Whats happening to Compton Road Library ...

[wiggy]

cnosni wrote: biggee99 wrote: In the library gardens that has been open you years to walk around and play is not no longer its going to be a centre for the black community sounds about right some where for them to go.I am not saying no more as it will be taken the wrong way. There in lies the problem with race relations biggee,you can express an opinion on such issues and be branded racist.Im vehemintly anti racist/BNP,but i am also annoyed that specific groups get particular attention at the exclusion of others who live in a particular area.I am originally from the Compton myself and i have noticed that the racial make up has drastically changed since the early 90s,but nevertheless its still a wide mix.Making specific centres for specific minorities is, in my opinion, breeds racst feelings amongst the disefranchised in itself.All of the ethnic minorities and the indigenous persons in the area should all be catered for in one place.In Beeston there is whats called the "Hamara " centre which offers advice and classes to those who have come from the asian sub continent.The very name of the centre is like a bar to all those others who live in the area,which now includes a very large number of immigrants from eastern europe and Africa,why not call it the Tempest Road Centre?.The advertising of the facilities at the centre make no bones about the specific targets of this centre,which is those from the asian sub continent.So what about everyone else who needs free advice on a number of subjects,or classes in self awarenes, fitness etc etc.This is the sort of thing that plays into the hands of the far right.instead of encouraging ethnic minorities to mix and interact with all around them, this specific targeting of public resources breeds contempt and suspiscion into those outside of its target criteria and also holds those within this criteria at arms length from those members of the community around them that do not share the same ethnic background.If we are to have such centres then they should be for all,so suspisions and ignorance of others can be taken away by a getting together of all of those from different backrounds that live in the area.Multiculturism has failed,i believe that we all need a sense of national identity so we can all share common aspirations such as freedom of choice,frredom of speech and the rights of others to do so as well,even if we dont always agree with them .Yet there is no united sense of belonging and national identity within all of the various ethnic groups in this country.I would not wish to impose some false sense of new found belonging on these ethnic groups as they have been encouraged by multicultural ideals to be seperated socially from everyone else.Yet if we dont all have a national sense of belonging and ideals then we will find our selves in a very sticky situation with the ethnic minorities feeling even more estranged from the land they live in and the right wing expoilting the the fear and suspisions of the indigenous population that is not having its concerns addressed by the mainsteam political parties.It must be now done gradually and voluntarily,and the only way to do this is to break down barriers and walls,and one of these walls is specifically targeted help centres.Rant over,Brandys lines come in please. ..if i open a british centre...in my own country...that would make me racist....why did we bother beating nazi germany.....for this????    

[Cardiarms]

See above, it's a health centre.    

[dogduke]

Building work is coming on nicely.The builders hoardings are coming down showing the shapeof things to come.One bit I do like is the retention of theoriginal single storeybuilding facing onto Harehills Lane.The former entrance is now converted into a window to matchthe originals,presumably the only entrance will be via the new build.

[dogduke]

Don't know if they have the new equipment in other libraries yet but Compton now has a self service facilty to 'book out books'You place your stack of books in the space provided,use the start facilty,scan your membership card.The books are scanned,listed on the screen.Press the finish button when you are done and you get at list of the titles and the due back date.No more stamping dates in the book.