Rudyard Kipling is selectively taught in British schools today. Judged by today’s social mores, he is considered too risqué by some. This is a shame because Kipling offers us an unparalleled window into the British, or more specifically, English psyche. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, many of his works contain clear life lessons. Chief among these was Kipling’s extolling the virtues of stoicism and self-discipline, as illustrated by these passages from If (1910):
If you can keep your head when all about you,
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
….
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
….
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue
…
And-which is more-you’ll be a Man, my son!
Some of the footage covering the protests outside Highfield House Hotel in Southampton and other Home Office-contracted hotels over the past couple of weeks or so led me to recall Kipling.
Compared to the events last summer, the recent protests have largely passed without incident. Yet, there is a desire to portray local people as “far right” activists. Don’t deal in lies. Similarly, class prejudice dressed up as anti-racism seeks to undermine legitimate grievance. Still, don’t give way to hating. If you attend a protest, talk with crowds and keep your virtue. Persuade with politeness, abstain from alcohol and park profanity. In short, keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.
There is no longer just a sense of injustice; it is palpable. One just has to check their payslip, walk down any high street, or apply for a job. The state can no longer hide it.
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, real change is coming. Kipling is a virtue signaller we should listen to.
Dr Alexander Culley
Secretary, Reform UK Southampton
