The Casual Acceptance of Privilege
Jan asked me and others to write a piece about lockdown for the newsletter. I put it off and was too late for publication. I was only nudged into writing this piece after Dominic Cummings press conference yesterday.
What made me write was not the way he prised a miniscule loophole in the lockdown instructions to allow him and his family to escape from London when the virus was at its peak
Nor was it the risible explanation he gave for driving his wife to a beauty spot 30 miles away on his wife's birthday. This, incidently, included his son who he will stop at nothing to care for! All this to supposedly to test his vision!!
On a par with ‘the dog ate my homework'
No, it was his casual acceptance of privilege. The mantra of deny and never, never apologise.
A second home is a ‘pile of old stones'. Any questionable actions are altruistic and then stare down any criticism.
For most of yesterdays performance he seemed Ok (ish) but as it went on it all began to fall apart and those eyes indicated that he repays debts, eventually and completely.
Can I also add that the immediate support from Tory sycophants was expected but still disappointing.*
So, why write now? Well, it made me question if myself and others in the village suffer the same casual acceptance of privilege.
On various media and walks around the village I have shared chats on how lucky we to live in a place with such beautiful walks and safe cycle rides. What used to be a quick ‘hi' now is a chance to talk and find out things about people we hardly knew
Deliverable food from local suppliers without having to join a long queue at a supermarket like some. Gardens to work on or just bask in.
Similarities to wartime existence have been mentioned and I expect spam and dried eggs were not often on the menu here then.
So are we guilty of 'a casual acceptance of privilege?
The answer is an unequivocal NO!
Yes , we may be privileged but there is nothing wrong with that. We should be judged by what we do and not what we are.
What people have done in this village the news section will illustrate but let me give a short version.
From the Village Hall, Parish Council and other groups down to the person who cheered me up by pacing a beautifully painted stone on our steps ...and also the young people delivering cup cakes to the over 70's (can I mention I am over 70 and live at The Nook at the top of the village)
This community has been magnificent and deserves the title ‘The Best Self-Isolating Village in the UK'
* As I write a principled Junior Minister has resigned.
