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12:30pm Friday 6th January 2012 in News By Jim Palmer
RACISM among young people is less vocal but remains entrenched in Thamesmead and Bexley, a report by two charities suggests.
In a report titled Are You Saying I’m Racist?, think-tank the Runnymede Trust and Trust for London said: “Most young people explicitly condemned racism but at the same time would articulate negative attitudes and stereotypes relating to specific groups.”
A zero tolerance approach, whereby young people are excluded from school for racist behaviour, “fails to address the underlying causes of their attitudes and behaviour”, the report added.
It focussed on three projects which proactively tried to tackle racist violence, including Leap Confronting Conflict (Leap) in Bexley and Working With Men (WWM) in Thamesmead.
Greenwich was chosen, the report reasoned, because it had come to international attention as “a cauldron for racist violence” following murders of black teens, including Stephen Lawrence, in the early 1990s, although the community was divided on whether racism was still an issue.
Responses to an initial ‘conflict audit’ carried out by Leap included the following statement from a Welling resident: “All the trouble comes from the black people, the Pakis. I’m not racist but I’ve always been mugged by black people.”
Another said: “We should only let in Italians and Chinese. Blacks are just blacks - they run around with tazer guns killing white people for no reason. The Muslims came and bombed London.”
After difficulties with the project in Welling - where youth centre staff felt racism was not a problem - Leap moved borough-wide with a well-received ‘peer educator’ scheme.
At Bexleyheath School in January and February 2010, 14 one-hour sessions were given to 360 Year 9 pupils on the wider issue of identity before 46 pupils were trained for five days as ‘peer educators’ in order to pass down what they learnt to younger pupils.
Leap also worked with coaches and staff at Charlton Athletic Community Trust to develop skills about how to deal with inappropriate remarks or racism.
A Bexley Council spokesman said: "We saw the report for the first time last week and are reading it with great interest.
"While the researchers examined three projects in east and south-east London in great detail - including the Leap project in Bexley that ended two years ago - it is clear that the issues they explore affect every part of the country.
"We believe that community relations in Bexley are generally good, but we are not complacent.
“The fact that people from different backgrounds can live happily and safely together is fundamental to community life and to society as a whole.
"In Bexley we have been successful in developing the kind of multi-agency cooperation that the report advocates.
“Our work with the Leap project also demonstrates our commitment to the type of innovative and proactive work with young people that the authors of the report recommend.
"We are committed to doing everything we can to build strong communities and we know that this view is shared by policy makers in the government, the Greater London Authority and other councils."
WWM involved a black project worker having regular, informal contact with young men aged 10 to 18 in Thamesmead.
WWM arranged a successful football project with the young men to bring them into contact with other youths from different backgrounds and also provided Citizenship lessons at Woolwich Polytechnic and worked with pupils who faced exclusion, as well as helping at Greenwich College.
In an early session, students gave opinions about asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants such as: “They shouldn’t come over and act like they own the place.”
“This country is just so unfair to its own.”
“We are a minority in England, especially around here.”
Later, a youth worker revealed to the youths that he was a Somalian asylum seeker.
The project worker noted: “Their jaws hit the floor... He told them his story, which was about fleeing the war, they just lapped it up and the questions just kept coming.”
Erith and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce said: “The first step to finding solutions is to accept there is a problem.
"This report accepts there is a problem and goes some way to trying to find solutions.
"However there are some sweeping generalisations in this report and factual inaccuracies which are worrying.”
Ms Pearce said an assertion the BNP has been inactive in Bexley since its headquarters closed in 1995 was wrong, since the party finished second by just eight votes in a by-election in East Wickham in 2009.
Ms Pearce said: “I agree wholeheartedly that sport can be an excellent way to break down barriers and that widening young people’s horizons is key to giving them opportunities and social mobility.”
She added that a multi-agency approach involving community groups, schools, police and local authorities is essential but said a zero tolerance approach is needed against all forms of discrimination as well as tackling its causes.
Comments(29)
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goldenbroomboy
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5:52pm Thu 5 Jan 12
Witchkid
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5:22am Fri 6 Jan 12
FredHH
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6:59am Fri 6 Jan 12
dizzy13
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9:40am Fri 6 Jan 12
MsChevious
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10:14am Fri 6 Jan 12
bible scoffer
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10:20am Fri 6 Jan 12
dizzy13 wrote:...anyone see the racist comments from ms. abbott ?
Slow hand clap for theresa Pearce - what stupid comments have you got hidden away unused yet, you seem to have surpassed yourself :) Go on Love, keep banging on about the BNP in Welling, an area you don't even represent do you? What do you actually know, didn't realise that Thamesmead and Erith were such happy areas.? In Welling we haven't seen the Nazi's in some time, we heard they were moving back to Erith and Slade green to work there, as we don't want them here anymore. were all trying to move on, but people like you keep dragging the issue back up again and again.
dizzy13
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10:38am Fri 6 Jan 12
bible scoffer wrote:Got to love MPs who like to drag up issues to keep them going
dizzy13 wrote: Slow hand clap for theresa Pearce - what stupid comments have you got hidden away unused yet, you seem to have surpassed yourself :) Go on Love, keep banging on about the BNP in Welling, an area you don't even represent do you? What do you actually know, didn't realise that Thamesmead and Erith were such happy areas.? In Welling we haven't seen the Nazi's in some time, we heard they were moving back to Erith and Slade green to work there, as we don't want them here anymore. were all trying to move on, but people like you keep dragging the issue back up again and again....anyone see the racist comments from ms. abbott ?
the wall
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12:42pm Fri 6 Jan 12
MsChevious
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3:36pm Fri 6 Jan 12
toomush2drink
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8:53pm Fri 6 Jan 12
BarryHarry
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9:50am Sat 7 Jan 12
miss sweethips
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10:02am Sat 7 Jan 12
BarryHarry wrote:she needs to go on a diet lol
Perhaps Theresa Pearce would be better investigating Labour's term of office which allowed in over 3million immigrants which has put an enormous strain on all services and certainly neverhelped already strained race relations.. Blaming the British National Party is an easy option to divert attention away from the real heart of the problem which is ? failing politicians in the three political party system we have in this country who have flooded the country with mass immigration and cheap labour and engaging in "illegal" wars in muslim countries.. There wouldnt be a need for the British National Party/Ukip if these politicians managed this country properly and stopped their political correct mandate of accusing everyone of being a "racist" who disagrees with their political policies which have been a disaster for this country! We have seen the contempt for the electorate by the Shadow Minister for Public Health Dianne Abbott only this week.. a person who would not send her son to a local school in Hackney but chose a private school ( overwhelming white ) ..hypocrisy at its worst.. and as for "public health" .. make your own mind up if you think this lady is suitable!
bible scoffer
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10:09am Sat 7 Jan 12
miss sweethips wrote:...unlike you miss s.h. eh ? wink, wink.
BarryHarry wrote: Perhaps Theresa Pearce would be better investigating Labour's term of office which allowed in over 3million immigrants which has put an enormous strain on all services and certainly neverhelped already strained race relations.. Blaming the British National Party is an easy option to divert attention away from the real heart of the problem which is ? failing politicians in the three political party system we have in this country who have flooded the country with mass immigration and cheap labour and engaging in "illegal" wars in muslim countries.. There wouldnt be a need for the British National Party/Ukip if these politicians managed this country properly and stopped their political correct mandate of accusing everyone of being a "racist" who disagrees with their political policies which have been a disaster for this country! We have seen the contempt for the electorate by the Shadow Minister for Public Health Dianne Abbott only this week.. a person who would not send her son to a local school in Hackney but chose a private school ( overwhelming white ) ..hypocrisy at its worst.. and as for "public health" .. make your own mind up if you think this lady is suitable!she needs to go on a diet lol
TheEverardedbutt
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12:23pm Sat 7 Jan 12
TheEverardedbutt
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12:25pm Sat 7 Jan 12
toomush2drink
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4:07pm Sat 7 Jan 12
TheEverardedbutt wrote:And i thought i was the only one saw it this way,with others like yourself seeing the real picture perhaps change happen.
Perhaps something should be done abut the manipulation of figures at Lunar House in Wellesley Road, Croydon.
Most will know what they do here, it is the first point of call for anyone claiming asylum.
My Mother-in-Law works there and tells how the figures are massaged to read a certain way. For example a family of 10 claims asylum they will all go down as 1 unit for the records, yet if that same family has their asylum refused and are subsequently deported then every member of that family are deported separately and goes down on record separately. In short if they are allowed to stay then it goes down on record as 1 case yet if they are deported it will appear as 10 separate deportations.
Something to think about when you read the levels of people being deported and granted asylum.
I feel racism is being mentioned at every opportunity, a few months back a black woman went to the papers complaining about the 99p store selling A "Sinister black child's wig" the woman claimed this was racist and offensive, demanded the shop remove all the wigs as they may cause offence to her 3 year old daughter 'Mercedes'
http://www.thisiscro
ydontoday.co.uk/Raci
sm-row-99p-Store-Hal
lowe-en-wig/story-13
622371-detail/story.
html
Silly stories like that do nothing but reinforce certain peoples beliefs
I do, however, believe there is a problem with racism (and the so called reverse racism!)
As someone else mentioned, we all know the majority of paedophiles are middle aged white males. Just as most serial killers are white males.
It also stands that most street robberies are commissioned by young black males and most arrests for possession of cannabis are also young black males but it must be mentioned that most arrests for possession of class A drugs (Cocaine, Heroin and Crack Cocaine) are white males it is worth noting, however, that most arrests for dealing class A drugs are young black males.
I don't care what colour you are, whether it be White Black, yellow, Orange (Have you ever watched TOWIE: The Only Way Is Essex) or Purple with Green Polka dots!
If you are an Idiot then you are an Idiot, it really should be as simple as that!
I have to say though, some of the most racist comments I have heard have come from West Africans towards Nigerians, I don't really know why but they seem to hate each other with a passion!!
There are good and bad in all races/nationalities. I fear this will not stop until we see people as people and not simply label them based on skin colour.
Also the insistence on using a certain word that was used by white slave traders as a term of abuse. This 'N' word is now used almost as a term of endearment in some quarters and is often used as a greeting "Wassup My N****r" and similar. I cant understand that. I wouldn't see my brother and say "How are you doing my white honky"
Can you see my point there?
the wall
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6:20pm Sat 7 Jan 12
MsChevious wrote:Sorry, yes I do agree. That is a well written post. I love Britian and all the history it has but Britian have done some shocking things.
Thanks wall! I assume that means you agree with my other points?!
Witchkid
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11:05pm Sat 7 Jan 12
toomush2drink wrote:The African against African thing isn't racism, it's tribalism, which is worse than racism knows how to be. For example. take Chaka, who saw all non-Zulu tribes as his 'dogs', to slaughter and enslave as he pleased. This persecution still continues today in many African countries because it is part of their culture. This tribal bias should not be brought to this country, nor should the violent attitude. As regards violence, I have African neighbours who are very nice people. A while back they threw a party to celebrate the naming of their son. Their guests parked their cars everywhere, blocking access and egress of neighbours. When one neighbour knocked and asked politely if they would move some cars so he could get his van out for work, he was chased up the road by the 'guests', who were armed with anything they could get their hands on. They even threw a punch at his wife! This kind of behaviour is unacceptable, but if one complains, one is labelled 'racist'.
TheEverardedbutt wrote:And i thought i was the only one saw it this way,with others like yourself seeing the real picture perhaps change happen.
Perhaps something should be done abut the manipulation of figures at Lunar House in Wellesley Road, Croydon.
Most will know what they do here, it is the first point of call for anyone claiming asylum.
My Mother-in-Law works there and tells how the figures are massaged to read a certain way. For example a family of 10 claims asylum they will all go down as 1 unit for the records, yet if that same family has their asylum refused and are subsequently deported then every member of that family are deported separately and goes down on record separately. In short if they are allowed to stay then it goes down on record as 1 case yet if they are deported it will appear as 10 separate deportations.
Something to think about when you read the levels of people being deported and granted asylum.
I feel racism is being mentioned at every opportunity, a few months back a black woman went to the papers complaining about the 99p store selling A "Sinister black child's wig" the woman claimed this was racist and offensive, demanded the shop remove all the wigs as they may cause offence to her 3 year old daughter 'Mercedes'
http://www.thisiscro
ydontoday.co.uk/Raci
sm-row-99p-Store-Hal
lowe-en-wig/story-13
622371-detail/story.
html
Silly stories like that do nothing but reinforce certain peoples beliefs
I do, however, believe there is a problem with racism (and the so called reverse racism!)
As someone else mentioned, we all know the majority of paedophiles are middle aged white males. Just as most serial killers are white males.
It also stands that most street robberies are commissioned by young black males and most arrests for possession of cannabis are also young black males but it must be mentioned that most arrests for possession of class A drugs (Cocaine, Heroin and Crack Cocaine) are white males it is worth noting, however, that most arrests for dealing class A drugs are young black males.
I don't care what colour you are, whether it be White Black, yellow, Orange (Have you ever watched TOWIE: The Only Way Is Essex) or Purple with Green Polka dots!
If you are an Idiot then you are an Idiot, it really should be as simple as that!
I have to say though, some of the most racist comments I have heard have come from West Africans towards Nigerians, I don't really know why but they seem to hate each other with a passion!!
There are good and bad in all races/nationalities. I fear this will not stop until we see people as people and not simply label them based on skin colour.
Also the insistence on using a certain word that was used by white slave traders as a term of abuse. This 'N' word is now used almost as a term of endearment in some quarters and is often used as a greeting "Wassup My N****r" and similar. I cant understand that. I wouldn't see my brother and say "How are you doing my white honky"
Can you see my point there?
A very intelligent post.I too see the african against african thing most weeks in my line of work.
There are a lot of angry people out there carrying a lot of attitude and anger about with them daily,they really must live miserable lives to be so angry all the time.
toomush2drink
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1:35pm Sun 8 Jan 12
MsChevious
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9:29am Mon 9 Jan 12
j.j.
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11:36am Mon 9 Jan 12
Loco_national
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1:17pm Mon 9 Jan 12
toomush2drink
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1:46pm Mon 9 Jan 12
MsChevious wrote:Name me one area of britain that is a sought after,wealthy,presti
toomush2drink:
The difference there is that you never here people saying that an area has 'gone to the dogs' or they feel unsafe because there are too many middle-aged white men around! Even though there are certain crime, as you rightly point out, which tend to be committed more often by white people, that is not extrapolated into a generalisation about *all* white people, as so often is the case with minorities.
Why can't people see that the important thing is to bring people - whoever they are - to justice for any crime, and that stereotypes about races & skin colours are damaging to everyone?!
j.j.
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2:08pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Loco_national wrote:The politicians probably figured out that they would gain additional voters by letting more foreigners in while at the same time dishing out more benefits to the indigenous population so that they would stay sufficiently happy to vote for them. The real victims of this are our children who have to live with the consequences and carry the financial burden that this has created. And all of this just for the sake of a couple of million votes.
Did anyone think of asking the good people of Thamesmead and Bexley if they wanted to live with Africans and eastern Europeans? I dont think they did, but now when we find out that the residents of those areas are not keen on sharing their towns with foreigners they are labelled racists. And we all know what racists are dont we? Ill educated pot marked, pot bellied ignoramuses that live on the dole, whilst wearing union jack shorts. The reality is that if you enforce immigration on people to the extent that it irreparably changes a community you are asking for trouble. Living in a democratic state should mean that citizens are asked prior to this sort of fundamental change. Politicians however are much more adept at blaming those who were never consulted in the first place for their objections. This now disparate state no longer knows who it is, we lack identity and common purpose. In America the indigenous population have reservations in which they can live amongst their own community. Perhaps we should do the same with Erith, Thamesmead and Bexley this would remove all racism at a stroke.
TheEverardedbutt
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5:48pm Tue 10 Jan 12
j.j. wrote:The government's official advisers on migration say there is a link between immigration from outside the European Union and job losses among UK workers.
Loco_national wrote:The politicians probably figured out that they would gain additional voters by letting more foreigners in while at the same time dishing out more benefits to the indigenous population so that they would stay sufficiently happy to vote for them. The real victims of this are our children who have to live with the consequences and carry the financial burden that this has created. And all of this just for the sake of a couple of million votes.
Did anyone think of asking the good people of Thamesmead and Bexley if they wanted to live with Africans and eastern Europeans? I dont think they did, but now when we find out that the residents of those areas are not keen on sharing their towns with foreigners they are labelled racists. And we all know what racists are dont we? Ill educated pot marked, pot bellied ignoramuses that live on the dole, whilst wearing union jack shorts. The reality is that if you enforce immigration on people to the extent that it irreparably changes a community you are asking for trouble. Living in a democratic state should mean that citizens are asked prior to this sort of fundamental change. Politicians however are much more adept at blaming those who were never consulted in the first place for their objections. This now disparate state no longer knows who it is, we lack identity and common purpose. In America the indigenous population have reservations in which they can live amongst their own community. Perhaps we should do the same with Erith, Thamesmead and Bexley this would remove all racism at a stroke.
j.j.
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8:46am Wed 11 Jan 12
TheEverardedbutt wrote:And there is also a link between immigration from within the EU and job losses among UK workers, but it's politically incorrect to say this. Tony Blair's single biggest mistake was to open up our borders to new EU countries before any other major countries did that - had he not done that we would have hundrends of thousands more jobs for locals.
j.j. wrote:The government's official advisers on migration say there is a link between immigration from outside the European Union and job losses among UK workers. http://www.bbc.co.uk /news/uk-16484918 Going to add fuel to the fire!!Loco_national wrote: Did anyone think of asking the good people of Thamesmead and Bexley if they wanted to live with Africans and eastern Europeans? I dont think they did, but now when we find out that the residents of those areas are not keen on sharing their towns with foreigners they are labelled racists. And we all know what racists are dont we? Ill educated pot marked, pot bellied ignoramuses that live on the dole, whilst wearing union jack shorts. The reality is that if you enforce immigration on people to the extent that it irreparably changes a community you are asking for trouble. Living in a democratic state should mean that citizens are asked prior to this sort of fundamental change. Politicians however are much more adept at blaming those who were never consulted in the first place for their objections. This now disparate state no longer knows who it is, we lack identity and common purpose. In America the indigenous population have reservations in which they can live amongst their own community. Perhaps we should do the same with Erith, Thamesmead and Bexley this would remove all racism at a stroke.The politicians probably figured out that they would gain additional voters by letting more foreigners in while at the same time dishing out more benefits to the indigenous population so that they would stay sufficiently happy to vote for them. The real victims of this are our children who have to live with the consequences and carry the financial burden that this has created. And all of this just for the sake of a couple of million votes.
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