Balham, Gateway To ...
I spent last week-end with Balham Community Church, London. This multi-racial congregation has joined Concerned Citizens, a voluntary coalition of groups who ?listen to London?. This listening process has been extensive and inclusive. Any group is welcome to voice its concerns to CC. Muslim communities, for example, felt they were being wrongly stereotyped, and asked that councillors and officials should actually meet them. A list of the ten most commonly shared concerns was drawn up and presented to London?s mayor, who responded in some measure, at least, to each concern.
When communities who are the bottom of the social pile, or who are linked with a religion that is badly mis-represented in the media are not listened to, anger builds up that often explodes in violence. Comunities that are listened to and who feel understood usually find more creative ways of addressing wrongs. This is part of what we mean by ?healing the land?
