Friday, September 30, 2011
Lola Adesioye about the difference between being black in the UK and being black in the US
“Being black in the UK doesn't mean the same as being black in the US,” said writer and international journalist Lola Adesioye (1980) at the end of her spoken words performance in the PenTales Travel and Migration event
During her performance the London born Cambridge graduate of Nigerian descent, who now lives in New York, also talked about identity, being a "search culture kid" and about one question that irritates her the most. "One of the most annoying questions is 'where are you from'. Because I really don't know how to answer it. Especially when I am in England."
But after her performance she said something she didn't explain. “Being black in the UK doesn't mean the same as being black in the US.” Because I wanted to know the answer from a black British perspective I asked her if should could explain the difference. So in her own words, the answer.
"For a start, everyone who is black in the UK, is a black person from somewhere else. We know that we are all children of immigrants. We are now on the 2nd and 3rd generation born of black Brits, but we know that we are not English ethnically (English still denotes white anyway), and we also know that British is a catch-all term that is meaningless in many ways because there isn't really such thing as "British culture", being that Great Britain is a conglomeration of a few countries that don't have much in common with one another.
SO, we are all black people with a strong sense of having come from somewhere else - Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Barbados, and wherever else. We still have ties and links to our heritage and ancestry. Even if a black Briton has never been to their parents or grandparents homeland, they are still raised with a sense of being African or Caribbean. There are people in the UK who still ask British-born blacks where they are from, meaning where you are originally from. This wouldn't happen in the US, unless they are asking what part of America you come from. read more!!
Singer Leona Lewis talks of experiencing racism in London store..wow.
Singer Leona Lewis talks about experiencing racism in a trendy London store. An experience that left her devastated and angry.
Via The Daily Mail
‘I went into a shop while my dad waited outside because he was on the phone,’ she says. ‘I picked out a few photo frames, put them on the side to buy them and asked the lady who worked there about some other stuff in the shop.
‘She was incredibly stand-offish with me and I couldn’t understand why. I went up to the till and, at that point, my dad came in and started looking around. He picked something up and said, “What about this?”
‘I asked how much it was, but the woman told us to get out of the shop. I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing and said, “Excuse me?” She said, “Get out of my store right now.”
‘I looked at her and asked, “Are you joking?” She said, “No, I want both of you to remove yourselves from my store.” I asked her what she meant, and why, and she said, “I don’t like the look of him.”
Pointing at my dad, she said, “I want him to go right now.” Stunned, I asked her, “What do you mean, you don’t like the look of him?” She said, “You know exactly what I mean. He’s been standing outside my shop and I want him to go. I know why you’re coming in here.”
‘She was implying that we were trying to steal stuff. She came up to my face, this close.’ Leona holds her hand a few inches from her face. ‘She was so loud, shouting, “Get out right now or I’m going to call the police.” read more
"Racial issues in the UK??? are disgusting," says US singer Kelis
Via Deeper than Twitter
US singer and Grammy nominee Kelis landed in the UK on September 12 and had a memorable, and quite racist immigration experience with her son. She took it to twitter.
“We just landed and I had the midget with me. We get in the passport control line and apparently pissed this one man off cause he thought I cut the line. Which wouldn’t be far fetched of me but this time I actually didn’t (not entirely anyway) well the point is from 0 to 60 this fat red faced sweaty “man” (I use the word man loosely here) started calling me a slave and told me to call him sir and how I was probably a disgusting nigerian. He called me kunta kinte and ranted and raved some more.
The man behind the passport desk laughed, shook his head in agreement I guess, and said “kunta kinte”. All the while the entire line full of people I just sat on a plane with for almost 3hours, over 50 people said nothing. I mean literally nothing. Didn’t flinch.
Football star Didier Drogba relishes role as Ivory Coast peacemaker!!!!
Football star Didier Drogba says he jumped at the chance to use his status as a unifying figure in Ivory Coast to help his country heal the wounds of the savage violence which erupted last year.
The striker for English giants Chelsea has answered the call to join the truth and reconciliation panel which will investigate the slaughter sparked by a disputed presidential election which left 3,000 people dead.
"It's a question of patriotism. I love my country and I wanted to contribute to the reconciliation," Drogba told a press conference to discuss his new role late Tuesday.
When the call came, he says he did not think twice.
"I could not say no. Because I love Ivory Coast so much and the country has suffered so much.
"We want peace, we want the country to go forward, to develop and I want to be part of it," he said.
In a sign of Drogba's importance to the 11-member commission, former Ivory Coast prime minister Charles Konan Banny travelled to London especially to appear alongside the country's biggest sporting figure.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Dutch Queen must remove slavery painting off Golden Carriage”
Dutch Queen Beatrix must remove an offensive slavery painting on the side of the Golden Coach, wrote two Dutch MPs in an opinion piece yesterday. They have a “great aversion” to the drawing of half naked Black men and women who offer their goods to the royal family. It's the image called "Tribute of the Colonies”.
The coach was made in the late nineteenth century. "In the colonial era and the aftermath of slavery it seemed like a very common picture. Now it reminds us of a horrible period in Dutch history, " says Harry van Bommel of the Socialist party and Mariko Peters of left-wing green party GroenLinks.
The letter was also signed by the Chairman of the National Platform Slavery Barryl Biekman and the Chairman of the Committee Dutch honour debt (Indonesia) of Jeffrey M. Pondaag. They argue that The Netherlands should apologise for slavery and colonialism and the violence that arose there after..go here to read more!!
Surprising Europe: A series exploring the realities of life in Europe for African migrants.
Taking the Leap
How do African migrants pass border controls and dangerous seas?
The first episode looks at the risky business of getting into Europe - the dangerous illegal boat trips to Malta, the French border controls where stowaways can be detected with heartbeat detecting equipment and a bleak detention centre where captured illegal migrants spend months waiting for asylum - or a return trip home.
Ssuuna Golooba, a journalist from Uganda, gives a first-hand account of the experiences of an undocumented migrant's early days in Europe, and Rapper Scorpio gives his vision on life in Europe as an African migrant.
Hopes and Dreams
Many Africans dream of a better life in Europe, but how many of them realise this dream?
The road to success is long and a lot of Africans have to deal with disappointments when they are looking for a job in Europe.
Steven from Ghana came to the Netherlands 26 years ago without papers. Now he owns a successful travel agency. His fellow countryman Michael is a seasonal worker in Spain who is feeling the consequences of the financial crisis. And two African students tell us about the price they pay for getting an education in Europe.
Making Ends Meet
How do you survive with or without papers?
African migrants in Europe have to deal with a lot of obstacles when they are trying to meet the high expectations of their families. The difficulties of life in Europe are not a message that people want to hear back in Africa.
Mobi and Emanuel, both educated as draftsmen back in Ghana, now barely make a living parking cars on the streets in Spain; Sylvia's experiences as an illegal migrant plunged her into serious depression; and Papy from Senegal lives in Rome and sings about the hardships of life in Europe.
Under Pressure
How far do you go to earn your money?
We look at the real pressures migrants face, often driving them to the dark underworld of drugs and prostitution. The responsibility to earn money and send it back home is a heavy burden for African migrants in Europe to carry.
Rose from Nigeria was forced to work as a prostitute in Italy; journalist Marie from Burkina Faso worked as a dancer in a nightclub for years; a Gambian in Barcelona feels he has no option but to sell drugs to support his family back home; and one village in Burkina Faso is financed by migrants working in Italy and sending money home... to read more go here
How do African migrants pass border controls and dangerous seas?
The first episode looks at the risky business of getting into Europe - the dangerous illegal boat trips to Malta, the French border controls where stowaways can be detected with heartbeat detecting equipment and a bleak detention centre where captured illegal migrants spend months waiting for asylum - or a return trip home.
Ssuuna Golooba, a journalist from Uganda, gives a first-hand account of the experiences of an undocumented migrant's early days in Europe, and Rapper Scorpio gives his vision on life in Europe as an African migrant.
Hopes and Dreams
Many Africans dream of a better life in Europe, but how many of them realise this dream?
The road to success is long and a lot of Africans have to deal with disappointments when they are looking for a job in Europe.
Steven from Ghana came to the Netherlands 26 years ago without papers. Now he owns a successful travel agency. His fellow countryman Michael is a seasonal worker in Spain who is feeling the consequences of the financial crisis. And two African students tell us about the price they pay for getting an education in Europe.
Making Ends Meet
How do you survive with or without papers?
African migrants in Europe have to deal with a lot of obstacles when they are trying to meet the high expectations of their families. The difficulties of life in Europe are not a message that people want to hear back in Africa.
Mobi and Emanuel, both educated as draftsmen back in Ghana, now barely make a living parking cars on the streets in Spain; Sylvia's experiences as an illegal migrant plunged her into serious depression; and Papy from Senegal lives in Rome and sings about the hardships of life in Europe.
Under Pressure
How far do you go to earn your money?
We look at the real pressures migrants face, often driving them to the dark underworld of drugs and prostitution. The responsibility to earn money and send it back home is a heavy burden for African migrants in Europe to carry.
Rose from Nigeria was forced to work as a prostitute in Italy; journalist Marie from Burkina Faso worked as a dancer in a nightclub for years; a Gambian in Barcelona feels he has no option but to sell drugs to support his family back home; and one village in Burkina Faso is financed by migrants working in Italy and sending money home... to read more go here
Boo me because i am rich and handsome'…Cristiano Ronaldo!!!!!
The Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he regularly has a hostile reception from opposition fans because he is "rich, handsome and a great player".
Ronaldo, speaking after Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win at Dinamo Zagreb, during which he was roundly booed and whistled, said he was also angry over a lack of protection from referees. During the Group D opener in Croatia he was the target of some robust challenges, one of which drew blood on his right ankle.
"We are very happy with three points we took, but I'm not so satisfied with the refereeing," he told reporters. "I hope we never have this referee again. People talk of fair-play, of protecting good players, but I never get any of that. I don't understand a thing.
"I'm sad because I hear referees saying they will protect skilful players, but while some are untouchable it seems I can be mauled."
Ronaldo was asked about the behaviour of the Dinamo fans, who gave him the kind of welcome he attracts every week in La Liga.
"I think that because I am rich, handsome and a great player people are envious of me. I don't have any other explanation."
The Argentinian winger Angel Di María scored for José Mourinho's side in the 53rd minute as Real began their quest for a 10th title in Europe's elite club competition.
What is wrong with Nigeria!!!! Robbers attact school?????
Bowen University, Iwo in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria came under attack this morning. Armed men stormed a bank located on the campus of the private university and reportedly shot dead a guard.
Two commercial banks, Skye and Sterling have branches on the campus but P.M. NEWS could not confirm the one that was attacked.
The robbers forced their way into the bank’s vault and carted away huge sums of money.
The robbers fired several shots as they escaped with their loot.
The school’s location, Iwo, is a sleepy town tucked about 50km away from Ibadan, the nearest city.
As the gun shots rang, terrified students and lecturers scampered out of lecture halls, while those in nearby hostels also ran for cover. In the stampede, scores of students sustained minor injuries.
After the robbers had fled, a police team later came on the scene to find pellets of expended bullets.
The school’s authorities were not immediately available for comments, though the Vice Chancellor was said to have witnessed the incident.
Killer falls in love with his victim and fake her death…..
A hired killer fell in love with his victim then faked her death with the help of some tomato ketchup. Hitman Carlos Roberto de Jesus, from Brazil, was paid £345 to murder Iranildes Aguiar Araujo.
He was contracted by housewife Maria Nilza Simoes, who was convinced Iranildes was having an affair with her husband.
But when de Jesus saw his intended victim he fell head over heels in love with her and confessed the plot. The pair then conjured up a plan to fool his employer into believing he had carried out the hit.
The new lovers bought two bottles of ketchup from a local supermarket.
De Jesus then got his supposed victim to rip her shirt and grip a machete under her armpit.
He then taped her mouth up, tied her hands, smothered her with ketchup and got her to lie still on the floor as if she were dead.
The ex-convict photographed Araujo and sent the picture to the 'cheated' wife saying he had killed her.
Araujo said: 'I tore my shirt, put the knife by my side here, then he tied me up and smothered me with ketchup.'
But the ruse was discovered three days later when Simoes saw the hired assassin kissing the very womanhe was meant to have bumped off. She then went to the police to complain he had stolen 1000 dollars from her.
Detectives were amazed when de Jesus told the full story in a confession.
The murder was supposed to take place last July in the small town of Pidonbacu, in the state of Bahia, in eastern Brazil.
The three suspects were grilled by police chief Marconi Lima before being released on bail.
The hitman and his 'victim"' faces extortion charges and the woman who hired him charges of making threats to kill.
Sheriff Lima said: 'In eight years of policing I've never heard anything like it.'
While a local shopkeeper remarked: 'Could Maria not see that the knife was in the woman's armpit?'
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Black flight: Black British actors are moving to the US
Via Shadow and Act
It looks likes a black flight. British TV and theatre is suffering from a talent drain of black British actors, with many looking to the US for work because of the lack of opportunities in the UK, leading figures have warned, wrote the UK magazine Stage.
High-profile performers… have warned that home-grown stars are leaving the country due to its failure to fully embrace multicultural casting.
They argue the UK does not offer enough lead roles to black performers or commission programmes reflecting the diversity of life in Britain today. By contrast, the US is considered more inclusive in its casting and as somewhere black actors can better progress their careers.
Shadow and Act wrote the BBC has “rejected criticism that UK television does not provide enough parts for black actors, claiming that the Corporation “leads the way” in diverse casting,” siting primetime drama series with starring roles for Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Second, unlike the BBC, UK’s Channel 4 admits that “casting is always an area where we could do better,” and further that they are “aware of black actors looking for work in the US;“ although, while the USA might present “wider opportunities,” they believe there’s also “more competition.” “An area where I think we can really make progress is by casting against type and taking more risks with talent. It’s an area where agents, producers and broadcasters can do more,” a rep for Channel 4 said.
Blackface Obama Billboard Sparks Outrage ….the cheapest joke ever…..
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French Star Thomas Ngijol Says… “African Americans Have No Fight Anymore”
Via Shadow And Act
”When I see some black Americans I see the end of the world. Lil Wayne is a sign of the end of the world to me. Blacks here started as slaves, move to independence and success but now you’ve crossed the line. Obama killed rap. You don’t have a cause anymore. African Americans have no fight anymore. In the music videos, all you do is party. Everyone says they’re rich, in the club poppin’ bottles.”
That’s what writer and star Thomas Ngijol of the controversial French comedy Case Depart, a film we’ve covered extensively here on S&A, said to Chloe Hilliard for Loop21.com when asked what he thought of African Americans during an interview to promote the movie. The flick transports two modern day, half brothers back to the slave era. Fabrice Eboué , who co-stars as Ngijol’s brother, co-wrote the script as well.
Grossing more than $15 million already, it’s the number one comedy flick in France. Ngijol, who’s been a stand-up comedian and actor for the last ten years, makes it clear what the film is about saying it isn’t about slavery…”It’s about not very intelligent people with an identity problem. Black men who blame the system.”
Of course, it was only a matter of time that Ngijol made a request to clarify his above quote which I’m sure was due to all the backlash he received. He later stated…”First, I respect and love African-Americans. They inspire me in my work and I have nothing but love for people who fight for their rights.. I respect black culture but it’s just funny to see the evolution from slave to bling bling. Second, I love hip-hop and Lil Wayne but it’s just sad that the industry doesn’t have a lot of other alternatives in the spotlight. I came in peace so please spread that to your reader. Thanks.”
I think Thomas Ngijol conclusions are right if he only consumes the daily images of African Americans you see on TV in Europe. On the TV, Black America is Hip Hop, basketball and crime mixed with urban culture. But as a Black man he knows that Black people are often misrepresented, so the only thing I can hold against him is that he should have been more reserved in his opinion.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sarah Forbes Bonetta.. The African Princess in Brighton
History: True story….
Author: Toyin Ashiru
Miss Sarah Forbes Bonetta, was a West African Egbado Omoba of royal blood, who was orphaned in a brutal massacre in her home country at the age of eight.
She was captured and later given to Queen Victoria by Captain Fredrick. E. Forbes of the Royal Navy who received Sarah as a gift from King Ghezo of Dahomey. Mr Forbes then gave her to Queen Victoria as a present "She would be a present from the King of the blacks to the Queen of the Whites, he later wrote in his journal.
The Queen was immediately impressed by the girl's natural regal manner, exceptional intelligence and gift for academic studies, literature, art and music that she gave her an allowance for her welfare with Sarah becoming a regular visitor to Windsor Castle. Sarah's genius became admired throughout the royal court and she continued to outshine her tutors with her advanced abilities in all studies spending her life between the royal household and Sierra Leone where she was educated.
Sarah was raised as Queen Victoria’s goddaughter in the British middle class and went to the Church Missionary Society to be educated, she also attended the Female Institution in Freetown, Sierra Leone. When she was 12 years old, Queen Victoria commanded that Sarah return to England, where she was placed under the charge of Mr and Mrs Schon at Chatham. to read more go here
Author: Toyin Ashiru
Miss Sarah Forbes Bonetta, was a West African Egbado Omoba of royal blood, who was orphaned in a brutal massacre in her home country at the age of eight.
She was captured and later given to Queen Victoria by Captain Fredrick. E. Forbes of the Royal Navy who received Sarah as a gift from King Ghezo of Dahomey. Mr Forbes then gave her to Queen Victoria as a present "She would be a present from the King of the blacks to the Queen of the Whites, he later wrote in his journal.
The Queen was immediately impressed by the girl's natural regal manner, exceptional intelligence and gift for academic studies, literature, art and music that she gave her an allowance for her welfare with Sarah becoming a regular visitor to Windsor Castle. Sarah's genius became admired throughout the royal court and she continued to outshine her tutors with her advanced abilities in all studies spending her life between the royal household and Sierra Leone where she was educated.
Sarah was raised as Queen Victoria’s goddaughter in the British middle class and went to the Church Missionary Society to be educated, she also attended the Female Institution in Freetown, Sierra Leone. When she was 12 years old, Queen Victoria commanded that Sarah return to England, where she was placed under the charge of Mr and Mrs Schon at Chatham. to read more go here
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Meet the Adebanjo’s- The story of a UK sitcom….
Meet the Adebanjo’s is a brand new independent UK sitcom released this summer about a Black British family living in Peckham.
The story of Meet the Adebanjo’s began over 30 years ago when two men met on the plane from Nigeria to the UK. They just happened to sit next each other but over the 7 hour plane journey they developed a friendship that would last till today. They both only planned to stay in the country for a few years to study but one thing lead to another – they got married, children were born and they both ended up settling in Peckham, London
Debra Odutuyo – the creator of Meet the Adebanjo’s was the daughter of one of the friends. She had grown up in a loving family full of fun and laughs and as a producer wondered why this was not represented on UK TV. She wanted to do a sitcom which promoted family values, allowed people to laugh and which gave people an insight into her British African culture. She then spent a few years developing the concept and pitching it to major TV Networks.
Not deterred by their constant refusal, in 2009 she sold her car, moved out of her flat to raise the money to produce the series herself. It was just enough for one pilot but her determination and vision impressed a long childhood friend – the son of her Dad’s longtime friend who decided to set up a Production Company – MTA Productions LTD, to make her vision a reality. Within a few months they were able to raise the investment needed to produce a full season independently and the rest they say is the Meet the Adebanjo's you are watching today.
Debra's plan is to create a whole new industry in the UK where more quality programs such as Meet the Adebanjo's that reflect a culture not shown on UK TV can be made and shown around the world.
watch the episodes now
Meet the adebanjos
The story of Meet the Adebanjo’s began over 30 years ago when two men met on the plane from Nigeria to the UK. They just happened to sit next each other but over the 7 hour plane journey they developed a friendship that would last till today. They both only planned to stay in the country for a few years to study but one thing lead to another – they got married, children were born and they both ended up settling in Peckham, London
Debra Odutuyo – the creator of Meet the Adebanjo’s was the daughter of one of the friends. She had grown up in a loving family full of fun and laughs and as a producer wondered why this was not represented on UK TV. She wanted to do a sitcom which promoted family values, allowed people to laugh and which gave people an insight into her British African culture. She then spent a few years developing the concept and pitching it to major TV Networks.
Not deterred by their constant refusal, in 2009 she sold her car, moved out of her flat to raise the money to produce the series herself. It was just enough for one pilot but her determination and vision impressed a long childhood friend – the son of her Dad’s longtime friend who decided to set up a Production Company – MTA Productions LTD, to make her vision a reality. Within a few months they were able to raise the investment needed to produce a full season independently and the rest they say is the Meet the Adebanjo's you are watching today.
Debra's plan is to create a whole new industry in the UK where more quality programs such as Meet the Adebanjo's that reflect a culture not shown on UK TV can be made and shown around the world.
watch the episodes now
Meet the adebanjos
Slavery, the game teaser trailer, but is slavery realy a game…..
Via Madnews
Slave - The Game promises to be a new upcoming "game" in 2012, according to the website and the video trailer. And it seems to be internet hit already judging by the comments and the views.
Goal of the game is to become the most powerful slave trader. The teaser states, "Go back to 17the century when Europe ruled the world. Make a tremendous fortune. Buy slaves. Discipline them. Exploit them."
But some doubt if slavery is really a game. The game website joystiqwrote. "We do wonder, if Slavery the Game isn't a game (and it's not; notice the lack of italics here), does it have a larger goal, or is this it; a mysterious website with a gruesome reminder that society can be a more powerful force than individual morality? We thought we already had one of those."
here is the trailer
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