Monday 28th Jan Started off with a discussion about the poor image Loyalist areas have in the media. Two of the group were very vocal about the fact that while Loyalist action was described as such and usually condemned, the 'other side's' went unattributed and 'they' were getting away with it. I think the zero sum argument is coming into their thinking, ie if the other side is perceived to be gaining then we must be losing. There was a feeling that the Good Friday agreement needs to be renegotiated. We then discussed the areas that could be covered in their video. It was broken down into three areas: 1. Education. Looking at attitudes to education in Ballysillan. The pass rates for the 11+ and the attitudes of teachers and politicians to this. If young people from Loyalist areas do get qualifications, then the tendency is for them to leave. What attitude do people have to young people from Loyalist areas who get into grammar schools. 2. The Image of Loyalist Areas in the Media. Looking at the way that Loyalist areas are represented in the media, especially television. Is there a conspiracy to label Nationalist as 'good' and Loyalist as 'bad'? Why do Loyalist spokespeople come across so badly? They referred to the Loyalists as the forgotten people (echoing the risen people of the nationalists) 3. Family and Community Relationships. Looking at relationships in the family and how they affect youth behaviour. The drug culture and it's effects on family life and the community. Simon