The committee elections were held today. After a year in position, the outgoing committee are looking forward to the incoming taking from where they left.I myself look forward to meeting the new committee next week.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Birmingham Ethnic Minority Assocation
The committee elections were held today. After a year in position, the outgoing committee are looking forward to the incoming taking from where they left.I myself look forward to meeting the new committee next week.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Sports Forum
The VP Sport has orgainsed this one. It will take place tomorrow at 5:30pm in the Guild Council Chambers. This is your chance to come forward and ensure the issue that matters to you is dealt with.
In the past, there have been numerous attempts to organise women only slots. It never worked out. However, I've spoken to a member of the Women's Association and we are looking to re-start the effort via this forum.
For information please get in touch by either leaving a comment or e-mailing me.
Many thanks.
In the past, there have been numerous attempts to organise women only slots. It never worked out. However, I've spoken to a member of the Women's Association and we are looking to re-start the effort via this forum.
For information please get in touch by either leaving a comment or e-mailing me.
Many thanks.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Charity Week Midlands
We are in the midst of Charity Week!
"The idea behind Charity Week is simple; to unify in our efforts to help those in need by raising money and awareness for orphans across the world. Charity Week Midlands was established for the mobilisation of the huge Muslim student population in the Midlands in 2005. Since then, it has significantly grown and has now become a permanent campaign run in more and more educational institutions in the Midlands each year. The enormity of the project can be seen with last year’s project raising an outstanding £19,638!"
http://www.cwmidlands.co.uk/
CW Midlands has done some brilliant work and the volunteers have worked extremely hard. It definitely is a great initiative.
The punch line is "One Week to Make a Difference". I certainly support the notion of collecting to help the poor or in this case the orphans. However, the concept of change and making a difference - which every charity advocates - I will argue is quite specific. And what follows is a discussion around the topic of change. We certainly need it - everybody wishes to achieve it and people are adopting various ways in order to bring it! My post will focus on the work of charities that aim to alleviate poverty and help orphans. The topic of the post is beyond the discussion of should or shouldn’t we collect money. Rather, the discussion is on how we need to understand the concept of change and where we place the collection of money in the whole picture.
Poverty is a defining feature for many countries and one thing we all want to change. Does the presence of poverty mean a lack of money however? I was on my way to a lecture when I stopped to chat to a student nurse who had displayed some of her work. She spent a month in India and was exposed to health care in the country. She brought back pictures, ornaments and a lot about what she had witnessed. When she told me how bad the health care was, I asked her why that was. She replied by stating a "lack of money". Thereafter, together we pinpointed that very reason in order to understand it. What we concluded was that if we look to how many resources India has (including money); there is no shortage at all. They have plenty. The problem is in the way these resources are distributed.
When the discussion starts to play with distribution, immediately we know that we are dealing with the organisation of a society: governance. If we look back at what makes a society, the way it is governed plays a major role. The system of governance is authoritative, just as the individuals and their common thoughts are. Therefore, in the context of wishing to make a difference, one needs to take this into account. Otherwise, we will be making a superficial change. By superficial change I mean the following: if a man came knocking on my door every week to ask for money in order to help him survive, I will give happily and encourage others to do the same. Now, can I make sense of my giving as making change in this poor person’s life? (Note my emphasis on the word change.)
What is change? Change is when the poor person who comes knocking on my door will never come again because he will have his own means of production by which he will survive. However, until he gets there, we will keep giving him some money, and at the same time we will ensure we are arranging to get the seeds he needs to grow his own crops with in order to sell and make a profit. One can argue this is what Islamic Relief or Oxfam does. They buy certain resources to help the individual stand on their feet. This is dealing with one person though. We know that in this world we have to take care of ‘societies’ - because individuals make a society. How is that done? Via governance?
I believe all charities are present to put a bandage on the wound. And we need people to do this job. However, those that are wounded and likewise those that are treating the wound need to understand that the only way we can deal with the problem is by ensuring the people are never wounded in the first place. This is possible. We have had it in the past. In fact the debate today is exactly about that. Titles such as "does capitalism still work?" by newsnight, "credit crunch", even the "war on terror" are all expressions of this very debate: in search for the best way to organise society by.
With reference to orphans, there are many around the world that urgently need our help. Again the point follows the same pattern. What does help mean? Another point to mention here about orphans is that will the West keep waging illegal wars in the Middle East, keep creating thousands of orphans, and we here keep collecting for them in order to help them survive? No.
Whilst some dwell upon the concept of change, and whilst others are achieving it, the orphans and poor need our money. So dig deep when somebody approaches you on campus this week and click here before you leave.
End.
"The idea behind Charity Week is simple; to unify in our efforts to help those in need by raising money and awareness for orphans across the world. Charity Week Midlands was established for the mobilisation of the huge Muslim student population in the Midlands in 2005. Since then, it has significantly grown and has now become a permanent campaign run in more and more educational institutions in the Midlands each year. The enormity of the project can be seen with last year’s project raising an outstanding £19,638!"
http://www.cwmidlands.co.uk/
CW Midlands has done some brilliant work and the volunteers have worked extremely hard. It definitely is a great initiative.
The punch line is "One Week to Make a Difference". I certainly support the notion of collecting to help the poor or in this case the orphans. However, the concept of change and making a difference - which every charity advocates - I will argue is quite specific. And what follows is a discussion around the topic of change. We certainly need it - everybody wishes to achieve it and people are adopting various ways in order to bring it! My post will focus on the work of charities that aim to alleviate poverty and help orphans. The topic of the post is beyond the discussion of should or shouldn’t we collect money. Rather, the discussion is on how we need to understand the concept of change and where we place the collection of money in the whole picture.
Poverty is a defining feature for many countries and one thing we all want to change. Does the presence of poverty mean a lack of money however? I was on my way to a lecture when I stopped to chat to a student nurse who had displayed some of her work. She spent a month in India and was exposed to health care in the country. She brought back pictures, ornaments and a lot about what she had witnessed. When she told me how bad the health care was, I asked her why that was. She replied by stating a "lack of money". Thereafter, together we pinpointed that very reason in order to understand it. What we concluded was that if we look to how many resources India has (including money); there is no shortage at all. They have plenty. The problem is in the way these resources are distributed.
When the discussion starts to play with distribution, immediately we know that we are dealing with the organisation of a society: governance. If we look back at what makes a society, the way it is governed plays a major role. The system of governance is authoritative, just as the individuals and their common thoughts are. Therefore, in the context of wishing to make a difference, one needs to take this into account. Otherwise, we will be making a superficial change. By superficial change I mean the following: if a man came knocking on my door every week to ask for money in order to help him survive, I will give happily and encourage others to do the same. Now, can I make sense of my giving as making change in this poor person’s life? (Note my emphasis on the word change.)
What is change? Change is when the poor person who comes knocking on my door will never come again because he will have his own means of production by which he will survive. However, until he gets there, we will keep giving him some money, and at the same time we will ensure we are arranging to get the seeds he needs to grow his own crops with in order to sell and make a profit. One can argue this is what Islamic Relief or Oxfam does. They buy certain resources to help the individual stand on their feet. This is dealing with one person though. We know that in this world we have to take care of ‘societies’ - because individuals make a society. How is that done? Via governance?
I believe all charities are present to put a bandage on the wound. And we need people to do this job. However, those that are wounded and likewise those that are treating the wound need to understand that the only way we can deal with the problem is by ensuring the people are never wounded in the first place. This is possible. We have had it in the past. In fact the debate today is exactly about that. Titles such as "does capitalism still work?" by newsnight, "credit crunch", even the "war on terror" are all expressions of this very debate: in search for the best way to organise society by.
With reference to orphans, there are many around the world that urgently need our help. Again the point follows the same pattern. What does help mean? Another point to mention here about orphans is that will the West keep waging illegal wars in the Middle East, keep creating thousands of orphans, and we here keep collecting for them in order to help them survive? No.
Whilst some dwell upon the concept of change, and whilst others are achieving it, the orphans and poor need our money. So dig deep when somebody approaches you on campus this week and click here before you leave.
End.
The New Black Magazine
A great online magazine.
The Editor of the Magazine will be joining us on the 29th October at the round-off event of Black History Month. He will talk to us about Black British Journalism in the Age of Barack Obama.
Great one.
The Editor of the Magazine will be joining us on the 29th October at the round-off event of Black History Month. He will talk to us about Black British Journalism in the Age of Barack Obama.
Great one.
Manifesto: Update
In the second post, I mentioned stating my work in relation to my policy as we move along. After having posted information on what I have been doing, either I now pin point a post to my manifesto point, or let the reader of my blog do it.
At preset, I am rather receptive to the latter.
At preset, I am rather receptive to the latter.
Anonymous Marking
I have been working alongside the VP E&A with Anonymous marking. Students on campus were consulted regarding the policy in place. They were able to voice their concerns via the questions we posed on paper. After the results have been collated and reviewed, Guild Council will be presented with the whole matter via a motion.
More to follow - later.
More to follow - later.
BEMA Elections
The committee is swiftly moving along with preparations for the upcoming elections! Details are as follows:
BEMA Committee Elections
Date: 29th October
Time: 3:30-5:30pm
Venue: Guild Council Chambers
Committee Positions include:
• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Guild Councillor x2
• Events Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• IT Officer
Please e-mail bema.guild@googlemail.com if you wish to stand for a position.
Please note: only ethnic minority students can vote/stand for a position.
BEMA Committee Elections
Date: 29th October
Time: 3:30-5:30pm
Venue: Guild Council Chambers
Committee Positions include:
• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Guild Councillor x2
• Events Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• IT Officer
Please e-mail bema.guild@googlemail.com if you wish to stand for a position.
Please note: only ethnic minority students can vote/stand for a position.
Not so Black and White
In August, during an NUS Active Political Leadership training course, students were exposed to the lack of black and minority ethnic students on campus at a fictional university called ‘Fibchester’. The delegates present were asked how they will work to widen participation. Immediately after, the very wish to increase participation was questioned by a sabbatical officer present - who allegedly equated an increased presence of black students with gun and knife crime.
The delegate was subsequently removed from the event following complaints of racism. NUS Black students’ officer brought the incident to the attention of students. She wrote: “At an NUS training event this week, President of Kings College London Students Union questioned encouraging more students from the local Black community to attend a university, as he thought the presence of such students would increase gun and knife crime and so require more security.”
NUS investigated the matter and the officer was cleared of making racist comments. In a statement released by the NUS President it is understood that the delegate was unaware of any mention of the demographic composition of the local population.
It is clear that the agenda of widening participation in higher education was linked with the issue of violent crime. At one point, there was confusion to exactly what was said. Some students thought the incident to be merely a public display of ignorance rather than racism. However, the point of this article is beyond that discussion. It is imperative we focus on a rather important debate that was missed in all responses to the incident: the notion of gun and knife crime belonging to the Black community. This view is not new, however the discussion surrounding it is. It was a view advocated by Tony Blair during his time in office. In 2007 he claimed knife and gun crime is a result of a “distinctive Black culture”.
Crime has never been unique to any colour, culture or community. The society we live in is home to a culture that glorifies money, sex, drug-taking, gang culture and a bad-boy image via forums such as music, video games and the media. These societal factors mean crime has recruited youth from all communities – of various races. White, Asian, Black as well as Chinese youth have perpetrated violent crime. The latter was seen in the triad gang that killed the head teacher Philip Lawrence.
When seeking a cause for the crime, statistical correlations, socio-economic factors are popular explanations. This easily leads to the idea of crime being community specific and has the danger to reinforce stereotypes. These very explanations however are close to being irrelevant. For example, the notion of poverty takes away opportunity and this consequently leads to one committing crime is a popular opinion.
Poverty may be a lead-on for one turning to crime, however, is not an explanation. The number of youth committing crime to put food on the table is almost zero. Poverty offers one a defeatist mentality, and when the youth seek satisfaction elsewhere, they happily seek refuge in living a certain lifestyle – one perpetrated by the society. Similarly, dysfunctional families are given as a cause for crime - which predominantly has its presence in the Black community. A dysfunctional family however only leads a young one to seek refuge elsewhere.
The concept of materialism entertains the youth. In the race to be ahead in the highly materialistic society, crime is committed to buy expensive cars and branded clothing. 'Need' becomes 'want' when one simply looks upon the extravagant lifestyle of chosen role models: the celebrities. Equally, a society that advocates values like the freedom of individuals has its people hold this very idea when choosing a course of action.
It is easier however to deal with crime by labelling and blaming it as community-specific than to make an attempt to understand some of the factors mentioned above. The problem is a societal one, and it is vital we now engage in a debate to recognise that crime is not community specific. In reality, the one who commits crime is a product of a society that hosts values such as freedom and materialism.
Liberation is a key to this idea. On campus, there is an opportunity for students to come forward and lead liberation not via more rules and regulations, but rather by challenging stereotypes and those that reinforce them. The Birmingham Ethnic Minority Association will be holding their committee elections next month. Contact myself on y.patel@guild.bham.ac.uk for more information. Also, the Guild at the University of Birmingham is currently hosting the elections for various leadership roles. Visit www.guildofstudents.com for more information.
Yasmin Patel
Ethnic Minority Officer 08/09
University of Birmingham Guild of Students
(Featured in Redbrick: 17/10/08)
The delegate was subsequently removed from the event following complaints of racism. NUS Black students’ officer brought the incident to the attention of students. She wrote: “At an NUS training event this week, President of Kings College London Students Union questioned encouraging more students from the local Black community to attend a university, as he thought the presence of such students would increase gun and knife crime and so require more security.”
NUS investigated the matter and the officer was cleared of making racist comments. In a statement released by the NUS President it is understood that the delegate was unaware of any mention of the demographic composition of the local population.
It is clear that the agenda of widening participation in higher education was linked with the issue of violent crime. At one point, there was confusion to exactly what was said. Some students thought the incident to be merely a public display of ignorance rather than racism. However, the point of this article is beyond that discussion. It is imperative we focus on a rather important debate that was missed in all responses to the incident: the notion of gun and knife crime belonging to the Black community. This view is not new, however the discussion surrounding it is. It was a view advocated by Tony Blair during his time in office. In 2007 he claimed knife and gun crime is a result of a “distinctive Black culture”.
Crime has never been unique to any colour, culture or community. The society we live in is home to a culture that glorifies money, sex, drug-taking, gang culture and a bad-boy image via forums such as music, video games and the media. These societal factors mean crime has recruited youth from all communities – of various races. White, Asian, Black as well as Chinese youth have perpetrated violent crime. The latter was seen in the triad gang that killed the head teacher Philip Lawrence.
When seeking a cause for the crime, statistical correlations, socio-economic factors are popular explanations. This easily leads to the idea of crime being community specific and has the danger to reinforce stereotypes. These very explanations however are close to being irrelevant. For example, the notion of poverty takes away opportunity and this consequently leads to one committing crime is a popular opinion.
Poverty may be a lead-on for one turning to crime, however, is not an explanation. The number of youth committing crime to put food on the table is almost zero. Poverty offers one a defeatist mentality, and when the youth seek satisfaction elsewhere, they happily seek refuge in living a certain lifestyle – one perpetrated by the society. Similarly, dysfunctional families are given as a cause for crime - which predominantly has its presence in the Black community. A dysfunctional family however only leads a young one to seek refuge elsewhere.
The concept of materialism entertains the youth. In the race to be ahead in the highly materialistic society, crime is committed to buy expensive cars and branded clothing. 'Need' becomes 'want' when one simply looks upon the extravagant lifestyle of chosen role models: the celebrities. Equally, a society that advocates values like the freedom of individuals has its people hold this very idea when choosing a course of action.
It is easier however to deal with crime by labelling and blaming it as community-specific than to make an attempt to understand some of the factors mentioned above. The problem is a societal one, and it is vital we now engage in a debate to recognise that crime is not community specific. In reality, the one who commits crime is a product of a society that hosts values such as freedom and materialism.
Liberation is a key to this idea. On campus, there is an opportunity for students to come forward and lead liberation not via more rules and regulations, but rather by challenging stereotypes and those that reinforce them. The Birmingham Ethnic Minority Association will be holding their committee elections next month. Contact myself on y.patel@guild.bham.ac.uk for more information. Also, the Guild at the University of Birmingham is currently hosting the elections for various leadership roles. Visit www.guildofstudents.com for more information.
Yasmin Patel
Ethnic Minority Officer 08/09
University of Birmingham Guild of Students
(Featured in Redbrick: 17/10/08)
Black History Month (2)
Kick Racism out of football was great! Next week will host the Education Debate on the 29th at 1pm in the Amos Room. See the facebook group for more details.
It's a chance for you identify barriers that exist for Black students in education. Your contribution and statistics from the NUS will aid this debate. Thereafter you will be informed of ways to get involved in the Guild.
The month will finish with a round-off event. The Guild will host various inspirational speakers. It will also take place on the 29th October in the Deb Hall.
It's a chance for you identify barriers that exist for Black students in education. Your contribution and statistics from the NUS will aid this debate. Thereafter you will be informed of ways to get involved in the Guild.
The month will finish with a round-off event. The Guild will host various inspirational speakers. It will also take place on the 29th October in the Deb Hall.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Obama
The discussion was a brilliant one (see last post). Led by Say it Louder, Andrew presented the crux of the matter. He explained the concept of "change" for Black people - a yardstick to judge the credibility of any move. How is change achieved?
In context of Obama, students later debated whether race and policy are synonymous. The discussion later broadened and touched upon whether or not change - as Black people want it - can be achieved by any President acting within a capitalist framework - as this framework is one that directs all policies. For example, powerful is the IMF and the World Bank as opposed to the President of the United States.
Visit www.guildofstudents.com for information on the rest of the events organised in Black History Month.
In context of Obama, students later debated whether race and policy are synonymous. The discussion later broadened and touched upon whether or not change - as Black people want it - can be achieved by any President acting within a capitalist framework - as this framework is one that directs all policies. For example, powerful is the IMF and the World Bank as opposed to the President of the United States.
Visit www.guildofstudents.com for information on the rest of the events organised in Black History Month.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Black History Month
Week 1 – Democracy and Black People in PoliticsDiscussion: Would President Obama be good for Black People?
Will his role affect not only black people in the US but touch the lives of millions of black people around the world?
Will he fulfil every promise he has made?
What do you think?
Come and join this interesting and very current discussion on whether or not Obama is ‘heaven sent’ for Black people!
When: Wednesday 8th OctoberTime: 1.30pmWhere: Guild Council Chambers, Guild of Students.
Food is provided.
Will his role affect not only black people in the US but touch the lives of millions of black people around the world?
Will he fulfil every promise he has made?
What do you think?
Come and join this interesting and very current discussion on whether or not Obama is ‘heaven sent’ for Black people!
When: Wednesday 8th OctoberTime: 1.30pmWhere: Guild Council Chambers, Guild of Students.
Food is provided.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Manifesto
Below is my manifesto exactly as it was written last year - from which I was elected as a Black and Minority Ethnic Students' Officer (a position now known as the Ethnic Minority Officer). The manifesto is split into 2 parts: one consists of gathered viewpoints, and the other half a method to implement them/deal with.
My Policy:
My Policy:
- To build on last years organisation of Black History Month
- Work with BME related societies on campus and impart more on the interest of BME students
- Work closely with BEMA: to carefully asses the progress on raising awareness of the actual association on campus and move to campaigns/events thereafter
- Encourage the much needed dialogue and debate on campus via various forms
- Study the anonymous marking policy on campus and take the relevant measures for application
--- - It is vital we build a strong anti-racist movement on campuses
- The standpoint of Black lecturers amongst us is unnoticed. We need to bring back the reality and understand it in relation to the embedded racist attitudes we carry
- The BME students on campus are largely unnoticed and hence that which affects them put aside. We need to build a strong Black students network, and achieve this by building on work done in last two years
- Africa is beautiful – and the governance is not. The situation of Africa is unspoken of and unnoticed. It is important we bring back such issues on the debating floor
- International Peace and Justice are long over-due, and the toll of civilian death unprecedented. We must not only encourage but establish dialogue and debate on campus: to not only map a way forward after understanding the issue at hand, but also to deal with the ignorance present amongst us – as we saw in the reaction to Archbishop's Sharia-speech.
I will update you very soon on each point.
Blog-inning
Welcome to my blog!
And welcome to myself after remembering the rather remote blog whilst banking preperations for the weeks ahead! As my second year degree programme still stands in isolation from my seminars, I am adamant to think the year hasn't yet begun - and therefore to let my blog follow suit. That aside.
Your Guild Officer Group was mandated to blog regularly. The purpose of this blog is to update you on the work I'm doing - and at times what I think of that which I see around me. You can leave a comment and if you wish to e-mail me, you can find my address here
And welcome to myself after remembering the rather remote blog whilst banking preperations for the weeks ahead! As my second year degree programme still stands in isolation from my seminars, I am adamant to think the year hasn't yet begun - and therefore to let my blog follow suit. That aside.
Your Guild Officer Group was mandated to blog regularly. The purpose of this blog is to update you on the work I'm doing - and at times what I think of that which I see around me. You can leave a comment and if you wish to e-mail me, you can find my address here
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