A LITTLE COMFORT

It’s not been a good week in the UK. In fact, it’s been a time that’s left me despairing, which isn’t something that happens often. Not just because it was a hideous crime, but how it was handled and how politicians reacted left me thinking that we don’t deserve a beautiful planet like this one and frightened for my children’s future, because it happened less than 30 miles away from where I live. That means the old comforting feeling of ‘that’s a big city thing so we’re safe enough’ was rightly ripped away because why should I have that comfort when others can’t? I’m in total awe of Henry Nowak’s parents for the way they have quietly and tenaciously fought to bring his life and death to the top of the agenda, no matter how hard some people are trying to convince us that it was just one of those things. Sometimes people make mistakes. It was confusing. We must hide our anger for the sake of racial harmony. Worse things have happened to ethnic minorities, as if that makes it okay for it to happen.

Let me make this clear. I will take responsibility for my own actions, but I will not take responsibility for things that my ancestors did (or in my case didn’t). I believe that we have a duty to treat everyone fairly, kindly and with respect, regardless of their race or their beliefs. I expect the same in return, and I’ll stand up for myself if I don’t get it. (Imagine a small but tenacious terrier, and you’ll get a good idea of me when I go past ‘cross’ and reach ‘something must be done, and I am going to do it.’

Overwhelmingly, though, I’m sad for a life lost and a damaged society. I was thinking ‘surely we’ve got to do and be better than this’ as I went for my walk, and then, as if I was being sent a message, I saw this.

Putting it in context, 2 years ago, a mother duck abandoned her ducklings, who were then adopted by the greylag geese, who didn’t seem at all fussed that some of their babies looked a bit different. Those ducklings grew into ducks (Yes, I know, it’s obvious, but bear with me.) They then had ducklings of their own, and they neither know nor care what they are apart from their beautiful and cute selves. They’ve learned how to parent like a goose, which involves working together to protect each other. As a result, six out of seven ducklings have thrived, when, bluntly, they used to die when they were brought up by their parents.

Most of all, it’s still a beautiful world. Most people are kind. And I will not shut up when something is wrong. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. In fact, if someone tells me to, I shall very politely shout louder still. Please will you do the same? Pretty please? I have to believe that together we can change the world, because what’s the alternative?