Category: Other People’s Words

The tentacles of wealth and domination

On the 9th November 2025 at 00:33 I wrote these words in response to David Olusoga’s first episode of his series on BBC television – Empire – where he  tells the story of the British Empire, from its origins under Elizabeth I to the establishment of colonies in America, the Caribbean and India.*

The tentacles of wealth and domination
exploit the poor and elevate the rich, 
the seats of power are turning in an instant
are sliding, twisting, now about to switch.

We mirror history in each word and action, 
again we turn our values upside down.
If this is love we're cynical and empty, 
the face of God is creased into a frown.

God's people what has happened to the gospel, 
the grace that we accepted, now refused, 
the love in which God holds us lies polluted, 
the neighbours with Christ's face we have abused.

When will we turn again toward the beauty, 
accept the loving kindness of God's care, 
before us lies the world and all its riches, 
sufficient for our needs if we would share.

© Andrew Pratt 9/11/2025
*https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hytj 

Christians may compare what Olusoga has depicted with the 
Magnificat - 

Luke 1: 51-53
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.