Taking a trip down Benefits Street

Since Benefits Street hit the screens on channel 4 there has been uproar amongst the public, many complaints have ranged from ‘poverty porn’ to ‘old Victorian freak show’ and channel 4 aren’t backing down. They have defended themselves and the program itself by telling everyone exactly what it is, it’s a documentary and its real life, what’s there to apologise for?

If Britain is really that uneducated that it believes that everyone on benefits mirrors that of James Turners Street then clearly the issue isn’t channel 4’s documentary, but rather a lack of social class understanding and the way the world works.  Many have argued that the program portrays everyone on benefits as those who are shown on the program and that channel 4 is mocking the residents of the street. I think what’s really important here is to clarify that channel 4 and the production company ‘Love Productions’ have worked constantly with the people on James Turner Street for 2 years and have gone in depth into their lives and really researched these people. It hasn’t been a camera crew turning up for a few weeks, getting the dodgy bits and then buggering off.

Throughout the complaints there has been a high volume of Labour supporter’s and MP’s who have really shown their disapproval of the program. Now, we can all judge and say that it’s the peoples fault and yes to a degree it is. However, these people are earning more money on benefits than they would if they were working because of these ridiculous 91% tax rates that would be slammed on them if they were to get a job. I am in no way supporting the fact that they do not work but the Labour government has let people do this and earn more on the welfare system and now there’s a price to pay. What needs to happen is change, and if anything this program will do something about it or at least push MP’s further in the right direction. This is because a lot of viewers who are watching this program have never seen this depiction of the British in this way before. Don’t you think it is right that it’s shared with the country, rather than hiding it?

Despite the complaints, the program racked in 5 million viewers last Monday which is the highest they’ve had for any program this year! And I’m sure more will tune in tomorrow.  There are stories of single mums, thieves, immigrant workers and just your ordinary families and how they cope on benefits. It could be a love hate watch; you hate it so much that you just have to see what happens. Channel 4 has delivered once again and the program is what it intended to be, a good watch. Moreover for my last point, many have also argued that this is a poor representation of the working class. This statement could not be further from the truth. The program films the ‘non-working class’, and it by all means doesn’t even represent that – it’s just one street.  Just one street, where the majority of people are on Benefits.  This is something which people need to understand.

Do you agree?

I know that this is a really irate topic at the moment so I would really like to know your opinion. Thanks for reading,  J  

When in Rome

Fellow bloggers, I'd like to ask you how far is too far when the practice of religion is concerned? Britain is an individualist country which allows people to have freedom of religion, this means that individuals are able to practice, teach, worship, change religion or not follow any religion freely. 

It has been an ongoing political debate in parliament whether the burka, which is a full body cloak worn by some Muslim women, should be banned because of the fact it covers the woman’s whole face except the eyes.

Conservative MP Philip Hollobone proposes a bill that states “a person wearing a garment or other object intended by the wearer as its primary purpose to obscure the face in a public place shall be guilty of an offence". It adds that "a person providing a public service in person to a member of the public or receiving a public service in person from a public official shall remove any garment or other object intended by the wearer as its primary purpose to obscure the face unless such garment or other object is reasonably required for reasons of health or safety". It allows for exceptions on the basis of health and safety or "for the purposes of art, leisure or entertainment".

Although this may seem like a valid request some people argue that British citizens should be allowed to wear what they want as long as they are not harming anyone else. MP Vince Cable argues "People must have the right to choose how they want to dress and express their religion," Nick Clegg agrees commenting: "I think it is very un-British to start telling people what pieces of clothing they should wear." 

Are these MPs fighting for human rights or is it just fear of being perceived as culturally insensitive? People who are in support for the burka being banned are often labelled as racist towards ethnic minorities such as Muslims, however, when it is reserved and Muslims are attacking British culture they are not regarded as racists. Is it fair that in a British society we are not entitled to our own opinion towards other cultures without being labelled as racist?

This clip shows an example of extremist Muslim protesters opinion of British citizens. This does not represent all Muslims but is an example of racism towards British women.  

It is argued that the burka can make people feel uncomfortable as it is part of human understanding to read people from their facial expressions. When working with the public it is out of courtesy to show your face; having a hidden face, like Muslims, is another way that makes people feel uneasy towards the religion.

It has been recently reported that Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed, a terror suspect who was facing 20 different terrorism prevention orders, escaped surveillance by dressing in disguise in a burka while removing his electronic tag to free him-self from criminal convictions. Actions like this can make people un-safe as you can never be sure who is underneath the burka. If individuals began wearing other forms of facial clothing, for example balaclavas which also cover the face the government would restrict this. So this leaves me to ask you, do you think the burka should be banned in the UK? Please vote. 

Should the burka be banned?

N