Replies
Reply to Greg,
Hello Greg and apologies for the delay in replying. I have been ignoring my blog of late, not for any sinister reasons, my interests have shifted is all.
I did wonder how other kids saw we inmates lol. But it wasn't all hell, it was much like having lots of siblings, we were on the same side. Against the nuns ha ha. It was in the convent I learned the golden rule of 'you never grass (on each other)' and I have kept it as a moral code haha.
The nuns you named were indeed monsters, but as I age, I try to look on them a bit more kindly. They were products of their time and environments, indoctrinated rather than educated. Their chosen life was abnormal. I remember as a young teenager my hormones were going nuts, I was either passionately in love and deliriously happy or dying of unrequited love a la Cathy in Wuthering Heights. My social worker's notes had great expectations for my future, until aged 14, she noted 'sadly, Linda has discovered boys'. The idea of devoting my life to God and never flirting with the boy in the butchers again would have been unbearable. Does she have a point you are wondering? Yes, haha, those angry, bitter nuns, at a young (very hormonal age) rejected and supressed all those desires to live a life of poverty and, the big one, celibacy. Have you ever seen a nun flirt, we inmates did, often, and it was as cringey as it sounds.
I have realised over the years that the problem with St. Anne's children's home and indeed all children's homes was more to do with the moral code of the times and the existing old (prison like) institutions that had existed for decades, even centuries. The 'church' took care of society's orphans and abandoned children, the local authorities paid them. Even a cursory glance would suggest financial margins were much discussed (See Oliver Twist, Dickens). Imagine too, an unwritten acceptance that these children were the offspring of the undeserving poor, who, unless handled correctly, could grow up to be as wanton and feckless as their parents. Correction played a big part in the agenda. Kids placed in such care at a very early age can become institutionalised. Which sadly, accounts for many who go from children's homes to prisons.
What happened at St. Anne's probably happened all over the country, all over the world. The abuse meted out at St. Anne's was systematic of what happens when you put a bunch of religious fanatics in charge of vulnerable children. Or indeed any environment where any vulnerable child or adult is left in the care of a psychopath. In prisons, and indeed institutions, those in charge can and do display psychopathic behaviour. It's a fascinating and indeed troubling subject, especially if you accept that 10% of the population are psychopaths.
I am so sorry Greg, I wandered, even more these days than before, lol. Be assured Greg I have found happiness, do take care and thank you for your kindness.
Reply to Bjorn
Hi Bjorn, I am afraid I have rather abandoned my blog of late and have only just seen your comments. I am afraid I got completely carried away with the pomp and pageantry. Bizarre, because I have never been a monarchist or royalist in my life. In fact, I once proudly declared myself as a marxist/feminist around the time I graduated, as you do, haha. I am still a Jeremy Corbyn Leftie, but old age and my love of history made the coronation quite an event for me. I now understand how people become more royalist as they age. I think it is because we equate royal lives with our own. That is we know who we were married to and where we were with each royal wedding and baby. I know a pathetic excuse to support a multibillion pound firm.
I think we should definitely have a debate of free speech Bjorn. I think it was a bit off to arrest those yellow shirted placard carriers before they even got out of their van! I don't think there was much protest, or if there was, it wasn't covered.
As for Harry and Meghan. I feel an awful cringing embarrassment for Harry. Everything he has foolishly said he will have to standby. A lifetime of 'I gave up everything for you', from her. As for her winning a feminist award, now I have seen everything. She married a Prince. So apparently that is what little girls aspire to, I m sure Gloria Steinem was much impressed. Virginia Woolf and Shakespeare's Sister, not so much. Actually, to be fair most of today's feminists make me want to scream and scream until I'm sick. I forgive GS, she is almost 90 and being love bombed.
