100 Voices debate off to bright start

The 100 Voices project got under way in Blackburn on Saturday with a cross-section of people taking part.

Many people felt it was a good meeting but some sounded a cautionary note saying it was just the beginning of a long process.

A range of subjects were discussed across the day, including the issue of parallel lives, single faith schools, the wearing of the veil, the role of sport in bringing people together, the erosion of family values, discrimination in the workplace, and the town's drug culture.

The ideas forum - with a mix of races, ages (17 and over) and gender - was launched by the leadership of Blackburn with Darwen Council and was the first of a number of planned meetings.

Apart from the 100 Voices forum, the project, supported by the Lancashire Telegraph, will also incorporate a further five discussion groups of 100 people representing neighbourhoods.

A steering group will be also be set up next year to put into action the ideas that come out of the various 100 forums, and in Feburary Jack Straw is planning to hold a national conference.

Saturday's meeting at King George's Hall, chaired by former BBC North West political editor Jim Hancock, was divided into two parts.

The first was a general debate about social cohesion and in the second half the forum divided into discussion groups.

Many subjects were tackled at the meeting.

The potential for sport to bring people together was raised by a number of people. Asian youngsters said there was a need for more mixed leagues, and the council was asked by one group to consider sponsoring a league where teams had to be racially diverse to enter.

Some people felt that segregation was less about race and more about family and society values being eroded.

The subject of faith schools was touched upon at numerous points. Some defended the concept but others said they were divisive.

Graham Burgess, chief executive of the council, stressed how pivotal the council's Building Schools for the Future initiative would be. Under the plan the council aims to build three new super schools and renovate other schools by 2011.

He said it was a complex challenge but added: "These schools should help bring together the community, and we are looking at how we can do that."

One idea put forward during the discussion was to have more joint school trips, so that even if schools were segregated by their geographical location youngsters would have a greater chance to interact.

One group of Asian youths said they wanted more opportunities to integrate with white youngsters.

The forum members also discussed how ethnic minorities in the borough still suffered racial abuse in the street and discrimination in the workplace.

The issue of Muslim women wearing the veil was raised and some white participants said they felt intimidated by the veil and by the number of Asian youths that congregate in Blackburn town centre.

Some Asian participants said they too did not like bringing their families into the town centre because of the youths that gather.

Young Asian participants also expressed their deep concern about the town's drug culture and how dealing was sometimes glorified.

The Mela and Arts in the Park festivals were brought up with members of the forum asking if they could be brought into one event.

A group of Asian teenagers suggested that the borough hold something similar to a public holiday for everyone to celebrate being part of Blackburn with Darwen.

The meeting heard the view that people tended to integrate more during the 1960s when Asians were first arriving in the borough.

One explanation given for the move to parallel lives was said to be nothing to do with ethnicity but the breakdown of family values and that society's sense of community had been eroded.

The issue of white flight - when white families move from a street when Asians move in - was also discussed.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of the council, was challenged about her motives for setting up the forum and why it had taken this long.

She replied that the council had tried to engage with the community through initiatives like holding the executive board on the road and meetings with Mr Straw.

"In the past people have been scared to talk about things. Jack Straw's comments about the veil gave people the confidence to discuss things, and we are trying to seize the debate.

"My granddaughter was born 18 months ago and I don't want her to grow up in a society where she will not feel safe," she said.

After the meeting most people agreed that the day had been a positive move in the right direction.

Tass Hussain, 45, of Whalley Road, Little Harwood, said: "I thought it was a great start. Both negative and positive comments were made. But it is important that the people with negative comments have their say because it gives the council and everyone else the chance to respond to them."

Sgt John Rigby, ethnic minority officer at Blackburn police station, added: "It was good to be able to listen to a variety of people.

"The overall thing I am going to take away is how complimentary people were to each other.

"One clear message is how simple misconceptions or perceived thoughts can influence a large number of people."

Sarwar Shah, 17, of Earl Street, Blackburn, said she was glad that she came and was able to confront some of the negative views about Asians.

Ralph Golden, 57, of Leicester Road, Whitebirk, Blackburn, said: "It was a useful meeting to get the ball rolling, it's a good building block."

Yusuf Sidat, 60 of Little Harwood, said: "There was a good discussion, views have to be allowed to come out and that happened.

Coun Hollern, added: "I think it went very well. We had an open and honest debate.

"It was an opportunity for people to say things that under normal circumstances they may not have felt able to.

"Though there were some differences of culture, the great thing was the shared concerns that people have about issues like drugs, crime or litter.

"There was a genuine feeling that people did want to make Blackburn with Darwen a better place for each other."

Mr Burgess, said "I thought people were being very honest and there were some challenging views put forward which will need to be answered by continuous discussion.

"I am determined to put all the required resources into this to ensure this debate has a positive outcome for the borough."

The next meeting of the 100 Voices forum is scheduled for January.

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