Spain - Falling down?

15.12.22

Heat, traffic jams, problems at home, job loss... these all lead William Foster to a level of frustration and tension that causes a trail of violence and (self-)destruction.

We all remember Michael Douglas in this Joel Schumacher classic ("Falling Down", 1993/"Un día de Furia" in Spain): a model man – respectful of homosexuals, against racism, compassionate, loving towards his daughter, who considers himself a good person – but ends up generating death and pain wherever he goes. In one of the scenes, angry about the prices in a Korean store he tells the owner "I'm going to roll back the prices to 1965! What do you think?" and smashes the store with a baseball bat.

Could it be that Spain is a sort of William Foster? We can be proud that we recognize the gender gap (60%)^[1], we are against homophobic, transphobic, sexist or racist language (90%)^[1],87% believe that LGTBIQ+ collectives have the right to live as they wish, we recognize the right of refugees to settle in our country (85%)^[3], 46% have taken action in supporting them (welcomes, donations, volunteering,.... ),^[3] 85% support the use of bicycles to reduce carbon emissions ^[4] and 70% support the legalization of abortion.^[5]

But on the other hand, anger and frustration is growing within our society. 63% think that the general situation is out of control in Spain.^[6]

It causes frustration to 28%and fear to another 21%^[6]. In addition, 57% are very worried about rising prices,^[6] 54%think they may not be able to pay all their bills ... and what is worse, the majority (76%) think this situation will get worse. ^[7]

63% think that the general situation is out of control in Spain

Just recently, we have seen several demonstrations for climate justice, supporting public health, the increase in pensions as well as strikes demanding wage increases in different collectives (from Inditex employees to the hotel and catering industry). We are facing an increase in extremism of statements: those who defend action against climate change are labelled "ecoterrorists" in some media while Vox is encouraging people to demonstrate against the "Government of ruin, insecurity and betrayal".

All this, in a context of ideological polarization and political confrontation, seems to provide the perfect conditions for us to have our own "day of rage" in Spain very soon

Antonio Gómez

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