Walking on the streets of central London, one experiences its cosmopolitan vibe. On the other hand, areas are specifically occupied by distinct ethnic communities. Examples include Southall- Indians and Pakistanis, Golders Green- Israelis and Edgware road - Arabs. Each society maintains their own cultural roots which are unique, yet they also maintain attitudes which make one question the audacity of London.
A year ago, a friend and I visited Southall, walking around we spotted a famous bar named glassy junction. We entered the place, got eyed at and called a few names for being women and wanting a drink. Mentioning this to friends a few days later in conversation.. the reaction was one of no surprise. Indians in India are more liberated in this case as it is common for women to be at bars and clubs.
Southall has a famous radio station named Sunrise radio which if one tunes into on Sundays.. women speak about their social and familiar pressures. Many women are forced to move to their country of origin and marry a stranger whilst other cases mention women who committed suicide out of fear of social reputation due what others considered a 'sin´. This whole social reputation is so ironic considering the extreme differences presented to men and women in ethnic minorities. Whilst men in Southall drive their cars around blasting their music and liberated to sleep around and eye women on the streets, women are expected to live according to rules society creates and be presentable as though their sole purpose lies in marriage. Judgement lies in all, yet if people in ethnic minorities, especially women limit one another´s freedom with social expectations, progress will be rare.
This is a broad generalisation but these pressures do exist and are questionable for they are present in one of the most famous Western cities of the world where democracy is meant to rule alongside freedom.
.
