The End of Solidarity? continued By Jane Foster

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The problem is nearly every musician I've played with has tried to get off with me. Part of this problem of course is that nearly all musicians in Hull are male. What am I supposed to do - limit myself to only joining up with female musicians? The other problem is infighting - both within a group, and between different groups who are supposed to be working towards the same goal. I have been making enquiries recently with certain groups that help similar vulnerable individuals, and I have found to my disbelief that there are divisions, backbiting and bitching going on amongst a supposedly shared benevolent cause.

A similar thing happened before my eyes quite a few years back, when I was involved with a feminist group. That too had its extremists who shunned any woman who 'collaborated with the enemy' ie. slept with men. At one event I saw women visibly splitting into groups, the lesbians at one side of the room, heterosexual women at the other, and a few confused looking bisexuals floating around the middle. How ridiculous to be so separatist, and how disillusioned it made me towards the whole scene.

Can you believe that these groups seem to be at war with each other? That there are individuals in some organisations who are in it for their own ends - from feeding their egos to getting their hands on funding for events that make themselves look good. When the funds should be used to benefit the group of disadvantaged people they're supposed to be working with.

Well, all in all it's been a bit of an education, this group involvement thing. I remember Cilla from thisisUll.com saying a while back that she's not really a group person. Now I can see why. Maybe you're better off doing things as an individual. But you just don't have the same clout as a large group. It's a shame though. The apathy in Hull is appalling but it seems that the group activity is flawed too.

Apathy is dangerous. Remember the famous saying: For evil to triumph all that is necessary is that good people do nothing. And whilst you're out the back way getting measured up for your new extension, the BNP are round the front posting their putrid propaganda through your door. And the people who are involved with vulnerable people for their own ends should be quickly shown the door..

I'm ending this piece with a boring old compromise. Maybe it's good to get together for a cause but not get involved with individual politics. It seems the best way forward. But what a shame that these recent experiences in 'ull have killed some of my socialist dreams. Copyright © Jane Foster July 2004

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