2011 looks bleak for young people. Today it was announced that banker’s bonuses will not be restricted whilst student’s fee will be rising, EMA will be scrapped and youth centre’s will close. Banks should be treated like dogs and be put on economic leashes but instead there given free reign to proverbially pee on the free market.

My local youth centre: The Canada Villa Youth centre based in Mill Hill may also be closing after April. I host poetry jam’s there each Monday with my colleague and fellow poets Arjunan were we formed youth poetry collective called ‘Words Apart.’ The centre also hosts Rithmik music sessions for any young people to come in and use.

A crucial part of growing up is being able to express yourself and Canada Villa allows young people to do this musically or poetically. By categorically castrating youth centres, the coalition will see the unfortunate consequences of their blasé and careless actions.

I know some politicians in government will value money rather than humanity. So, economically speaking taking young people through juvenile delinquency will cost more in the long term compared to keeping a youth centre open.

It’s not all about avoiding ‘high crime rates’ when discussing youth centres. The detrimental association of the ‘youth’ and ‘crime’ is over-played in the national media. Moreover, youth centre’s become a spark in a young person’s life, to change, to enhance their knowledge and to become better human beings. I see that change in other people and I see that change in me each week.

The coalition are taking welfare and making it un-fair. One of the things which makes Great Britain ‘great’ is the fact that it offers so many services which we often take for granted. All this talk about saving our children’s futures’ is as hypocritical as George Osborne fly-kicking a hobo before saying we must look after the homeless. Rather than ‘plant the seed for the future’ they are in essence destroying the roots.

There are number of ways young people can keep the Canada Villa Youth centre alive by taking direct action. By writing a letter expressing how you feel about the centre closing to your local MP.

NB: The aforementioned youth poetry collective ‘Words Apart’ will be performing at the ‘Rumi Festival’ in North Finchley Arts Depot this Saturday at 2pm, for more information: www.wordsapart7.blogspot.com. The Rumi Festival will celebrate the poetry of ‘the Shakespeare of the East’ Rumi.

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