November

The 17th of November is for Slovaks something like the Independence Day in the US. We remember what a generation fought for, we remember their sacrifices and we are reminded of how much more work there is to do. Sometimes cynicism gets the best of us. For all the progress made since those days, open borders, being part of the EU and NATO and progressive reform, there are lots of issues. Corruption, special interest and the rise of the far-right make me feel like it was all for nothing. And yet I am one of those who benefited massively from the freedoms won on November 17th, 1989.  I was educated abroad, I get to travel and have enough not to worry about food. So how can I be cynical?

Cynicism

Recent developments (Brexit, Trump,…) have reminded me that while I benefited from all those new opportunities – many did not. Whether they couldn’t or didn’t know how, they have suffered in the new age. Globalisation may have ripped away their jobs, urbanisation may have moved new jobs to cities, and good education is starting to cost lots of money. For some their world view was called into question by immigration, scaremongering and new technology. Change picked up significant pace in the past 27 years and it must have been hard to adjust. These people will not engage in a public disscussion, they will not listen to “reason”, they are not looking for the “truth”. They are scared and require reassurance. I think this is the reason people like Trump or Farrage can attract a massive following. They use strong statements to reassure people and don’t need to back any of them up.

So this November 17th, I will be thinking of those that took to the streets in Prague, Bratislava and in other parts of the world. I will be thankful for what they did and for the opportunities I could enjoy thanks to them. But I will also be thinking about those left behind and asking myself – what can we do to provide those same opportunities to them. How can we engage and listen to them? Because if I can get cynical on November 17th, how must they feel?