Addressing Social Inequalities

In the current economic climate, and in line with the equality and diversity agenda, all responsible organisations are increasingly focusing on reaching out to the minority groups amongst our population; whether this is based on ethnicity, religion, age, sexual preference or other factors.

Where there are issues with regard to proportional representation or access to health and education services, for example, much of the time is spent on forming task groups and forums in an attempt to address what is perceived as the problem.

As might be expected, as a result of the resources put into these fact-finding exercises, someone, somewhere, has to ensure that ‘outcomes’ are met; to please the box tickers perhaps?

Personally, I am always left with the feeling that much of the time, effort and money put into reaching out to hard-to-reach groups is out of balance when measured against the results actually achieved.

Whilst I believe it is absolutely right to want to work towards an inclusive society, one where we are tolerant and understanding of others, what we must not forget is that in many cases people will not want to be singled out for special treatment or engage with officialdom.

Where individuals do choose to engage, as in much of the rest of society, it is often a small number activists who do so, and who do not necessarily represent the views of the wider community they are part of.

What worries me most is the tendency for those being tasked with taking action to be patronising in their approach, wanting to put us in boxes, with labels. I have spent my life going out of my way to avoid being pigeon-holed in this way.  

We are in real danger of excluding the vast majority of our society who are increasingly feeling disaffected. All most of us want is to be able to get on with our lives with minimum interference.

Sadly, in the case of the survivors of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower, they are now suffering from an overdose of do-gooders falling over themselves to offer support. The cynic in me is inclined to think that guilt may well play a part in this sudden flurry of activity.