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 […]
Month: August 2020
Prison, Protest, & Mutual Aid: The Robert Danilczuk Story
‘[D]o you not realise that the State is the worst enemy you have? It is a machine that crushes you in order to sustain the ruling class, your masters. Like naïve children you put your trust in your political leaders. You make it possible for them to creep into your confidence, only to have them […]
Within Our Grasp – a response…
Common Weal has published a lengthy document called “Within Our Grasp”, about Independence for Scotland. Although published by them, this document states it isn’t necessarily the policy of Common Weal – but it’s written by the Director of Common Weal, Robin McAlpine! I once had a bit of a debate with both his faither, Tom […]
Apologies, Accountability, & A Question of Forgiveness
‘[W]e can today celebrate the achievements of all learners. Young people have received awards that recognise their hard work and allow them to move onto the next stage in their lives.’ – John Swinney (4th August 2020) ‘[W]e did did not get it right for every young person and I want to apologise for that’ […]
‘Friends of Debora’: Solidarity, Capitalism, & Covid Recovery
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 […]
How to Perpetuate Social Inequalities – An SQA and Scottish Government Guide
Today, learners who studied S.Q.A. National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses during the 2019/2020 academic session received their grades. Yet, for the first time, these results are not down to how students performed in a final one-off exam (itself already a problematic approach), rather gradings are the result of predictions by teachers in high […]
BINARY IS BLIND by Mairi Jack
BINARY IS BLIND White is pure, black is not Lessons from the west, taught subtly From colours binary, but why White should be the good guy, who knows. Sure winters’ frosty sky brings snow Then carpets of Spring snowdrops grow. Virgin white bride’s veil flows Though most of her guests know – she’s not! […]
John Hume – Man of Peace.
Rest in peace, as your life was for, and gifted us peace, John Hume. Ungagged are reproducing this extraordinary speech by John Hume as a lesson in how to appeal to politics, and to how to adhere to the principle of non-violence in the face of hate and vicious division. Hume made this speech after […]
The World Through A Window
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 […]