Comments on: “Racial harmony” in Preston, Lancashire

By: Jaz

Jaz — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:26:54 +0000

Portrait Of The 1985 Handsworth Riots, UK- Pogus Caesar – BBC1 TV . Inside Out.

Broadcast 25 Oct 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey7ijaXv6UQ

Black History UK: In 1985 racial tension and community discontentment escalated into the historical Handsworth riots that rocked Birmingham, England between 9th – 11th September 1985.

Birmingham film maker and photographer Pogus Caesar knows Handsworth well. He found himself in the centre of the riots and spent two days capturing a series of startling images. Caesar kept them hidden for 20 years. Why? And how does he see Handsworth now?.

The stark black and white photographs featured in the film provide a rare, valuable and historical record of the raw emotion, heartbreak and violence that unfolded during those dark and fateful days in September 1985.

See more information at BBC’s Community features

By: Linda Jordan

Linda Jordan — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:09:16 +0000

Further to my previous comments on this site I just wanted to follow up with what the prosecutions opening speech was about the victim...

Can't remember the exact words but his barrister admitted that his dead client was high on drink and drugs, had attacked the boys who were charged with his death with either a bottle or a baseball bat and chased them home. It came to light later in the trial that the victim has also attacked someone on a pushbike some time before and was well known to the police. Why the reporting of this lad as if he was some kind of pillar of the community? I believe the brother has been found guilty of a serious offence since the trial as well. Makes you wonder.

By: chantelle

chantelle — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:42:37 +0000

my causin did not murder him i know he never its just all mix up

By: Linda Jordan

Linda Jordan — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 10:43:28 +0000

I was born and bred in Preston, I also used to work for the local newspaper…my husband was a journalist for it about 20 years ago. I was shocked by the reporting. I am very sorry for the grief of this young mans family regardless of his true nature…let’s make that plain. However, I read three days of eulogy about this young man which painted him as a pillar of the Muslim community. A bright boy, someone who engaged in social activities to help youths in his community…..much beloved son (quite right too) and etc. etc. etc. I then went to work and heard that he was in fact a member of a gang and that drugs were involved. I have no further comment on that because it was gossip..gossip from people living directly in the area but gossip all the same. I admit to feeling cynical now but my mind is open to changing.
The trial of the three men accused of killing this man is in April. I think it is going to be very VERY interesting to hear what comes out of this trial. Ive already been given the ‘street’ version of what happened and why…..not saying it would justify murder if it was true but I am very interested to see if the ‘real’ description of this young man matches what the papers say or the white people living on Callon Estate and about what truly happened that night and what led up to it. It will be interesting to see what part the press and police have played in ensuring the truth didn’t initially become public knowledge IF the local’s version of events proves to be nearer the mark. Racism is indeed alive and well..not just in Preston but all over the world..because it is a natural instinct.

By: Chitter Chatter

Chitter Chatter — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 01:44:40 +0000

Hi Chatters I can tell you everything about Preston. I’m expert my friend. Ok this boy got murdered was Indian gujerati. There is not too many pakistanis or bangladeshis in this town. Big majority is gujerati either muslim or hindu. Kichdi can be smelled in most neighbourhoods

This boy, he had big funeral, thousands people gone to see from all over the cuntry. Commitee leaders want to play down racism because otherwise the harmony of the town will disturb like feeding poisoned fish to them. Yes there is racism in Preston so much like there is racism all over the world. But we need to overcome it by maturity and diplomacy not street fighting. The pen is mightier than the sword. Next time please don’t fight, think twice, its just another day to pass till you’ll be in paradise…

By: 26t

26t — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:12:29 +0000

Just wanted to point out as a Northerner that racial tensions are not in anyway limited to the North of England. May I remind you that the biggest BNP stonghold in the UK is currently Barking and Dagenham in the South. According to police and Commission for Racial Equality statistics there are proportionally more racist attacks in London than anywhere else in the country. Poverty is indeed the key issue behind these disturbances and poverty is endemic on council estates throughout the UK, although adminttedly probably worse in the north because of a lack of investment over many years. It would be foolish for self-satisfied southerners to be too complacent on the matter particularly in view of the increasingly extreme gap between rich and poor in the South East and London areas.

By: DT2004

DT2004 — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 05:34:42 +0000

I work with a Brit expatriate lady, and she tells me that Brits know the difference between Indians and Pakistanis. She said it in a manner that lead me to believe she did not think highly of the latter. Its wrong to label anyone, but just wanted to share her perspective. She’s anglo brit, blonde hair, blue eyes. pure european. she thinks she can tell the difference by looks as well. To some degree its possible, but then again, not really.

By: sk (the other one)

sk (the other one) — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:48:27 +0000

I comment very occasionally on SM as "sk". I just saw that commenter #8 has also used the name "sk"; that wasn't me.

Now back to catching up with all the other posts...

By: Robert Essex

Robert Essex — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:41:30 +0000

Also, it’s not fair for honest and hardworking Muslims of Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent to receive hatred because of the actions of a portion of their community, but that is why it’s even more crucial and incumbent upon the leaders of the South Asian Muslim diaspora in the UK to engage with the authorities and root out this scourge within their ranks rather than issue meaningless condemnations after incidents occur.

By: RobertEssex

RobertEssex — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:33:55 +0000

The blanket label ‘Asian’ bestowed upon these parasites is a result of the bbc and their pandering towards the muslim community. When will people realize that islam and muslim are not terms that indicate race, but rather denote religion and ideology. Unfortunately for you Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, Christians, who happen to be of Asian Indian stock, you’re hated on both sides by white Anglos and kafir-hating Pakistani/Bangladeshi Muslims. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t a matter of the media not being acquainted or ignorant about the marked variances between non-muslim and muslim inhabitants of South Asia, it’s a calculated tactic to deflect blame from the true culprits, fanatical muslim youths.