No go areas?

[amsterdammer]

Was the Bishop of Rochester right in suggesting that Muslim extremists have turned parts of Britain into no go areas.
Do you have such areas in your town and if so, what is the solution?

[Lil O'lady]

The problem is the right-wing media latching on and enjoying yet another hate-fest. There are strong elements of truth in the Bishop's speech. The small northern towns round here have yet smaller areas within them where everyone is Asian, and moreover often with parents / grandparents hailing from one village in the subcontinent. This creates a very cohesive group who can seem off-putting to people outside that group. I have had Asian Muslims from outside this area comment on how unwelcome they have felt in such areas -it is not in itself a matter of race-hate.
HOWEVER I believe this has been exacerbated in recent years by several factors. It is undoubtedly the case that parental influence in Asian families has weakened and in many cases the community of formerly well-controlled adolescents (boys mainly) have got into plenty of trouble. This mirrors british life in general and is not race-generated and is worsened by unemployment - again, a whole-society trend.
The integration of subcontinent Asians has been hindered by the many factors that prevent new arrivals from becoming confident English speakers and being able to move independently in society.
Extremist fundamentalists have provided a focus for disaffected youths and young women, and white fascists have seized on this with delight as an opportunity to create wider divisions in society.
Sadly, it was until recently impossible to describe this situation without being howled down as a racist - the turning point came after the London Tube bombings and Jack Straw's 'veil' stance.
I believe he solution lies in opportnities for individuals to prosper - after all, the berlin wall seems to have been brought down more by tights and colour TVs than by direct political will.

[amsterdammer]

RAGGYASS
Awoken from your slumbers in darkest Wales.Welcome back, I mtssed you. ( I think not!) No doubt your waving your lion rampant flag in one hand, whilst clutching a leek in the other! Are you wearing your Coal earrings today, with a daffodil resplendant in your grubby lapel?
The so called article ,which you no doubt created in your puerile, infertile mind, could not be furthur from the truth.
Far better hereI fancy than the far reaches of the so called Land of our Fathers, full of disused coal mines, & little else other than Welsh Choirs full of out of work ex-miners under the illusion they can sing. Didnt they used to play Rugby there once also?

[amsterdammer]

RAGGYASS
My first reply appears to have been banned by the Ed. so I will keep this short as you do not merit to much time, being a person of little Importance!
The so called article which you no doubt created in your own puerile, infertile mind, could not be further from the truth, something with which you appear to have little knowledge, being an obviously low bred person of little if any intelligence.
Far nicer here I think than the so called Land of our Fathers, to whom you consistently seem to spring to the defence of, I feel no urge to defend this part of the country, I just rest content in the fact that I know where I would rather live!
Now crawl back into bed, & rest those brain cells, ready for your next vitriolic attack.

[amsterdammer]

Raggyass
Sorry to be late in replying, round of golf this A.M.,got soaked, and a total waste of time. 14 over par& probably a cold into the bargain!
Sorry to hear you wont be voting Tory, Im sure its nothing Ive said. Not to worry, there all pretty much the same these days anyway.
I am bewildered as to why you consider me racist. I have always been in favour of controlled immigration, which we have not had for many years, I do object however to mass economic migration, it seems to be escalating at an increasing speed since our joining the EU. & Im also wary of multi-culturism, like Communism, it looks fine on paper, but doesnt work in practise.
Although it was some years ago, I had both a West Indian & a Sri Lankan at my wedding, whom I am still in contact with. I also have a retired Indian doctor & his wife round for dinner occassionally, both charming people
Please continue to vehemently oppose my views should you disagree with them

" N DDEDWYDD " N GRAI BLWYDDYN.

AMSTERDAMMER