Ye're Heroes.

          While my thoughts were wandering through events during this pandemic, I kept remembering all the lauding of the health and care workers. Clap for the NHS, every one a hero, all get together and praise their gallant work. Not for one minute am I suggesting that they didn't deserve all that praise for their unstinting efforts day in day out, to try and protect the communities. However, a decent life with security and income with full safety on the job, would have done them more good than hurray and clapping.
       It's something our lords and masters are good at, their hypocrisy knows no depth to which it will sink, when they need you most expect praise a plenty and clapping a loud, but not much more. This lead me to remember a poem written by James Mitchell, during the time when coal was the fuel that fed the economy and the state war machine, then, miners were heroes.

 

                                                 The Miners.

Ye’re heroes, aye, Ye’re heroes,
When workin’ doon the mine.
They slap yer back an’ praise ye,
Ye’re gallant lads an’ fine,
Toilin’ there among the damp
Where nane o’ them wid daur,
Ye’re heroes, aye, ye’re heroes,
When getting’ coals for war.

They humour ye, praise ye,
as ye keep the bunkers fu’,
An’ the convoys bring the foodstuffs
that they ration out to you;
Or the troopships tak’ yer brithers
To the battlefields afaur,
Ye’re heroes, aye, ye’re heroes
When getting’ coals for war.

They’ll promise ye high heaven,
As the furnace flames ye feed,
In a world that’s mad wi’ murder,
Truth is sacrificed to greed;
As factories belch their smoke-clouds,
An’ their profits daily soar,
Ye’re heroes, aye, ye’re heroes,
When getting’ coals for war.

                                                                                 James Mitchell.

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Heroes?

      I received this from a friend, how the system managed to turn dedicated experts into mythical beings, workers into heroes, what happens when the fight is over? I was delighted to hear that the following article went out on BBC R4. I hope it gets a much wider audience, so share and spread.

         "I heard this guy on 'Inside Health' on BBC R4"
         He's Dr Michael FitzPatrick, a gastroenterologist in Oxford and Co-chair of the Royal College of Physicians Trainees Committee
          He said:
          'I want to talk about heroes.
Doctors & nurses are not heroes. Calling them heroes (or saviours or angels) is well-meaning, but unhelpful. I also worry that this narrative is being co-opted deliberately by some who seek to undermine the professionalism of the medical workforce, & to silence their voice.
          A hero is defined as "A person who is admired or idealised for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”In the ancient myths, Heroes were nigh-on invincible. Those same themes live on, in war movies, in comics, in the Marvel cinematic universe.
         Many of these heroes are unpaid, rich volunteers. Thor is a king and a god. Tony Stark has more money than he knows what to do with. Batman is a rich recluse. They don’t work to pay the bills, feed the kids. They are also (semi) invulnerable. Bruce Wayne has his fancy armour. Iron Man his suit. Cap America his vibranium shield. There are no PPE concerns here - these guys bring their own to the party. And when they die, they do so - well... heroically. It was their job, their lot, to die in battle.
         And how do we reward heroes? Not with cash, that’s for sure. We clap, we cheer, we hold parades. We place them on a pedestal, one that does not allow them to come down to our human level. They don’t need appropriate working conditions, work-life balance, lunch breaks, or a mug of tea.
       And if a hero is struggling psychologically, what do they do? How does Ironman deal with his post traumatic stress and flashbacks following the battle of New York? How does Thor deal with his food binges and problematic drinking after Infinity War? By more work of course! More fighting! Bring me Mjölnir!
       So, as we can see, heroes are almost entirely the wrong comparator for healthcare workers. But does this matter? Aren’t the public and the newspapers and the media, just being kind and supportive? Am I just being a bit grumpy?
         I worry there’s a darker side to this.
        Because there’s another thing about heroes. They're only ever loved in the crisis. Batman goes back into hiding. Thor returns to Asgard. The heroes hide, they slink away. They're a threat now. No one wants to hear their thoughts on social inequalities or healthcare funding models.
      The hero metaphor is therefore a useful tool for those who don't want to hear from healthcare professionals afterwards. Don’t talk about PPE. Don't talk about student debt Don’t talk about public health or working conditions. Don’t talk about healthcare funding. Go back to the shadows.
       Now this is very different if we change that narrative to one that centres around professionalism: Because their views matter, both during the crisis, but importantly afterwards. They don't need medals, they need PPE and equipment and training. They don't work for claps, they work for remuneration commensurate with their expertise.
       So that's why I don’t think my colleagues are heroes. They are more than heroes, more real, more important, more valuable. They are highly trained, dedicated, caring professionals.
       Thank you to all my colleagues who are working so hard in this epidemic. My heart goes out to the families of those professionals who have died, both here and abroad. Thank you for your work. Thank you for your service. And I hope a grateful society will listen to you after this.'

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk