Question time ‘part 2’ arrived in Leamington Spa last night
with a real panoramic sense of passion, drive and purpose.
The numbers had doubled from the last event in April and the
mix of erudite men coupled with the debate proved to be an
enriching cocktail.
The group of men fused and gelled, the debate was polemical
The group of men fused and gelled, the debate was polemical
and gritty, smothered with the brutality of the contemporary
and how communities had been ripped to pieces by ever more
alienation - aspects of modernity - aspects of how segregated
people feel in contemporary times; Race, culture, gender,
inclusion, exclusion, inequality, hope and desire were only a few
themes that were thrashed out with an over arching concern
regarding ‘Education, education, education’ - an ever receding
horizon of a pedagogic system in disarray.
This was not ‘third way’ muddled politics – but more so passionate,
This was not ‘third way’ muddled politics – but more so passionate,
hard working men from the community who feel robbed of their
communities and a ‘collective identity’ that all communities seem
so deprived of. Were communities and families failing black men?
Or are society and the systems in situ baron of the diverse frameworks
that are critical to a healthy community? These were just a few of the
debates as the ideas poured through sweat and grime of minds colliding.
This second event proved to be a huge success on many different
This second event proved to be a huge success on many different
levels - the most salient being that the group was here to solve
these issues constructively with the aid of the BME team and the
local council - the next event is scheduled for the 28th of January
2009 at the African Caribbean Project Leamington spa (7-9pm) -
where a prime focus will be on setting goals and agenda’s for
some real community solutions.
4 comments:
Having read the essence of this very successful event I felt the urge to let you know that I am stunned at the trunout and obvious interest in the issues faced by black men. This has been a long time coming as we know that research suggests that black men and men in particular are least likely to come forward to comment and to access health servcies. I say start as you mean to go on. The soul comes from the world and one day it will return. Please keep on keeping on and hold strong in your faith and wisdom.Its time for a breakthrough!
The BME team would like to put forward a statement from the Project manager at the African Caribbean project regarding the event. A few problems were encountered online, thus his statement being:
Brothers do meet and address serious issues that institutions dare not even acknowledge exist. This is a group that promotes freedom of speech, expression and solutions for us by us remember No compromise!
Empower yourself get involved.
PM
Author: Project Manager
The next meeting is 28 january 2009 at 7pm
we are faced with numerous problems but we will have to determine the solution not sit around waiting for it to fall out of the sky.
Be part of the solution get involved!!!
The Alcohol Research Forum, in its report for Alcohol Concern (2002) sought to identify
areas for future research and to show where it existed, what research might assist in
dealing with the problem of alcohol misuse. Among its key findings was the observation
that past research had pathologised and homogenised the black and minority
communities, and had in general failed to lead to effective action to address their needs
(Subhra 2002). Much needs analysis was based on poorly conducted research, small
samples and outdated studies, and there were significant gaps in the knowledge base.
Adebowale's (1994) research, cited there, noted that the activity of service delivery
agencies ranged 'from ignoring the issue to paralysis' and the report demonstrates that
there was virtually no evidence of research into interventions or evaluation.
This study was commissioned by the Alcohol Education Research Council to ensure that
there was no possibility that the recommendations of the Alcohol Concern report were
themselves based on an inadequate or outdated view of the field, and to contribute to
the debate surrounding the national strategy on alcohol. In particular, we have sought to
ensure that we took one of its key recommendations on board, by beginning with
communities themselves, and with projects and agencies embedded in meeting the
specific needs of black and minority ethnic groups.
This document will aim to investigate current knowledge about alcohol use and misuse
in the South Asian and African-Caribbean communities and, in particular to:
• explore specific needs in relation to education and service provision;
• review current service planning and provision in the light of any identified needs;
• review current research initiatives and their relevance to the South Asian and
African-Caribbean communities and to identify gaps;
• consider the appropriateness of current research frameworks;
• an overview of the capacity for research within these communities.
Once this overview is apparent, gaps can be identified with clear preliminary
recommendations for future policy and practice.
In preparing this report, we have drawn on a wide-ranging review of literature related to
black and minority ethnic groups, their health and use (or abuse) of alcohol, and all
possible identified sources of information relating to this issue. All relevant papers have
been listed in a full bibliography and data extracted to a 'systematic-review' type grid to
permit ease of access and review of the evidence. Not all items included in that analysis
would meet the normal criteria for a systematic review, of peer-reviewed publication.
Indeed, some of the community-based studies, practice-based reports and unpublished
papers provide greater insight, sensitivity and understanding of diversity issues within
the Black and minority ethnic (BME) population (such as language, cohort, and religious
and cultural background) than the papers which may have created the 'accepted
wisdom' in the field.
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