Black Lives Matter: Present injustices drive the underlying emotions – Hereford Times

Amidst all the media clamour about a recent white paper on education, one Thought for the Day expresses concern for the needs of all children, encouraging me to write again.

Considered response to educational underachievement is better than polarised reactions; in categorising problems we can lose awareness of individual suffering and the ramifications.

A report acknowledging deprivation should prompt investigation of root causes.

We talk about 'Mental Health' when we are really discussing mental illness; 'Black Lives Matter' became a slogan when we should be tackling corrupted public systems.

A mob topples a statue and the heated debate following seems more concerned with material matters than with the present injustices driving the underlying emotions.

That passion could be directed towards solutions. A healthy society cares for those who are in distress.

Lockdown has shown what can be achieved and can clear focus.

Zoom has enabled vital connections but also induces remoteness.

It is people, and the Arts especially, that inspire; we need imagination and creative activity to tackle the unhealthy parts of our society.

Systemic privilege and self-preservation block progress. Government should be serving people and our environment.

I want to celebrate the complexity of individuals and work for a society where all children are nurtured.

Both gender and colour are unsuited to box ticking and simplification. We all have inbuilt assumptions.

With the will to face them, our children will have a better future.

Barbara FerrisDinedor

Read more from the original source:

Black Lives Matter: Present injustices drive the underlying emotions - Hereford Times