Left voices, unfiltered, unedited, Ungagged.
There’s another layer above the real and fantasised darkness, and it’s a good one. It involves people working away at the grass roots with and for their community. BBC Radio Scotland’s Kaye Adams lives in a world where it’s fine to introduce her “Rule of 6” call-in with the comment “I know dozens of people […]
I just woke up this morning to this article. My friend Richie Venton, a superb union representative for the union USDAW, and IKEA worker, has been sacked. During lockdown, I phoned Richie about an issue a family member was going through in her work. He didn’t have to give me advice – Richie was representing […]
Saturday 15th August 2020 – little over one week from the time of writing – will see seasoned and newly engaged social activists take to the streets of Bonnyrigg in support of and solidarity of Debora Kayembe and her family. Circa one week ago, EdinburghLive, The Daily Record, and S.T.V. News detailed the sustained racial […]
There’s a wistfulness in the air. We’re no longer marvelling at clear skies above China and translucent blue canals in Venice. We’re watching from behind the sofa as death rates continue to rise around the globe, and fluctuations occur, leading to second, or even third wave and Lockdown periods, such as in Hong Kong and […]
We may have been in various phases of lockdown across Europe over recent months, yet queer politics remains an ever present issue for we L.Q.B.T.Q.+ folk, but seemingly also for those who police and legislate our lives. Advancing the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland to protect and safeguard the lives of trans folk has been […]
Since the last time I wrote about my Covid-19 experience for Ungagged my life here in Xiamen (on the south coast of China) has regained a degree of normality. Initially many people were saying things like “normal isn’t really very normal any more”, and the expectation was that the strictly enforced new rules were here […]
Warning We are approaching 2020 As you leave the craft, collect hand sanitizer, a mask, And a full-face visor for your one task Which you must accept To prevent contamination Now fear not, for you will also find some peace. A short respite from the warring, starving nations Who must now repel disease. And […]
“It is poverty that robs children of life chances be they health, education, unsafe communities, food insecurity and poor housing.” Schools have now been closed for the vast majority of children since 20th March. They won’t be re opening until August at the earliest. Coronavirus has dominated the headlines from a health point of view […]
We were somewhere around Watford on the edge of up North when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like, “I need a shit… the bowels are at last engaging… maybe you should drive…” And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of lorry tractors […]
“It’s time to stop the Tutting and the eye-rolling at our neighbours. Let’s be vigilant about where we lay our blame” There’s a muckle great steam train thundering down the track and it’s aflame with blame for all the health, environmental and economic ills, caused by the Pandemic, Lockdown and Lockdown breaches. Simmering under that, […]