BLACK PHOENIX
BLACK PHOENIX
ALEXANDER PAUL Alexander, a Warwick University undergraduate studying Politics and International Studies, collapsed in March 2016 and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumour. He was a prolific poetry writer in his teens and eventually pursued his passion to become a spoken word poet. He wrote about many subjects such as, stop and search, street life, student life, family, faith and mental health. Alexander was a very athletic and sporty person and in his younger days was passionate about football. He played at county level and was scouted for a London team until he decided football was not a career he wanted to pursue. He was also a great fan of Michael Jackson and had perfected his moonwalk dance, showing it off whenever an occasion arose. He loved people and was a confident show person. Alexander met Theresa May’s former advisor, Nick Timothy in 2014 who later invited him to Parliament where he met Theresa May who at the time was Home Secretary. He shared his views about the injustices he experienced under abusive stop and search powers and was later invited to speak at the Conservative Party Conference that year even though he was not a party member. He gained some media interest because of this exposure including after he passed away in June 2017 and also when the book was launched in June 2018. Alexander was 21 when he collapsed and was subsequently diagnosed with a glioblastoma, the same as Dame Tessa Jowell. Theresa May as Prime Minister, paid a moving tribute to Alexander in her conference speech in 2017 and an Obituary appeared in The Mail newspaper as well as coverage on BBC London News and local newspapers. To fulfil Alexander’s desire to publish his poems and set up an organisation to help young people to freely express their pent up emotions, his mother, Joanna Brown collated his work and published the book “Climbing Clouds Catching Comets”, writing a short biography followed by a selection of his work. Alexander loved people and longed to see a more peaceful world. He would greet everyone with “Love and Blessing”. Afua Hirsch, author of “Brit(ish)” wrote a review on the back of the book “To read Climbing Clouds Catching Comets is to clamber inside the mind of a writer whose talent fizzes on the page; with love, pain, empathy and a wisdom far beyond his young years.” 30 BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2018
Greatness never leaves. It is the energy that transfers from one being to another Just like traditions continue yet evolve; We used to worship the Sun and now we worship the Son. Time is a cycle that man will never understand completely. As I run towards the past I stare at memories of my future; I walk with the same spirit of Malcom Educating young brothers who sell drugs the same colour and consistency as talcum Powder. Power is inherent As I consistently aim to achieve beyond your expectations: I write with the vigour of a thousand Africans picking cotton. I am a slave to the talent my master has given me. I am blessed because Martin has forgiven me In my dreams. I have foreseen events that constitute a time where we are no longer In a desolate place. Conversations with Kinte and Kuti about how the motherland continues to be raped Leave the arteries of this dying African heart in disarray. But there is a beacon of hope Echoed by the words of Steve Biko: Black is beautiful. But sometimes beauty is not recognised Even by those that possess it. Garvey galvanised the mind of many; Stimulating black brothers and sisters To acknowledge their worth Even through stressful times For pressure makes diamonds. We are those diamonds. But our heroes and leaders were killed In the same cruelty Reminiscent to the gallons of blood spilled amongst the wooden Floors that held us captive. Captivate your own minds, I say The teachings of those before you lead to a future better than now. Sister, let no man diminish your worth! Use the life of Maya to inspire Yourselves to create women who do not burn or singe from The harshness of life’s fire But are reborn.
Let Angela remind you that although society cannot handle the Flame that keeps your passion burning You are not aggressive, obsessive, possessive Just Expressive. I urge you to never forget this: The warmth of your hands cultivate cultures sculptors could never create.
The everlasting presence of past figures caress your future. The fingers clasp onto the very essence of positivity But also guide you to a better now. I say do not burn the history that breeds you; never forget where you came from. The journey is not over It is a long walk to freedom.
