Andrew Frewin Wilson

When our humanity falters
In so many places
And what really matters
Is trounced in so many ways
When dictators are not just
A “Third” World affliction
Which “First” encouraged, in moral dereliction
And now is itself spotted like rust
With rampant would-be elite Fascism
We can draw back from the abyss
For democracy is no mere -ism
If “humanity” no longer resonates, then think on this
There are other words from other places you
Can use so why not try “Ubuntu”?

Ubuntu is not just a philosophical concept but a way of life that influences social interactions, justice, and community building. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the importance of supporting one another.

This poem appeared in Record of Dissent: Poems of Protest in an Authoritarian Age — Summer 2025, published by The Chaos Section Poetry Project. We’ll be featuring each poem from the collection individually in the weeks ahead. You can read the full collection or download a free PDF of the chapbook here.

Andrew Frewin Wilson still works part-time as a factory manager in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and when not working, writes for pleasure. He has been a signwriter, painter, architectural draughtsman, as well as a restaurateur and held other food management roles. Working in many roles is a source of inspiration, and as an early adopter of reinvention every few years, his philosophy is: use it or lose it. Andrew is indebted to his AWA Writing Group and its facilitator, Deborah Bayer, for their nurturing and encouragement. how-would-you-know.com