Tuesday 24 March 2015

North/south divide lives on



24 March

According to Charlie Slater on Midlands today, we are going to have wall to wall sun shine tomorrow; great! But is it? For us no; you see, when we picked up Jan’s new car we spotted that the trim on one of the rear seats was poorly fitted. Their answer was to order a complete new seat cover. Tomorrow the car is being collected for the work to be done. That of course mean we can’t go out to Brum as we had hoped we would do, or at least we would have if one of us didn’t have to stop in for deliveries. And speaking of Brum …

Twice this morning there has been clear signs of blatant bigotry on FaceBook. Yes. I know that is nothing new but it really did put my back up this morning. Both instances were from people living in the south and there southern bias being voiced. One of friends is attending the Photography Show at the NEC and was wondering where his priorities should be. Someone else says it was finding his way out of Brum. OK, maybe it was joke, but a poor one. The second incident wasn’t.

Another user claimed that everywhere north of Middlesex is racist. That one should not be allowed to stand unchallenged. So I did so and a number of others have also joined in against Rhys Dawkins over it. Both of these incidents show to my mind a clear north/south divide, maybe, dare I say it – you damned right I do, a type of racism on their own part. It’s like some of the old stereo-types, like judging all Brumies as thick because of the heavy accept some of them have; everyone from the north east are lazy drunkards; all Glaswegians are drunken thugs … and so on. Now of them are right are they? That is why I get uppity about such claims.

As for Birmingham, I love the place. It is no longer a dirty black city full of closed factories and back to back house. No, the city has changed over the last 25 years. Last time I was there I met a guy in a pub who was saying he was well impressed with how city looks now. Taking a walk around the city centre is an eye opener, honestly. It’s clean and well cared for. Most of the shops are open and doing well. Do you like architecture? Birmingham has some really good examples of it, the new library being just one of them. When the new, New Street station is finished, that too will brilliant; it does now actually and it’s not yet finished. Add in the markets, China Town, Balti Quarter, museums and art galleries and of course the theatres, then there is something for everyone in town. Fancy a drink? There are a lot of bars, cafes and restaurants, sandwich bars and so on too. Why not come and visit and have a look around. You will be impressed, I promise you.

Of course, it you are so anti Brum and the north, then nothing will change your mind and stance. Such a pity that there are so many people like that around.
                 
So today I’m going to treat you to some of the sights of Brum …

All of these are within a few minutes’ walk of each other.Top to bottom, New Street Station, part of the Bull Ring, wing lion, reflection of one building on Cnetenary Sq, and the New Library on the same sqaure.


And today’s funny …

Infinitely many mathematicians walk into a bar. The first says, “I’ll have a beer.” The second says, “I’ll have half a beer.” The third says, “I’ll have a quarter of a beer.” Before anyone else can speak, the barman fills up exactly two glasses of beer and serves them. “Come on, now,” he says to the group, “You guys have got to learn your limits.”

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