Running Commentary: Sweet talk (1988)

The Running Commentary Column from the July 1988 issue of the Socialist Standard

Rowntrees, the confectionery firm, have been "fighting off" take-over bids from nasty foreign rivals Nestlé and Suchard, defending our native Kit Kat and the like. But I am puzzled; surely the name Nestlé (we always called it "Nessels") is familiar from childhood. and inextricably wedded to the experience of losing your shillings in the chocolate machine? What is really astounding is that no one has asked the opinion of the foremost expert on the subject — Sandra Boynton. Her book Chocolate: the Consuming Passion (Methuen. 1982) reveals an extraordinarily wide knowledge (and I consider myself no slouch on the subject). Showing a firm grasp of economics, she says "It was the capitalists who first realised that it does not really matter whether chocolate exists or not. as long as people buy it". In the present "crisis" the vital question is whether the general consumer (for example me) will still be able to afford sufficient quantities of this essential commodity. To quote again: "If the current unequal distribution of chocolate continues unchecked, we increasingly run the risk of general depression. Chocolate is not a privilege: it is a right. As such, it must be provided as a readily-available service in every community throughout the civilised world." I couldn't have put it better myself.

AEB

Coal Strike (1986)

Book Review from the July 1986 issue of the Socialist Standard

Striking Women. Communities and Coal (Pluto Press. £5 95).

In photographs by Izabela Jedrzejczyk, Raissa Page, Brenda Prince and Imogen Young, this book documents women's involvement in the year-long miners' strike. There is no text as such but captions to each photo, in words by the women pictured. There are women cooking, sorting food parcels, holding meetings (sometimes still in the kitchen) and on the picket line. "We didn't just peel tatties"; "As my children are small, my husband had to look after them while I went to the kitchen, went to meetings . . . " Women were heartened by the strength they gave each other; "I miss it now It was like being part of a family", but it wasn't all fun, especially at pits where many men were still working "I've had intimidating letters, with filthy language".

The solidarity and determination were increased by adversity: "We'll never forget this strike. I don't think it 's over . . . it's just beginning for me. My husband hasn't done seven days in jail for nothing'; but in spite of saying "In one way Margaret Thatcher has done us a favour, because I'm more aware now of what's going on" all the mining communities are asking for is the right to carry on being wage slaves, and not for the abolition of this slavery and for common ownership of the earth's resources.

However, the book does not set out to put forward political theory but simply to show women as they were during that year, and as social history it makes its point The postscript by Angela John adds a useful list of articles, pamphlets and videos made by community groups. The photo that stays in my mind is of a woman with a hesitant smile and anxious eyes, leaning on crutches, with the colliery behind her in the evening light. Her kneecap was shattered by a truncheon blow. No wonder they won't forget.

AEB