Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Society of today, Greater than yesterday

Societies across the world have come a very long way in such a short space of time. Campaigners of LGBT should be thoroughly commended for their efforts, opening the eyes of the population to the realities and conventions of modern day life. As much as the older generations may wish to, there are developments which you just cannot ignore and simultaneously, ones which command respect and admiration.

Pride week in June and LGBT history month in October demonstrate the extent of support which is available to those who previously have felt repressed. Right up to the turn of the century, it may have been frowned upon to voice such personal beliefs, but now the scowl is directed towards those who neglect these thoughts, a way of living, increasingly emerging in a diverse society.

In the world of sport, in recent years the likes of Gareth Thomas, Welsh rugby union star and Robbie Rogers, the LA galaxy footballer have come out as homosexual, providing scared and apprehensive voices worldwide the knowledge that such a feeling is not out of place, whether it be expressed in Swansea or Seattle, and the disclosure of such information is one which has fought off all the scrutiny along the way.

In the music industry, Sir Elton John and late (and most definitely great) George Michael were initially subject to torment for their sexuality. Yet iconic figures such as these, have rewarded those who long before the days of Club Tropicana, were not just working but fighting to establish these views across the continents. Messrs John and Michael have flown the flag of "the different" with the utmost credibility to allow further equality to take shape and to prevent avid conservatives like Donald Trunp from retaining the ills of former societies.

Whether it be on the sports field or in the recording studio, inspirational figures have encouraged freedom of speech, liberty and equality and provided a light that says to all rank-and-files, I can be what I wish, I can do what I wish, I can say what I wish. We must not ignore the brilliance of change and the consideration of others opinions, which can potentially be beneficial to all and provide large groups of people the world over with a new found source of individuality.

Sunday, 5 February 2017

The Trump Phenomenon

Amidst all the panic that the election of Donald Trump would cast an imminent end to the world as we know it, one could not help but reflect on the year of the underdog that was 2016.  "Trumpy" himself demonstrated some heart-warming principles even if his policies don't reflect such an element of joy.

He took the "you can do anything when you put your mind to it" to an encouraging extreme by becoming the 45th President of the United States. Despite the setbacks suffered in his campaign, he fought to the bitter (and it was bitter) end and ensured that he seized what he desired. For all those that express self-doubt and feelings of despondency, whether you love or loath Donald Trump, he can be an unexpected source of inspiration. The story of Jamie Vardy, the Leicester City forward also illustrated in the strangest of years that anyone from any walk of life can be successful. From his non-league beginnings he has ascended to the heady heights of the Premier League title and all the "honours" that come with playing for England in a European Championship. That Trump and Vardy would have both been told that they couldn't make "it" is unquestionable. Yet what matters is that they did and even if you're a democrat that supports Nottingham Forest, you can't help but admire the achievements of these two vastly different figures.

Trump just provides an abundance of material and in tandem with the United Kingdom's Brexit vote on June 23rd he exhibits just how much power the people still have. Against all odds, Brexit and Trump "happened." Time and time again the people were told that these two options resembled the devil incarnate, yet the people had their way. You can't remove the voice of the people, they cannot be ignored and 2016 was surely a triumph for a democratic way of life in which the public's thoughts cannot be oppressed. The so-called experts had their say, the options were (or weren't) crystal clear and the dye was cast. Even if these two political decisions end in tears (and the experts are proven right for the first time) who can argue that this wasn't what the people asked for? "Be careful what you wish for", is the wish still an item of imagination?

Dream big, wherever you are or whoever you are you can capture it and with a little support of the masses, who knows what you can achieve along the way.