With
a wood-carved sea horse, approximately twenty-one inches in height,
balanced on my left palm, I now speak to you.
“These
kind of councils don't happen very often, and I don't have the kind
of wealth, beauty or intelligence (nor anyone that would swear to it
falsely or even say that I own these modestly) that would overrule
this ancient custom, though in years to come I foresee it being
abandoned. The young don't appreciate time-honoured rituals. Or laws,
come to that; lawless mob.
Yes,
the young amongst you, I see your shocked faces, but it's true. You
don't respect your elders, their opinions, nor the laws of our land.
You show some reverence here, but personally I think you're biding
your time; plotting behind our backs.
I
know we're a lot of crusty old-timers, in age or thought or both, but
tradition – the continuance of it- has so far won out. And all of
us here, on the board, cast our vote or abstained, so why complaint?
We all had a hand in the outcome.
Yes,
yes, you'll get the chance to challenge me, or agree with me, when
I've finished.
You,
over there. Yes, you, young man – put your arm down. This isn't a
classroom; I'm not a teacher. Wait your turn if you have a speaking
slot; if not, you'll have to apply for one, at the back there, or
convince someone else to give theirs up for you.
Please,
if you're new – promoted from within or from outside – read the
handbook. There are rules. As you will know if you've chosen to
accept the invitation to join us there are procedures, so don't be a
fool and don't read them.
You'll
never get anywhere here, or in life, if you come in too hard. You
must win allies. Dissent is no good on the benches if you have no
influence in the inner sanctum.
I
should know – I was young once. With fire in my belly.
Again
with the faces. What? Does that surprise you? A woman who speaks like
a man, pragmatically, with less emotion. You can, you know, when you
look back.
But
it's not of this I wish to now speak. I had my day to rage and try to
effect change. Though I never, so I thought, made protest for
protest's sake. The power to speak, then, would have been wasted,
when women were given fewer opportunities to do so. For if you want a
slot you have to make your case. Make your argument, your points for
or against, convincing, or the issue you wish to raise a pressing or
a compelling one. Then those that attend will want to listen, will
want to attend to your words as well as the tone and rhythm of them.
Women
are luckier in their endeavours to manipulate, with words, since
their voices can be soothing and melodic, and stirring. Men, I think,
struggle more. They talk of action, action in real terms, whereas
women talk of it less yet inspire it.
But
pick your battles. Carefully. Wisely. Only engage in those you
believe in, not those you don't have the heart for. Nor those you
know instinctively aren't worth the fight and will bring only pain
and bloodshed, no reward.
The
weighing up is the most important part. Don't, if you're young, be
too reactionary, and don't, if you're past the flush of youth, just
debate and stall.
Hear
these words, even if they're coming to you from afar. From long ago,
so forward are you in the future. They will, I think, still stand.
Perhaps, knock some lost, some forgotten sense into you.
Where
order's established, there's more common sense and far less
pantomime.
But
what right have I to speak my mind? Just this wood-carved sea horse
I'm holding, as you see before you, which as you know represents our
origins, for we hail from sea people, brought to shore as the legend
goes by Neptune's horses.
That
is all.
I
went through the usual channels, as I've always done, to address you
today, just to say Eleutherostomia is a right I support and hope we
continue to observe, according to our traditions.”
Picture credit: The Return of Neptune, 1753, John Singleton Copley (Source: WikiArt).
All posts published this year were penned during the last.
