Dear Sir Since my first encounter with Common Purpose three years ago when my partner and I, both disabled people, were unable to access the programme's punishing timetable, I have always thought it was unlikely to advance the cause of social justice very far. Nothing I have heard or read about CP since, including those grand claims and tales of individual catharsis (In for life 26/7/00), has altered my view that Common Purpose is not the common purpose of oppressed minorities; it is the common purpose of those with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. If redressing inequality was the agenda, rather than charging 'high flyers' hundreds of pounds to peer voyeuristically at the poor and disadvantaged, a much better idea would be to pay hundreds of pounds to poor and disadvantaged people to 'look at' how their (taxpayers') money is spent keeping them poor and disadvantaged. I'm sure they would find the experience 'so valuable'. It would at least be interesting to see to what extent the lives of disabled people might be 'transformed' by shadowing charity sector fat cats, professionals with no interest in, or requirement to understand, the real needs and rights of their companies' beneficiaries. Charity recipients would have a serious rethink after finding out first hand why they are expected to be grateful for all the donor development and slick marketing that takes place in their name. Social housing tenants would leap at the chance to take a crash course in old-boy networking, spending time in the corridors of power for a while to learn how contracts to provide social welfare services are won on the basis of relationships between those in the know, not on the basis of human and citizenship rights. Throwing together disadvantaged people from diverse backgrounds would enable them to 'forge links' and draw on each other's skills and expertise. With greater insight into what the commercial, statutory and voluntary sectors have in common (they look out for number one), oppressed people, particularly disabled people, might start to rely on their own resources and strengths and begin to build real alliances and partnerships with those who are truly in pursuit of equality. They could identify their own common purpose: to hold aspirations, exercise choice and control in and over their lives, and to achieve self determination. Deborah Sowerby. |