Hello everyone.
Similar to last activity, a series of articles from the economist and the Washington Post. All of my logins are available for you to use while completing this transition work so please take advantage of that. The first three articles concern the consequences of last week's work, i.e. the results of the protests against racism and police brutality. Sometimes in politics things move fast. While others see no change whatsoever. Gun reform in the United States for example. However, in this example, laws and policies are being introduced that *should* make a real difference to the lives of many. Are they dealing with the root causes? No, they're not yet. But to dismiss these as mere window-dressing misses the point I think. Reform has to start somewhere. On their own these reforms are minor, making police officers' disciplinary reports available to the public won't stop bad eggs. However, the implication of this transparency will go further than that. With the threat of public scrutiny comes responsibility. A dirty cop will think twice before performing an illegal act if they think that the public might find out and all that comes with that, including potential prosecution and prison time. Police don't do well when in prison as they usually find themselves surrounded by people that they personally put in there. Sometimes legally. Sometimes not.
The 4th, 5th, and 6th articles regard the destruction and removal of statues in the UK and the US. Having read them last week when the issue was released I thought they were thought-provoking and relevant for you as potential A-Level politics students. Where does the line go? Where does the cut-off end where statues and monuments are safe, whereas others are judged by the values of today? One of Winston Churchill's relatives said yesterday that the pyramids were at risk due to being built by slaves. Does she have a point? There is a debate raging at the moment about whether people should have to hear or see things that they personally disagree with. So called 'safe spaces' at universities ensure that students will not have to hear anything they might call provocative. A recent blow-up at the New York Times illustrates the issues being debated and their consequences on the notion of free-speech. 'Trigger warnings' and other buzzwords have travelled from many American college campuses are now entering the UK. You will soon be a part of this debate as university students, should people who have opinions different from you be allowed to use a platform provided by your university to air those opinions? It is unsurprisingly a very contentious issue and I am planning on possibly doing it next week. I need more time to evaluate how we look at it so that I can ensure it is fairly looked at. However, it is equally possible that I won't do it as it is pretty controversial and I really like my job!
Finally, the last link is one about the electoral chances of Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the presidential elections. You may not be that interested in it, however it will have huge implications for global and UK politics, economies, and societies. Unfortunately, what ever happeneds in America affects everyone sooner rather than late. It would be wise to keep an eye on it just in case. As of now, Donal Trump's electoral chances have been battered first by Covid-19; his terrible response to it; and now by the protests following George Floyd's death; followed by once again Trump's woeful reaction to it. The bible photo-op outside the church in Washington will live long in infamy I fear. Then again, he only had a 30% chance of winning last time in 2016. He had supposedly booked a small hall so that when he lost, he wouldn't have had to pay for too much. So much for predicting the future eh?!
As always, please contact me if you need anything and don't be nervous to post on the forum.
Mr Fowle
www.economist.com/united-states/2020/06/11/in-america-protests-have-already-brought-policy-changes
www.economist.com/united-states/2020/06/11/americas-protests-turn-jubilant
www.economist.com/leaders/2020/06/11/how-to-handle-racists-statues
www.economist.com/britain/2020/06/11/the-colston-statue-and-britains-legacy-of-slavery