Entertainment For Lively Minds
We could be heroes
Although the week has seen some terrible events, I feel that in Birmingham we have seen some genuine heroes emerge.
Step forward...
1. Tariq Jahan - his son was killed, yet he summoned up courage and dignity, and gave clear headed statements that may have helped stop the riots. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14472472 - also seek out his now famous "I lost my son - step forward if you want to lose yours. Otherwise, calm down and go home."
2. Casey Rain - musician who ran a blog to try and separate facts and rumours - he learned as he went along, keeping people informed through many channels. http://www.racialicious.com/2011/08/10/quoted-casey-rain-on-understandin...
3. Upinder Randhawa - reporter on the tiny Sangat TV channel. Took to the road with a camera, and reported things as he saw them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-14493399
And to think that people take the piss out of Birmingham.
- More from Devadip Cliff Richard.
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I second that emotion
Queasy tug of emotions during the worst of it here in South BH.
Hell in a handcart on the one hand and heartwarming #riotwombles on the other.
Thirded (is that a word?)
Where abouts in South Brum are you from Mal?
If only Cameron, Milliband, Clegg
and the other pathetic chinless wonders running this country showed as much dignity, courage, strength of character and charisma as Tariq Jahan then we wouldn't have seen such devastation last over so many days.
Remarkable and moving speech from a man who had just lost his youngest son - he makes me proud to be British.
Upinder Randhawa
If I may I'd like to share a comment that takes a highly racist and prejudicial opinion and turns it on its head.
It relates to a clip of Upinder Randhawa that was posted on YouTube that showed him in action. The scene was Upinder in a car driving through the back streets. In front you see a policeman running at full pelt. Upinder (or a colleague) stops the car and pick up the policeman so that they can get him to where he needs to go as quickly as possible which is to stop a man suspected of murder.
Someone posted the following comment below the YouTube clip:
Sangat in action
i've said elsewhere here
that Tariq Jahal's dignity and humanity is an example to all humanity. To think there are idiots out there who regard him as a member of an "alien" community makes me seethe. Beyond politics, race and denomination, his words offer hope for our future.
Sangat TV is incredible. Proof we still have communities and collective spirit out there. And there are those who would eradicate these in the name of "Britain".
These are true international heroes. Much love.
Birmingham
is my home City and I am very proud to be a Brummie and very pleased to live in an area of the country that is so ethnically diverse.We certainly have the best Asian restaurants and arguably the best sense of humour. So what if Jeremy Clarkson doesn't like us or our City - that is more reason for us to stand proud. The events of this week are horrific and the planned Peace march on Sunday gives the City the opportunity to show that we stand together. I just hope the mindless morons are kept away.
As a pround alumnus
of two of your fine universities, let me say that I will be marching with you in spirit.
(Currently holed-up in rainy Devon... A long hike from here.)
Brummies have much to be proud of, and a great deal of hope to hold on to.
Not so much a hero
But it's great to know that Ashraf Haziq, the Malaysian guy who was mugged by the thugs who pretended to help him, has been released from hospital; and that someone has been arrested in connection with the robbery.
Still...
...his forgiveness for what happened is pretty impressive. It certainly makes a change from some of the harsh language that's flying around in the world at large.
Cybercandy
I visited one of the local shops that had been looted. Cybercandy, on Bull street. This shop sells sweets from all around the world (seriously - go there if you have a sweet tooth). Their windows were smashed and a lot of stock nicked. They have boards on the windows and have sprayed "KEEP CALM AND CANDY ON", a nice twist on the standard version. The place was packed - people buying as much as they can afford to keep the place going.
If this has taught me anything, it's don't see the worst in people and events.
Genuine goosebumps
reading that.
Word blogs about the recent rioting.
I must apologise up front if what I am about to post is on the wrong thread.
I was watching some rolling news footage a couple of days ago, when a BBC reporter asked someone why they were rioting & stealing.
His reply? - "They come over hear, taking our jobs".
I know someone who has worked 2 weeks since he left school, & he often moans about 'them' taking 'our' jobs, but when I ask him why he doesnt apply to work at Costa or get a Mcjob, he says he is not doing a shit job like that.
By the by, he is enjoying watching the looting, he thinks it is quite entertaining.
I hate myself for thinking it, but he is just a waste of a perfectly good skin IMHO.
It might be
on the wrong thread but I couldn't agree with you more. With specific regard to Birmingham the Asian community is the hardest working of all. In my job I call on many companies throughout the UK and clearly recall a conversation with a director of a manufacturing company in Gloucestershire. He told me that he had taken on a number of Polish workers for his factory. I asked if it was because of cheaper labour costs and was told that they were actually more exp[ensive to employ but were a less risky proposition because they were reliable and cared about their work. Says it all really so for this morons to play the immigration card just shows how thick they really are.