Progress is not Inevitable.

 

After Mr Trump claimed victory over Kamala Harris, Mr Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, said he understands, " many Londoners will be anxious" and " fearful about what it will mean for democracy and for women's rights."

" The lesson of today is that progress is not inevitable."

"But asserting our progressive values is more important than ever- re-committing to building a world where racism and hatred is rejected, the fundamental rights of women and girls are upheld, and where we continue to tackle the crisis of climate change head on."

Well, I couldn't have put it any better myself, so I painted a picture. 

The feeling of the morning after, the disappointment, the bewilderment, the worry, are all reminiscent of the Brexit vote. Yet. there is a difference. It could simply be that I'm older, world weary maybe? I look at the world as if I am not in it, I look at people and wonder who they are, where do they get their beliefs, what do they want?

The US reminds me of the Roman Empire, well, rather the fall of the Roman Empire, with greed, infighting, political unrest, and superpowerful people. A hugely successful enterprise that turns in on itself and slowly, destroying all the great, (really, really great) things it has achieved. 

But, I have to remember that the American people voted for this, just as the British people voted for Brexit.

If you like the painting you can take a copy and put it in your purse, remember that progress is not inevitable.

Which brings me to my second issue, now this really perplexes me, I just cannot understand how it is happening and why there is not much hue and cry about it. (Although, it must be said that our media is not exactly forthcoming with news. It hasn't been for a long time.)

The issue is Netanyahu.

In my head, he is a reincarnation of Hitler, his cruelty, his attitude and his actions seem to be holding up a mirror to the dictator.

Am I mad? Doesn't anyone else see the parallels?

I must say that intuitively I have never liked the man, I have always felt that he is inherently bad, cruel, seeing him on TV over the course of many years, has caused my blood to run cold, the hairs on my arms stand up and a fight or flight response triggered.

I am not a politician, a world leader or anyone particularly important, but my human, intuitive responses are strong and I trust them.

I look at state of the world and despair. 

Has any progress been made? 

The genocidal actions of a mad man, how is he getting away with his actions, why are so many people and their lands being annihilated?

The world is going backwards.

Progress is not inevitable.

It is a humbling lesson, I suppose we all hope that things will improve, get better, progress, and it is pretty depressing to realise that this isn't a given.

I'm not expecting world peace, but I wasn't expecting that the world would be in quite the mess that it is, wars raging, dictators dictating and people happily voting for this way forward. 

Would you call this progress?