Wilberforce Turning In His Grave... (Diversity In The City Of Hull) By Rich Mills

When I started thinking about this piece, I was originally just going to write about the evening out I had on Saturday (July 19th). I and others around me experienced the cultural diversity that Hull has to offer. A Zulu wedding, a Salsa Night in aid of Deaf Children, Déjà Vu at The Welly, my diverse bunch of mates   My banging night out! However on Tuesday (July 22nd) night I watched 'Hull's Angel', a documentary made by Hull people about Hull people. It was the story of a woman from Hull who gave her time freely and willingly to help the recent additions to our ever-changing melting-pot of a city. Following her, and her daughter, (who I knew through my own work with cities huddled masses, and political activism in Hull). We got a not altogether positive image of Hull from this piece of documentary film-making. In fact with scenes of 'Little Beirut' being a major focus of the film, it didn't look good for us here in Hull at all. The almost slum like squalor that the disparate remaining residents of that small enclave between Anlaby Road and Hessle Road, somewhere!

I sat and watched the documentary with my friends and family in stunned silence! Why? Because we suddenly realised we all live in a city trapped in a time-warp, resistant to the kind of changes that happened across the country's inner-cities generations ago. We are a multi-cultural country, simple as   Probably one of the most concentrated mixes of differing cultures from all over the world in this geographically tiny country, but with a big personality. We are the mongrel breed! Heinz 57, as they say, and proud of it. That is what makes Britain great, our diversity, and ability to handle change. We have a long history of being invaded, and the recent influx of refugees and asylum seekers is hardly an invasion party. Up until a few years ago, Hull was known as a 'White City', because that was the majority of the faces you'd see on the streets of Hull. Local born white working-class, that was the credentials of the majority of the city's residents once upon a time. But times they are a changin', now no-one is quite sure what it means to be from Hull. What is it that makes you want to describe yourself as an 'ully! It appears we must broaden our definition of what we regard as a fellow citizen in this city. As if we are to start excluding our most recently arrived residents, then surely we must also exclude other immigrants into the city who were not Hull born.

What do I tell my friends? Many of whom have lived here years, and can be found to slip into Hull-isms like naturals from time-to-time. They feel they are 100% Hull and proud, carrying the banner for Hull wherever they go. Do I now tell them they are all sadly mistaken, or in fact delusional, to think that they could ever proclaim themselves to be from Hull. A right only bestowed on those born within the sound of howling fishwives, and the smell of the Cocoa Mills. Yeah right! I can see them falling for that one. They'd tell me where I could stick that idea! And to some extent that is what would define them as being an adopted 'ully! It's an attitude, a way of seeing the world around us, and having a strong opinion about it. Everyone who is from Hull, or has claimed sanctuary here over the years have one element in common. Despite the ever growing diversity of this city, there is I feel a common trait that defines what is to be from Hull. We all have an opinion about the place   good or bad   Usually bad! However that is our right as citizens of Hull. We have a right to slag the place off, but woe betide anyone from outside who comes in and starts whinging about the place. As then they will meet the acid-tongue of an 'ully on the defensive.

Angels And Demons continued (Diversity In The City Of Hull) By Rich Mills

Don't mess wiv us! You'll regret it! Is the warning before the onslaught. And there are many I have come across in my travels all over the world, that when you mentioned that you are from Hull, after you've got over the shock that they've heard of the place, you notice that they recoil in fear. "I won't mess wiv you then mate," is the humorously delivered defensive tone of those who really don't know this city and its people. We are not really violent people, just misunderstood. Don't tell anyone, but our bark is worse than our bite. We are a friendly and tolerant bunch really. Obviously we have our problems with the ignorant 'White Trash' element, but hey that's the cost of cultural diversity. They have their place I suppose, as warning to us all of what we could have been had we not been born with a smattering of intelligence. This city has a long history of resistance against totalitarianism, strength in our convictions, and compassion for the needs of others less fortunate than ourselves. (And coming from Hull you'd have to be pretty low to be worse off than us!) It may not always appear so to those from the outside, and at times those inside the city, but these are the virtues that makes a straight-talking 'ully what they are.

Final word: Come on Hull what is your problem? Stop the in-fighting, stop the bickering, stop feeling resentment towards your fellow citizens. Bring back the days when Black & White got on with Red & White and we all marched in solidarity on the capital of this country. Back in the early 80's, there was a time when this city emptied for a day (twice), and 90% of the population headed for London. Both our local rugby teams playing at Wembley, what an amazing event in the history of this city. The undying memory however from my childhood being, not the rugby, but the divided loyalties of rugby and geography (east & west) being put to one-side and the travelling citizens doing us all proud. As ambassadors of this truly great northern city, they showed the world what fair play and tolerance is all about. It may have only been a game of Rugby League back in the early 80's, but it left a lasting impression on me. Be proud of your city, and everything that goes to making it such a unique place. As I promise you this, there are a hell of a lot of worse places you could be living! Just ask one of our new friends what it was like where they came from. You'll soon realise why they have ended up in Hull.

Anyway none of this matters   Time changes attitudes! I look to my children who know no different than to see faces of all colours in the streets where we live. A culturally diverse city is 'normal' to them, and they will be the first generation to truly appreciate what a gift of knowledge we have in front of us. They'll wonder what all this fuss was about and laugh at our naïve ignorance. As once again our children save us from ourselves.

Fiction - The Newland Chemistry Set
	by Rich Mills "But it's raining... (dum   dum   dub-ba..!   dum   dum) Raining in my heart..." A distant wave of dash-white-line hugging radio being transmitted from the 'WHO THE HELL HAS BEEN MESSING WITH MY TUNER???' morning-show drifted through the rows of tree lined avenues and terraces. Read more...

Places to Visit - A day by the beach - Bridlington Harbour.
	This Sunday I was spoilt for choice - either to visit a Buddhist centre in "Kilham" or attend a strawberries and cream party. Opted to go and find Zen so duly arrived with my offspring (Katie and Oliver) at my friend's house (Cilla) punctually (for a change) at 11.30. Read more...