Violence and Abuse Against Young Women

Picture the following scenario if you may. A young lady going home (East London) on a dark winters evening- say around 7- from a long day at university. An African-Caribbean guy on his bike shouts “Oi, oi, oi, oi” as he rides past speedily almost startling this young lady. After mumbling a few words of discontent under her breath she gets over the near miss. To her dismay, the guy on his bike- now roughly 15 feet ahead-  looks back at her and does a u-turn. He approaches her on his bike, cycling around her. “You ‘aight baby?” He asks her with a slight patois in his voice. She ignores him. “Hello?, hello?”, he says still desperately trying to get her attention. “Can you leave me alone?”, she responds. “What?” he replies sounding upset at the dismissal. “You think you’re too pretty?”, he asks before gathering a mouthful of saliva and spitting on the left hand side of her face and in her eye. As she she reflexively swirls to her right in shock at what had just taken place- common assault- the offender rides off on his pedal bike faster than someone at the gym determined to lose a few pounds in one session.

Earlier today BBC London news reported the rise of sexual assault in London, with almost 100 reported cases of gang rape in the capital within the last year.

Two men who assaulted a girl aged 16 and doused her in caustic soda, disfiguring her for life, had their sentences increased on appeal.

In another case a 14-year-old girl was repeatedly raped ‘as punishment’ by nine members of a Hackney gang because she had ‘insulted’ their leader.

Deputy Chair of the London Assembly Jennette Arnold says that many young black men simply don’t have respect for females. That is certainly clear from all the above offences.

If you’re wondering who the young lady in the scenario was, it was me. The incident took place earlier this week only one minute away from my home. It left me more disillusioned with the behaviour of some young (black) men rather than shaken. Having been through 10 times more mental trauma in my young life, I suppose I found it fairly easy to deal with. That and the fact that my fiancé was there for me immediately after the incident. Even though he chased after the guy on the bike I’m glad he didn’t catch him because consumed with anger, his retaliation could have legally complicated the situation. The fact that I’m in a stable relationship allowed my general view of men not to be altered. After all, it’s unfair of me to tarnish all men with the same brush just because one imbecile showed utter disrespect to me.

Spitting is nasty, full stop but the sexual nature of his approach just made my skin crawl. To be honest, he belongs in the jungle if he considers that as being acceptable behaviour.  I mean, who honestly goes out of their way to do something like that?

I suppose by spitting on me, he thought I would feel degraded but I’m far too inwardly content with myself as an individual to let anyone make me feel worthless.

Without being patronising to myself, it could have been far worse. I could have been punched, slapped or kicked as well, or more seriously raped.

I don’t want to make it a race issue but unavoidably I was assaulted by a black male. I hate to say it but the stereotype prevailed. I could sit here all day debating, analysing and dissecting all possible explanations as to what may have driven him to behave in such a manner but I’d rather use my energy on something worthwhile that I can actually make a positively impact in mine or other people’s lives.

Of course, I reported the incident but only 10 minutes after it happened because felt that dialing 999 at the time would have been an futile attempt for the police to catch him, especially as my description of him was so vague. Unfortunately, the assault will probably just go down as another statistic of a reported but unsolved case. Although it may have been a one-off incident, I’ll definitely be investing in a personal noise alarm.

Useful links/numbers:

Police switchboard: 03001231212

Directgov page on rape and sexual assault

Girls In Violent Male Gangs See Rape As The Norm

Anti-gun-hiding poster

According to information compiled by charities and the police, teenage girls accept rape as a  normative part of joining violent male gangs.

Some are forced into to having sex with many of the gang , ferrying guns, knives and drugs without even questioning the fact that they’re being violated.

Last month, Police in London launched an add campaign warning that young women who hide guns and knives for their gangster boyfriends risk going to jail. The posters (left) were designed in an attempt to help prevent shootings in London by urging young women not to conceal weapons.

The campaign, aimed primarily at black teens, was launched in the light of the increasing amount of young women convicted for possessing weapons in the last year.

Like most of these type of campaigns, I don’t think it will work. Girls in gangs is nothing new. Some people defend the young girls by saying they feel pressurised into carrying weapons for their gang-member boyfriends.

Yes, they’re treated as second class citizens and subordinates to their male counterparts but-and I may sound cold- most of them know exactly what they’re getting themselves into. People will only treat you how you let them.

Prevention, as they say, is better than cure. Stay in school ladies, and earn yourselves a promising future. I’m tired of people blaming organisations, charities and the police. What’s wrong with these girls taking responsibility for their own lives?

It’s easy to throw money at a situation: glossy add campaign, more funding for charities but if these girls don’t want to genuinely help themselves how can anyone else help them?

Nature Notes Cartoon

I came across this cartoon by Peter Brookes (for The Times) and thought it’s a great pictorial summary of what a lot of Brits think of racist BNP leader Nick Griffin.

Fresh Pearls: Daily Links [26.10.09]

Indian summer forecasted for this week in the UK >>> http://bit.ly/12ExZ0

Former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, was spied on by his sister for the CIA >>> http://bit.ly/35nn3K

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, plans to build £15million monument in Stratford, East London >>> http://bit.ly/Ud8sT

Miss Frank booted out of the X Factor last night after shocking results >>>  http://bit.ly/11JSv1

A leading expert on learning explains why you are cleverer than you think >>> http://bit.ly/1VdUSz

Leona Lewis covers Oasis track for her  forthcoming second album >>> http://bit.ly/EEKsB

Fresh Pearls: Daily Links [23.10.09]

Gwen Stefani

The 40th anniversary of the “stirrings of the internet” >>> http://bit.ly/28Vi5Q

Doom and gloom as figures reveal Britain is still in the recession >>> http://bit.ly/113rWM

Ex-deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Brian Paddick expresses his fears over armed police patrolling estates >>> http://bit.ly/3vqZnY

Jan Moir writes an apology to Stephen Gately’s family >>> http://bit.ly/S95hy

Has Gwen Stafani’s softened down her image since becoming a mum? >>> http://bit.ly/1BO06G

50 Cent at last night’s London premier of new film Dead Man Running >>> http://bit.ly/3dBrZR

BNP Leader on Question Time

Question Time host David Dibleby

I usually show very little interest in politics, but I made sure I didn’t miss last night’s Question Time.

According to the BBC, 8 Million viewers (three times more than it’s normal viewership) tuned in to watch the racist British National Party (BNP) leader, Nick Griffin, on the politics debate show. Ofcom says it’s dealing with very small number of complaints it received about the broadcast.

Also on the panel was African-American playwright and cultural commentator Bonnie Greer, Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action Sayeeda Warsi, Justice Minister Jack Straw, and Liberal Democrats Home Secretary Chris Huhne.

I still stand by my opinion that Griffin should have appeared on the show to air his ‘views’, or fantasies rather.  I may disagree with everything he says but he has the right to say it.

Griffin denied that the Holocaust happened and stated that he thought the Ku Klux Klan isn’t a bad organisation. Deluded.

Some people have said that Griffin was bullied by the ‘hand-picked’ audience and wasn’t given an opportunity to defend himself, but have they stopped to spare a thought for the many victims of the BNP? Probably not.

Griffin has today said that he will be making a formal complaint to the BBC, calling last night’s show “biased” and “twisted” adding “That was not a genuine Question Time, that was a lynch mob”.

Following Twitter, which was reported to have 3,000 tweets per minute with the hash tag #bbcqt, I was quite amused by the British public’s updates. Some serious tweets such as “The show’s giving Griffin unnecessary exposure”  and some lighthearted digressional ones like “Who let the drunk in?” when a disheveled looking audience member asked a question.

My favourite two quotes from the program last night were firstly from from a lesbian audience member who had a civil partnership. She told Griffin “I can tell you that the feeling of repulsion is mutual”.

Secondly, an Asian guy in the audience who asked Griffin “Where do you want me to go? I’m British, this is MY country”, continuing to enlighten the BNP leader that there are a lot of people that would much rather pay for his ticket to get out of the country. Then, the kick line:

“The South Pole would suite you perfectly because it’s a colour-less landscape”.

Much applause to both of them and of course to Bonnie Greer who communicated all her points with grace and class.

To be quite honest, the show didn’t live up to my expectations. It would have been a lot more interesting to have heard what Griffin’s party stood for, what their policies are etc. However, from his performance and deliverance we are now much the wiser. Well pointed out by many Twitter followers was the fact that there is a major postal strike going on in the UK, yet it wasn’t covered on the show. I hope we don’t have to talk about Nick Griffin again for a very long time.

If you didn’t manage to catch last night’s show, you can watch it here on BBC iPlayer or watch clips from the BBC Question Time webpage

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rebeccamonique

Fresh Pearls: Daily Links [22.10.09]

Question Time protests over BNP appearance on Question Time >>> http://bit.ly/RsntD

What do Cheryl Cole and Kelis have in common >>> http://bit.ly/4BG09d

Mercedez Bunz (The Guardian) asks: Was Jan Moir’s Twitter outcry ‘orchestrated’? >>> http://bit.ly/4s91uX

Michael Jackson’s This Is It video clip >>> http://bit.ly/120dXl

Nicole Kidman’s testimony to US Congress that Hollywood plays a part in violence against women >>> http://bit.ly/4sp1Jg

American man arrested for making coffee in his house naked >>> http://bit.ly/1NW3Ny

Tiffany Evans (who? I hear you ask) vents on Rihanna’s new single and the music industry >>> http://bit.ly/3KpllY

Swine Flu Shot Disables Young Woman

Desiree Jennings, aged 25, had a promising life as a cheerleader ahead of her. That was, until she took the swine flu shot.

The H1N1 vaccine triggered a rare neurological disorder- called Dystonia- that causes twisting, abnormal postures, repetitive movements, slurred speech and more seriously seizures.

Desiree, who lives in America, was a healthy young lady, but 10 days after getting the shot, she not only contracted the flu but was admitted into hospital twice for seizures. She was later  diagnosed with Dystonia.

“It started with me not being able to eat without passing out”- Desiree Jennings

Now she has to go up and down stairs backwards because walking forwards (which most people take for granted) is dangerous for her. Although she can run normally and walk backwards upright without triggering muscle spasms, her life will never be the same again.

There’s been a lot of criticism over the swine flu vaccine, with many people refusing to take the jab.

Even some health care workers (in the NHS) opposed to new mandatory vaccinations have been warned that they may lose their job if they refuse to take the flu jab. I’m certainly sceptical about it. (Click on the link to watch David Icke explain why he thinks you shouldn’t take the swine flu vaccine)

Vogue No You Didn’t!

French Vogue’s 13 page spread caused outrage earlier this week and I’m sure, by looking at the image above, you’ve noticed why. The October issue of the magazine features 4 photographs of 25- year- old Dutch model Lara Stone with a blacked out face and body. The spread was shot by Steven Klein and ‘ethnically’ styled by the magazine’s editor Carine Roitfeld.

Some say it’s an interpretation of high fashion but painting white people black for the entertainment of other white people is so inextricably offensive that it stands entirely apart from cultural context.

Ironically, the issue, which  is promoted as the Top Models Special, doesn’t feature any black models. This clearly communicates that they’d rather hire a European/white model and turn her black rather than actually hire a black model- it’s not as if they’re lacking in numbers. It’s a shame but the issue of racism in the fashion industry feels like a broken record.

Speaking of regression, this YouTube video of an Australian blacked out Jackson 5 tribute act also raised a few eyebrows this week. American singer and actor Harry Connick Jr, who was a guest judge on the Australian variety show expressed his shock:

Fresh Pearls: Daily Links [16.10.09]

Leona Lewis was punched earlier this week at a book signing in London

Baby survives after falling under a train >>> http://bit.ly/4noACy

American Judge refuses to give interracial couple a marriage license >>> http://bit.ly/1rrXR0

Hugh Muir’s thoughts on the BNP’s constitution change >>> http://bit.ly/2Pq4FI

Leona Lewis’ attacker has been charged with assault >>> http://bit.ly/pcYcK

Marge Simpson to cover playboy >>> http://bit.ly/gA9zJ

The placebo effect: Mind over matter  >>> http://bit.ly/15fk4t

Has Usain Bolt reached his physical limit? >>> http://bit.ly/136QJc