I lived in
areas predominantly populated by Jews, Indians, Pakistanis, North Londoners and
Cockneys. Whilst living in these areas I deliberately mixed, went out of my way
to become part of the community and “That cheeky Scotsman”, “Sweaty Sock”, “Jock”.
I was even in
the City of London, with two friends, celebrating something to do with Japan,
in a Japanese multi-national’s karaoke basement bar, in July 1990. We were
quite literally around the corner from the London Stock Exchange, when the IRA
set off a massive bomb. Destroying many a building and luckily injuring nobody.
We knew absolutely nothing about this blast, until we exited the building,
bleary eyed from one too many warm Sakis. It was like walking onto the scene of
an H-bomb apocalyptic movie set, where we were apparently the only survivors.
The City was empty – no taxi cabs, no buses, no cars, tube station shutters
closed....!! We hadn’t a clue what had happened, until approached by a member
of the City of London Police. Boy did we sober up very quickly after that, as
we had to somehow make our way home!
When I worked
in Wembley Stadium, in the borough of Brent, only 30 odd years ago, we were the
“Ethnic minority”. I was one of the first people to secure a “Bollywood” type
concert for Wembley Stadium, on that most hallowed of turf. I dealt with ALL
manner of promoters regardless of race, creed or colour. Everyone was treated
as an equal and much more importantly, treated the very way I would wish to be
treated as a customer.
During those nine
years in London I never felt unsafe. Never felt that there was a risk to my
health, whilst being out and about late at night. Never felt in danger of a
terrorist attack. Never felt threatened by speaking to, or being in the company
of someone who was different.
Maybe these
were completely different times? Or perhaps I look back on those youthful days
with extra strength rose tinted glasses? Either way, I don’t think I would
recognise the London that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this week.
It now appears
that gone are the days when you would be able to walk in the footsteps of Dick
Whittington, feeling safe and cosseted. As the horrific attacks of recent weeks
hit home, showing just how vulnerable we now are.
People
immediately started blaming Blair, May and even Thatcher, on social media. Take
this blame game to a logical conclusion and we should start holding historical people
like Victoria, King Billy, Attila the Hun, Hannibal, Nero, the Egyptians, Adam,
Eve and even that damn serpent culpable!
No one
individual from history, past or present, can possibly be responsible for these
current heinous acts. Where one human being painstakingly plans to kill, murder
or mutilate another. All in the context of a misguided religious belief.
Our “PC world”
has gone bonkers mad. Why are we allowing such known individuals to undertake
such cowardly acts? It is because of our Western World’s freedoms, that these
people use this liberty to plot, scheme and kill with targeted precision.
Surely, the
time is now right to balance the scales, if we are to live our lives without
fear of a terrorist attack?
We live in a
predominantly Christian country. We unconditionally give freedom of speech and
freedom of movement. We have laws and rules that we ALL abide by, or accept the
consequences for breaking these. The primary language spoken is that of
English. We live in a democratic society. Freedom to vote is a constitutional
right for all citizens.......
If you do not
like these rules, regulations and more besides, you have the freedom to leave!
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