Why do we say things are “looking up“ when we mean they’re getting better or improving? (www.threfreedictionary.com). And what about “onward and upwards”, “on the up and up”? These also carry the the notion that “up” is good, progressive, better.
I can’t find the origin of this idiom but I’d like to know, because it seems to me that for too many people things are anything but “looking up.”
Not for young graduates like my son’s friends, trying to pay off student debt on their minimum wage jobs and struggling to enter the careers they believed a degree would offer. Nor the families living in over-priced, substandard rental accommodation, or in a relative’s garage, or in their car. (1)
Things certainly aren’t looking up for those whom life has dealt a blow that could be softened — at least temporarily — by welfare benefits that previous generations voted for. A recent report suggested that those seeking state welfare assistance in New Zealand are de-humanised and terrified by the system and those who administer it. (2)
And if things are bad for people whose metaphorical outlook is bleak, spare a thought for those who physically live behind fences and razor wire. Those who are kept in detention centres and refugee camps — and kept out of those countries where the notion of things “looking up” still seems possible.
We are living in troubled times; the world has more displaced people than ever before (3). Inequality is increasing (4) and with it social discontent. Mass shootings and terror attacks have become a regular occurrence, xenophobia informs decision-making and huge numbers of us feel alienated and disenfranchised.
And yet.
And yet there is so much good in the world. Whenever I begin to feel the weight of large-scale misery pressing down, I find good people doing what they can to help. From the myriad of local mums, business people and biker gangs making lunches for kids that otherwise go without, to the volunteers of Community Fruit Harvesting, collecting and processing unwanted fruit and vegetables to share with those who need it. From the large organisations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, to the people of Te Puea Marae in Auckland who opened their doors to homeless people this winter.
I don’t believe that helping those in need should be a matter of charity. I believe that it is the role of elected governments to ensure the basic welfare of their citizens. But philosophy doesn’t fill stomachs or put shoes on children’s feet. So until there is a substantial shift away from the politics of ne0-liberalism, we must give our thanks for the goodness of ordinary people and organisations whose hard work means that, for some at least, things are “looking up”.
(1) One in 100 NZers are Homeless – study. Radio NZ, 3 June 2016.
(2) Beneficiaries ‘Scared Stiff’ of Work and Income. The Press, 18/5/15
(3) Worldwide displacement hits all-time high as war and persecution increase. UNHCR, 18 June 2015.
. I like how you went from the dire condition of our society, and then pointed out that there is still beauty and humans who are loving and good. Thank you.
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Thank you. I struggle with this paradox all the time. At a macro level, there is so much that is wrong and bad; yet in my day to day life, I see so much kindness and compassion. Cheers, Su.
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Well said Su! Thank you, I appreciate your words. 🙂
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Thank you Terry. 🙂
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I agree, Su; neoliberalism can’t fall out of fashion fast enough, as far as I’m concerned.
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Amen to that. And how glad I am that the social bond scheme has started with a failure. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/308026/government's-first-social-bond-collapses
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Yes! That was good news. I suppose it’s too much to hope that we’ve heard the last of social bonds.
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Sigh! Probably.
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That photo is so evocative, Su, from the time of the Nazis until today. Too hard to say much more when I’m on my iPad, but I appreciated your thoughts.
janet
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Thank you Janet. Su.
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I agree with you 100%. And, of course, it’s a worldwide problem. Plenty of all those horrors here in the US as well.
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Thanks Amy. Yes, I know my little part of the world, but am aware that we are not in a unique situation. We don’t have the mass shootings and gun-related crime to the same extent here, but having said that, our police have shot two men in the last week — and for us that is a really big deal.
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I imagine all places have their unique issues and then all share some of the universal ones.
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Great post! I would also add those who work long hours, almost don’t see their children, are not entitled to any benefits, but still cannot afford a good health insurance, and have to live in those overpriced rented places because they cannot afford the down payment.
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Thank you. I totally agree. Originally the post was much, much longer. There are so many groups of people being systematically squeezed out of housing, healthcare, education — and many if not most are in employment. Home ownership in New Zealand is becoming a dream unavailable to far too many.
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The same story here, Su.
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Very wise words, as usual. Not much different here, as you know, and potentially lurching even further right with our new PM.
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Thanks Anabel. I am very glad of my NZ citizenship right now and quite frightened for the UK.
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Me too. I mean, we are represented on the world stage by Boris Johnson. I can’t see how that can go well……
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No. It would be funny if it weren’t so terrible.
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Thank you for this. I was actually considering volunteering for Red Cross
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Good for you. Volunteering can be very rewarding; and can do so much good. 🙂
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