Connecting with other Londoners

Where and how do you connect with people from a different background to yourself, if at all?

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Social integration is about how we all live together as Londoners.

The discussion ran from 18 March 2018 - 18 June 2018

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Comments (65)

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I am a single working mother of three and have had a various amount of experience within the council and different goverment departments.There are so many errors within our system that are not only failing the proffesionals who are...

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I am a single working mother of three and have had a various amount of experience within the council and different goverment departments.There are so many errors within our system that are not only failing the proffesionals who are qualified,  with pressure completing the  least important factors which are statistics and most of all acheiving targets set within a budget for particular departments  and never significant to personal individaual case loads. These errors are having a major impact on departments who are meant to bring resuloution and the public who are each uniquly in need of asissistance.

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WINDRUSH LIVE Event, 24 June 2019 - this is HISTORY in the making!

https://video214.com/play/BagEFkKkXdlF2eTmaGhg9w/s/dark

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WINDRUSH LIVE Event, 24 June 2019 - this is HISTORY in the making!

https://video214.com/play/BagEFkKkXdlF2eTmaGhg9w/s/dark

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The WINDRUSH L.I.V.E (Leave Ignorance, Value Education, Enterprise & Excellence) is a FREE event on Monday 24 June at the St. Ann's Library, Tottenham

For more information, watch the following; (and s a unique event!!! For more information...

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The WINDRUSH L.I.V.E (Leave Ignorance, Value Education, Enterprise & Excellence) is a FREE event on Monday 24 June at the St. Ann's Library, Tottenham

For more information, watch the following; (and s a unique event!!! For more information see the following link: https://video214.com/play/BagEFkKkXdlF2eTmaGhg9w/s/dark

This is truly HISTORY in the making!

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Avatar for - American pika

Free, community events in our local parks as well as more of those free sport experience events already in local parks. Invite local craft sellers, street food sellers, different community groups, religious groups and schools, add a young...

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Free, community events in our local parks as well as more of those free sport experience events already in local parks. Invite local craft sellers, street food sellers, different community groups, religious groups and schools, add a young childs fun fair, mayoral visitor or vip to pop in. Bit like a church fayre but to really go all out to welcome all. Do a leaflet drop and ask locals to get involved, bring along a plate of food from their cultural background. Raffles, prizes etc

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As you may be aware All the community centres have been taken over by gentrifyers who are the only ones that can afford to buy new build ( bought from Tenant funding)

RSL have become the New Property developers and are building bto sell...

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As you may be aware All the community centres have been taken over by gentrifyers who are the only ones that can afford to buy new build ( bought from Tenant funding)

RSL have become the New Property developers and are building bto sell particullaly Elephant and Castle, Old Kent Road and lambeth ends.

 

Churches control the majority of larger halls so residents are excluded

 

In the summer months we meet at the allotment even that has growing issues from the racist leaseholders, who allocate spaces to their collegues out of borough . The local authority are only interested in people who make impact , vote and influence .Their peers in industry.

The coffee shops and unhealthy eating places are the only option . Which is unfair and contributes to lack of community cohesion and development.
Eve then some of the staff can be monstrous to disabled and homeless  persons

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Part 2

 

Questions arisen why these hub managers dont have to go through any selection process to aquire contracts, in the first instance local councils should be ashamed .

Athough the gentrifiers mayde skillful in aquiring all the...

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Part 2

 

Questions arisen why these hub managers dont have to go through any selection process to aquire contracts, in the first instance local councils should be ashamed .

Athough the gentrifiers mayde skillful in aquiring all the lucrative funding,  areas indices of depravation..blah blah blah .Their knowlege base of community members, is limited and no  skills  needed to create cohesive productive services. The majority thinks  subjectively sterotypes. Why do ones suppose,The closure of community centres and playgroups expadited from local management , in favor of re- allocation of  free spaces would result in large footfall?. We need to research if there is collation between the lack of engagement of community engagement maybe  the rational for the rise in youth crime.

Peace

 

Marlon B

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Major impacts of genrtrified affluent people buying up land and houses in areas of regeneration. Accessing all the funding avaiable to provide employment contracts for their collegues. Hipstster organisations..now gate keepers of affordable...

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Major impacts of genrtrified affluent people buying up land and houses in areas of regeneration. Accessing all the funding avaiable to provide employment contracts for their collegues. Hipstster organisations..now gate keepers of affordable spaces, allocating their connections into free spaces when available. Shocking as these groups already have offices in the first instance.. Empire Building? These actions by LA create macro and micro aggesssion of hostility, largely based on colonial mechanisms of white privelige , cronyism, nepatism,  exclusion and daily mail great unwashed fear.why is that, as black peple when given any crumbs are exspected to produce bibles of data.   Why are local people are exspected to volunteer to carry out all the work while the gentrifiers write up lucative funding bids to aquire contracts of employments for self interest for themselves. This is nothing but sweat equity Slavery.I have lost the number of times that gentrifiers have consitently asked us 2 volunteer for them, while they get paid ... Thats the point .. One of the postive aspects that we can think about is that the police enabling the community to have self defense sessions at their gym , in particular Women ..islamaphobia and abuse on the rise. Let us turn that on its head and try to apply some rational thought and postive action based on causes and impacts

 

Peace

 

MalonB

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Hello, I am a big fan of gentificatiuon but a big fan of a cross section of incomes and wealth in the same area and this can be done by controlling rents and sales.

I cite the Gothic quarter in Barcelona. The apartments are really cheap...

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Hello, I am a big fan of gentificatiuon but a big fan of a cross section of incomes and wealth in the same area and this can be done by controlling rents and sales.

I cite the Gothic quarter in Barcelona. The apartments are really cheap until you find out that you can only buy if you have been living in the area for 10 years.

I also cite the original intent of the Notting Hill Housing Trust. I had a friend who had a lodger who applied for a home with the trust and my friend had to sign to say the lodger had lived in the area for x number of years..

So it can be done. Let Khan do that. I don't like him, but I might not dislike him so much if he introduced that instead of trying to ban wood burning stoves!!!

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Avatar for - Staghorn coral

I meet at church, teach English as a foreign language, know all my colleagues at work and talk to my neighbours. I also try to attend suitable community events when ever possible.

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I meet at church, teach English as a foreign language, know all my colleagues at work and talk to my neighbours. I also try to attend suitable community events when ever possible.

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Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

I watch some of these 'faith in humanity' videos on youtube and they bring out some really positive emotions in me, makes you want to do something for someone. Perhaps the Mayor may wish to add something like this on his website or maybe...

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I watch some of these 'faith in humanity' videos on youtube and they bring out some really positive emotions in me, makes you want to do something for someone. Perhaps the Mayor may wish to add something like this on his website or maybe campaign to 'do something nice for someone' today. Let's bring people together when so many are lonely, feel forgotten or are actually forgotten by many of us. 

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Events such as music concerts, gigs and club nights are where I meet people from different backgrounds - people of different socioeconomic status, ethnicity, age, education and abilities come together to enjoy the music that they love. This...

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Events such as music concerts, gigs and club nights are where I meet people from different backgrounds - people of different socioeconomic status, ethnicity, age, education and abilities come together to enjoy the music that they love. This is one of the reasons it is important to keep venues open and look after London's nightlife.

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Thanks everyone for taking part in this discussion.

Are there any barriers to mixing with people from different backgrounds? Some of you have mentioned language, are there any others?

What changes would help break down such barriers?

Talk London

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A decent talk,  the way of communication and a good company matters

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A decent talk,  the way of communication and a good company matters

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Does the mayor care? Or, is it fine that mobility impaired and other disabled people are excluded and segregated by non inclusive housing and public spaces?

Is it fine that segregated ghettos are being built to this day, to keep old...

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Does the mayor care? Or, is it fine that mobility impaired and other disabled people are excluded and segregated by non inclusive housing and public spaces?

Is it fine that segregated ghettos are being built to this day, to keep old people apart from the general population?

It wouldn't be fine to round up red haired people, telling them to go and live in segregation, with their own kind.

Why does anyone think that people such as the late Professor Stephen Hawkins don't need general housing stock to include them?

Why does anyone think that old people should be put away in segregated housing?

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

I am sorry to say that the Mayor does not seem to care. His only priority seems to be to open London to 24 hour business at any cost whatsoever. No surprise, London is sliding down the scale of desirable places to live.

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Does anyone in planning want integration? Integration of all equalities groups? Really?

So, deliberate segregation and ghettos-by-design won't be permitted?

Every new build will be designed so in future someone like Professor...

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Does anyone in planning want integration? Integration of all equalities groups? Really?

So, deliberate segregation and ghettos-by-design won't be permitted?

Every new build will be designed so in future someone like Professor Stephen Hawkins would easily find housing?
What's the political thinking here? Disability discrimination and segregation is:
a)fine, carry on as usual b) wrong, because even mobility impaired people are human.

There will be a ban on future segregated ghettos to round up old people and lock them away together?
What's the political thinking here? Age discrimination and segregation is:
a)fine, carry on as usual b)wrong, because even old people are human

Or, is integration meant to be confined exclusively to the favourite most equal equality group?

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

London is far too full of people to the point where one cannot sleep for the NOISE!
The mayor, rather than being another rep for the property developer 'industry' should ensure that London can sleep (in turn people will be more productive).

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I couldn't agree more. 

24-hour drinking doesn't help.  There's nothing like alcohol for making people get rowdy!

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I couldn't agree more. 

24-hour drinking doesn't help.  There's nothing like alcohol for making people get rowdy!

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Check out www.thechattycafescheme.co.uk for details of your nearest cafe hosting a table for people to meet one another.

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Thanks for the link!

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Thanks for the link!

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Some of you have mentioned challenges for different communities living side-by-side.

What changes in your local area would make you more likely to interact positively with people from a different background to you? Are there any changes in the built environment (public space, roads, housing) that would help, for example?

Talk London

Avatar for - Vaquita

I live in a large multicultural area of London and love it. It's like travelling the world without having to take a plane. It's marvellously enriching to be able to exchange opinions and experiences with such a wide and lively multicultural...

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I live in a large multicultural area of London and love it. It's like travelling the world without having to take a plane. It's marvellously enriching to be able to exchange opinions and experiences with such a wide and lively multicultural variety of people. More than changes to the area what would be useful is ways of helping people to open their minds and start to appreciate diversity and the richness that it brings to our life. Helping people to take advantage of the opportunities that this offers, like learning new languages, discovering the arts, music, cuisine etc. Creating social events open to everyone where we can mix and enjoy the exchange. Maybe it should start at school, encouraging better integration between children with different family backgrounds and involving family participation, so that the children who are generally less prejudiced and more open to novelty and discovery can help their parents to open their minds and spirits to the wonder of our beautiful London.

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If there were better public services, less congestion, less crowded transport, more school places, less pressure on the NHS and the better availability of housing, I think people would feel less resentment about the numbers of people coming...

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If there were better public services, less congestion, less crowded transport, more school places, less pressure on the NHS and the better availability of housing, I think people would feel less resentment about the numbers of people coming here. I know I would. Thing is, it is TRUE that high immigration has its consequences. It would be wise if City Hall were to acknowledge these concerns. The more politicians bury their heads in the sand, the worse the pressure will become and, I fear, the more that resentment will grow.

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I always care about connecting with all people from different diverse backgrounds in London and respect the way of life that they have but what I don't understand is why there is still lack of understanding about Mental Health and...

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I always care about connecting with all people from different diverse backgrounds in London and respect the way of life that they have but what I don't understand is why there is still lack of understanding about Mental Health and disabilities in London from some organisation including in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

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Hi Habib

Thanks for sharing your views. We ran a discussion on mental health a while ago, as part of the Mayor's draft Health Inequalities Strategy: https://www.london.gov.uk/talk-london/health/mental-health-capital

Have you heard of Thrive London? It is a city-wide movement for mental health, supported by the Mayor of London and the London Health Board. You can find more about them on their website www.thriveldn.co.uk or contact them at: [email protected].

Talk London

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Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. They must develop their cultural. religious and linguistic identity before they are exposed to outside world, otherwise...

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Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. They must develop their cultural. religious and linguistic identity before they are exposed to outside world, otherwise, they would be lost in western jungle.

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Racism has always existed in England. In good old days when you applied for a job, the company will tell you this job is for 'our own' boys. Laws do not allow that so people do not show their 'true' feelings. On TV, you see black, white and...

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Racism has always existed in England. In good old days when you applied for a job, the company will tell you this job is for 'our own' boys. Laws do not allow that so people do not show their 'true' feelings. On TV, you see black, white and brown talking like friends which gives the impression we live is an ideal world. But when off the air people go their own ways. But there are lot of good souls in the country so it is not all black and white. We only need a greater effort to accept each others. Racism and religious intolerance have always existed in every culture around the world. Where have you been in the world that is less racist than England? I am not sure. I have not seen the world. I remember a black Foreign Secretary in Carter administration (I forget his name) once said that racism was invented in England. Carter fired him for saying that.

The problems of racism in the school system and wider society are permanent features of Western society and will become more entrenched and institutionalised. On this basis it is time to build a new kind of education, which can equip students with the necessary instrumental skills to participate in society; that does not prejudice experience of Black young people; and one that critically engages with the endemic racism present in British society. Developing an education from a Black critical perspective can be a part of mounting a significant challenge to the racism that lies at the heart of British society.

Muslim schools, in spite of meagre resources, have excelled to a further extent this year, with two schools achieving 100% A-C grades for five or more GCSEs. They beat well resourced state and independent schools in Birmingham and Hackney. Muslim schools are doing better because a majority of the teachers are Muslim. The pupils are not exposed to the pressures of racism, multiculturalism and bullying.
IA

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In my personal experience, Muslim students often have a family background that enables them to make the most of their education. For example, obedience and deference are instilled in Muslim girls from an early age. This used to be the...

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In my personal experience, Muslim students often have a family background that enables them to make the most of their education. For example, obedience and deference are instilled in Muslim girls from an early age. This used to be the case in Western families too, but these values have sadly faded away in recent decades. Abstinence from alcohol prevents the sort of problem lifestyles that take hold of many Western girls, including one girl from my class at school. She became an alcoholic and ran off with an older boy. Muslim students, particularly girls, are known to have excellent behaviour and to achieve good grades at school as a result.

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Speaking English does not promote integration into British, American and Australian societies, and broaden opportunities. English speaking Muslim youths are angry, frustrated and extremist, thanks to state schools with monolingual non...

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Speaking English does not promote integration into British, American and Australian societies, and broaden opportunities. English speaking Muslim youths are angry, frustrated and extremist, thanks to state schools with monolingual non-Muslim teachers and English language. English language is not only a lingua franca but also lingua frankensteinia. Human right are also covers linguistic right. Cultural and linguistic genocide are very common. British schooling is murdering community languages like Arabic, Urdu and others. English is today the world killer language. Linguistic genocide is a crime against humanity and British schooling is guilty of committing this crime. Language is not just a language. It defines one's culture, identity and consciousness. It defines how we think, communicate and express ourselves. The fact is the most South Asian Muslims have come to know Islam by way of Urdu, the children's alienation from the language that connects them the heritage of their parents and grandparents is disturbing. As a matter of fact, one has to get to know his mother tongue well if one is to master any other language.
IA

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Muslim children must learn and be well versed in English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time they must learn and be well versed in Arabic, urdu and other community...

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Muslim children must learn and be well versed in English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time they must learn and be well versed in Arabic, urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural heritage and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry.

One in six children in English primary schools do not have English as a first language. "These are real languages: living languages that give people a huge insight into culture and give the children who can speak them additional opportunities. "Isn't that what education is about – enabling every child to achieve the maximum potential? What I'd love to see is an emphasis that this is an added value that that child has, a talent, and we should aspire to allow other children who may be monolingual to strive to become as bilingual as they possibly can be." The more languages one speaks, the greater is one's capacity to engage with, and profit from meeting other people... and you also learn a lot about yourself in this process.

In a report last year, Languages: The State of the Nation, the British Academy found the UK was suffering from a "growing deficit" in language skills just as global demand for them was expanding. Britain is trapped in a "vicious circle of monolingualism" as a weak supply of language skills pushes down demand, said the study, though it suggested the additional languages spoken by ethnic-minority British schoolchildren would be a valuable source of skills if properly developed. Language skills were needed at all levels of the workforce "and not simply by an internationally mobile elite", added the report.

May I also say that being bilingual normally refers to speaking two languages equally well from birth - not learning a second language even at a young age. Waiting until adolescence is the error that has been made in the UK all along. ALL linguists and educationalists will say the sooner the better.

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Mr Ahmad, would you like to see schools offering primary education in both English and Urdu? I'm sure that's possible. We have bilingual schools for English and French/English and Welsh already.

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