Bursting the Bubble
The council estate of Blackbird Leys is something that it seems Oxford City Council have swept under the rug. The bid for European City of Culture, almost exactly coinciding with Oxford being named '31st Crappest Town in Britain' ('Slough is Better than Oxford', 9th October 2003) is nothing short of laughable. At the time, a city councillor criticised the unscientific approach adopted in compiling the rankings, but this does not address the underlying illness of which the unfortunate ranking was only a symptom.
It is impossible to deny that we are very often at a distance from the outside world. This maybe due to a relative lack of leisure time, combined with the close proximity of everything we know and love in Oxford city, but we must admit we are living in a bubble. Excuses aside, we are now becoming aware of the social problems which affect those parts of Oxford slightly beyond our immediate vision.
Oxford student activists who take pride in their social conscience have a duty to address these issues which are virtually on our doorstep. Encouraging the council to address these problems is goal which is morally valid, acheivable, and most importantly, close to home. We are part of this community and we owe it to Oxford.
The City Council have no excuses. Although they must maintain the revenues from tourism, they must also make sure that the problems affecting the everyday lives of a great number of their inhabitants are not beyond their bubble.
Cartoon: Vishesh Srivastava
26th Feb 2004