When I was living in Bradford, I got some interesting insights into the vices of fellow young Pakistanis. At the local Co-op store, young men could be seen buying such pick-me-ups as Bacardi, Vodka, JD and Gin. According to the shopkeeper, these people were after the buzz of instant inebriation. With hindsight- given all the media hype on the issue- this sounds like binge drinking. But this was binge drinking without the undesirable social consequences.
On Friday or Saturday nights, you did not have to suffer the antics of Asian drunkards on Oak Lane or walk through sick on Sunday mornings. Yet clearly drinking was widespread among young Asian men. These were secret drinkers who lived at home, where a traditional Muslim culture- which forbids alcohol- prevails. According to the shopkeeper, many of these young drinkers would smuggle a bottle into their bedrooms or, late at night when everyone was asleep, drink in their parked cars and tip toe back to bed.
I did not witness Pakistani girls drinking, though there must be some who do. What I did witness, however, were their secret romantic liaisons and their greater phallic awareness.
My route to work took me along country roads. Parked on the lay-bys I would see sporty-type cars, with Asian blokes and their girls inside, very often in an intimate clinch. There was no need to come out into the country if they wanted to just talk. Often they would be sharing the lay-bays with middle aged English men and women- colleagues having fun. I called one particular spot ‘Infidelity Lane’.
Young men and women would congregate in the centre of Bradford, as happens in Birmingham City Centre. Here they would make eye contact, chat up and be chatted up. They would then repair to the countryside, which in Yorkshire is conveniently proximate from anywhere. There would be dire consequences for many of these young people if a member of their family saw them. But the secrecy is a part of the excitement. Even in the most authoritarian of societies, it is difficult to suppress the fire of youth. What chance in an open society like ours?
Wednesday, May 25
Saturday, May 21
Parking problems in 'New Dadyal'
Last year I read that Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, has the highest number of parking tickets doled out in the country. After the customary condemnation of traffic wardens, I thought nothing about it. Today, I spent the afternoon there shopping with my family and got first hand experience of why the place is notorious for its parking problems.
Alum Rock Road is a vibrant shopping area, consisting mainly of Pakistani-owned shops. It is often called New Dadyal, after an area in Mirpur from which many of the shop owners and local residents originate. You can buy pretty much the same sorts of things that the main shopping area in Dadyal has to offer- fine fabrics, jewellery, trinkets and of course, a myriad of eateries. It is the fabric stores that attract shoppers from across the country.
The similarity of wares and traders is not the only reason why Alum Rock Road has earned the epithet ‘New Dadyal’. Dadyal is also known for traffic chaos, though given the volume of traffic in Birmingham, the problem here is a lot worse.
I can’t remember the number of traffic wardens I saw today. All I can remember is that they were all busy completing penalty notices. Parking is permitted on one side in the morning and the other side in the afternoon. During my shopping trip, traffic wardens were dishing out justice to those who had violated the ‘mornings only’ side of the road. No doubt some people, particularly from outside Birmingham, are confused by this rule. Others just have a cavalier disregard for parking regulations. Whatever the reason, yellow notices were plastered everywhere.
One particular incident made me modify my opinion of traffic wardens and parking penalties. An illegally parked car- and incompetently parked given that its back was protruding onto the road- caused chaos when two buses coming from opposite directions tried to pass it simultaneously. They couldn’t do this; nor could they reverse back as traffic had built up behind them. A ‘desi’ solution was at hand. Four burly lads- all Mirpuri, I gathered from the expletives- decided to take matters into their hands after waiting impatiently in their BMW. They beckoned two more stout lads passing by. The six shook the car so harshly that it was no longer protruding. There was cheering as the buses and other traffic began to flow.
Alum Rock Road is a vibrant shopping area, consisting mainly of Pakistani-owned shops. It is often called New Dadyal, after an area in Mirpur from which many of the shop owners and local residents originate. You can buy pretty much the same sorts of things that the main shopping area in Dadyal has to offer- fine fabrics, jewellery, trinkets and of course, a myriad of eateries. It is the fabric stores that attract shoppers from across the country.
The similarity of wares and traders is not the only reason why Alum Rock Road has earned the epithet ‘New Dadyal’. Dadyal is also known for traffic chaos, though given the volume of traffic in Birmingham, the problem here is a lot worse.
I can’t remember the number of traffic wardens I saw today. All I can remember is that they were all busy completing penalty notices. Parking is permitted on one side in the morning and the other side in the afternoon. During my shopping trip, traffic wardens were dishing out justice to those who had violated the ‘mornings only’ side of the road. No doubt some people, particularly from outside Birmingham, are confused by this rule. Others just have a cavalier disregard for parking regulations. Whatever the reason, yellow notices were plastered everywhere.
One particular incident made me modify my opinion of traffic wardens and parking penalties. An illegally parked car- and incompetently parked given that its back was protruding onto the road- caused chaos when two buses coming from opposite directions tried to pass it simultaneously. They couldn’t do this; nor could they reverse back as traffic had built up behind them. A ‘desi’ solution was at hand. Four burly lads- all Mirpuri, I gathered from the expletives- decided to take matters into their hands after waiting impatiently in their BMW. They beckoned two more stout lads passing by. The six shook the car so harshly that it was no longer protruding. There was cheering as the buses and other traffic began to flow.
Thursday, May 19
Respect and anti-social behaviour
The ‘Big Idea’ underlying the legislative programme outlined in the Queen’ Speech is ‘respect’. Tony Blair rightly claims that while campaigning, the message he got from the doorsteps was that people are fed up with anti-social behaviour and the lack of respect that goes with it. This is an issue on which the PM can redeem himself after the falsehoods that led to the Iraq war. However, there are two reasons why I think current talk of ‘respect’ will lead nowhere.
First, the legislative programme deals with quite serious behaviour, for example involving knives, guns or alcohol-fuelled violence. Much of the anti-social behaviour, thankfully, is not so serious. It is, nevertheless, quite intimidating for law-abiding residents to have to endure congregations of hooded youths, not drunk or carrying weapons, but still swearing, shouting, glaring at passers by and throwing objects around. I have witnessed such low level anti-social behaviour and it is not pleasant.
It is very difficult for the government to legislate against this type of low level nuisance. There are, however, things the government can do to nurture a culture of respect and decency. This leads me to the second reason why I think nothing will come out of the current focus on anti-social behaviour.
Like on many issues, different aspects of government policy are pulling in different directions. When the spotlight is exclusively on children’s rights, they are seen as victims in need of protection. So smacking is banned. When talk shifts to anti-social behaviour, parents are berated for not bringing up their kids properly. It is widely accepted that the best environment in which to raise children is a strong family with both parents around. Yet government policies- under Labour and the Tories- have gradually chinked away at this important social institution.
A coherent approach is needed to tackling anti-social behaviour. Such an approach should recognise the importance of the family as bedrock of social stability.
First, the legislative programme deals with quite serious behaviour, for example involving knives, guns or alcohol-fuelled violence. Much of the anti-social behaviour, thankfully, is not so serious. It is, nevertheless, quite intimidating for law-abiding residents to have to endure congregations of hooded youths, not drunk or carrying weapons, but still swearing, shouting, glaring at passers by and throwing objects around. I have witnessed such low level anti-social behaviour and it is not pleasant.
It is very difficult for the government to legislate against this type of low level nuisance. There are, however, things the government can do to nurture a culture of respect and decency. This leads me to the second reason why I think nothing will come out of the current focus on anti-social behaviour.
Like on many issues, different aspects of government policy are pulling in different directions. When the spotlight is exclusively on children’s rights, they are seen as victims in need of protection. So smacking is banned. When talk shifts to anti-social behaviour, parents are berated for not bringing up their kids properly. It is widely accepted that the best environment in which to raise children is a strong family with both parents around. Yet government policies- under Labour and the Tories- have gradually chinked away at this important social institution.
A coherent approach is needed to tackling anti-social behaviour. Such an approach should recognise the importance of the family as bedrock of social stability.
Wednesday, May 18
George delivers some home truths
Our political household was abuzz with excitement yesterday as we watched George Galloway deliver some home truths in the lion’s den. Like you would cheer each and every blow from you favourite boxer, so we did with Galloway. Had he met Saddam many times? No more than Rumsfeld had- and for a nobler purpose. Cheering. What a ‘cavalier’ approach to justice, even in a country where standards have been falling, to find him guilty without a chance to defend himself. More cheering. The biggest cheer was when he was pressed on the issue of the illegality of selling oil in breach of UN resolutions. He was having none of this talk of illegality- what about the illegality of the war itself?
Monday, May 16
Double standards
The supine response of the West, in particular the US, to the slaughter of hundreds of innocent civilians by the ‘friendly’ Uzbek regime confirms the double standards argument. Why is democracy good for Iraq but not Uzbekistan? Why is Lithuania congratulated but the democracy movement in Uzbekistan dissuaded? Why is democracy good for Afghanistan, but not Saudi Arabia, whose repressive regime is not dissimilar to the odious Taliban? Why is Iran condemned but not Saudi? Can any fair-minded person reasonably say that Saudi is more open and free than Iran?
There is only one explanation, which can sound rhetorical but it is difficult to avoid it. It is that the US is not interested in spreading freedom and democracy, but wants to protect its own strategic and economic interests. That is what explains the differential approach to dictatorship. The US approach to dictatorships is not based on how repressive they are, but on how accommodating the ruling elites are of US interests. In Iraq and Afghanistan an attempt is being to create a class of janissary politicians to protect US interests.
There is only one explanation, which can sound rhetorical but it is difficult to avoid it. It is that the US is not interested in spreading freedom and democracy, but wants to protect its own strategic and economic interests. That is what explains the differential approach to dictatorship. The US approach to dictatorships is not based on how repressive they are, but on how accommodating the ruling elites are of US interests. In Iraq and Afghanistan an attempt is being to create a class of janissary politicians to protect US interests.
Friday, May 13
'Happy slapping'
Last night ITV aired a documentary about the disturbing phenomena of ‘happy slapping’. This involves groups of young people, armed with camera phones, traipsing around looking for unsuspecting strangers- for example someone waiting at a bus stop- to slap. The action is then captured on camera and shared by texting and over the Internet. One victim was slapped so hard he suffered permanent damage to his hearing. That victim is from Solihull, down the road from me. Alarmingly, the violence seems to be getting more gratuitous. One man who had fallen asleep at a bus stop was set on fire.
Appropriately, the documentary was aired on the same day the Prime Minister talked about anti-social behaviour, yob culture and responsible parenting. ‘Happy slapping’ is part of the same social malaise. I found it quite worrying that some of the ‘happy slappers’ interviewed had a casual, dismissive, ‘just a laugh’ attitude to this appalling behaviour. Those who set the man at the bus stop on fire were clearly enjoying the experience. I just cannot understand what gives rise to such attitudes in a prosperous, stable country such as the UK. We know that civil war and strife can have a brutalising impact on people, but such is not the situation here. Bad parenting must be part of the problem.
I think mobile phone companies bear a small part of the responsibility. They are constantly churning out new and powerful handsets, marketed particularly at young people and aimed at feeding their desire for objects of vanity. One wonders how many of these youngsters can afford these slick, multi-functional handsets? Again the issue of parental responsibility is relevant.
Appropriately, the documentary was aired on the same day the Prime Minister talked about anti-social behaviour, yob culture and responsible parenting. ‘Happy slapping’ is part of the same social malaise. I found it quite worrying that some of the ‘happy slappers’ interviewed had a casual, dismissive, ‘just a laugh’ attitude to this appalling behaviour. Those who set the man at the bus stop on fire were clearly enjoying the experience. I just cannot understand what gives rise to such attitudes in a prosperous, stable country such as the UK. We know that civil war and strife can have a brutalising impact on people, but such is not the situation here. Bad parenting must be part of the problem.
I think mobile phone companies bear a small part of the responsibility. They are constantly churning out new and powerful handsets, marketed particularly at young people and aimed at feeding their desire for objects of vanity. One wonders how many of these youngsters can afford these slick, multi-functional handsets? Again the issue of parental responsibility is relevant.
Thursday, May 12
Computers and education
When I left University, I knew very little about computers. As a law under-graduate, I had relied more on bulky text books and hand written essays. We were encouraged to use an online database of case law, but most people preferred the hard copies, taking copious notes. At school, I did a subject called IT up until the age of 14, but cannot remember what it covered. All I remember is the class being divided into two groups, each huddling around a computer.
It was only after leaving university that I realised I had a skills deficit. When applying for jobs, employers asked for a CV, which was quite expensive to have professionally printed for every application. Also, many job descriptions mentioned the necessity of ‘IT literacy’, though the ability to read and number crunch were assumed.
To fill the skills gap, my brother and I invested in a Compaq PC. To cut a long story short, my point is this: it did not take me long after buying a PC to acquire a modicum of IT literacy. I became familiar with the Windows environment and could write attractive CVs in MS Word. My subsequent career development required a more detailed knowledge of IT and web editing, but I have been able to add to my skills simply by attending short courses, a moderate amount of self-study and actual work experience. I have since worked with many people who acquired their IT skills in this way.
So what am I driving at? Simply at the fact that computers are not necessary for education. In fact, over reliance on computers to deliver all subjects can be detrimental. The phrase ‘IT literacy’ is actually a misnomer. Basic IT skills can be picked relatively easily. A back to basics campaign, which puts books at the centre of learning, is desperately needed. Even for those who aspire to work at the top end of computing, whether as programmers or computer scientists, maths would provide a better grounding than computer studies.
Yet the way in which the government, egged on by software vendors, is pouring billions into IT and computers for schools is quite alarming. The same money could be better spent on books, more teachers and smaller classes. It is understandable why this is happening. No government would like to give the impression of being backward and out of touch.
At a time when ‘e’ has become a prefix for many activities- there are even e-citizens- it is inevitable that there should be e-learning. Yet e-learning is particularly unsuited for schools, the glowing claims of the software vendors notwithstanding. With e-learning, the technology has a tendency to supplant the subject matter being studied. The technology, and what it can do, becomes more important than the subject being taught.
Around a quarter of adults are functionally illiterate. Unless educational priorities are re-adjusted to focus on basic literacy and numeracy, my fear is that this will get worse.
It was only after leaving university that I realised I had a skills deficit. When applying for jobs, employers asked for a CV, which was quite expensive to have professionally printed for every application. Also, many job descriptions mentioned the necessity of ‘IT literacy’, though the ability to read and number crunch were assumed.
To fill the skills gap, my brother and I invested in a Compaq PC. To cut a long story short, my point is this: it did not take me long after buying a PC to acquire a modicum of IT literacy. I became familiar with the Windows environment and could write attractive CVs in MS Word. My subsequent career development required a more detailed knowledge of IT and web editing, but I have been able to add to my skills simply by attending short courses, a moderate amount of self-study and actual work experience. I have since worked with many people who acquired their IT skills in this way.
So what am I driving at? Simply at the fact that computers are not necessary for education. In fact, over reliance on computers to deliver all subjects can be detrimental. The phrase ‘IT literacy’ is actually a misnomer. Basic IT skills can be picked relatively easily. A back to basics campaign, which puts books at the centre of learning, is desperately needed. Even for those who aspire to work at the top end of computing, whether as programmers or computer scientists, maths would provide a better grounding than computer studies.
Yet the way in which the government, egged on by software vendors, is pouring billions into IT and computers for schools is quite alarming. The same money could be better spent on books, more teachers and smaller classes. It is understandable why this is happening. No government would like to give the impression of being backward and out of touch.
At a time when ‘e’ has become a prefix for many activities- there are even e-citizens- it is inevitable that there should be e-learning. Yet e-learning is particularly unsuited for schools, the glowing claims of the software vendors notwithstanding. With e-learning, the technology has a tendency to supplant the subject matter being studied. The technology, and what it can do, becomes more important than the subject being taught.
Around a quarter of adults are functionally illiterate. Unless educational priorities are re-adjusted to focus on basic literacy and numeracy, my fear is that this will get worse.
Tuesday, May 10
Wedding parties….Mirpuri style
With the election out the way, I can go back to writing about other things. What better to start with than wedding parties- Mirpuri style? I attended one at the weekend…..there are many more to go over the summer.
I have become so acclimatised to wedding parties given by fellow Mirpuris, having attended so many, that I cannot imagine how they must appear to an inexperienced non-Mirpuri. They are, to put it mildly, chaotic affairs.
The first thing that will strike the novice is the number of guests. All relatives, no matter how remote, are invited. They will normally be spread around the country and will make an effort to attend. A very large number of neighbours and other locals are also invited. Sometimes even casual acquaintances, those with whom your only relationship is a perfunctory hello or salaam whenever you meet them at the local paper shop, are invited.
When you have such a large guest list, chaos is inevitable. The wedding hall is normally never big enough to accommodate all the guests in one go. Food is therefore served in several sittings. Those lucky enough to find a seat in the first serving eat in the shadow of those who missed. I have known of cases where those who missed the first sitting stood behind the chairs of those who succeeded, ready to pounce as soon as they have finished eating. No body finds this particularly unusual.
The purpose, then, of a Mirpuri wedding party is to feed the large number of guests as quickly as possible. You can certainly socialise in sub-groups before or after eating, but once seated at the table, your purpose is to eat quickly. Fine conversation at the dinner table is not the way of the Mirpuri wedding party.
Yet I am quite fond of Mirpuri wedding parties. They are, compared to black tie events of city folk, quite relaxed affairs. I think there is a deeper reason why I am fond of them: they reflect a community spirit not normally seen in urban areas. How many people would invite casual acquaintances to a wedding party? Indeed, in most cases, people barely know their immediate neighbours, let alone those living down the road or in the wider locality. There is, then, a deeper meaning and purpose to the chaos.
I have become so acclimatised to wedding parties given by fellow Mirpuris, having attended so many, that I cannot imagine how they must appear to an inexperienced non-Mirpuri. They are, to put it mildly, chaotic affairs.
The first thing that will strike the novice is the number of guests. All relatives, no matter how remote, are invited. They will normally be spread around the country and will make an effort to attend. A very large number of neighbours and other locals are also invited. Sometimes even casual acquaintances, those with whom your only relationship is a perfunctory hello or salaam whenever you meet them at the local paper shop, are invited.
When you have such a large guest list, chaos is inevitable. The wedding hall is normally never big enough to accommodate all the guests in one go. Food is therefore served in several sittings. Those lucky enough to find a seat in the first serving eat in the shadow of those who missed. I have known of cases where those who missed the first sitting stood behind the chairs of those who succeeded, ready to pounce as soon as they have finished eating. No body finds this particularly unusual.
The purpose, then, of a Mirpuri wedding party is to feed the large number of guests as quickly as possible. You can certainly socialise in sub-groups before or after eating, but once seated at the table, your purpose is to eat quickly. Fine conversation at the dinner table is not the way of the Mirpuri wedding party.
Yet I am quite fond of Mirpuri wedding parties. They are, compared to black tie events of city folk, quite relaxed affairs. I think there is a deeper reason why I am fond of them: they reflect a community spirit not normally seen in urban areas. How many people would invite casual acquaintances to a wedding party? Indeed, in most cases, people barely know their immediate neighbours, let alone those living down the road or in the wider locality. There is, then, a deeper meaning and purpose to the chaos.
Monday, May 9
Moral mandate
Once Labour’s understandable elation at a historic third term has subsided, some serious questions will need to be asked about the morality of the mandate. We regularly hear about public disengagement from politics, yet fail to ask a simple question: does the system itself encourage disillusionment by magnifying the victory of the victors and diminishing the performance of the losers?
The figures point to a democratic deficit. Of the people who turned out to vote in the 2005 general election, 35.2% voted Labour, which translates into 356 seats. The Conservatives got 32.3 of the votes and 197 seats, whereas the Liberal Democrats managed 22% of the votes and 62 seats. These figures are based on a 61% turnout, which is barely an improvement on the 59% who voted in 2001 and quite disappointing given the popularity of postal voting. More people didn’t bother to vote than voted Labour.
As it is clear from these figures, there is a disparity between the popular vote and the number of seats. Most people did not vote Labour. As a percentage of the total electorate- including those who did not vote- Labour votes represent only 21%.
No system is perfect, but a system of proportional representation would reflect the popular will more accurately than the current winner takes all system. The argument that PR can lead to instability is unconvincing. In any case, dictators have been known to argue similarly against democracy.
The figures point to a democratic deficit. Of the people who turned out to vote in the 2005 general election, 35.2% voted Labour, which translates into 356 seats. The Conservatives got 32.3 of the votes and 197 seats, whereas the Liberal Democrats managed 22% of the votes and 62 seats. These figures are based on a 61% turnout, which is barely an improvement on the 59% who voted in 2001 and quite disappointing given the popularity of postal voting. More people didn’t bother to vote than voted Labour.
As it is clear from these figures, there is a disparity between the popular vote and the number of seats. Most people did not vote Labour. As a percentage of the total electorate- including those who did not vote- Labour votes represent only 21%.
No system is perfect, but a system of proportional representation would reflect the popular will more accurately than the current winner takes all system. The argument that PR can lead to instability is unconvincing. In any case, dictators have been known to argue similarly against democracy.
Wednesday, May 4
Acceptability of lying
The government’s dishonourable conduct surrounding the Iraq war is now beginning to affect morality in general. When doing something dubious, it is now not uncommon to pray in aid, as a precedent, the deceit deployed by the government in the prelude to the war. This is done only half in jest. So embellishing any claim is likened to ‘sexing up’. Making particularly exuberant claims is compared to the claim about Iraq’s ability to unleash hell in 45 minutes. Copying and pasting information from the Internet is justified on the grounds that the government did the same. The end result may be dodgy, just as the ‘dodgy dossier’ was, but what does it matter. What’s good for the whiter than white government must be good for the rest of us as well.
Monday, May 2
Aunties go campaigning
Last Saturday I described my encounter with ‘Respect’ party campaigners, who had set up stall on the Stratford Road. The campaigners, seeking votes for candidate Salma Yaqoob, were young and articulate. This week I observed an altogether different phenomena. Pakistani women, middle aged and above and chador-clad, were out canvassing. I have never witnessed this before- it is heartening to see such people involved in the democratic process.
The lady who knocked our door said she was the candidate’s mother and ‘please, please, could you vote Salma’. I made a perfunctory nod of my head to indicate approval, at the same time uttering ‘yes, yes’ (in Punjabi). I have no intention of voting for ‘Respect’ and had challenged the young campaigners last week. However, challenging auntie was out of the question. It is easy to accuse politicians of lying, but I wonder how many voters, out of politeness, make false promises?
During this extended bank holiday weekend- the last before the election- the aunties were the only evidence of canvassing. The ‘Respect’ party are the reason why the campaign here in Sparkbrook is lacklustre. If they were not standing, the result would be unpredictable and on a knife-edge. As it is, the divisive influence of ‘Respect’ guarantees a Labour victory. Why should Labour bother to campaign here when ‘Respect’ is doing that for them?
The lady who knocked our door said she was the candidate’s mother and ‘please, please, could you vote Salma’. I made a perfunctory nod of my head to indicate approval, at the same time uttering ‘yes, yes’ (in Punjabi). I have no intention of voting for ‘Respect’ and had challenged the young campaigners last week. However, challenging auntie was out of the question. It is easy to accuse politicians of lying, but I wonder how many voters, out of politeness, make false promises?
During this extended bank holiday weekend- the last before the election- the aunties were the only evidence of canvassing. The ‘Respect’ party are the reason why the campaign here in Sparkbrook is lacklustre. If they were not standing, the result would be unpredictable and on a knife-edge. As it is, the divisive influence of ‘Respect’ guarantees a Labour victory. Why should Labour bother to campaign here when ‘Respect’ is doing that for them?
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