Someone who had read my novel, Eugenica, contacted me to say that what is happening in Britain today in regard to the government's attacks against disabled people reminded them of that particular book. I found this observation both disappointing and reassuring by equal measure. I was disappointed because Eugenica was written with the intent of … Continue reading Persecuting the Disabled: History Repeats Itself
discrimination
Why Does Popular Media Falsify History?
The wilful misrepresentation of that history, either to fulfil a current social-political agenda, or simply to make a media production more appealing to a mixed race audience for commercial reasons, is damaging
The truth is often painful but that is why we should not ignore it
Censoring an author's work because it includes racial slurs to emphasise the arguments against racism does not confront the problem, it avoids it
How much freedom are we going to surrender?
I saw this post on a friend's timeline on Facebook: I had previously decided not to respond through social media, but rather through this blog, however, I had had a drink and my devil got the better of me. This is what I wrote: I have just seen this and cannot believe that anyone would … Continue reading How much freedom are we going to surrender?
The Government’s National Strategy for Disabled People
On 2nd April, 2020, the UK Government announced a National Strategy for Disabled People; for some reason I only discovered the fact after reading a post on Facebook that commented on a survey recently initiated in support of this new policy. A quick trawl of search results reveals that no major media outlet seems to have picked up on it. The same can be said for the survey that was released 15th January, 2021.
Would you take a knee for the disabled?
I was watching the BBC’s ‘Match of the Day’ recently and noticed that the commentator referred to what is now the customary ‘taking a knee’ as a protest against all forms of discrimination. That, I thought, is a step in the right direction. Due to the disruption to the season caused by the pandemic, and … Continue reading Would you take a knee for the disabled?
Provoking a Reaction or Not
Ever write something that you thought would provoke a response but it did not? Ever write something that was intended to be throw-away and it got the more attention than anything else you had published? I am sure that I am not alone in being able to answer yes to both questions.
Why not have a ‘No Room for Prejudice’ Campaign?
Being an avid football fan, I am well aware of the 'No Room for Racism' campaign that was launched in March 2019. It is one of many campaigns that aim to improve the treatment of people seen as vulnerable to discrimination. There are many players in the English football leagues who are not white and, therefore, many who may encounter racism during their careers, which is probably why football authorities are keen to be seen as tackling the problem.
All Lives Matter and the House on Fire Analogy
I recently read a post on social media that was offered as an abuttal to the ‘All Lives Matter’ statement. It used the house on fire analogy, which is basically this: in a street of many houses one house is on fire. All the houses matter but only the one on fire matters right now. … Continue reading All Lives Matter and the House on Fire Analogy
All Lives Do Matter
In 1966, Dr Martin Luther King Jr., faced a problem during the Civil Rights Movements' 'March Against Fear' campaign. In the city park of Greenwood, Mississippi, a mass rally of support was held, during which Stokely Charmichael, a representative of the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee (SNCC), proclaimed: "what we need is black power". The Black … Continue reading All Lives Do Matter
Peter C Whitaker 