Karma Nirvana's e-petition to 10 Downing Street

[Bobby Smith]

Very good point AC - most cultures feel targeted if only the negative is highlighted. Sadly it is the way of the world that the media tends to ignore most positive things in life. Most communites, as a contrast, would prefer to keep their 'elephants in the room' in the closet. The mirror reflection is always the hardest to bear.     

[saffron]

Ive been thinking about this... I have  some reservations about  if some people in the asian community wanting change , as alot of practice is hidden and a blind eye turned for the benefit of certain traditions.

If you look at communities across the world who have migrated from say..as an example the sikh community in East Africa...Almost 100 years ago, or there abouts...migration gave new opportunties in education,housing,political leadership and jobs..

The same communities maintained their traditions in form of arranged marriages where sometimes choice was limited,sometimes on the verge of force...although it would never be called that.
Nothing changed interms of traditions that keep women in' their place' and so called traditions that support the patriarchal society needed by men that dominated major decision making in those communities.


Then we have Emily Pankurst, or Martin Luther King. Nelson Mandela....all who made hugh changes to our thinking and practice at some levels. Thats the problem ..its only at some level...the practice of choice of partner and who really dictates that will always be an issue in asian communities, because some people believe that belonging within a clan and practices that have all been upheld by that clan are more important than anything new suggested. Its a tough shell to break. The practices have to uphold male dominance.


I accept that we have to try to influence change in people, otherwise the civil rights movement would not have influenced so many practices within our lives.

However I feel that improving the lives of people and supporting where change is geuinley needed will in time shift communties to see the benefits for others too.

[a.c.]

You're right Saffron, it is a tough nut to crack. Look at Asian Network, even a BBC funded station is afraid to advocate for change... although as you have pointed out, it was more difficult for a white man to attempt that campaign.

We can only really give support at the moment. That is our unique selling point.

Yet by developing our supporting capacity, we will come to have an increasing voice in public. When we do eventually get to speak in public as an organisation, I think we must take our cue from Emily Pankhurst, Dr King, Mandela, Ghandi and all the other heroes we look up to and speak out boldly for change.

[saffron]

ac...Im in no doubt that there are people out there who would question' anyone '..from raising a contraversial issue (in their eyes)...as the union of mixed couples...sadly I think that communities can  be racist and will first and foremost use the colour and background of a person to accept or deny a person from influence within that community..unless they can' see 'a benefit that will support the 'traditional status' in the community. That is how asain network operates...How often do you find all white presenters on the programme? There are times that people who know the score from within some communities provide support and validity incase that it questioned...which it often is...Jasvinder Sanghera has done that for instance,be it at a cost...at at brave level.
 
Hasn't public speaking already happened for us as youve pointed out on occasion?

We are already taking our cue from people like Jasvinder Sanghera, and the people you mention by the virtue of the fact that they all represent anti discriminatory practice...and we have to thank them all for starting that change,otherwise we would not have come this far.

[Bobby Smith]

As my dear wife always says "Most of these culture things are kept going by men with small genitalia - off on a power trip."
Another spin off from this topic concerns the issue of white involvement/opinions over what are regarded, in the media at least, as Asian only issues. To me this is wrong. Surely if someone has a genuine point and wants to help someone then their ethnicity is irrelevant? I know it helps to have 'walked the walk' as well as 'talked the talk' but feelings and emotion transcend ethnic origin.
Well, at least I hope they do!           

[saffron]

Bobby, I know in this thread AC has said that he would like people from within the asian community to

make a stand, I think thats still important, i also think its important to acknowledge the efforts of

white/british men and women who campaign and support these important issues,frankly i would go as far

as to say that we would be lost without many men who I know have supported women in particular on

these issues. What we have to ensure is that we do this with the women who face these particular threats

and have been victims of some of these crimes,so that they feel that their experience is being reflected,

shown. ...whatever. That makes for a stronger case and also shows communites who would want to ignore

 these things , because there is no one speaking up from their background. General

stereotypes are applied sadly about all sorts of people as you know Bobby in our society, and yes they

need to be broken down, however change in all campaigns has included the victims/survivors in many

projects across the country,wheather its about road traffic accidents and impact on society or wheather its forced marriages and honour based crimes.

Yes feelings and emotion do transend ethnic origin,and sensitivity to the issue for those involved and the impact of certain real life experiences should also link with this hand in hand.

[Bobby Smith]

Yes Saffron, I agree with all your points: united we stand, divided we fall.