Who is David M Howie? A question I have asked myself on several occasions. The answer has always evaded a conclusion. I became very interested in the notion of human being vs “person” while studying philosophy at the Open University. The idea that David M Howie could be the same human being as the five-year-old diagnosed with a brain tumour. However, could be a completely different person thirty-three years after diagnosis, is an intriguing concept. So who is David M Howie? Let us address the obvious. David M Howie is a son, a brother, an uncle, an MSc graduate and a citizen of the UK. Hence the dot UK of the URL. The list above is what I am. Not who I am. IF I cannot identify who I am. By what I am. It stands to reason that no other person can identify, who they are. By what they are.
Nothing I have said above is intended to sound condescending. In philosophy when attempting to convince the reader of the legitimacy of the argument the premises which follow the conclusion must also be true. For example, Plato concluded Socrates is human. The argument went something like:
- All human beings have two legs (in Plato’s time)
- Socrates has two legs.
- Socrates must be human.
They were simpler times. That said, however, contemporary policy development follows the same basic principles. What I am about to say may sound a little condescending. All am doing is highlighting facts. More men than women sit on executive boards. The gender pay gap is still a major issue. Per head of population, more non-disabled people than disabled people will work. Those disabled people that do work are likely underemployed (like myself). Here is the controversial statement if you are white, male, non-disabled and privately educated you are more likely to be in a position of power. Again that is not intended to be controversial. It is a demographical and geographical fact.
let me ask myself that question again. Who is David M Howie? He is a dreamer. I dream of a reduction in inequality. I dream of a society where “othering” is not a thing. And I dream of a society where my lived experience and education will be taken as legitimacy and provide an opportunity for a better tomorrow.
In previous blogs, I have quoted that inspirational speech from Rocky. In case you don’t know the one am referring to here is the link. 2 minutes and 45 seconds in rocky says
Until you start believing in yourself, you are not going to have a life.
Rocky Balloa 2006
My problem could be believing in myself a little too much. Perhaps in a society, that favours white, male, non-disabled and privately educated citizens people who are experts by experience and have the academic background to support their argument still are not supposed to dream. Perhaps my life is a struggle for equality. Perhaps that is who David M Howie is.
David M Howie 