Petition against Destitution

28-February-2007

[ Racism , Multiculturalism , Migration ]
Supporting the right to work while claiming asylum

The words for the petition is:

The principle of `work for those who can, support for those who can't' should extend to everyone in the UK, including people seeking asylum; notes that thousands of people seeking asylum are ending up destitute rather than returning to poverty and/or persecution; supports Church Action on Poverty's Living Ghosts campaign, which aims to end the needless destitution of people seeking asylum; believes that it is in the interest of the whole of UK society for people seeking asylum to be allowed to take paid employment while they are in this country or NASS support if the are unable to work; and recognises that this would stop many people disappearing into destitution.

The online petition is on the official Downing st website so is actually legitimate. For more please go to:

Many other petitions also worth checking out in support of the right to asylum....

Ofiicial Downing St Petition


Glenn Hardaker; 28-February-2007 13:03:21 forum (0)

Performance Ethnography - Politicised Cultural Studies

23-November-2006

[ Ethnicity , PerformanceEthnography , Racism , Identity ]

Performance ethnography I have been exploring is based on a multiracial cultural studies perspective (Diawara, 1996). A relativley new postinterpretive, post foundational paradigm is emerging that is less certain in terms of an interpretive enquiry approach (Denzin, 2003). The ways in which these relationships of difference and commonality are textually represented answer to a political annd epistimological aesthetic. From a feminist, communitarian sense, there are various approaches to performance ethnography.

Christian (2000) identifies three interconnected criteria that shape these representations of the world. Interpretive sufficiency - descriptions should possess the amount of depth, detail, emotionality, nuance, and coherence that will permit a critical consciousness. Paula Freire (2001) says conscientization to be formed - the oppressed gain there own voices and collaborate in transforming there own cultures. Representational adequacy - dealing with being free of racial, class or gender stereotyping issues. Authentically Adequate - in terms of text and according to Christian when they meet three conditions. (a) multiple voices are represented, (b) enhance morality in some way, (c) promote social transformation.

Multivoice ethnographic texts should empower persons, discover moral truths about themselves (in some way), and create social criticism.


Glenn Hardaker; 23-November-2006 14:50:50 forum (0)

Muslims & Multiculturalism

16-October-2006

[ Religion , Racism , Multiculturalism , Identity ]
Jack Straw's entrance into the right wing debate on multiculturalism and Muslims has little to do with the veil and has the opposite impact is being pushed in terms of opening up the so called debate....
I have been intending to post my view in the recent media coverage of the wearing of the veil but time pasted... I struggle with the logic and Jack Straw (MP) should be far more aware of the situation (he is loosing the Asiam vote due to the war on Iraq/Afganistan and no voice on Lebanon so why kick even harder). The response seemed calculated from the Labour government and I guess to some extent well discussed way before the public comments from Jack Straw. Such comments increase the atmosphere of Islamaphobia and anti-Muslim racism in the country. The follow up in the context of wider issues of citizenship also has the potential of moving the country towards models being pushed in other European countries and away from what is still a more pluralist rather than secular approach here in the UK. In England we now see the situation of the Liverpool woman having a veil ripped off, woman suspended from working in a school for wearing a veil and racist attacks near many Mosques. I thought we had open views in the UK and legislation that is intended to protect from religious prejudice and the Race Relations Act. We should keep with the Multiculturalism and celebrate the diversity that it has enabled through positive anti-discriminatory action.... Northen towns such as Blackburn have no problems in community relations but have significant economic deprivation. This is the challenge not what people are wearing and the comments from many leading people in the Labour party are intrusive and discrimatory in attitude. For many women the veil is a sign of liberty and in the UK many more women have decided to wear the veil since the war on Iraq. For many more its part of there identity and a choice. In Europe typically it is a choice and a sign for many of controlling there own way of doing things. For others it is a central part of being a Muslim.. In other words for many women it is central to what they are and a choice in a free society that has no impact on others.....

Glenn Hardaker; 16-October-2006 03:30:55 forum (0)

Struggle for Justice: Soweto 30 years back tomorrow...

15-June-2006

[ Terrorism , Racism ]

In South Africa 30 years tomorrow young people took to the streets (estimate of 10,000) to protest against being forced to learn Africaans in school. This was clearly viewed as the language of the oppressor. Police open fired and killed 566+ people . This was the worst crisis since the Sharpeville Massacre in 1961 - the Soweto uprising. Soweta was viewed as the beginning of the end for apartheid. Within 2 years the black working class took centre stage and by the late 1980's apartheid was on its knees. It forced a negotiated political settlement..

The image below by Camera Rwanda needs reading. Suggest you click through to her site and read the words by Lucille Davie.


Glenn; 15-June-2006 12:16:38 forum (0)