#GoldStrike is everybody’s strike
Goldsmiths must remain an excellent educational mecca.
The uni's Warden and Senior Management Team (SMT) have planned mass staff redundancies over two years. In 2021 alone; twenty academics in History and in English & Creative Writing, thirty two Professional Services staff - all sacrificed to commercial exploitation.
#ZineAndHeard Gold Strike Day 15
After threats and refusal to negotiate, Goldsmiths University and College Union (GUCU) took action to prevent the fire-and-rehire travesty which risks chaos and student harm. “Fifteen days of free education for students learning what disputes are about”, remarked Jeremy Corbyn during his speech on the picket line.
"Management"? Puh! As a documentary (largely working class women), TheZineUK also says #NoJobCuts - Watch two minutes of direction information from Nevenka Martin of the History Department. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=229307505816967
#GoldStrike is a human rights landmark. To donate to the GUCU fund for low paid members: https://goldsmithsucu.org/donations/strikefund
There is a surplus of finance in the world to fund education, environment, easily affordable housing, health, sustenance, employment and the arts - but millionaire and billionaire villains (villianaires) steal from the hard working and the poor. Tax dodging is fraud but these are lawless times with only our moral compass to guide us. If we have one.
TheZineUK documents a fraction of the 21st century’s newer wave music movements. Being alive is political. This is all connected. “Education is a way out of discrimination” (Jeremy Corbyn at #Goldstrike)
I started Monday 13th December in raging sadness.
Those poor Amazon labourers forced to work in the tornado while panto-baddie, Jeff Bezos, bragged banality from his vulgar shallow throne of finance-fame celebrity. @BeezyManzell tweeted “The extent that human labor is treated as a fleshy machine is an idea that must be stamped out."
I spoke to one of my best friends (a musician working sixteen hours a day on a beck-and-call, zero hours framed "contract" to fund their immense talent) finding themselves on a sudden day off from earning rent. We, the people, create the wealth the bosses take most of, but our lives are viewed as disposable.
Blessed to be low income but self employed, I go for a walk and fresh air. Past the vaccination booster queues snaking around the Waldron Health Centre, past New Cross Station (where I last saw musician and gold heart, Joe Wilkes - he would have been here today, the Palestine flag at the picket line put him in mind), then ArtBeat HQ the Amersham Arms towards a growing communty of solidarity: Socially distanced (and mostly masked when not publicly speaking or singing).
The sky was grey but my heart was, no longer. Outside the grand Goldsmiths building it's obvious decent don't view any human life as inferior. Banks and other crime rings are out of touch, but rule nearly everything. "Developers" are destroyers. Their choice of "management" often don't understand what they are parachuted in to run and profit from.
Of outstanding global and unique repute, Goldsmiths stars a culture of twinkling alumni.
Only mismanagement could come up with such damaging cuts (as well as specifically targeting the uniqulture that is entrenched in this heritage. I hope the SMT reconsider swiftly. With so many fine minds to hand, why not find a better narrative?
People power -v- Establishment's Empire.
From a (26% of the voting population) "win" in 2010, we are years into selfservatives misrule (a fascist coup heist rebranded as "austerity").
On 13th December 2019 I was so down from the suspicious General Election result that I just lay down, depressed and drained. The above mentioned and zero-houred friend texted to assure that it was going to be alright. My eternal gratitude for that kindness.
Fast forward two years and things are simultaneously alt right and alright. In the midst of death eaters we are all in loving life. Despite their effort and our eco anxiety. hope is not destroyed.
2020 vision +
More a grave than brave new world, time to shape new futures. For "low skilled", SEE the truth - "essential but low paid". Over the last two years especially, propaganda has fuelled hate for teachers, medical staff, firefighters, the poor, travellers, non aryan/hetrosexual, the aged, youth and even the national lifeboat institute! This insane white mirror to reality is damaging to our health.
Fire And Rehire is another disgusting spite that pervades like a virus.
Released 13th August 2021 in commemoration. Photography with kind permission of Syd Sheldon
Understand that #GoldStrike is as ground-breaking as “The Battle Of Lewisham’ (which drove away national front nazicowards in 1977).
In March 2016, TheZineUK blagged into a Jeremy Corbyn rally, having been re-invigorated by a genuine Labour Party leader. "Music For All. Theatre For All" still resonates with us.
I’m a a vintage Black Rock Chick and events department of TheZineUK’s punky DIY music socials. (Our next one is 27th January at Amp Studios. These kinda vibes).
As a huge fan of DecoloniseFest values increasingly flavouring positivity, I’m in awe of this institution's musical and tech accomplishments and connections, let alone it's other academic and political honours. Quite a few of our cast and crew are part of Goldsmiths or woven into today's tapestry. Our editor, Dizzy Spell's union is also on strike. Six degrees of separation but three degrees of celebration.
Theatre professional, Dizzy is also one half of new, 101% DIY band Weather Underground, whose austerity-pop singles 'Sister Palestine' (video) and ‘The S*n Shines Lies’ have flavoured 2021. We are a natural ally of #GoldStrike and join staff, students, locals, visitors - on land/on-line - in solidarity. The Musical.
"The People, United Won't Be Defeated"
From the single 'Battle Of Lewisham 1977’ by local musicians, Ceri James and Mark Sampson). A lyric and a fact. DIY video made locally with profits to Love Music Hate Racism - this event is a part of Jeremy Corbyn’s legend, also.
TheZineUK doc (born in the back bar of Amersham Arms) is a kismet and karma powered situationist performance theatre. Of course I felt better for attending this picket.
Much respect to decent politician, Jeremy Corbyn of the Peace And Justice project.
In ten minutes, this gentle man (a Generation Tremorist of Young Labour) sums up how essential #GoldStrike is and takes in all the above, articulately. Democratic socialism may be mocked out of fear by the privileged, but it is definitely and defiantly articulate: click for the full speech.
After his speech, Mr Corbyn politely and professionally took his time to hold conversations, take selfies with members of the public who approached him. Fair play, geez.
Lewisham is London Borough Of Culture 2022.
In our Republic of Rocklands (SELondon postcodes where Lovers Rock meets Rockers Love), Gold Strike and Little Amal In Fun City began it for Uniqulture’s dream of a caring free society with equality. Thank you for the uplift, GUCU and everybody involved. Congratulations. Purrfect.
