I went into the centre of Brighton yesterday for the first time in ages. Internet shopping along with the road works on the A259 have conspired to make this the case.
Anyway, I was struck by how different the centre of Brighton is to the centre of Reading. Reading and Brighton both have reasonably large over-seas-originated populations (though perhaps Reading more so). Both towns are roughly the same size and Brighton is prettier. The main difference that I wish to pick up on now, though, is the crime and atmosphere.
Reading feels oppressive. Not architecturally, but the atmosphere is of impending crime.
Reading is a dangerous place and it has the potential to explode at some distant point in the future. Reading needs to be protected from this future and the way to do this is pointed out by Brighton & Hove.
Tolerance is one of the attributes that Brightonians are most proud of, and rightly so. There has been the occasional racist crime but they are occasional, unusual and atypical.
And why do I think Brighton is this relative haven? I would suggest that the violently inciting mural in Reading is typical. There are so many racial equality projects and institutions that the slightly racist (if I can say such a thing) are radicalised. And the minorities that are apparently being protected, imagine that there’s a rights culture they can exploit.
Britain has a proud history of assimilating migrants and Brighton is continuing it. Reading should stop trying so hard before it creates permanent damage.
Oh, and I cannot miss this opportunity to criticise Thames Valley Police, but I stand by my comments above.
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