In order to be listened to, respected and get paid for it, the many institutions of campaigning culture prefer those who are not “different”. When access needs are asked for, a lack of funds is immediately cited. When a more inclusive way of organising is asked for, empty promises ensue. And through all of this, disabled people are just expected to adapt or remove themselves from the space.
Decolonising Development – thoughts on John Hilary’s Poverty of Capitalism
Policies. Theories. Models. Ideologies. It is fascinating how abstracted our politics have become from real life experiences. A couple of months ago, John Hilary caused quite a stir by calling…
The system doesn’t work. Then why are we fighting to save it?
“In the Cold War,” the academic stated excitedly, “at least we had an alternative we could fight for! Now, when the cuts come, we have nothing.” It’s strange how we…
Silenced hearing, or the echoes of lies
We speak to silences, you, maybe, and I. In dark corners – we Scream, so our voices, desiccated turned to dust, are picked up like ash. Can you hear the…
If a person speaks and no-one listens, do they have a voice?
Everyone has a right to free speech but only a few are heard. As World Social Forum 2013 opens its doors in Tunis today, I mused on how little the…
David Cameron has blood on his hands
This is a repost of a piece written by Bethan Jones. Today I was found guilty in the Oxford Magistrates’ Court of causing “harassment, alarm and distress” following a peaceful…
Is it all in Black & White?
It’s us against the world, the old rhetoric goes. Much of my experience in activist circles has been fighting old dualistic battles: rich versus poor; Keynes versus Hayek; and West…
The Economy Game
In his study of Governmentality, in amongst many other points of analysis, Foucault points to the de-estabilishment of the economy from the family framework as the turning point to our…
Costing employment: regulation, high pay and redistribution
Shutters are shut, graffitti scrawled over the surface. Windows display vacant rooms. Old signs have letters falling off. It’s nearly Christmas, but the streets are empty – except at the…
London Riots: the fuel is not the ignition
Growing up in Nairobi, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen violence, or a riot. Burning cars, smashed windows, looting – I’ve seen it all before. But no riot comes…