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Being at yesterday's conference in Birmingham (the End of History conference, Birmingham and Midland Institute, April 3 2008) and having enjoyed it immensely I'd like to suggest an idea about how academics might encourage the public into action regarding climate change, in the context of achievements of working class people of the past.
On my way home I was thinking about ways in which academics might be able to take the issues of action on climate change to the general public (that is, to drum up some motivation) and I thought others might be interested to hear my husband's recent experience, which triggered my idea. We have both recently read 'The Progressive Patriot' by Billy Bragg in which he talked a little about his ancestors and working class roots. He mentioned EP Thompson's 'Making of the English Working Class' (as did Mark Levene in the conference symposium). I have a copy of this book but have yet to read it. My husband said it sounded interesting, so when I told him I had a dusty copy somewhere, he dug it out enthusiastically and read it daily on his commute to work.
We both have working class roots. Rob's family were Welsh coal miners and farmers while mine were North Essex farm labourers. Rob was intrigued to learn about the struggles, mobilisation and action of the working class again powerful others. He had not known how much hardship they had experienced, nor how much they sometimes achieved against odds. This is our history and we knew nothing about it! Most TV historically-based programmes are about wars and royalty!
Rob found the book quite hard to read at times due to its very academic nature (he was educated to A Level) but nevertheless he persevered. Thank goodness for Google as, when necessary, Rob looked for more information on various incidents and names etc when he did not understand them, or where he had no knowledge of the topic being discussed. He learnt so much from this exercise and felt that it was very worthwhile. He felt that more should be done to enlighten the rest of the population who would be very unlikely to read EP Thompson!
His experience led me to think that many of us should be aware of our ancestors' history in order to get a sense of how we arrived where we are and also that when enough people act together, things can change. What I think is lacking in our society currently is the knowledge of characters from our own working class pasts who can inspire us with a sense of hope and agency.
So many people in our country feel completely powerless in terms of the decisions and actions our government makes supposedly in our names, that affect our everyday lives. As I have found myself, writing to your MP, taking part in public consultations and demonstrating seems to make little difference when the interests of powerful corporations etc are taking precedence. There must be other ways that 'ordinary' people can make themselves heard and take action in terms of issues surrounding climate change and the globalising economy. What better way perhaps to inspire the public than to raise awareness of their ancestor's achievements as well as to alert them to the potential outcomes of inactivity!
So, I was thinking that it would be great if 'updated' accessible books/ tv series / films based on EP Thomspon's book were produced and put into the context of the current issues we face, i.e climate change, corporate power, neo-liberalism reaching into education etc etc, and what 'ordinary' citizens could achieve if they followed the examples of their ancestors. It's a tall order, but who better to put the wheels in motion than historians who are well versed in EP Thompson's work, knew him personally and who also have connections at the BBC?
I am, if nothing, an optmistic idealist but what do others think?
Julie Cappleman-Morgan