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The Upside of Recession

December 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Terraced houses in BelfastIn the middle of a recession that in the UK is predicted to worsen, it might seem very difficult to consider that there could actually be an upside – but I believe there is.

I was watching a program last night on Channel4 about the scandal of houses that have been left empty now for up to twenty years in some cases.   In many cases they are good quality Victorian two up, two downs that were emptied with a view to demolition and replacement with houses considered to be more suitable for family needs today.  However, because of the downturn in the building trade some years before this current decline and reducing funding for local councils, they have remained empty and boarded up, despite the UK suffering one of the greatest housing shortages since WW2.   These houses cover an area the equivalent size of the city of Leeds – which is pretty big and cost taxpayers £millions per year just to keep empty.

Given how homelessness is also growing daily it is a national scandal but now a number of key players are working very hard to change the situation, not only by getting a local council on board but by actually renovating and modernising some of the properties to prove that they can indeed be more than fit for habitation in the 21st Century.

I don’t think that this would have caused such an outrage and been such a powerful driver for action if it weren’t for the recession and the pressure to find more housing.  Times of crisis push us to think again about what is possible – a bit like the wartime spirit of “make do and mend”.   So this definitely feels like the upside of recession.   The added bonus is that if these houses can be renovated and lived in again, a sense of community might also return to the areas.  Another bonus could be that developers will stop circling round our Green Belt like hungry vulchers – and we might even end up keeping some of our “green and pleasant land” for a bit longer!

If you feel strongly about this campaign then you can read more here and join the 62 thousand plus people who have already signed the petition.

The photo is courtesy of Jeanne Boleyn.  All the houses have now been renovated.

Filed Under: Social Conscience Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ethnicity vs Criminality

November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I was reading in The Times newspaper earlier today how actions against groups of British Pakistani men who target young white girls for sexual exploitation are often delayed because of the fear of giving offence to ethnic communities, and perhaps inflaming racial unrest.

Personally I think that this is totally unacceptable because there needs to be a distinction made between ethnicity and law breaking.  Within the predominantly Muslim communities, there is a huge sense of shame and outrage about this sub-culture of crime.  It is the antithesis of what Islam teaches and is to do with criminality rather than ethnicity.  Certainly there may be some misguided belief amongst those with criminal intent that young white girls are easy prey, but that is absolutely not the view of the majority of decent, law abiding Muslim communities.

In fact this is the point, the people perpetrating these crimes are the minority but there is always the danger that everyone from that culture becomes “tarred with the same brush”.  It’s a bit like saying that everyone who goes to a football match is a hooligan out to cause trouble.  Yes, there may well be some with that intent but again they are in the minority and most football fans just want to enjoy the game.

The other point is that it is up to individuals or communities as to whether they take offence.   Where there is deliberate intent to be insulting or demeaning to those of a different ethnicity, sexuality, religion – whatever that be, then it is understandable that those targeted might be offended.  However, if everyone is ostensibly treading on eggshells for fear they might say something that could be interpreted as offensive, then I think it does more harm than good.

And in the case of gangs of men, or women for that matter, who deliberately target vulnerable youngsters whether that be for sex, drugs or any other illegal activity, then they should be found, charged and dealt with according to the law.  Ethnicity should not be the deciding factor – criminality should.

Filed Under: Moral values Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Religion, Humanity or Justice?

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ONE SPIRIT INTERFAITH FOUNDATIONThis week is National Inter Faith week with a theme of “Living Well Together in Britain Today”.  Along with this some questions have been posed and this was one that a colleague of mine from a local Multi Faith group posted: “How can people of religious beliefs and non-religious beliefs engage constructively on issues of common concern and work for greater mutual understanding?  This was my response.

It seems to me if we put more emphasis on core human values (which are also the core values of most faiths) ie love, forgiveness, generosity, mutual support, caring, truth, transparency, kindness, compassion etc, then there would be far greater harmony.

I know a number of agnostics and atheists who are truly wonderful people working for the good of others because they believe in the fundamental goodness of humankind. I also know a number of faith followers who could do with taking a leaf out of their book. I believe that what matters the most is whether you are a decent human being committed to helping others, rather than whether you are a person of faith.

Religion can be a tremendous force for good when the core values are lived but it can also be a destructive force when they aren’t. If we continue to look within and connect with the Universal Source (by whatever name) then we are anchored in this love and more able to embody the human values outlined above.

I was then asked “….but what about justice?”  Well justice is an interesting area because what one person might consider to be justice, another might not.  It is therefore subject to a lot of interpretation and misinterpretation.  A bit like the old sayings “One man’s meat is another man’s poison” or “One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter”.

Clearly there are some huge and glaring injustices in the world, usually seeming to involve money, land, resources or power, but I still think we need to always be very careful before we take the moral high ground and adopt a right/wrong stance.

Filed Under: Interfaith Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,