So the English Defence League (EDL) held their march through the streets of Newcastle on Saturday. An anti-fascist march was organised, but the notice was short and the turnout subsequently weak. At first, I was just curious to see (or, confirm for myself) what type of demographic supported this so-called party.

But then it just got too real. We could hear the crowds marching through the streets; the police warned us to get back; but before we knew it two girls dressed as goths started to hurl abuse at the crowd marching past.

Of course the police had to stop the march whilst these two trouble-makers were dealt with; things turned a bit ugly. Missiles of beer cans were thrown (I was soaked with Budweiser), insults hurled from either side, children were scared and the elderly dismayed. As my friend Michael said, ‘I think the liberals have a bit of a problem’. If we try to see it from their point of view, all we come up with is that they see the crazed killing of soldier Lee Rigby as signs that the nation is under attack from ‘militant Islam’, which, as their website claims, they seek to ‘peacefully’ protest.

But in the aftermath I was shown a video by my house-mate; an interview with one of the EDL faithful – my heart sank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjuNuqIev8M

If this is the kind of ignorance which backs up such aggressive behaviour towards ‘others’, then we can see where the problem lies. Where did the state go so wrong?
How can one isolated tragic murder generate such mass intolerance, where people from all corners of the UK come to reclaim their nation from ‘Muslamic infidels’?

I’m speechless, I really am.

Thought I’d pop in for a chat…

Things are moving a bit faster my end now, I’m finally getting my act together with language training (after which I can book flights and start saving a Malaysia fund)

The BN achieved a narrow victory at the polls yesterday, which although understandable (they have 57 years of experience at the helm, and were never going to be an easy take-down), is significant in the loss of a great political voice, Anwar Ibrahim – who signified he would step down if PR lost.

It’s May bank holiday here, a beautiful sunny day, and yet I’ve come in nice and early to start preparing the structure for my presentation on Thursday. It is significant, for it is the first time I’ve indicated my change to a more philosophical direction, and thus needs to be seamless!

Otherwise, just trundling along nicely – have my Annual Progress Review next week, and was so busy faffing around trying to upload all of the relevant documentation that I felt really exhausted by the end of last week!

So I took Saturday off, followed the Malaysian elections yesterday but am now recuperated for the second of two tough weeks.

I taught my last seminar last Friday, I like my students – considering I’ve only had since January to know them (the groups oddly change half-way through the academic year). I wish them all the best in their exams, and am certainly going to apply to teach again when I get back from Southeast Asia, no doubt.

I’ll try and blog more frequently from hereonin – update you of my fieldwork arrangements, which will likely change on a week to week basis! X