Sunday 11 September 2011

Moving on

We all need to move on of course. Don't we?

From our memories, from things that didn't go right, from things that we couldn't influence.

There is a fine line between commemorating the past and dwelling in it.

Since my parents died, I have spent years dreaming about them, but recently, they have left me alone. So have the horrid work situations which also haunted my dreams.

Friends and lovers who are in the past? That's where they are consigned.

Old national wounds? Spain and Arab nations claiming each others countries? Because they possessed them years ago? I don't think so. Do Ceuta and Melilla want to be Morrocan? Does Andalucia want to be Arabic? And does Gibraltar want to be either Spanish or Muslim?

Do the Falkland Islanders want to be Argentinian?

As feminists, there is not much point commemorating our past victories when we are still stuck with our discriminational problems.

And for animal rights activists, there has been some progress over the years but it is small.

When this sort of activity happens - we still live in a sad and abusive society

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14817582

And finally, yes it was bad when the Twin Towers was hit, yes it was bad when Atocha station in Madrid was hit, and yes it was bad when London was hit as well.

Going over it every year doesn't help, it encourages resentment and hatred.

It is too raw and too recent. Reviving it every year really doesn't help.

Get rid of the vitriol and work out how to live together. Or at least in peace and without war.

2 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

One of our local writers said much the same -

Mike is quite spot on to how I feel about our social/political climate -

Look at some of his past posts for more of his wisdom but he was very on about 'today'

http://www.ydr.com/mike/ci_18860017

roughseasinthemed said...

Cheers Phyll. A good link to a very perceptive and thoughtful read. I'll bookmark it and check out some more of his columns. It's always difficult for those of us on the outside to write about 11 Sept, but at the end of the day, it did affect the world, so I think valid to comment.