Islington Tribune - News: Climate of fear

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Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 31 August 2007

Desmond Riley

‘Climate of fear’ as parents wonder: Who will be next?

A SENIOR figure in Islington’s Afro-Caribbean community this week called for urgent action to combat the worsening crisis among its youth, faced with joblessness and street crime.
Desmond Riley, a voluntary worker and activist, is spearheading moves to set up a pressure group aimed at improving chances for black youngsters.
He voiced his deep concern about the lack of job opportunities and subsequent rise in crime involving knives and guns among young black men.
“It seems we are living in a climate of fear and parents are wondering who will be the next victim,” Mr Riley said. “With an alarming number of young people left to their own devices, it’s all too easy for them to be lured by destructive influences.”
A volunteer at the Link-Up Centre in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, Mr Riley is convinced the Afro-Caribbean community needs a proper voice in Islington.
He added: “We need a single organisation where parents and leaders can discuss problems in our community. We also need political weight. About 20 years ago we had a black mayor and councillors on Islington Council. Today there are none.”
He said that, while the Afro-Caribbean community had successfully integrated over the years, there were still enormous problems, such as single parents struggling to bring up children without a male role model.
“There are successful members of our community who are not passing on their experiences to the young,” he added. “They could do a lot to inspire the young to study at school and go for the best jobs.”
Two years ago Mr Riley, through the Tribune, criticised the lack of jobs for young workers on Islington building sites, including Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium. As a result of his protests, a number of youth trainee construction schemes were set up.
He said: “I don’t know what the figures are but unemployment among young blacks is very high. Most of the young black men I know are unemployed. Those who are working have usually been guided by mothers and fathers regardless of whether they are together or not.
“But the majority don’t know where they are going and can’t see any future. Everything looks bleak around them. They see lots of violence on TV and films. There are very few positive messages.”
Mr Riley added: “The problem is that those who could help are too busy working. Many single mums are working while their kids are on the street.
“The children think no one cares about them. They see their fathers are likely to be unemployed. There are no youth facilities so they end up in gangs. The community must rally round and say what we can do to help.”
Those interested in forming a new Afro-Caribbean organisation should contact Mr Riley at Islingtonlinkup@hotmail.co.uk or call 020 7607 3197.

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