It is 100 years today since Emily Davison ran in front of the King’s horse at the derby protesting over suffrage.
She studied at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford, of which I am an honorary fellow.
Another graduate is Aung San Suu Kyi, who fought for Burmese democracy and visited the Lords earlier this year.
Both stood firm in the face of adversity and both suffered long periods in jail or under house arrest.
For us mere mortals we can only marvel at their stamina, resilience, vision, and I guess, stubornness. But thank you to both of you.
“For us mere mortals we can only marvel at their stamina, resilience, vision, and I guess, stubornness. But thank you to both of you.”
Heroes generally risk their own lives. Davison was extremely lucky not to kill the horse/jockey she hit and potentially others. As it was Jones was dragged hanging unconscious for some distance by the panicked horse.
I didnt know that. I think she went on hunger strike, which I suppose is a better example of causing herself harm rather than others. i guess that heroes and heroines do also risk causing collateral damage quite often and it sometimes depends on where you stand as to whether you think they’re a net benefit. Of course Aung San Suu Kyi spent years apart from her family which must have caused them much grief.
Lets post a few home truths.
How can you argue in favour of democracy when you are part of an unelected, non democractic body dictating to the people of the UK what they have to do and what they can’t do?
But, Blagger, how else can you circumvent the voter when what you require is a special advantage as an A lister? You see, as with many of those who are unelectable, they must be shoved through because the aim is not democracy, it is politically correct head counts. Suitability doesn’t count.
Are there enough women in Parliament? Are there enough women reading the news? are there enough of them playing presenter of programmes they can barely hold knowledge of? And are there enough of them as journalists at all? And on and on ad nauseum. Whether they are up to it, whether they are interesting and deserve our attention is of no consequence, we must suffer them regardless because they deserve it, they are female. S now we are inundated with a barrel load of unkempt, shrill nincompoops smirking at us through the camera and truly believing they are adored. Are there enough on the boards of companies? No. Well dear me, we must do something about that, force business to foot the bill and prove our point. You see, nowadays they are not willing to die for their cause. And as with all the rest who cannot face the scrutiny of election, they have to be appointed. For the people will never go for it otherwise. Will they?
Where have all the real women of principle gone I wonder? Where are our modern day Emily Davidson’s, she would not have wanted A lists as a means to prove the worth of women. That policy simply implies women lack the ability to pass they have to resort to a fix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVrlLKAR1S0
Here are women who got to the top without being on an A list. Some of them in extraordinary circumstances.
http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Presidents.htm