Shamima Begum

[FabioPorkpie]

An impressionable young girl, preyed upon by people trained in grooming techniques aimed specifically at the likes of her. Brainwashed by older men and her friends who painted a picture of an idyllic life. She was a child. She was groomed. She is our problem.

I love all these middle aged white blokes all over social media etc saying ‘I wouldn’t have joined a bunch of terrorists at 15’…
I’m not so sure. If when they were 14/15 they had an unhappy homelife, and attractive, older girls trained in grooming techniques started showing a serious interest in them and their pals, putting lots of work in, and over time asked them to run away with them, to a place where they promised they could just sit and watch football and play video games all day long with likeminded lads, and have sex and it would all be for the betterment of mankind, I’m sure at least some of them would have gone for it. I mean, there wasn’t a lot 14/15 yr old lads wouldn’t do for a glimpse of a boob when I was at school! I think it’s easy to forget how easily manipulated and malleable kids are at that age.
It’s easy to judge the actions of a child, but it’s much more complex than she just decided one day to become a terrorist. You can have empathy and understand that it’s not all black and white without it meaning you are excusing her actions or out and out defending her.

 

[the_holgate_roof]

How stances have changed, I remember at the time it happened on here many people baying for blood, there was no talk of vulnerability or grooming, it was definitely all about vengeance and agreeing with the stripping of citizenship. Amazing how the passage of time effects things.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

How stances have changed, I remember at the time it happened on here many people baying for blood, there was no talk of vulnerability or grooming, it was definitely all about vengeance and agreeing with the stripping of citizenship. Amazing how the passage of time effects things.

Yes, it's amazing how reason can change the attitudes of many.

Unfortunately hatred has been replacing compassion for almost 50 years in this country, there's always going to be a section of the population who want to hurt.

 

[FabioPorkpie]

How stances have changed, I remember at the time it happened on here many people baying for blood, there was no talk of vulnerability or grooming, it was definitely all about vengeance and agreeing with the stripping of citizenship. Amazing how the passage of time effects things.

Also, I think over time the picture has become clearer about what has actually gone on as more information has come to light, sometimes through investigative journalism which challenges the narrative of the more mainstream tabloid ‘journalism’, and people’s opinions naturally change when they get more information.