The intended Saturday didn’t happen. The morning came and went and we didn’t appear in the town square. I stayed still, but only till I woke up and activity took me. Occasional other moments of stillness were noticed, but they were mostly while I tried to decide how to present an argument or a concept. It wasn’t just me.
I think we will try to stand again. Maybe a month from last Saturday, when more deadlines have passed. But I think that last Saturday worked best as an experiment. We’ll repeat it, and see if it works, but it was more a transitional thing which (while worthwhile in itself) showed that some of these crazy ideas can become our practice. It’s certainly led to a lot of interesting conversations which I think have challenged all concerned. We don’t need a reason why.
Saturday night was occupied with the madness of george w (highly recommended and apparently heading for another london run when this one ends) and today with NUS South-East Regional Conference. Political overload? The cynicism went both ways today. Together we questioned the government’s commitment to Higher Education and together we thought a little about the prospect of war. But we also thought about the NUS’ ability to lose three-quarters of a million pounds in one deal.
And while I think all that through, the drums of war grow louder. It’s a situation of such hopelessness–for those of us who feel disenfranchised, and presumably for those who believe they have to resort to violence–that I’m at a loss to know how to bring hope. Maybe February 15th will bring some. Solidarity is, I’m told, a concept past its sell by date. Maybe not. I hope not.