The Somali community organisations in London who were out in force this past Monday need to consider Newton's third law of motion which provides the basis behind the principles of classical mechanics; the law of reciprocal actions:
"To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction: or the forces of two bodies on each other are always equal and are directed in opposite directions''
In this instance, because Somali community organisations act on the basis of self-interest and self-preservation the result is that the community they represent receive nothing in the way of service. The Council of Somali Organisations that convened a consultation event in Portcullis House this week sent out invitations to the great and good who worked tirelessly in the third sector representing the Somali community in London. The cross section of attendees was significant, from all parts of the capital people came forward to endorse their support of such a body. Praise was rained down upon the 6 organisations who hold the self appointed position of the Council, overseeing the activities of all the relevant third sector bodies across the city and beyond. This would include vast powers, occupying the influence of the powers that be with the hope of pushing forward their agenda. Our agenda.
The problem is however, no one in the room that the Ealing Southall MP prepared for the meeting knew exactly what the representatives from the Refugee Aid and Development, HAVSO, etc who made up the council had in mind for the betterment of Somalis. No constitution, no membership information, no details had been circulated that reflected their position that this meeting was the outcome of 18-24 months hard work. That they had pushed this far for Somalis and all we needed to do was to push a bit further ['wixii oo bislaatay ayay nu ku hor keenay' as the Daadihiye representative put it] for salvation to begin.
After hearing those numerous attendees who were over 50 years old talk about what was needed, I had to interject. Discussions were focused around the need for 'leadership' and 'consensus' nothing was raised that would in anyway shape or form reflect the need for action. You see their action is to want to secure their position, the equal and opposite reaction is the insecurity and poverty of Somalis. When I attempted to paint this picture, that is by stressing the need for better housing they were missing the point that they were in receipt of state benefits that allowed them to LIVE FOR FREE IN THEIR HOMES, the attendees fell silent. When I asked as to why a man connected with the London Somali Youth Forum could be given scurrilous information to The Times to support unsubstantiated claims about the links between Somalis and an existential threat in the UK, the attendees fell silent. When I asked about the prospect of people who were unemployed and had no connection with the goings on of mainstream society could guide anyone anywhere, they fell silent.
Then they started to talk, about misappropriation of funds and bodies who were openly flaunting their new found wealth in the faces of the needy. About the lack of skilled analysis when considering the prospects of helping the community they claim to represent. About the need to hold a full day seminar on what exactly the Council of Somali Organisations represented and where they were headed. A number of attendees came to me after the meeting and told me a number of stories that paint a picture of confusion regarding the status of some of these organisations. A number of these people added that they were not confident about the prospects for the future when the same old faces keep re-appearing for more handouts. One of the stated reasons that the Council for Somali Organisations was set up was to consider pooling resources in the light of the 'current economic climate'. That is that for every action, they are hoping for an equal and opposite reaction.
More information about this initiative will be posted as and when I receive it.
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