Sunday 7 August 2011

His name is Mark Duggan

His name is Mark Duggan.
His name is Mark Duggan.
His name is Mark Duggan.

How many of the rioters knew this?

The date: Saturday 6th August 2011
The time: Afternoon

An organised peaceful protest takes place in Tottenham following the death of Mark Duggan.
Somehow this peaceful protest march turns violent.
Police are forced to close the roads in Tottenham as rioters clash with police.
Twitter posts images of a police car on fire and the story breaks in the mainstream press.
Chaos and looting ensues.

See here for a broader summary of events.

The date: Sunday 7th August 2011
The time: Morning

Looting has spread to Wood Green and other nearby areas.

The mainstream press at this point are no longer reporting the protest march that initially took place, but rather the fact that there are riots, looting, and officers are getting hurt.

Symeon Brown, community worker had this to say on the matter.


Now what is troubling me is the reportage of this situation.
As Symeon highlighted there seems to be a failing in identifying the root cause in all of this.

There have been numerous deaths at the hands of the police, coupled with the extreme socio-economic conditions facing the young people at the moment.


Young people seem to have been at the heart of the rioting, which wasn't necessarily related to the protest, but taken as an opportunity to express their frustrations.


Balance is needed here. Articles like the one by the Mail on Sunday, see headline:
The 'gangsta' gunman killed in shoot-out with police whose death sparked riots do not help an already inflamed situation.

Similarly, opportunists and arsonists do themselves no favours for the future in terms of how they will be policed as a result of this, and how the community in Tottenham deal with the devastation in the fall out.

Aside from the so called 'community leaders' (no disrespect), where are the actual leaders of this country.
There has been no response from Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg or Mr Osborne. Interestingly Mr Cameron was able to cut his visit to S.Africa short to deal with problems in Libya, but no word in regards to problems on home soil. Even Theresa May, current Home Secretary has failed to respond.
Is Tottenham a principality of it's own?

Labour MP David Lammy had this to say:

It seems the torch paper has been lit, and it is for the powers that be to work some serious overtime on damage limitation, or this may get much worse before it gets better.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Black GIRLS and Primark

Ladies.....i know there are deals to be had in Primark....but damn....queing up from 8am because you HEARD it was HALF PRICE?!

This is Primark.

So you're all outside the new store on Oxford St-London, pushing each other because you want some £2 knickers for £1....then the doors open.
And you run down the doors like a heard of wild sea maampies, the doors fly off, a security guard is injured, and a couple of sistas are trampled.
They even called mounted police in (thats police on the animals that provide your weave's by the way). And sistas are striping down to the bare minimals in the middle of the shop to try stuff on (why wasn't i informed?).

Anyways....all i'm sayin is....sistas..............GET SOME GOD DAMNED DECENCY.


For 1.
  • The rumours weren't true - nothing was half price (so you could've stayed your arse in Streatham and gone to the local)

  • For 2.
  • You wont even strip down to the bare essentials for your man, but if his name was BARGAIN u'd shed layers quicker than a snake.


  • Primark spokesman Geoff Lancaster:
    "The ironic thing is that the people at the back of the queue, who were facing a two-hour wait, could have got on a London bus, gone to our Hammersmith store and bought exactly the same stuff at the same price. There were no special offers."

    Fast skin females.

    FOR SHAME. FOR.........SHAME.
    Mind out bredrin - there's some £4 boots that are calling girl....get me!

    Rude girl.....JAM


Who Will Help?

If eyes cried on the inside, i'd be 90% water, and my soul would drowned in a sea of mysery.

Who will help? Will you help? Someone please.

In my younger days, when the beef was on, we'd swing it out. Someone left with a bruised ego, and a burst lip - BUT YOU BOTH LEFT.

Now its all change, not one punch is thrown, just weapons. One persons runs away swiftly, and one person doesn't.

Fights over post codes destroy lifes.

Post Codes?

WHAT THE FUCK?

Which one of you YOUNG BLACK MALES owns a fucking piece of land in London? Furthermore, which one of your parents owns a piece of land in London?

Many black parents don't even own the property you live in, nor do they have a mortgage on it, NOR DO YOU PAY RENT.

He stepped on my crep, so i'm gonna dun his life.

He told me to put out a cigarette so i blazed him.

He DISRESPECTED ME........

We're all made in the image of our ancestors, and they are responsible for our prescence on earth right?

As black people we are linked. So when did the change occur that made it acceptable for us play GOD and wipe each other of the face of the earth over nothing?

And when did it become acceptable to witness such things and NOT intervene. What happened to communal responsibility?

Doesn't it take a village to raise a child?

When did the village catch fire and the adults leave?

Why do you wear your hood down so low, Dont you want to be seen?

Why do you wear all black, Are you expecting a death?

Why do you carry a strap, carry a shank, fly off the handle, call for a murkage, WALK WITH A VICIOUS LOOKING DOG?

Why bruv?

WHY?

are you scared?

Guess what brotha man, i'm scared too.

Scared that the last real BROTHA is gonna get stabbed to death trying to save a NIGGA LIKE 50.

Is this what Martin died for?

Is this what Malcolm died for?

Is this what Bob died for?

Is this what Garvey died for?

Is this what Lennon died for?

THUG LIFE. Maybe its what 2pac died for?

If eyes cried on the inside, my soul would've shipped out with hurricane Katrina.

and who would've helped?

"I got shot 9 times and i'm still trying"

Why Lewis Hamilton is one of my Heroes

We all know who he is. Formula 1's latest sensation, the rookie of the year from Stevenage.

In his debut season at Formula one he has smashed all records and it is estimated in the very new future he will be worth £100,000,000 A YEAR.

But what sets Hamilton apart from the rest of the high profile media personalities in sport's is his HUMILITY.

If ever there were a more humble 22 year old, i've yet to see him. He GENUINELY seems to love what he does and isn't involved for the money.
And his success is nothing new, he's worked dilligently to arrive where he is for 14YEARS, with the assistance of his father.

Who says BLACK MEN can't raise their children to be successful, responsible, poilte and professional young adults?

Last night i was watching a documentary on him charting his rise to success, and it seems camera's and the spotlight are nothing new to him - he has been on Blue Peter and Transworld Sport to name but a few.
Also, he is the only Formula One Driver to be contacted and sponsored by a TEAM Manager.

When he was nine he met the McClaren boss at an award ceremony and said,

"When i'm older, i'm going to drive for you" - to which the boss replied "Give me a call in 9 years". Three years later that same boss called him.


Anyway, before this becomes a full on Ode to Lewis i'll say this:
What i glean from this guy is that he is FOCUSED, and MOTIVATED by WHAT HE WANTS - has set himself goals/milestones and strives to complete them.

If you set yourself a target there is no reason why it can't be achieved.

If ever i feel like i'm not getting to where i'm going i'll read the Hamilton success story and keep it moving.



CHANGE IS COMING, ARE YOU COMING TOO?

Lost In Thought

Preword

Imagine I was actually lost in thought, and this came to me. So if I looked anti-sociable the other day, it was because I was writing this on my phone.

Lost In Thought

Lost in a moment of thought.
Drifting into the realm of unconscious on a whim.
Assessing the array of complexities that make up that which is day to day.
Planning for the future, reflecting on the past.
Reveling in good memories, despairing in bad.
Laughing with friends, holding close to your beloved.
Or simply lost.
Looking for answers to questions that aren't yet apparent.
Where present thoughts lead to are a future mystery, whilst memories of yesterday are foregone history.

Then,
just as easily as you slipped away, you
return.

Clarity from a moment....Lost In Thought.

The Tide of Change

DISCLAIMER:

[This isn't a new blog, but one I've reposted from my facebook. Written on Thursday, 06 November 2008.]

The sun encroaches on the horizon, changing the hue of the night sky from a mystic black to a warm amber.
Birds sing in the trees and the leaves give sway to the morning breeze.
Those that toil with calloused hand rise from their slumber.
And so dawns, a new day.

Children eat their breakfast before heading to school.
Parents grab a quick coffee before kissing their loved ones and head out to work.
Jeff the golden retriever wags his tail as the radio hum's the news,
a political story covered by all stations and frequencies. And so begins a new day.

The trains, buses, cars and planes, all modes of transport and their numerous passengers talk amongst themselves.
Most do not know each other, though everyday they share the same intimately packed spaces.
Today heralds conversations amongst them. Smiling faces, nods of approval, open postures and casual banter.
Something is different, change is in the air.

The sweepers of roads, avenues, streets and boulevards clear the excess of debris.
Remenents of celebration and jubilation from the evening just gone.
Newspaper stalls filled with similar headlines, captions and one face in particular.
The face of a man and his wife, and his children.

This is the face of the most powerful man in the world.
The most responsible man in the world. A man adored by many the world over. Of all creeds, all colours, all sexes and all nations. A new reason for Africans and people of colour the world over to now maintain a renewed sense of pride and self worth. A man that has inspired many to decree 'YES WE CAN'. His name is hope. His name is Obama.

The Power of Positive Thought

DISCLAIMER:

[This isn't actually a new posting, as it's been on my facebook since Tuesday, 15 September 2009. But I've been reminded that not everyone can see those so why not have them here too!]


Hey peeps, whats good?

Hopefully at least one thing.

Now, the reason I write this blog today...well, reflection really. No-one is getting any younger (myself included) and at some stage each year I take some time out to reflect on my achievements and what i've yet to achieve.
Note I didn't say FAILED to ACHIEVE.
This is the first element of this note on Positive Thought.

Achievements don't always occur when you expect them to, but putting your mind and your will to them WILL result in them occurring.

Now its not easy in these economic times, many skilled and experienced people have found themselves unemployed (stand up Lehman brothers!) and the competition in the jobs market is fiercer than it has been for many years. I'd often find myself complaining to some of my friends about how I don't much like my job at times, but the fact is, I ACTUALLY STILL HAVE A JOB.

Worse still, some of the people I complain to DON'T have a job, so gratitude for my employment is probably more appropriate than anything
.

Now before I digress (not always easy sticking to my point, bear with me) let me get to what i'm trying to say:

POSITIVE THOUGHT can and does lead to progression in many areas of your life.
Think about it (lol), how much energy does it take to smile than it does to frown, or to say something nice to the man shoving a London Lite in your face rather than cussing him out, or being polite to the customer service person at t-mobile when they've messed up your bill
(I guarantee if you are polite to Sally/Jessica/Amanda, she'll waive some of the charges on your account).

The same applies to your life and your goals.
If there are things you want to do, places you wish to go, accomplishments you strive for, don't loose sight of them, and when a challenge/obstacle arises, turn it around and treat it as a positive, or a lesson.

Keep a positive aura around you and you will attract positivity, FACT.

Try it.

Thanks for reading, hope this brings you good vibes and good times.
Much Love.

Sunday 27 February 2011

The Importance of Association


From reading some of my previous blogs you would've gathered that I am employer deficient at present. So I have taken to various ways to try and enrich myself. I keep myself up to date with what's happening in the media, I keep up with my gym and I play Badminton where possible.
I've got my books, and I've got my DVD's, as well as my ever growing music collection.
But most importantly I have my friends and family.

I'm going to put special emphasis on my friends for the moment, for they are the very reason i'm writing this.

I speak to my friends daily. They keep me in the loop via emails, text, whatsapp, phonecalls so I don't miss out.
They keep my spirits up, they make positive suggestions when I'm not feeling so, they show me options I mightn't see otherwise.

All my friends are employed (well, most of them). And they all *seem* to have themselves in order. They're going places, making plans, aiming high.
Some of them work for big companies, some of them have their own businesses.
ALL of them are achievers.

That was the important part. They are all achievers.
They all set themselves targets, achieve their targets and set new ones. A few of them have been where I am, so they can empathise.
But they're all making something of themselves, or at least trying.
None confine themselves to their situation either, in fact all of them have said they would emigrate should the opportunity arise, so it's evident their views are not microcosmic.

All of these things set the bar for me.

If I choose to surround myself amongst greats, I can't afford not to be right?
I'd be doing a disservice to the team and myself.
So I can only strive for great things, and aim high.

It would be easy to conform to the stereotype, make a few phone calls and enter the seedy world of hustling, but long for that, I can only aim high.

I'm working on a few things, so not too long I hope, but I'm definitely aiming for full stretch.

Thursday 10 February 2011

Don't Let MTV Raise Your Daughter


A London student has died of a heart attack after having an illegal buttock-enhancement injection in a hotel room in America.

Claudia Aderotimi, 20, was allegedly injected with "industrial silicone" normally used as a sealant. It is thought the substance was injected directly into a vein by mistake.

Increasing numbers of women are having the procedure because they want fuller figures like stars such as Jennifer Lopez or Beyoncé. A former Miss Argentina died after having buttock implants.

Ms Aderotimi is said to have gone to America with three friends to have the injection, which can cost up to £2,000, in room 425 of the Hampton Inn hotel in Philadelphia.

Speaking outside the family home in Hackney, her sister Vivian said: "We found out yesterday. We're still in shock. We need to think about what we have to do."

Police believe cheaper industrial silicone may have been used in the unlicensed procedure rather than medical grade silicone used in breast implant surgery. It is believed that one of the women she had travelled with to Philadelphia had paid £1,120 for a hip enhancement using the same technique.

Source:

Evening Standard

Peter Dominiczak

Feb 11th

What is going on people?

No really, that wasn't a rhetorical question, this inquiring mind wants to know when university students started spending their 'hard earned' money on trips to Philadelphia to be operated on in hotel rooms, so that they could fulfill their life long ambitions of becoming video vixens.

Okay, let me not be so presumptuous, we don't know all the facts yet, but from what it seems, these young ladies risked their lives, and one paid the ultimate price for the most superficial of gains. God rest her soul, but this was a senseless waste of a life. I don't suppose our parents came to this country, took on 9 cleaning jobs, and paid for their children's schooling, for them to wake up one day and say "Nicki Minaj is my hero mummy, not you".

Why would anyone want silicone in their butt? Or in their breasts for that matter? Or a tan, or liposuction?

I've got a theory myself:

1. MTV

Or Music Video Television, so that can broadly cover the whole spectrum of music channels.

The videos reflect the substance free misogynistic rap crap that the ignorants call hip-hop music. The likes of Nelly, Ludacris, Chingy(who?!) promote women shaking it and dropping it low. Flo-rida's latest jaunt doesn't even give the girls the deceny of face time, it is literally a butt fest *shakes head*.

Now young guys (and sadly older guys too) eat these videos up, and start creating these expectations of how they want their women to be.

Public Service Announcement guys:

Those girls are not a true reflection of females. Most females have jobs, and don't have the time to work out 24/9 so probably don't have pefectly toned bods and butts, ergo VIDEOCHICKS ARE NOT REAL.

So young women, wanting the attention of men, try to emulate video girls.

If they tell you, i'm just doing me, don't believe them, its nonsense. How many young ladies shaved off the side of their head, or dyed their hair red coincidently after Rhianna came out with a new video? They're doing 'her' to get with 'you'.

Here we are in 2011 and self respect is as rare as an Orthodox Jew in Upton Park. And wherever there is an opportunity there's money to be made. Parent's please don't be oblivious to what your children are listening to, because if they hear enough nonsense they will start to believe it.








Wednesday 2 February 2011

5 Reasons Why Unemployment Isn't So Bad

Ok, so how am I going to write one straight after the other?
What can I say, once I get started, the energiser bunny gets nervous, ya dig!

So, in my time of plenty (or should that read in my plenty of time?!) I have found various ways to amuse myself aside from betting against myself how fast the recruiter via totaljobs will email me back and say 'unfortunately you have not been successful at this stage, we wish you all the best in your job search'.

1. The Wire
Now, my boy called me a fiend.
I said "No i'm not, I can stop whenever I'm want". Thus solidifying his point *sad face*.
From the first week of January up until the final week of January I managed to watch season 1-4.
Yes you read me right. Do you know how many hours that is?
Wars have been fought and concluded in shorter time I kid you not, but that's what I did.
No I'm not proud of it, but damn that show is compulsive viewing. I virtually sat there with the mouse wrapped around my arm taking it in on an audio/visual one.
Suffice to say I had some interesting dreams as a result *shakes head with embarrassed face*
[Sidebar - I washed and ate....and am fortunate to have a very understanding girlfriend]

2. The Book Collection
I like my books. Ask my dad, he was buying them for me when 'click suits' and Tim Westwood were 'in' (sorry Tim!) And now I can point indiscriminately at my little library and get my knowledge on.
Yay!

3. Start-up business.
Or business venture.
Pretty self explanatory really. I know business takes capital, but ideas are free, and I have loads of pens, so like 'The Brain', my plans for world domination (or to make it out of Beckton, minimum) are coming along nicely.

4. Decreased expenditure.
How do you spend what you don't have?! Call in the Labour government, they'll show you.
Na joke.
Ok i'm not totally destitute, I'm getting that 're up money' ya feel me (The Wire Slang for those not in the know. In this context I mean 'that JSA money').

5. The commute.
I'm smiling right now like 1+1=7 and i'm confident in my answer.
I DO NOT MISS THE JUBILEE LINE or DLR.
That Jubilee line has the same level of frequency as Haleys comet. And as for a seat? ForGedabourrit. I was nostril deep in armpit and weave (I know it's your hair because you paid for it...blablabla) on a regular from Canning Town to London Bridge. As for that DLR, what kind of substandard rollercoaster is that, when it's running on time that is, sheesh.

Now I can wake up at unfeasible o'clock, grab a munch and do what I will with my day.

[Remember those shampoo adverts where the woman said "Now, I just wash and go"? Me, I just GO AND WASH, with my 3pm morning breath and eye bogeys *ragz*]

So as I write this, I'm wondering what I will do with tomorrow.
Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised with a good prospect via phone or email.
Maybe I'll make another mixtape of slushy 90's r&b or hiphop classics?

Or pump up my basketball and go work on my free throw.......... coz ya dun know no1 will be on the courts!!!

Peace family :)

How do you stay upbeat in an economic downturn?

Well.
I figured I should write this disclaimer beforehand.
The reasons behind this blog are quite selfish.
This is more of a cathartic exercise for myself. 'Better out than in' I believe the saying is.

So I know I'm not the only one caught up in the midst of this climate of redundancies and fear for the future, but It can feel very personal at times.

Anybody out there signing on?

Not the best experience is it? You feel patronised by the adviser who questions you for being a minute late like your mum would when you get in after school, or having to carry the grey signing on book around with you like you're going to the bookies straight after.
Not cool right?

Now imagine that 2months prior you were on the other side of the desk as an adviser.
Irony of irony's I hear you scoffing wryly, and it is kinda funny, but there it is, that's where I was, and this is where I am now!

[Sidebar - I was at a function, and a female said to me "So what do you do?" I said "I'm unemployed, but I used to work in the jobcentre"
So she retorted "Well surely you could've got yourself a job"........oh if Tigerknee's were socially acceptable...sigh *disappointedface*]
[Further sidebar - GBH or ABH are neither correct or legal in a caught of law]

So back to the initial question, how do you stay upbeat in an economic downturn?

Answer?
Darned if I know!
Honestly I don't believe you can be upbeat 100% of the time, that's not realistic is it. We humans are emotional creatures, we laugh, we cry, we kiss our teeth at black families on Eastenders, but we are never the same all of the time.
We all have days when we're brimming over with confidence.
You wake up feeling like 'Yeah, today's MY DAY', 'This job's got me all over it, i'm a shoe in'.

Then you wake up on other days, open the curtains and there's no sun, you get three rejection emails, you start wondering why no one responds to your applications, do I have anything to offer employers that 72 others don't havex12? And are cynical when your nearest and dearest tell you 'Don't worry, this isn't forever, something will give'.
WHEN? Might be what you feel like asking. In fact I asked that today. Frustration is a.....

So I suppose it's about finding balance.
Filling the void.
Maybe the problem lies in what you do to occupy your time.

If the answer is:

A. Nothing
B. Watch Jeremy Kyle/Jerry Springer/Judge Judy
C. Exasperate at how everyone else is doing so much better than you, and ask God why me.....

THEN YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME.

A. Do something.
Go and wash. Educate yourself/learn a language. Update your skills. Give back to the community. Go visit your nan/granddad. Hit the gym, go hard or go home/get hench or cry trying/shut up and train etc.
B. Don't depress yourself further by watching other low achievers disgrace themselves because they wanted a free paternity test/stay in Premier Inn Manchester Central/a public way to burst out of the closet.
C. Everybody else ISN'T YOU, so any such comparisons are only going to leave you feeling worse, and depending on the individual that can lead to all sorts......CHOOSE LIFE PEOPLE, have a green tea maybe.
Everybody has a purpose, and though it may not be apparent at the moment, it will be revealed eventually [SIDE BAR - check this book out In The Pursuit of Purpose by Myles Munroe].

Now, have a look at this, it's my first blog:
http://theroadtomanhood-forgingyourownpath.blogspot.com/

I wrote this because a friend of mine was in a similar position to where I am now, and I didn't know how best to manifest my support to him.
Whether or not it helped the friend isn't so important, however what is, is that the friend struggled, faced some ups and downs and is now in a place that at lows points couldn't see.

If you are of any particular faith I don't need to tell you that you will more than likely find some comfort/the answer, in your holy book.

Here are some examples from the book I'm familiar with:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;


Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.


Philippians 4:12-13

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - thanks for that one Aba!


For more see:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/adversity


So I suppose all of this advice Is easier said than done?
Yeah maybe.
And Lord knows I found this easier to write than to hear from somebody else, but It's all pretty straightforward I think.

Do you! Have faith and confidence in your abilities. It probably will all turn around for you, but if it doesn't, revert to your plan b/c/d/e/f (you do have a one of those, right?).

But most importantly, remember, if you're reading this that it means You are not alone.
MJ done told you, weren't you listening? I AM HERE WITH YOU!!!


And that sentiment should be a basis for you trying something different to change your situation.
I think the 'when' part is the hardest. But it will change.....right?

'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference'.


Shout out to the people that keep me above the water, you know who you are because I talk to you all daily.
More to come....