Hey everyone,
I'm a young 17 year old black girl who has lived in Brixton all my life and like everyone else I have distinguished many changes- some good, some bad over the years. Recently I have had conversations with friends and with my Sociology class at college about the future of Brixton.
It seems to me and most poignantly my peers that Brixton is changing for the worst. *It is important to note that what I am about to say may be viewed as racist but it is not meant to be seen in that negative light but it is simply the opinions of my self and my peers*
There has been an increase in the number of white middle class people in Brixton and whilst I advocate any anti-racist views it appears that they are removing the essence and flavour of Brixton, what I mean by this is we can't help but succumb to the impression that they wish to adopt the flavour and atmosphere of Brixton but still look down upon the 'original' people. Case in point when walking down Brixton with a group of friends (6 black teenage girls) we are greeted with looks of nervousness and anticipation from our white counter-parts (not least outside KFC at night time)
This also reminiscent of the time working as a sales assistant in King’s Road, Chelsea. Being a predominately white middle class/ upper middle class area I was in the minority and was greeted with interesting glances from my white peers (this was not a case of paranoia) which intensified when actually working in the shop as the body language adopted by white girls were significantly altered as if to stereo-type me as a feisty black girl with attitude, which admittedly I am but through education and experience I acknowledge there is a time and place for it.
This did not least surprise me as although our Major Ken Livingston loves to bang on (and he does bang on) about the multi-cultural, multi-racial aspect of London; true Londoner are aware that there is a severe racism that lurks within our city and is concealed (and believe me some of it is severe)
An also large multi-national company such as Subway are rivalling small African, Caribbean, Asian and other ethnic minority businesses in competition for leases and evidently with larger capital the small businesses are at lost which is a shame as it is these small businesses that give Brixton its character. Although they may bring more money they will break up the characteristics of Brixton which is probably why people were attracted to it in the first place which then lead to the more money in the area which then lead to the introduction of the larger businesses (it is a sort of Catch 22)
I can’t help but think what the white community’s reaction would be if Chelsea became swarmed with black people…their reaction to the Notting Hill carnival is interesting enough…although their reason is over security even though no other festival in London gets that sort of attention over security whether it be Gay Pride, Party in The Park, Chinese New Year etc
My biggest fear is that Brixton will turn into Notting Hill- where the black community were forced out due to a number of factors and has become a pre dominantly white area…I wonder then what will happen to the black community.
I would greatly appreciate your views on this.
I'm a young 17 year old black girl who has lived in Brixton all my life and like everyone else I have distinguished many changes- some good, some bad over the years. Recently I have had conversations with friends and with my Sociology class at college about the future of Brixton.
It seems to me and most poignantly my peers that Brixton is changing for the worst. *It is important to note that what I am about to say may be viewed as racist but it is not meant to be seen in that negative light but it is simply the opinions of my self and my peers*
There has been an increase in the number of white middle class people in Brixton and whilst I advocate any anti-racist views it appears that they are removing the essence and flavour of Brixton, what I mean by this is we can't help but succumb to the impression that they wish to adopt the flavour and atmosphere of Brixton but still look down upon the 'original' people. Case in point when walking down Brixton with a group of friends (6 black teenage girls) we are greeted with looks of nervousness and anticipation from our white counter-parts (not least outside KFC at night time)
This also reminiscent of the time working as a sales assistant in King’s Road, Chelsea. Being a predominately white middle class/ upper middle class area I was in the minority and was greeted with interesting glances from my white peers (this was not a case of paranoia) which intensified when actually working in the shop as the body language adopted by white girls were significantly altered as if to stereo-type me as a feisty black girl with attitude, which admittedly I am but through education and experience I acknowledge there is a time and place for it.
This did not least surprise me as although our Major Ken Livingston loves to bang on (and he does bang on) about the multi-cultural, multi-racial aspect of London; true Londoner are aware that there is a severe racism that lurks within our city and is concealed (and believe me some of it is severe)
An also large multi-national company such as Subway are rivalling small African, Caribbean, Asian and other ethnic minority businesses in competition for leases and evidently with larger capital the small businesses are at lost which is a shame as it is these small businesses that give Brixton its character. Although they may bring more money they will break up the characteristics of Brixton which is probably why people were attracted to it in the first place which then lead to the more money in the area which then lead to the introduction of the larger businesses (it is a sort of Catch 22)
I can’t help but think what the white community’s reaction would be if Chelsea became swarmed with black people…their reaction to the Notting Hill carnival is interesting enough…although their reason is over security even though no other festival in London gets that sort of attention over security whether it be Gay Pride, Party in The Park, Chinese New Year etc
My biggest fear is that Brixton will turn into Notting Hill- where the black community were forced out due to a number of factors and has become a pre dominantly white area…I wonder then what will happen to the black community.
I would greatly appreciate your views on this.
can you understand that?
