The Charter seems impossibilist, because it asks for something which is ostensibly not achievable, but who knows what may be achieved after a protracted period of struggle ? More importantly, for me, it invites carers to think about themselves in a different way. Not as kindly souls who are doing the decent thing in looking after their nearest and dearest, but as people who have rights. As people, indeed, whose rights may be denied to them and who are vulnerable to exploitation. As workers who are doing a very important job in adverse circumstances. As workers, moreover, who are entitled to organise and negotiate for their rights. Not as passive objects in a situation over which they have no control, but as active change agents, able to interact with their situation. Consciousness is not static, it can be raised.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
It isn't purely about raising carers' conciousness but also that of politicians, the general public and the "professionals" with whom we come into contact.
Politicians and too many professionals see us as a free resource to be exploited, the general public don't see us at all until a tragedy occurs and once the only too brief media coverage is over we are forgotten again.
Rights movements have not only raised awareness amongst their own minority groups but across society as a whole changing attitudes and the culture in which they live, I believe that carers need to follow their example. Others have achieved the seemingly impossible, we can do it too.
Post a Comment