Vision of a decent life

• GIVING thanks for an National Association for the Advancement of Colored People award, Prince Harry, at the weekend, noted: “The most overlooked are often the most important to listen to.”

This recognition of empathy, compassion and basic humanity is echoed in a famous passage (set in 1936) by novelist John Williams: “He saw good men go down into a slow decline of hopelessness, broken as their vision of a decent life was broken; he saw them walking aimlessly upon the street their eyes empty like shards of broken glass; he saw them… beg for the bread that would allow them to beg again; and he saw men, who had once walked erect in their own identities, look at him with envy and hatred for the poor security he enjoyed as a tenured employee… The knowledge of common misery touched him and changed him… and a quiet sadness for the common plight was never far beneath any moment of his living”. (– John Williams: Stoner, 1965)

All Ukrainian refugees who wish to reside in the UK should be welcomed.

MIKE BOR, W2