Peace & Carrots

I am a struggling artist, an 'artiste' not a p*ss artists (though I know a few of these). But a martial artist, a warrior, a modern day knight.

I dream of saving maidens from dragons, going to battle under the banner of all that is good, kicking a would-be mugger in the nuts, that sort of thing.

But it's not all right hooks and judo chops in the struggle for the art of 'The Sword of Peace.' As I get older I realise how much the path is one of non-violence, of dialogue and compassion. Only when really necessary will one have to club another on the head. The Japanese say that only someone who has understood and gone beyond the mutual destruction of himself and his enemy (we fight and both die) can really encompass the concept of mutual preservation (Let's not hurt each other).

The Arabic idea of 'Jihad' means the struggle with oneself, the devil and evil in the world with physical fighting only being a small part of that. This is why I'm a 'struggling artist'. The struggle to balance things; the knockouts, the kills and the peaceful resolutions is one that takes time, patience and a lot of work.

Peace and Carrots

Kemlyn

Gimme Shelter

Prisons in the UK are categorised A, B, C or D. Category A prisons are for all the most dangerous criminals, armed robbers and the like. Category D prisons include infamous 'open prisons' much derided in the tabloid media as 'holiday camps'. Oxford's Night Shelter is probably most like a Category D prison; although it is built in the same design as Category B/C I briefly stayed in, to house inmates that include no doubt senior criminals and mental health patients.

I guess however that open prisons would be largely more stable and peaceful with more interesting activities than the Oxford Night Shelter. Three pounds a day gives you a bed, three (very square) meals and constant noise, madness and low level tension between the hours of 07.30 and 22.30. All in all better than sleeping rough but a real drain on the spirit and a test of one's sanity. I can't wait to leave!

From our own correspondant
The author is someone who has spent
a number of years on the street.
See below for earlier post: 'Winter Turbulence at the Gatehouse'

Why not leave some feedback on this or your own experiences

Oxford Drinkers Need Place to meet

Drinkers need place to meet
By Reg Little

Comment Read Comments (2)
A new report is calling for the creation of a special garden in Oxford set aside for the city's street drinkers.
A "wet garden" is now badly needed to give street drinkers a place to meet up and drink alcohol outdoors in a managed way, the city council report said.
And it urges that the site should be located near the city centre, to be accessible "for the great majority of likely clients".


It said: "Although the setting up of a wet garden would initially require pump priming (start-up cash), savings would be made in the long run on arrests, hospital stays, policing casualty admissions, health care, custodial sentences, street maintenance and security."
The report from the council's community housing officer, Graham Stratford, said council officers and voluntary groups had so far been unsuccessful in the search for a suitable site.
He said: "It is probably true to say that all current sites and arrangements in the city centre, for example St Giles and St Ebbe's, have been exhausted.
"The redevelopment of the West End may offer the only possibility."
And, while the introduction of alcohol-free zones in Oxford city centre four years ago benefited local people and businesses, the zones had "displaced" drinkers from the city centre to residential areas such as Abingdon Road, Jericho and the Cowley Road.
The report said, ideally, the wet garden should be attached to a night shelter, away from schools, shopping, tourist and homes.
But restaurateur Clinton Pugh, who wants to see street cafe culture bloom in Oxford, branded the idea "ridiculous and bizarre".
Mr Pugh, whose restaurants include Cafe CoCo, the Kazbar and the Lemon Tree, said: "I thought Oxford was trying to encourage tourism. What a wonderful display this will present to visitors! It would simply encourage other street drinkers to come along to enjoy the party atmosphere."
Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said: "The whole city is now an alcohol-free zone.
"But there are still people who have an addiction. They have to go somewhere. The problem is finding a location."
The issue will be discussed at the council's central, south and west area committee on Tuesday.
8:55am Friday 9th February 2007

Green Meadow