Well I’ve signed up to blog this day alongside many others – the day has come and I’ve got so many other things I need to be getting on with but feel a need to sort of add to this and show some support in some way.
These are my thoughts on the subject….
We all know that we should be trying to break down barriers of inequality in life and work in our own country – racism – sexism – all types of discrimination. We aim to tackle the way people are treated face to face or within institutions following work place rules of “Equal opportunities” that have been created thoughtfully over years and years as people have realised that “equal opportunities” would not actually happen if it were not for these rules being implemented. Sometimes there is a lack of understanding about these rules, and a criticism of people being overly “PC”. I firmly believe that these unspoken rules of appropriateness (political correctness) and ways of dealing with issues are there for the greater good and definitely have created more equality. We can help each other with our understanding of the relevance and historical background of these “rules”and rise up and be fit to tackle discrimination properly. (I’m sure there have been times when I may have said things that might not have been appropriate – so I would hope that people would tell me if this is so – explaining why is always helpful)
Often not spoken about is the inequality of wealth – both in the UK and worldwide. There certainly are not “equal opportunities” for all, due to this simple fact – wealth buys health care – infrastructures – “excellent” school and opportunities for mingling in the upper echelons giving rise to a secure future for those involved. Certain privately educated celebrities (who also have a public conscience) have stated that they believe that the system of “public” schools should be changed as they realise the inequalities they perpetuate…- Can’t blame people for using this system – it is there and people want what they feel is the best for their kids…
Anyway enough of the inequalities in the UK (though there are many more as we know)…
The biggest inequalities are the global ones…. The richest 2% of the world have more wealth than half of the rest of the world. The richest 300 people have more wealth than the poorest 3 billion. Apparently through most of history things were more equal – 200 years ago wealthy countries were three times richer than poor countries. By the end of colonialism in the 1960s we were 35 x richer and now it is 80 x wealthier. We rich countries feel we compensate for this by giving aid – adding up to $130 billion per year. However we also operate under shrewd tax avoidance schemes or “Trade mispricing”. Add that to the debt that the poorer countries have to continually pay the interest on – this shows we are still keeping them poor.
Anyway – I don’t have a full grasp on all the figures, but can see with my own eyes that for instance ebola was ok while it was contained in Africa – it didn’t really concern us much but now it is spreading we start to act a little more seriously. The wealthier countries really like to keep people where they are – to maintain the heirachy of wealth and opportunities. What do the rich fear? Where is the true social conscience?
This brings me back to my own realm of music and singing which has also been affected – all the subsidies have been taken away from the school music education system so only the children whose parents can afford it can have music lessons in school now. This I feel very strongly about as my own musical education – taking me up to conservatoire standard – was free in Manchester where I grew up. I wouldn’t be running community choirs and teaching now (and hopefully helping to spread the equality of music and the fact that singing is for everyone – and all should have access to it) if it hadn’t have been for that system. Even the council run adult education classes have gone up hugely in price…..
So that’s my blog for “Inequality Blog Action Day”
Not particularly “singy” but thanks for reading anyway if you managed to get this far.
Laura 🙂