Building Communities in East Bristol

bristol | community | opinion/analysis Wednesday June 11, 2008 14:40 by Boyd

Self-Help

I'm writing this as a request for information, rather than to provoke debate and i certainly don't want a row about it!

I suppose the reason for this has been sparked by the cycle path attacks, and the feeling of powerlessness that went with it. But muggings happen all the time, all thru the year, all thru the city.

More importantly, I honestly believe we are facing tough times ahead, economically and therefore politically, with a (more) right wing govt on the horizon, high prices and unemployment, and all parties playing the race and class cards. Tough times tend to sharpen dividing lines, unless we actively work to stop that happening. I want to work to stop divisions getting wider, but have very little connection with the other communities in East Bristol, where I live.

I know plenty of people in what could be called the 'Indycommunity' - less physically materialistic, socially aware, self-sacrificing people on the up side - judgemental, unable or unwilling to empathise with the mainstream and unaware of its own inbuilt prejudices on the down side.

I'm part of that community, and proud to be so (proud of the upside anyway!). But I also recognise the lack of communication with other communities, and in a lot of cases a drastic lack of understanding of them.

I think people meet as individuals (The Plough pub crowd in Easton is a quality example) and thats definitely the most important part, but there are some people that you're not going to stand next to at the bar and start a conversation with, or exchange pleasantries on the bus.

So, to finally come to the point, I would like to know of progressive groups in other communities that would be interested in a bit of cultural exchange, and increased understanding of each other. Off the top of my head I'm thinking of those that would define themselves in religious terms (sikhs, muslims, 'black church' christians etc.), geographical terms (kurds, various somali groups, south asians, afro-caribbeans, eastern europeans etc.) or other ways (the 'aboriginal' working class East Bristolians, senior groups, youth groups or gangs).

So, if anyone knows of any community groups that might be interested in meeting other community groups, post them here and maybe we can get people together and talking. Or, if you know of any other methods that could be used to bring different communities closer together, maybe post them as well?

I'm off to treat myself to a symbol of unity of all the cultures in Bristol, a uniting force that crosses all divisions and barriers – a lovely cup of tea! :-)