In this article Alasdair Palmer argues that we are too quick with throwing around accusations of racial discrimination. The Guardian called the profession of teacher an ‘institutionally racist’ one, because of the fact that black people make up 2 percent of the population while they only provide 0.7 percent of the head teachers. Palmer says it is only logical that “the proportion of a particular ethnic group in a particular position does not mirror that group's share of the population as a whole”. The failure of some ethnical groups is caused by different factors, in particular the sorts of things a child is exposed to, or not exposed to, before the age of seven. He argues it is wrong to benefit people because of ethnic or social class instead of qualities. Doing so destroys England’s top institutions.
zondag 24 april 2011
Is teaching racist? No more than Oxford University or 'Mastermind’
Royal wedding: street parties list suggests class divide
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8468812/Royal-wedding-street-parties-list-suggests-class-divide.html
On the day of the royal wedding, lots of local communities are hosting street parties to celebrate the occasion. Official figures however implicate there is a class divide among those who host the parties. Middle class communities are quite enthusiastic about the idea, while the working class areas show a lot less enthusiasm. Experts believe the lack of motivation doesn’t necessarily have to do with a loss of affection for the monarchy, they believe a breakdown of community spirit in large cities makes people reluctant to take part in a mass celebration with their neighbors. Councils across the country have done everything to make organizing a street party as easy as possible, because they see it as their key role to stimulate communities to get together.
I like the idea of royal themed street parties on the day of the royal wedding. After all the royal family is ‘public property’ and I think it should be made possible for common people to take part in the celebrations. It surprises me that the working class in England doesn’t participate in hosting street parties, while the middle class seems to be very enthusiastic. In the Netherlands it is often the other way around. Lower class neighborhoods are famous for their street parties and community spirit during events like ‘Koninginnedag’ and the World Championship Football.
On the day of the royal wedding, lots of local communities are hosting street parties to celebrate the occasion. Official figures however implicate there is a class divide among those who host the parties. Middle class communities are quite enthusiastic about the idea, while the working class areas show a lot less enthusiasm. Experts believe the lack of motivation doesn’t necessarily have to do with a loss of affection for the monarchy, they believe a breakdown of community spirit in large cities makes people reluctant to take part in a mass celebration with their neighbors. Councils across the country have done everything to make organizing a street party as easy as possible, because they see it as their key role to stimulate communities to get together.
I like the idea of royal themed street parties on the day of the royal wedding. After all the royal family is ‘public property’ and I think it should be made possible for common people to take part in the celebrations. It surprises me that the working class in England doesn’t participate in hosting street parties, while the middle class seems to be very enthusiastic. In the Netherlands it is often the other way around. Lower class neighborhoods are famous for their street parties and community spirit during events like ‘Koninginnedag’ and the World Championship Football.
woensdag 20 april 2011
At home with the lion king
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/apr/16/wildlife-family-lion-king?INTCMP=SRCH
Tony Fitzjohn was a wild explorer who lived at a lion reserve in Kenia when he met his wife Lucy. At the time Fitzjohn was an alcoholic and 22 years Lucy’s senior. Even so, they fell in love and Lucy ‘surprised’ her family by moving in with Fitzjohn who lived under severely primitive circumstances in a rural part of Africa. Their four children were born there. Becoming a father and settling down even amazed Fitzjohn himself, because it was everything he never wanted. Fitzjohn doesn’t want to keep his children isolated, so three of their kids are in boarding school and the family spend their holidays in England. According to Fitzjohn raising children is very similar to raising lion cubs; they both need food, protection and love and, just like lions, children become independent.
I think Tony Fitzjohn is doing the right thing in not keeping his children isolated in rural Africa. Children should experience the ‘real’ world in order to give them a fair chance to decide which way of life they prefer themselves once they are grown up. Since there are no schools near the lion reserve, boarding school is the only possible solution to give his children as much of the normal childhood stuff as possible. I agree there are similarities between raising children and raising lion cubs; the basic needs are the same, but when it comes to bringing up children, it takes more than just food, protection and love.
Tony Fitzjohn was a wild explorer who lived at a lion reserve in Kenia when he met his wife Lucy. At the time Fitzjohn was an alcoholic and 22 years Lucy’s senior. Even so, they fell in love and Lucy ‘surprised’ her family by moving in with Fitzjohn who lived under severely primitive circumstances in a rural part of Africa. Their four children were born there. Becoming a father and settling down even amazed Fitzjohn himself, because it was everything he never wanted. Fitzjohn doesn’t want to keep his children isolated, so three of their kids are in boarding school and the family spend their holidays in England. According to Fitzjohn raising children is very similar to raising lion cubs; they both need food, protection and love and, just like lions, children become independent.
I think Tony Fitzjohn is doing the right thing in not keeping his children isolated in rural Africa. Children should experience the ‘real’ world in order to give them a fair chance to decide which way of life they prefer themselves once they are grown up. Since there are no schools near the lion reserve, boarding school is the only possible solution to give his children as much of the normal childhood stuff as possible. I agree there are similarities between raising children and raising lion cubs; the basic needs are the same, but when it comes to bringing up children, it takes more than just food, protection and love.
donderdag 14 april 2011
London Snorkelling Team – review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/apr/13/london-snorkelling-team-review
According to the review the London Snorkelling Team combines jazz inspired music with images and comedy and the writer thinks doing so adds something beyond value to the show. Their strategy is to split the focus by showing childish drawings and the presence of two comedians. Even though this makes the show look like a “gig/fantasy radio broadcast and old-fashioned variety show” they do take music seriously indeed. In fact, the London Snorkelling Team’s way of handling things makes the show “brilliant and hilarious”, in the reviewer’s opinion.
Although jazz isn’t my favourite style of music, I believe I would like this show, because the addition of images and comedy sounds appealing to me. I agree with the writer that these additions could indeed add an extra value to the show. It’s like the proverb says: ‘A picture can say more than a thousand words.’ An image can capture a certain mood or emotion and can clarify a piece of music better than anyone could ever explain in words. However I don’t agree that the comedians add an extra something to the music. I think it’s the other way around; the music supports the comedians and makes their performance stronger than it would be without.
According to the review the London Snorkelling Team combines jazz inspired music with images and comedy and the writer thinks doing so adds something beyond value to the show. Their strategy is to split the focus by showing childish drawings and the presence of two comedians. Even though this makes the show look like a “gig/fantasy radio broadcast and old-fashioned variety show” they do take music seriously indeed. In fact, the London Snorkelling Team’s way of handling things makes the show “brilliant and hilarious”, in the reviewer’s opinion.
Although jazz isn’t my favourite style of music, I believe I would like this show, because the addition of images and comedy sounds appealing to me. I agree with the writer that these additions could indeed add an extra value to the show. It’s like the proverb says: ‘A picture can say more than a thousand words.’ An image can capture a certain mood or emotion and can clarify a piece of music better than anyone could ever explain in words. However I don’t agree that the comedians add an extra something to the music. I think it’s the other way around; the music supports the comedians and makes their performance stronger than it would be without.
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)