Politics and Cause
It's all Bob Geldof's fault. All my life I've always been a bit left wing. The shade has varied over the years, from student days as a member of a Socialist Society, through a short spell as Communist in the early seventies, the odd anarchist weekend, faithful long term Labour Party supporter to present day just generally leftish liberal/green. I've never actually joined any political party, but I've always been a member of a trade union., and believe that they are an important factor in protecting the rights of employees and their families. Similarly, I am always mistrustful of employers, managers, landlords and anyone who has power over others.
So where does Bob Geldof come in? Well, if you can remember the eighties, this foul-mouthed dishevelled Irishman reached out of the TV screen, grabbed the world by the throat and said "People are dying now. Give me your ****ing money!"
He didn't smile politely and beg, "Please give generously." He made it clear that we weren't doing anyone a favour, we weren't being kind. Rather, it was our unavoidable responsibility to do something about hunger and suffering, being as it was largely the fault of the richer countries anyway. And the world gave. It wasn't nearly enough, but it was a start and Bob let in some fresh air on an outlook and attitude to doing the right thing that hadn't changed much since the nineteenth century.
I was working in a secondary school at the time, and two fifteen year olds approached me and asked if I would help them do something for Band Aid. I sighed and agreed, and over the next week or so we filled several dozen sacks with bags of flour and sugar to be send to Africa.
However, the more I got involved in this sort of thing, the more I realised that there were wider issues involved. Once you start thinking of famine in Africa, people trafficking in Eastern Europe, illegal internments, torture, landmines, child poverty…well, the list is endless it's easy to get confused. But actually it boils down to bullying, injustice and exploitation. All these things are about people with power mistreating other people with less power. In other words - bullying. It's all about bullies exploiting victims. Sometimes it's in a playground and sometimes it's in an internment camp, and sometimes it's in a village that doesn't have clean water, but it's all bullying.
True, sometimes the bullies don't realise they're bullying, but that can still be the case even in a playground - a lot of kids are bullied by friends or members of their own families! I remember a boy of about ten who was being mercilessly teased by a group of seven year olds. He was very upset because he was a big boy who was reluctant to stand up for himself in case he was accused of being a bully. I pointed out that the little kids were the bullies. When I spoke to the little ones, they were amazed that their victim was upset. They liked him, he was their friend, they didn't realise their behaviour was bullying. They left him alone and we all learned a lesson. Sometimes we just need our attention drawn to how our behaviour can sometimes be upsetting. At other times, bullies know exactly what they're doing and it needs pointing out - "Everyone knows what you're doing. It's wrong, so stop it!"
All this brings me to Amnesty International, because, basically that's what they do.
I've been a member of AI for fifteen years, and since then the list of issues it addresses has multiplied bewilderingly: prisoners of conscience of course, child soldiers, violence against women, refugees, torture, capital punishment, illegal deportations, freedom of expression, internet repression…. Phew! You can find yourself saying "Yes, yes, must join that campaign, and that one and…" and end up doing nothing. Amnesty is like a giant watchdog for the world. Click the button and have a quick look at their website to see what I mean. But don't be long, because I haven't finished yet.
Had a look? Good, now here's a thing. Not all Amnesty members agree among themselves about every issue, and there might be some stuff that doesn't interest you at all. Feel guilty about that? Don't. If you've read this far, and you took the trouble to look at AI's website you're obviously sort of concerned about civil rights, human rights, or just bullying. Just hang on to the word 'bullying', and you won't go far wrong.
What to do.
Find a cause that concerns you and do something. Usually this means writing a letter to someone. An MP, a foreign Head of State, an Ambassador, and telling them about your concern. Remember, there will be hundreds of others doing the same, and when some sleazy chief of police finds out that the game is up, and people know what he's doing, very often whatever crummy bit of skulduggery he's into will stop.
Join AI. It's not expensive and you'll get support and information to help you address whatever issue concerns you.
Join a local group. You can work with others and you'll realise just how many people there are who want to stop injustice.
Ok, that's me and Amnesty in a nutshell. What AI is about chimes with a lot I
happen to believe in. It also has the coolest logo ever designed! Yes, I know it has a lot of right on celebrity supporters, but it don't let that put you off.
Maybe you think that maybe AI isn't for you at all. If that's the case, read on, this next bit's just for you.
Bullying, exploitation and injustice happen everywhere all the time, and I believe everyone has a responsibility to do something about it. I've taken the AI route, but there are thousands of issues you can take an interest in. Here I'm reminded of a rugby game I once played in. The opposition had just scored a soft try. Our full back complained, "They had a three man overlap! What could I do?" Our captain snarled, "Just tackle one of them, then."
Good advice. Whatever you do, don't do nothing. It doesn't matter if it's NSPCC, CAFOD, Spanish donkey sanctuaries or Save the Badger. They're all worth it. There are probably some causes you don't sympathise with. Me, I'm not likely to give much to the Sunshine Home for Impoverished Latin American Dictators or take part in a sponsored walk for Save the Wasp, but each to his own. Oh, and money isn't everything. Time, as we all know, is much more valuable so, to paraphrase Bob, "Stop watching the telly and give them a ****ing hour!"
Back to Who?
