School shoes

First day of PhD. New school shoes. These brogues were made for thinking (hence they hurt too much to wear). Proud of all my friends for thinking hard too, regardless of what they decide. I started out at no, travelled along my doubts, disappointments, fears and anger to realise our own direction of travel is worth the difficulties of being a newbie. This is not, nor ever was about hating the English. Fictional British nationalism feels a far more worrying threat - though loons exist on both sides, it hasn't dominated the discussion.Don't believe the hype - this is not about nationalist bigotry. It's a cross community fight for democracy against a neo-liberal elite who don't like it. I know we need to keep on our toes and look out for bad shit, but let us get off our knees we'll be tall enough to walk on our own to see it. I can't deny that I would love to wake up on Friday knowing my society is brave and hopeful enough to start a new scary journey too. Whatever way it goes, it will need all of us to get going