We must learn from history for the future
MALCOLM Maginn (M.E.N.
Viewpoints, June 27) may try and dismiss the continuing legacy of ‘our once great nation’ by saying that ‘virtually every nation has been guilty of some sort of genocide and slavery.’
Britain may not have been alone, but its Empire was the most powerful and dominant for two centuries, just as the USA became last century, and China looks to be this century.
Abuse of power, past or present, should not be defended. Mr Maginn asks about protests against China’s treatment of the Uighars. Why doesn’t he call out Mr Trump who gave a thumbs-up to Chinese concentration camps for Muslims (developed during the Boer War by the British against Dutch settlers in South Africa)?
He asks about protests over genocides and atrocities. I wonder why he ignores the ongoing campaigning by Amnesty International, War on Want, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Global Justice and many other voluntary organisations? Millions of us do act through them – we don’t just say that we ‘have had enough’
Perhaps the media he reads doesn’t cover their activities?
Interpreting history is not eradicating history. To learn from history, you need an open mind. Equally important, you need to take action so that history doesn’t repeat itself.
A son of refugees, Manchester
Oppression does exist
THE letter by Malcolm Maginn (M.E.N. Viewpoints, June 27) would normally be best ignored. It plays the trick of agreeing ‘racism must be eradicated’ while also deploying dogwhistle tactics like ‘all lives matter’ and bemoaning ‘political correctness.’ However, two points do need refuting, and one needs to be made.
Mr Maginn has found a black American willing to smear George Floyd. Bravo! The apartheid regime in South Africa found willing blacks to set up so-called ‘Bantustans.’ The existence of members of minority groups supporting oppression does not prove oppression does not exist.
I have never seen anyone claiming George Floyd lived an heroic life. How many of us do? In any case, it is an all-too-commonly used tactic to smear victims of police violence. Whatever life Floyd led, he did not deserve a knee on his neck for almost nine minutes as he pleaded for his life.
And his death is hardly an isolated incident, is it?
If Mr Maginn is looking for a quote that would encourage him to think on his views, he might try this: ‘When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression... but it’s not. What you’re feeling is just the discomfort of losing a little bit of your privilege.’ Marc Hudson, Moss Side
Statues: A pigeon writes
AS General Secretary of the N.U.P. (National Union of Pigeons) I can tell you that the suggestion of removing statues from public spaces and placing them in museums has ruffled a few feathers among my members.
If this plan goes ahead, where are we supposed to perch? Statues are very convenient for perching and also provide another useful kind of convenience, as you can tell from the number of them that appear to be wearing cheap, badly-fitting, white wigs.
Be warned, if you choose to go ahead and remove the statues, then on your own heads be it...
Walter Pigeon, Salford
Brexit must move ahead
OVER the last few months I have noticed letters suggesting that because of the COVID-19 pandemic the government should seek an extension to the Brexit transition period, based upon information from Best for Britain and the Social Market Foundation, quoting the impact it would have on UK jobs.
The referendum happened more than four years ago and both parties have had sufficient time to negotiate a trade deal. The EU, despite the UK being its largest export market – we have around a £90bn trade surplus with it – wants us to remain like a satellite state, taking its rules and jurisdiction from its courts. In other words, not an independent state, which is what the majority voted for.
The EU has been deliberately awkward over this time, bitter that our country went against it and had the audacity to leave, hoping that we would eventually surrender to its demands (as our previous PM May was suggesting). Other countries have had little difficulties in negotiating trade deals – Canada and Japan for example.
It would be a mistake for the government to ask for an extension as we would be dragged into its new budget, which starts next year, and all the financial implications that go with it – which is why the EU wants to keep us in – it needs our money.
It would make leaving almost impossible. We are currently in negotiations with numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the USA, all of which offer tremendous opportunities for jobs and the economy. Any extension would send out the wrong message – resulting in uncertainty for those countries and for UK businesses.
As an independent United Kingdom we have a great opportunity with the freedoms to negotiate our future trade deals as a sovereign nation with confidence. Philip Griffiths,
Brexit Party