My Story: Paul Anderson- Walsh

The life story of Paul Anderson -Walsh begins with what to many of our readers will seem to be a heartless and audacious request from his mother. Hoping for a stable marriage to the new man in her life, Anderson- Walsh’s mother went to the orphanage that was caring for her eldest son and sought to swap him for his mixed ‘race’ brother, Paul Anderson- Walsh. The White child for the Black child. That would be the last time Anderson- Walsh would have any contact with his family. Because he was mixed ‘race’ Anderson- Walsh was deemed unsuitable for adoption by social services. Rejected, displaced and marginalised the stage was set for a childhood marked by identity crisis after crisis.

‘I was two different people. I was a Black child or a White child depending on others’ perceptions. But both the Black and the White child were sharing the same body. I was a cut and shut person.’ recalls Anderson- Walsh

But after experiencing racism from both the White and Black community and shifting his racial persona, Anderson- Walsh did eventually come to a place of reconciliation about his mixed heritage. His equally remarkable journey from a Catholic to a Protestant, to the founder of The Grace Project was a seminal catalyst in changing how he saw himself.

‘To be honest’ says Anderson-Walsh ‘it has been a confusing, painful story. But a story that is also therapeutic for others. I use my own story for help and healing. My story is redemptive.’

We are sure you will agree, and readers from all backgrounds and identities will read Anderson- Walsh’s moving story with a mixture of awe and inspiration. GOLDENROOM’s cover story this month, My Story: Paul Anderson- Walsh:

http://goldenroom.co.uk/issue/may-2013/article/my-story-paul-anderson-walsh

 

GOLDENROOM Issue 18 ‘Health and Beauty’

At GOLDENROOM, our readers can rely on quality content that informs, enlightens and enriches. Our Health and Beauty edition now live and online at www.goldenroom.co.uk  is unlike any other publication of its kind and conforms to GOLDENROOM’s ideals of integrity and substance. Though a relatively product and resource heavy issue, we are sure you will agree, that even as we bring you news of the latest this is always with a unique and thought provoking cross cultural edge.

In no other Health and Beauty pages are readers likely to be informed about nail lacquer that is healthy and halal, whilst getting the scoop about the most amazing natural hair and skin care products for sensitive skin and Afro-type, curly hair, all available at Black and Brown.

We know our readers are intelligent, so we don’t need to preach even as we present the facts on the controversial issue of Skin Lighteners and Skin Brighteners. And we want to be part of raising awareness and promoting dignity for people afflicted with Vitiligo an illness that strikes at the basis of identity.

GOLDENROOM is delighted again to be sponsoring this month, GIFT Wellness, the revolutionary product that is changing women’s periods and changing lives. As well, in Your Look, Your Style, we bring you a select few Enchanted Rose products, such as handmade jewellery, art and home decor. We are also pleased to sponsor the Urban Dialogue’s Call for Commissions from the Three Faiths Forum.

We couldn’t be more honoured this month to have Paul Anderson-Walsh, former CEO of the Stephen Lawrence Trust tell his moving story of growing up mixed race and an orphan. Anderson- Walsh writes: ‘I was either a White child or a Black child. I was a cut and shut person.’ This is a story that is profound and moving, with widespread implications.

No less inspiring is our first ever My Story, by a young person. Seventeen year old Maria Dyrhold Sarhangian writes these words of advice for people of dual heritage,‘This is who I am and I don’t know how it could be different… Be proud of who you are.’ A very special young woman to be sure.

As is this month’s GOLDENROOM Icon, whom we are sure you will agree is beautiful both inside and out. Miss Russia 2013, Miss Elvira Abdrazakova has a wonderfully dignified response to those who have criticised her dual heritage.

Many of our subscribers are community, charity and third sector organisations, all of whom will want to take notes from our Feature article on the remarkable fitness programme that is transforming a divided community. Sam Dickinson of H24 FitClub makes it look effortless in ‘A Community Gets Healthy’.

Finally, in addition to our free GOLDENROOM Online Dating Service, we have partnered up with Golden Moments, and highlighted a few thoughtfully chosen activities and experiences to start something special or commemorate a happy occasion.

Suffice to say, at GOLDENROOM, Health and Beauty is more than skin deep…

Kind Regards,

Dr. W.J.Tuinstra

Editor in Chief

GOLDENROOM
Online Journal for Cross Cultural Relations

www.goldenroom.co.uk

Pet Bereavement

‘My cat recently died, sometimes I feel so sad, other times I feel guilty. Right now I don’t want to go out but my friends don’t seem to understand. They say, ‘it was just a cat, get another one.’’

The writer’s experiences are all too common for those who have suffered the bereavement of animal companion; grief and guilt met by indifference

The unique enhancement that pets give our lives can range from protector, companion, comrade and even carer. Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Their companionship forms a significant and constant part of our lives for many years.

Dr. Sife, felt that the field of psychology offered little to bereaved pet owners to help them address the emotional issues of their loss. His book, ‘The Loss of a Pet’ is in its third edition.

Similarly, The Reverend Professor Andrew Linzey an Anglican priest and Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics describes that the church, like mainstream society has however been slow to recognise the significance of pet bereavement. His book, ‘Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care’ full of inspiring quotations, blessings and liturgies to bring comfort to and guide those who have lost their animal companion.

GOLDENROOM has many more resources to help raise awareness of pet bereavement as a real and deeply felt experience and ensure that those who are bereaved receive the support and understanding they need.

See our article at:

http://goldenroom.co.uk/issue/april-2013/article/pet-bereavement

Invitation: CAASE Launch Event

INVITATION to a LAUNCH

MAJOR COALITION LAUNCH AGAINST ‘STREET GROOMING’

CAASE

Community ALLIANCE AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

In the aftermath of the terrible events reported in recent child sex abuse trials, leading Muslim, child protection, victim support and civil rights organisations are launching a groundbreaking, cross-community response to the problem of ‘on-street grooming by gangs’.

 Led by the Islamic Society of Britain (ISB), and anti-hate civil rights movement HOPE not hate (HNH), the ‘Community Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation’ (CAASE) is being launched in Bradford on:

10th May 2013. FROM 11am-1pm

Manningham Mills Community Centre, The Silk Warehouse, Lilycroft Road, Bradford

BD9 5BD

www.mmcabradford.org.uk

CAASE will meet head- on the communal challenges raised by the child sexual exploitation of vulnerable young girls and women.

•   Leading faith, child protection & civil rights groups to tackle ‘on-street grooming’

•   Will focus on minority as well as mainstream communities, encouraging better reporting, education, zero tolerance

•   Will fight anti-Muslim hatred connected to grooming cases

•   Victim Support, national Muslim & grassroots community organisations all involved, plus senior faith leaders

The initiative is being supported by faith and civic leaders including the Muslim Council of Britain, Muslim Youth Helpline, Muslim Community Helpline, Federation of Muslim Organisations, Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB), Faith Associates, the Christian Muslim Forum, City Sikhs Network, and the Church of England, plus women’s rights networks including Inspire, the Henna Foundation, and Making Herstory.

Professional guidance is being provided by Victim Support, plus STREET, which works with at-risk young people, and NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood) which specialises in support for abuse survivors.

Why CAASE?

While there is a great deal of good work focusing on child exploitation, more needs to be done against the scourge of ‘on-street grooming by gangs’. Local and national grassroots and faith organisations are often best-placed to reach out into the communities most beset by this problem.

Working across child protection services, with local authorities, schools, faith communities and the police, CAASE will develop a proactive response to the growing problem of on-street grooming, raising awareness, educating and developing community-led responses.

‘There are few crimes more horrific than the sexual exploitation of young women: these girls have been let down by everyone,‘ said Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Britain, Julie Siddiqi. ‘I have been sickened reading about these cases. There should be no excuse, no hiding place, for those who perpetrate such crimes.’

‘The evil that is abuse happens across all areas of society. This is not an issue of race or religion,’ said Nick Lowles, Chief Executive of HOPE not hate. ‘We want to encourage all our partners to help us remove the veils of secrecy and control that allow abuse to flourish. We also need to ensure that the media, and far-right groups, do not promote an anti-Muslim agenda over so-called ‘grooming’ trials either. HOPE not hate will focus on busting myths that groups such as the EDL and BNP like to promote in their quest for hate and division.’

‘This is an appalling and abhorrent kind of behaviour which is totally unacceptable regardless of race or religion,’ added Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). ‘Some of those perpetrators who have recently been convicted happen to be from the Muslim community, so we need to be at the very front of the voice that is condemning this. It is important that leaders of religious communities speak out against this deplorable and abhorrent behaviour by adults toward vulnerable children.’

 CAASE ‘CALL TO ACTION’

•   Zero tolerance for all abuse

•   Faith and community leaders must speak out against this criminal act

•   We must listen to and support those at risk, and survivors of abuse, with compassion and understanding

•   Abuse is not a single-community issue and should not be used to promote hatred

For further comment, or media invite to the launch, please contact:

Islamic Society of Britain www.isb.org.uk | @Britislam

HOPE not hate www.hopenothate.org.uk | @hopenothate

Twitter: #no2grooming #stopabuse #childexploitation

 

ADDITIONAL INFO

CAASE aims:

• Raise awareness of child sexual exploitation through education and campaigning across all communities. It will encourage reporting and promote services to help vulnerable young people.

• Produce training kits and background factsheets on the issue for faith and community leaders, so they can speak out with knowledge and confidence. It will produce myth-busting material to counter extremist groups who might attempt to exploit the issue in order to divide communities and stir up hatred.

• Develop a cross-community response, recognising that the victims and perpetrators of child sexual exploitation come from all backgrounds. An effective response requires communities to work together, whilst doing more to raise awareness of this issue within their networks.

• Promote local CAASE groups in areas where on-street grooming is currently a problem. These groups will be encouraged to raise awareness, report incidents and promote the work of child protection agencies. They will help underline a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude to child sexual exploitation and develop young leaders to take the campaign into their communities.

• Create a space for dialogue and open discussion between and within local communities, to help break down misconceptions, address real issues of concern and develop more effective cross-community responses.

Definitions

Sexual exploitation through street grooming can include:

• grooming a child for a sexual purpose. This might involve befriending the child, gaining their trust, giving them drugs, alcohol or gifts, asking them to perform sexual acts as a favour or in exchange for something

• the movement of children within the UK for the purpose of sexually abusing them (also referred to as internal trafficking)

• the trafficking of children into the UK from other countries for the purpose of sexually abusing them

• controlling a child through physical or psychological means or through the use of drugs for a sexual purpose

• receiving money or goods in payment for someone to have sex with a child (also referred to as child prostitution)

• paying or exchanging goods for sex with a child.

GIFT Wellness

We had a huge response to the moving story of Zareen Ahmed in this month’s issue, so we are both delighted and honoured to bring you the feature article on the unique product Zareen developed to support The Halimah Trust in honour of her daughter.

You can turn Mother Nature’s monthly gift into helping yourself and others. A truly revolutionary product, GIFT Wellness are sanitary pads which actually make your periods easier with the use of FAR Infared technology. The only one of its kind on the market, it is beautiful and nurturing for you and the young women who benefit from The Halimah Trust.
http://goldenroom.co.uk/issue/april-2013/article/your-look-your-style-gift-wellness

My Story: Raising a Bi Cultural Child

Val’s story is likely to resonate with many of GOLDENROOM’s readers. From a White American family, well off and well educated, Val then fell in love with a uneducated Mayan man. His values appealed to her and she was entranced by the Hispanic culture. But sadly, after the birth of her daughter, Val’s husband left, leaving her with the challenge of raising her bi cultural child as a single parent.

How to ensure that your child has access and information to both their cultures under these circumstances? Well, as we are sure readers will agree, Val took extraordinary measures to provide her daughter with the best of her Hispanic heritage. This included learning Spanish, speaking only Spanish in their home, and even relocating to New Mexico, an area with a predominantly Hispanic and Native American population. But Val’s duty as a parent also meant protecting her daughter from the unique prejudices face by children of mixed heritage. Read all of her unique and sometimes difficult story at:

http://goldenroom.co.uk/issue/april-2013/article/my-story-vallee-rose-raising-a-bi-cultural-child

Religious Fervour or Child Cruelty? The case of Zaidi and the ritual of zanjeer- zani?

The case of Syed Mustafa Zaidi was always going to be complex.

Zaidi took his two sons to commemorate the festival of Ashura at the Shia Centre Mosque in Manchester. As Shia Muslims, the festival included the ritual of zanjeer-zani the practice of self flagellation to commemorate the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

The management of the mosque centre had made a ruling that children would not be allowed to participate. Either Zaidi was unaware of the ruling, or he disregarded it, but either way, his teenage sons participated in the ritual. The celebration quickly deteriorated and ultimately Zaidi was charged with two counts of child cruelty.

But the witness statements were sometimes unreliable, and Zaidi’s own testimony contradicted itself. Both the Crown Prosecution Service and the police, acknowledged it was an unusual case, which appeared to hinge on the tension between religious rights or obligations and children’s rights.

But there was more to this case then what appeared. A more careful examination revealed there were tensions between Zaidi and his ex- wife, the mother of his children. A pre sentence report concluded that Zaidi was less motivated by religious fervour than he was by his need to exert familial control. The evidence showed that this occasion was not the first time Zaidi’s sons had participated in zanjeer- zani, so why did their mother involve the police in this instance? Their were allusions to cultural differences. To add to the complexity, the practice of zanjeer- zani is open to quite a high degree of interpretation and variance in practice.

The underlying facts and motives of this case are wholly unsatisfactorily explained and suspect, indicating that a so called clash of civilisations, between the West and Islam, between faith and a secular society, may well have deeper, more banal motivations.

http://goldenroom.co.uk/issue/april-2013/article/from-the-bench-religious-fervour-or-child-cruelty-the-ritual-of-zanjeer-zani