Taxi Driver
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"To me they are all spies - the undercover police." Majid feels he's being watched while out at night with friends.
Transcript
"I was born in the UK - third generation British Asian male, yet I feel as though I live on another planet. Still living at home, aged 25 with my parents. Both of whom worry about the emergence of East and West and the susequent loss of religion.
I feel angry that I am subjected to morning-after interrogations whenever I stay out late. Am I different?
As a young boy I was encouraged to explore the environment with my friends. But now this has all changed. I feel that whenever I go out at night I am watched and, surprisingly, it's the taxis that are to blame.
Yes - the taxis. I am never worried by the darkness of the night as my thoughts are never too far from the taxi rank - that seething pit of Asian paparazzi, an army of watchers patrolling the night. Parked outside the more illuminated places of supposedly ill repute, waiting for a familiar face to report back on.
I know there is a network linking the taxi-drivers to all Asian parents - I just need to find the evidence. I'm not crazy. Surely I can't be the only one that sees the connection!
Am I special? I have nothing to hide. I haven't done anything wrong. Why must I follow the age-worn tradition of work and marriage by cultural pattern?
For now, I'll continue walking in the shadows, never openly question my situation, but feel safe in the knowledge that I am capable of finding my own way home."
An interview with the author
Please tell us about yourself
Although I was born in Leeds, my family quickly relocated to Wales when I was two years old. So I regard myself as a Welsh boy at heart. Being the youngest of five children I guess I was viewed as the spoilt one. I was always allowed to stay out later and stay up longer than my brothers and sisters ever did at my age. I would argue however, that I used this time wisely by taking a keen interest in sport.
What's your story about?
My digital story revolves around Cardiff city centre and the taxi drivers that navigate their view through it. It is more an Asian social / cultural commentary than a story, but it is a realistic state of events which to other cultures would seem really funny. Local taxi drivers (most of whom are from ethnic minorities) stand as watchful guardians of the Asian youth. Parked outside of clubs, snooker halls and bars, the taxi driver has access to your secret life and will waste little time telling your nearest and dearest of your activities. Funny? I guess it is, until you're at the receiving end of what amounts to a first class interrogation from your family members.
Why was it important for you to tell this story?
Although there is a large population of Asians living within the UK and over the years the culture divide has become less apparent, it has not disappeared due to the secret surveillance of the older Asian generation and the taxi drivers.
Your comments
"Majid, the solution is simple - a pair of novelty glasses and moustache can do wonders ..."
Afatsum Zanher, Cwmbran."Majid, I feel your pain but at the same time I also feel that I should stand up for the "taxi drivers". Not all taxi drivers are part of the paparazzi culture - I should know because my father is one. I think you should look to someone like David Beckham for inspiration - he is a giant of a man who has come through a mountain of adversity to triumph at last. I look up to him. I think he's really good."
Sam Panaki, Cardiff."What an interesting story, I learned something new. And he showed how serious it was to him, and how scary it is if you can't get away from something, without losing his sense of humour."
Eleanor, London."Majid - you will find your own way home ... but speaking for those of us British Asians who don't have our culture to fall back on ... tradition and culture have a value and worth more precious than any gold. Be proud of where you come from and enjoy the journey to where you are going to."
Lakshmi, Wrexham."Interesting story. I'm not sure either whether Majid, and all of us, should be comforted or anxious. It depends on the motive and perspective of the spies. It could be a protective force for the good or intrusion and control. I guess either way the dialogue - drivers to parents and parents to children - allows issues to be raised. Like Majid some drivers must feel they are caught between two worlds."
Barbara, Ciltwrch.
