Curtain Clouds - Hello, I hope that you’re well and having a good week. It’s been strange and surreal, with events in the UK overtaking the few notes I had jotted down and the newsletter I was going to publish. I’m still going to mainly stick with what I was going with.
There's been a great deal of discussion here about the legacy of colonialism and the Queen's role as head of state in the commonwealth - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/10/queen-death-colonies-atrocities-british-empire - It is a learning moment again, and perhaps it is because I'm not in the UK, that I'm able to reflect on what the monarchy means to me, someone who would wish it away, but wants to show sympathy with the emotions of those at home who are feeling sad about the Queen's passing. It is strangely conflicting.
Here in the thick of it it’s good to tread lightly with internal feelings or questions around the theatre of it all. 70 years ago I imagine the handover to be a lot less weird than it is right now. Yes the Empire has a lot to answer for, but I doubt it ever will. In the meantime we are left wondering if it’s okay not to believe in unicorns as most of those around you quite clearly do.
Enjoyed this a lot. Not just because of the mention. (Thanks!) I loved your reflection on our monarchy and our interesting 'democracy'.
There's been a great deal of discussion here about the legacy of colonialism and the Queen's role as head of state in the commonwealth - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/10/queen-death-colonies-atrocities-british-empire - It is a learning moment again, and perhaps it is because I'm not in the UK, that I'm able to reflect on what the monarchy means to me, someone who would wish it away, but wants to show sympathy with the emotions of those at home who are feeling sad about the Queen's passing. It is strangely conflicting.
Here in the thick of it it’s good to tread lightly with internal feelings or questions around the theatre of it all. 70 years ago I imagine the handover to be a lot less weird than it is right now. Yes the Empire has a lot to answer for, but I doubt it ever will. In the meantime we are left wondering if it’s okay not to believe in unicorns as most of those around you quite clearly do.