Ironi

I'm sad. Not because the limited edition chicago burger at McDonalds has ceased selling (although that is pretty sad!). No I'm sad because of something much less important; international politics. The world is a mess, that much we can all agree on. From Egypt's revolutionary (not to say paralyzing) protests that threaten to turn the middle east on it's head, for good or for bad, to the economic bog that developed countries never seem to be able to free themselves from, we see constant examples of the world teetering on the brink of chaos. Only luck and the good work of a few smart and extremely talented people has stopped this from actually happening. Despite our belief that the society which we live in today is as stable as it ever has, the truth leans more in the opposite direction. Modern sociology and politics is built up on such frail building blocks, that they might as well be a toddlers lego pieces. But enough of the global critique, I'll save that for another post, what I wanted to bring up was something on a more domestic scale (yet still incredibly important as an example of what is happening worldwide).

Today I watched the prime minister of the UK, David Cameron, give a speech on how he believes islamic extremism and terrorism in the country should be combatted. I'm not going to repeat it word for word, but the general gist of the speech was that multicultural integration has failed and that extremism needs to be fought head on with more forceful measures, rather than with the the more gentle methods that have dominated integration politics the last decade. He criticizes muslim communities that do little to combat the extremist side of their religion and wants to cut their funding. A large part of his speech also focused on how britain should foster a more nationalistic feeling.

What has mr. Cameron said that I find so objectionable? Isn't it true that terrorism and cultural hate needs to be tackled more aggressively than before? No, you see that is where I must debate the validity of this argument. What mr. Cameron is pushing, is to replace the carrot with the stick because it doesn't seem to be working. But as all fishermen can relate to, catching that big fish which is multicultural peace takes a lot of patience and time. The critical trap that he so readily has stumbled into is saying 'them' and 'us', and in doing so driving a butchers knife through the term 'integration'. He speaks fondly of a nationalistic feeling in england, but how do you define a 'nationalistic feeling' (which mind you suspiciously brings up thoughts of segregation) in say London, where more than 30% of it's inhabitants are from an ethnic minority? This is not an isolated case, as I stated earlier it is going on everywhere in europe. The fear-mongering neoconservatism that is springing up everywhere needs to be stopped!

In such a diverse society there is no room for extreme right wing views, which would more likely ignite the tightly packed cultures like firewood. This recent growth of xenophobia across a lot of europe, which seems to focus more and more on the islamaphobic branch frightens me. Were this specific fear of islam comes from, I'm not sure, but the direction in which it is heading is very much one to be avoided. It is not effective to combat extremism by removing funding to religious groups. This will just prove the point to potential terrorists that they are being excluded from society and instead increase the growth of radicalism. What instead should be the highest priority for David Cameron in his fight for a peaceful society is to work for total acceptance of other cultures. Multiculturalism should be embraced and seen as the only way forwards.

All ethnicities need to be encompassed under one banner to form a sort of comradeship, where everyone benefits from each others diversity. The belonging to one group, greatly dampens one's will to destroy parts of it. This sort of relationship builds solely on trusting each other, and it is here that current communities seem to falter. Decades of inexperience to other cultures, hinders peoples acceptance of each other and curbs the growth of trust. But as time passes and comprehension of other lifestyles increase, fear will gradually disappear and instead be replaced by cooperation. Of course this goal remains but a dream to many, yet it is also attainable. I believe that the fear of other cultures, which is the premiere obstacle that stands in integrations way, arises from lack of knowledge.

This is remedied simply through spending more on education, which is always a good idea (though in David Cameron's case it isn't *cough*education cut-backs*cough*), and encouraging acceptance through example. If different groups can see what they have to gain (smart japanese person to do your maths homework anyone?) from rallying beneath one identity, terrorism and radical movements will be erased (they only spring up because of discontent, and if we're content they won't spring up!). Mr. Cameron might jump in and say 'but it's been tried!', and to that I reply; by going in the opposite direction we wipe clear the slow progress we have made over the last decades and instead throw gasoline on the fire, again patience is virtue!

So please David Cameron, stop your nonsense! You are using your critique of domestic islamist groups to divert attention from your questionable foreign policy while creating a strong and firm image of yourself to the voters by presenting an 'easy quick fix method' (which doesn't exist!) that comes dangerously close to promoting segregation. Be the bigger person and treat all groups in the same fashion!

I'm not going to pretend I hold any knowledge of political sociology, but what I do have is years of experience of working multiculturalism in the various academic institutions I have attended. My general consensus is that diversification is bliss! Having people in my classes that come from every corner of the earth widens my perspective on nearly every current topic. I gain so much from my contemporaries that I couldn't live without. Well enough of my rant, if anyone ever manages to read this post I will be incredibly impressed!

Why so serious? No but seriously (see what I did there?) why does everyone take life so seriously? I know it is non of my concern, but I just can't help looking around me and feeling increasingly perplexed from why all young people have this enormous urge to act and look grownup. It frustrates me. I want to go up to them and tell them you don't have to grow up today, or tomorrow, or ever (hey it worked for peter pan). You don't have to pick up all these responsibilities in one go. Do you want to end up like the washed up older generation that asks itself 'where did my life go?' while looking at a belly that just seems to exponentially bloat for every day that passes.

It seems like it's normal to want to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. News flash: IT'S NOT! Youth is a time where you say 'screw you' to the establishment and rebel by shouting penis as loud as you can on the subway (hehe). Where you can eat deep fried chocolate bars without becoming fat (seriously girls, young people don't get fat easily) and spit off bridges onto passing cars. Sure older people will look down and frown at us, but who cares! Let them frown at us, while we're having the time of our lives they're crying in their sleep about that bill that needs to be payed or the business proposition to be made tomorrow.

The best thing about being young, but which almost everyone has forgotten, is that what you do doesn't matter (don't do drugs though kids, or steal cars or… you get it). Do you seriously think that you're life will be better in the future if you take that plumbing course because you think it might give you a head start on the competition in the job market (that was pathetic). And stop worrying about whether or not you'll ever find 'true love' (you won't…. nah just kidding! Wait and it will come (just don't go looking for love)). Do what you enjoy and live in the present, not the future. Be free, have fun and define youth for this generation. Have no regrets and don't worry!

I leave you with my favourite quote: 'Do what you like, like what you do.'

Oh and a picture of two friends who are 'youth's children' (sounded better in my head…) and enjoy life to it's fullest!