Postby Democratic Misanthropist » Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:32 pm
There are many problems facing the Somali community in the UK....our problems cannot just be attributed to just one factor...a lot of things are in play here.
Intergration...London is the only place I know of that you can have the same neighbours for 10 yrs and still not know their name. Many Somalis choose to segregate themselves...when they move, they move to areas where there is a high Somali population, they shop in Somali owned business, eat at Somali resturants...we only have Somali friends....how will intergration be possible if we limit ourselves like so?
Lack of education...I for one am glad of the new laws for British citizenship that have been introduced. What excuse does a person have for not being able to speak english when they have been in the country for more than say...5 years? The elderly...and those with certain illnesses can be excused but the rest have absolutely no excuse...if you are a mother and have problems with childcare, help can be provided for you...if you cannot afford english lessons...they will be free of charge. How many of our youth are moving towards higher education? Granted university is not for everyone...but in this day and age, you need a degree for almost everything.
The reliance on social benefits...how families have been claiming income support for decades? How many women are "single mothers"? Sure a person can fall on hard times and may have sign up for the dole, but seriously...how many families are there were both parents work...or one partner supports everyone...legally that is. Is there no sense of self worth? The need to better your life and that of your family...the need to set a good example to your children...to thrive rather than be content with such a life.
The glorification of gangs with our youth...which are unfortunately terribly misguided. The other day I saw a fight almost break out between a bunch of teenagers because one was from "nw something" and the other was from "se whaterever" HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? Of course if you do not instill the right morals and scruples into a child...if you as a parent are not a hard working productive member of society...you cannot expect your child to grow up being a well balanced and responsible adult
Qabil...was and still is an illness in Somalia...that has sadly been passed on to the next generation and those in the dispora...The absence of positive role models...and many many more
Question is...what do we do about them? How are you as an individual working towards helping yourself and those around you?
