The debate over sexual grooming was re-ignited again recently, not only with the conviction of two individuals of ‘Pakistani / Muslim heritage’, but also by comments from local MP for Blackburn, Jack Straw.
However, rather than indulge in sound bites, this article closely analyses the words of Mr Straw, and looks to raise the debate to a level above what we normally see , to dissect his statement, line by line, to elevate our understanding of the underlying truths of the situation.
Mr Straws comments, as widely reported are given below in quotes, with analysis of each point in italics.
"Pakistanis, let's be clear, are not the only people who commit sexual offences, and overwhelmingly the sex offenders' wings of prisons are full of white sex offenders.”
Thank you Mr Straw, though this modicum of rationale seems to have been lost in the media frenzy that was to follow inevitably. Don’t try and tell me, Jack Straw, councillor/ MP for over 30 years doesn’t have the political savvy to realise which elements of his statement would be picked by the media and used as fodder for public opinion.
"But there is a specific problem which involves Pakistani heritage men... who target vulnerable young white girls.”
A number of media outlets have reported this as ‘Muslim grooming gangs’. So the blurring of the distinction between Pakistani and Muslims begins. Is this now a Pakistani or an Islamic (given 99.9% of Pakistani men in the UK are of Islamic faith) borne problem? Are you trying to tell me that this problem does not exist with other ethnic groups in the UK, as well as with UK nationals? (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/teacher-to-be-sentenced-for-sexual-grooming-1885697.html).
"We need to get the Pakistani community to think much more clearly about why this is going on and to be more open about the problems that are leading to a number of Pakistani heritage men thinking it is OK to target white girls in this way."
Why is it going on??? Absence of morals in society, lack of parental responsibility, breakdown of family and support structures in society, emphasis on personal freedoms, individualism, lack of protection of vulnerable in society, permissive society, lack of accountability and responsibility....I could go on?
Come on Jack, has your head been buried in the sand for the last three decades? Pretty dumb statement for a seasoned MP like yourself...
It’s not a problem with the Pakistani community, but one manifestation of a wider societal problem as eluded to above (of which the Pakistani community is a part). And add to the list a drug culture, rampant alcoholism, insurance fraud, marriage breakdown, child / wife / pensioner abuse...
"These young men are in a western society (you almost hit the nail on the head there Jack, the problem however isn’t the western society - as you like to portray how Islam and the ‘west’ are incompatible - but the values inherent in this society, irrespective of geography) in any event, they act like any other young men, they're fizzing and popping with testosterone, they want some outlet for that (which the permissive society , not their Pakistani heritage upbringing, tells them the outlet is irresponsible and easy sex with no commitments), but Pakistani heritage girls are off-limits (rightly so, due to a strict moral code which protects and provides safety, dignity and honour for these girls....isn’t that want we want for all young girls, irrespective of race, religion or heritage, rather than the false allure of instant gratification, pleasures and hedonism) and they are expected to marry a Pakistani girl from Pakistan, typically, (possibly true, though what the relevance of that statement here is I do not know)" he said.
"So they then seek other avenues and they see these young women, white girls who are vulnerable, some of them in care... who they think are easy meat.” So in Europe, the girls are white; in Africa they will be black, in Asia brown....this sounds like a clarion call akin to the BNP and EDL, playing on racial sensitivities to incite patriotic emotions. The real question we need to answer as a society is why are so many youth vulnerable and in care....ditto, my earlier points about social support structures like family, community, social services etc, where there is track record of failing those most vulnerable in society (Baby P, Khyra Ishaq), and hence abused and taken advantage of. Again not a Pakistani heritage trait, but symptomatic of an individualistic society, where people act without care for the consequence of their actions.
"And because they're vulnerable they ply them with gifts, they give them drugs, and then of course they're trapped." Sorry Mr Straw, I didn’t know we were discussing UK / US foreign policy? What about the more fundamental question as to why are these girls vulnerable in the first place, such that they seek comfort, self-esteem or love outside of their friends and family?
Overall, the quotes demonstrate someone who is looking to make political mileage and woo certain parts of the electorate, rather than genuinely looking to address the problem and assist those most vulnerable members of society, which can only happen by undertaking an enlightened debate about the appropriate values for any society to adopt. A debate the elected MPs keep threatening us with (Tony Blair, Ruth Kelly), but never quite get round to.....
Hamid Chaudry
Bayyina Foundation, a community based Muslim group.
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