here) just as bad as at the feast of Lupercalia.
A poem to
end; befitting of the date:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
I’ve had enough,
And I hope so have you.
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