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In the latest issue of Catalyst, Sadaf Meehan looks back at the events that sparked off the Birmingham riots in 2005. Reflecting on her own experience as an Asian journalist working on black newspaper the Voice, Meehan offers a unique perspective on the issues surrounding and leading up to the riots in the area of Lozells, provoked by widespread allegations of the rape of a black girl by a group of Asian men.

Meehan highlights the existing underlying tensions between parts of the black and Asian communities in Birmingham, but goes on to examine how, through the way the papers and radio stations chose to handle the story, the local media played a powerful role in determining what happened.

In her article, Meehan looks at:

" the difficulties of being an Asian journalist working for a black newspaper at the time of and subsequent to the riots; and

" the prejudice that exists among black and Asian residents in Birmingham. A black colleague is quoted as saying he is 'sick of Asians running everything', whereas an Asian newspaper suggests that local problems are down to the 'jealousy' of black people.

Meehan goes on to discuss the role of the Voice. She questions whether the real issue subsequently became one of the identity of the paper itself, following mixed reactions from the paper's audience about its coverage of the events.

To read this interesting and thought-provoking piece in full, take a look at issue 7 of Catalyst magazine.

Catalyst is a free, bimonthly magazine for debate and analysis, published by the Commission for Racial Equality. It is essential reading for anyone interested in how concepts of race, identity, citizenship, culture and community are evolving and re-shaping the society we live in.

Issue 7 will be available from 15 January 2007, and is free to all subscribers. All content from past issues, plus web exclusives and more information about Catalyst can be found at www.catalystmagazine.org

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