Rebelling for Life, by Sue Hampton
Author: Sue Hampton. Review by Helen Meads
This is a short book: a collection of poetry, short stories and other prose dating from 2019 and 2020. Sue starts with a heart-rending wail at the climate crisis. The first poem, written in a police cell after arrest during the London arms fair, takes us through: her physical sensations; the Meeting for Worship surrounding her (and those locked on with her); the sensations of being cut free; and the response from observers as she’s escorted to the police van. Very powerful.
Sue is very open about her depression and grief in the ensuing pieces, and then follows a deep spiritual reflection on being an Extinction Rebellion Red Rebel. Sue was one of the Red Rebels entering St Albans Abbey during election hustings. The Reds are, as Sue describes, ‘more goddess than ghoul’, conveying love. They are a creative, mysterious way of rebelling, a graceful, emotive and spiritual alternative to blocking roads, not always making it to the front where everyone could see them, but feeling their presence made a difference.
‘The Trial’, a short story, follows several characters: the judge, the defendant’s mother and estranged father, the prosecutor, the court official and the defending barrister. ‘The Prisoner’, another short story, features a young student, arrested on her first protest, and how she is encouraged by an experienced activist and a homely, grey-haired vicar.
In a blogpost from June 2020, Sue describes keeping vigil with placards on her local high street one Sunday morning while Friends were worshipping from their homes. Few passers-by engaged, but one who did reminded Sue of a younger Greta. Sue tries to hold on to hope, focusing on the Light, because to give in to grief would immobilise her. There is a considerable toll in holding on to muted English forms of expression in order to seem reasonable to local councillors, while inwardly weeping and wailing at the lack of engagement. The law, and those who could facilitate change, sleep. She also reflects on the inter-relatedness of racism, the arms trade and impending climate disaster.
Who knows whether Sue’s chosen title relates to Angie Zelter’s ‘Activism for Life’, or whether the riff is coincidental? Sue’s book is completely different from Angie’s, though. Angie reflects on her lifetime of activism, while Sue uses different forms of writing to give an insight into the mood and feel of what she’s doing.
I found the book engaging, well-written and very moving. I recommend it highly, especially to anyone contemplating activism or wanting to know more about what it feels like to stand up (or sit down) for change. We get a feel for Sue’s depression, activism and family responsibilities, and how each of these has impelled her to take action. At the same time, we enjoy her imaginative response to her experience, and see the personal cost of taking a stand. Her voice is clear and we need to hear it.
Comments
If anyone would like to buy my book, it’s best to do so through me via my website, as that maximises the money raised for XR. https://www.suehamptonauthor.co.uk/product/rebelling-for-life/
Thank you.
Sue (Berkhamsted Meeting)
By suehampton@btinternet.com on 15th July 2021 - 13:08
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