The Daily ‘fucking’ Mail, Farage and Brexit. Ok and the Telegraph and Express and GBNews, Trump and Badenoch, Jenprick and many others. Prejudice fed by fear is increasing. I know that in my childhood there was the Black and White Minstrel Show and ‘Till death us do part’ on tv, pubs and guest houses were openly racist; but things seemed to be getting better? My old man was certain that black people (never niggers) were less intelligent – perhaps because he had only met 2! Of course the knuckle draggers were around, as were football hooligans and homosexuality was illegal. But things were brighter ‘Tomorrows World’ on TV hinted at progress, the design Centre in London showed the latest innovations and the best of UK design. The future was bright. Even the class war by Thatcher et al, on the British Working class and manufacturing industry was not allowed to inhibit hopes for the future. Music, fashion and a more liberal society boomed. My parents shouted at my brother for having a ‘Beatle haircut’ rather than short back and sides in I guess 1965, I was not allowed out in jeans on a Sunday – even though parents not overtly religious. Sexist attitudes were fading, but maybe that had more to do with landlords and house builders driving up costs forcing women into work? So definitely not perfect, but for a Greenpeace supporting hippie like me, the world was definitely going to get better. And it did.
Of course social media has changed everything! We all live in our own echo chambers now, and if not we have the bile of the newspapers and TV to frighten us into supporting the protagonists who finance these outlets. I believe people are basically good (unlike the vicar who came round after the birth of my first child and told us to get her christened as she had been born with inherent evil – what a K**t).
It seems that Starmer has sold his soul to Israel and Trump, Labour has not so far offered anything to get a wow factor for the future? The greens are my only hope – but whilst ostracised by the main stream media they will struggle. daily posts on x, facebook, etc.etc. are necessary. The old may not care about climate change (selfish bastards), but most of the young do.