Jimmy Reid, addressing Glasgow's ship-builders; educationscotland.gov.uk, fair use
“Alienation is the precise and correctly applied word for describing the major social problem in Britain today.” Jimmy Reid’s words have been on my mind a lot lately. The “today” he was referring to was 1972. But the Glaswegian dock worker’s analysis applies as much in 2016.
“People feel alienated by society.” He said, in his widely acclaimed speech on accepting the Rectorship of Glasgow University: “In some intellectual circles it is treated almost as a new phenomenon. It has, however, been with us for years. What I believe is true is that today it is more widespread, more pervasive than ever before. Let me right at the outset define what I mean by alienation. It is the cry of men who feel themselves the victims of blind economic forces beyond their control. It’s the frustration of ordinary people excluded from the processes of decision-making. The feeling of despair and hopelessness that pervades people who feel with justification that they have no real say in shaping or determining their own destinies.”
