Women, Violence and Tradition by Tamsin Bradley

[Bobby Smith]

I just finished the above book and just know that Mixed Together readers will find its topic matter interesting. Please see my review of the book below.
This is a moving, emotive and thought provoking book; full of tragic stories of black and Asian women suffering at the hands of men. Neatly arranged into eight easy to read chapters, the book tackles a range of subjects, ranging from domestic violence in the Zimbabwean community, Female Genital Mutilation amongst Somalis, Hindu dowry practises and accounts of Bangladeshi divorce. The common theme that runs throughout is that all these abuses are happening in the UK, often under the noses of the authorities who remain blissfully unaware of the problems women are having to experience. Be warned, however, for this is not an easy read, as the incidences described are in turn horrific, disturbing and illuminating – especially for people who socialise with only one ethnic group.
What struck me most whilst reading the book is that many of these issues are largely hidden from the majority population of the UK, with the result that both victims and perpetrators come over as alien, separate beings from the rest of us – which of course they are not. The Somali women, based in England, who talk about the pain of ‘genital cutting’ – to give it its PC name – really come over as women from a different planet – with their culture based around the concepts of family ‘honour’ and of pleasing men. How they can talk about inflicting mutilation on their own offspring, whilst recollecting the pain of their own ‘cutting’ defies belief and shows how deep-seated, and wrong, this part of their culture is. In many ways this book makes one realise that the ‘West’ is far advanced when it comes to such things, although I am sure this was not the writer’s intention. Most of the women interviewed are at pains to stress their pride in Zimbabwean, Hindu or Somalian culture and wish to confront the stereotypes we often have of them - of being oppressed women being dominated by men. Unfortunately the book, in many ways, reinforces such stereotypes as each chapter highlights shocking levels of abuse suffered by black and Asian women in England. I must confess, being an Englishman married to a Nigerian woman, this was not a surprise to me, as I have heard similar stories from friends and relatives from across the diaspora. What the book ably demonstrates is that culture has been hijacked into a kind of cultural bondage, with tradition used as a lever to keep women in ‘their place’, leaving them ever more exposed to levels of violence and suppression of their femininity. 
In conclusion the writer shows how multiculturalism, as a political ideology, has ultimately failed, as our elected leaders are unable to recognise that women are being exploited by our obsession with faith based dialogue and of sticking to these communities status quo. Our fears of being labelled racist and of ‘respecting’ black and Asian rights are leading to women suffering domestic servitude, slavery and death. The irony is that it is the anti-racist leanings of the Left that are giving men full control over women, by concentrating on anti-racism that ignores the abuse of women for the greater good of equality, based around race and ethnicity. A sobering thought indeed and an essential read for any who think social cohesion and integration can be achieved by giving more power to conservative men.   

[saffron]

Hello Bobby,

Thankyou for your review of this book...I hope others will comment on some of the very important points raised in this book and for you .....

I have to say that this is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to keep friends for women like me with women from the commmunity that I came from,and wider more sheltered asian families..because they are critical of women who are independant and blame us for 'loosing our roots' or' loosing our culture'...when in fact all thats been lost is their right to mix with someone outside of their immediate family and community circles. ..and often their freedome of choice.

It makes me very sad...that women in these situations subjected to oppressive rules and practices then intern prevent others from seeking help outside the family,and continue to support the cycle of abuse for the younger ones growing up with them...this is where arranged marriages versus forced marriages can mean one and the same thing..because no one is prepared to challenge what might be a bad match.

Multicultralism has alot to answer for........Govts certainly have alot to answer for..including police ..who despite the forced marriage act continue to deal with domestic violence as an 'incident' rather than under the act ..which defines how honour based violence needs to be reported.


All I can say is that its not in my culture to be abused...whoever defines that culture includes abuse without using that wording..has clearly no right to uphold a respected culture...Im thinking of somalian women in particular where FGM is practiced..but yes, also dowry practices.

[Bobby Smith]

This is why it is so important that websites like Mixed Together exist, to give people the confidence to express themselves in a more tolerant environment. The Government has largely stepped aside and expects black and Asian women to create self-help networks to aid themselves - with little or no funding for their troubles. 

[booktalker]

Hey, Bobby, great review. How about sending a copy of the book to David Cameron, since there have recently been news reports on the subject and the gov't has promised to tackle it. If they don't understand exactly what they're dealing with, they will never achieve anything! Love BT x

[Bobby Smith]

Cameron is not interested in anything 'ethnic' - until the next election comes along. He talks well but talk is cheap.