It is quite depressing listening to and reading some of the current news items. The growing meanness and inhospitable attitude of the Tory-LibDem coalition towards migrants and foreigners is sickening, as is the current story about blond children and the Roma Travellers. While seemingly different story lines, both underscore messages that feed bigotry, prejudices, hate, intolerance and give further mileage to the “far right” agenda. In terms of our government’s policy of migrants, Zoe Williams is spot on in observing:
Among the questions I have with regard to the view that the NHS is being “sponged” by migrants and tourists, is this: how much is the NHS and the UK sponging/sucking from developing and especially impoverished countries by recruiting their nurses and doctors to come and care for the health and well-being of British people? What is this costing these countries?
If like me, you are grasping for words to describe some of the sickening habits around us and struggling to call this place “home” – while contemplating what action you may wish to join in, here are some pictures (my images for your use) which may or may not say something, stir up words or help us to imagine alternatives…