The Value of Art, the Rise of Authoritarianism, and the Power of Empathy

AL Kennedy on the recent theft of her backpack and how misfortune can help us reclaim who we really want to be.

She reflects on how an an accident of birth - being white, able-bodied, heterosexual, being baptised a Christian and having English as a first language - has put her in 'a position of completely unearned privilege' when asking for help.

But 'in a decade when so many people, in so many places, have lost everything,' Alison ponders the role we all have in helping people whose needs aren't being met. 'I believe in helping', she writes. 'I didn't lose that worldview in my backpack.'

Producer: Adele Armstrong Sound: Peter Bosher Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith