December 2015
Issue 35
Smokey Joe the Soca Master Demystifying the Honours List 1
Culturepulse would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers, advertisers and contributors a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Contents Smokey Joe, the Soca Master p.3 The Public Good p.7
We could not have come this far without you and, we hope that you would stay with us and help us grow as we take on new challenges in the coming year. 2015 has been a year with many trials but our contributors and readers have remained loyal to the progress of the publication.
Gender Equality Gap Narrows p.10 Demystifying the Honours List p.12 The Novice way to choose a wine p.15 COP21 Agreement p.18 Noma Dumezweni as Hermione p.20
Our sincere gratitude to all of you.
Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo
Culturepulse is designed and produced by Cashewmedia ltd and published online through www.issuu.com Copyright 2015 Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse but of the author/s For all enquiries, please contact Cashewmedia at 07738864335 Email: culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk
or
cashewmedialtd@gmail.com
Merry Christmas and a
Making Culturepulse magazine a success. Natalie Alicia Dookie Lyndon Brathwaite, Ansel Wong, David Wears, Chris Boothman, Nasser Khan, Malaika Crichlow, Amos Armstrong, Soshina Stephen, David Rudder, Jimmy Kainja, Paul Ade, Akilah Holder-Stewart , Michael La Rose, Rhianna Kalloo, Angelique, Dorothy Scott, Memory Pincheck, Erica Williams-Connell, Darren Lewis, Lena Pamphille, Onike Joseph and Afridiziak.
Happy New Year
David Kalloo
Editor
2
Smokey Joe…the Soca Master and dance tracks under the label Galactic Records at Eddy Grant’s studio. With Soca music on the rise Smokey was encouraged by Charlie’s Records in New York to start producing and releasing Soca music in London and with Charlie’s help Smokey began producing Soca music for many of top Soca artists from the Caribbean and London.
Adrian Joseph aka, Smokey Joe has been a DJ and broadcaster for over 40 years. He got his first club residency in the early 70`s at the London Apollo club and quickly moved on to the world famous Q Club, London’s original Soul and R&B venue, where regulars included the likes of Chaka Khan, Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Dennis Brown and The Jackson’s to name a few until the demise of the establishment in 1979.
Smokey’s affiliation with the Notting Hill carnival began over 28 years ago as a static sound system. Soca music, now the driving force and the preferred music for carnival bands soon inducted Smokey and his crew as an indelible part of the carnival procession, providing mobile music for revellers.
Smokey came to England in 1961 but it wasn’t until the mid 70s that he started out as a Disc Jockey playing Soul music in West End clubs. Like many of the top DJs today, he got into Pirate radio and soon started to introduce Soca music to the London audience. It was a new genre created in Trinidad by the late Ras Shorty I and helped along by a young calypsonian, Maestro.
In the late 80’s he was asked to help London carnival band, Cocoyea develop their live events. The new venture saw the birth of the legendary Smokey Joe Roadshow. The Smokey Joe Roadshow became the platform from where many of London’s top Soca DJs were launched into the London Soca arena. Most notably of those DJs are Martin Jay who went on to host one of London’s longest running Soca shows on mainstream radio at Choice FM. Smokey was also responsible for mentoring DJ Slic! Who, co-hosted with Smokey on
Through his club residencies, Smokey worked on developing the UK Soca music market and set up Hot Vinyl Records and Smokey Joe Productions in 1979. It now has the largest Soca and Calypso music catalogue in Europe. In the early 80s Smokey and his brother TJ started TJ Records specialising in Soca and Calypso music. He then went on to record reggae 3
BBC London’s Socalypso Review and who went on to launch BBC 1Xtra, the first Digital radio station playing Soca music.
spectacle of carnival the new Smokey Joe Roadshow was launched in 2013 as a carnival costume band at London`s Notting Hill Carnival and has participated in other major carnivals across the UK. The Smokey Joe Roadshow are already collecting silverware as the legacy continues, with Smokey’s musical production team launching new talent and a digital publishing arm leading into a new era of Caribbean music specialism. In December Smokey Joe was presented with the Jambolassie award for his services in promoting Soca music to the world.
Smokey’s radio career spans three and a half decades including Soca shows on London’s WNK, Kiss FM and six years of presenting the Socalypso Review on BBC London 94.9fm. He now presents a weekly programme on London based Bang Radio (Smokey Joe & Danny D) The Smokey Joe Roadshow now has a fresh line-up and continues to excite crowds and promote fresh talent.
By Onike Joseph
Over the years Smokey Joe has received recognition in the form of awards from, the Reggae industry, Soca & Calypso industry & the Steel band fraternity. He has also received a Black History Award & been nominated for a CRE (Commission for Racial Equality) award. Parallel to being a Caribbean music specialist in 2001, Smokey created the Masquerade band, Arawak Carnival Club in conjunction with one of the most popular carnival costume designers in Trinidad, (Big Mike from ‘Legacy’) for over 10 years. True to form Smokey’s evolution of his music entertainment skills and the 4
My Bones and My Flute By David Kalloo When My Bones and my Flute came through my letterbox two things grabbed my attention. The sub-heading ‘a ghost story in the old fashioned manner’ and, the author, Egdar Mittelholzer. The subtitle took me straight back to my childhood and the stories my mother would tell us a we sat with the kerosene lamp, its flames glowing in the corner of the room creating shadows that scared you even without the story. Why you maybe wondering Egdar Mittelholzer grabbed my attention? Ever since my university days, I have been meaning to read some of his work, especially Corentyne Thunder. However, I never got round to doing so.
Mittelholzer does this perfectly with My Bones and my Flute. The very first line in the story throws your mind into an intriguing notion, an uncertainty that you’re entering unchartered territory. If you had never read or experienced the shivers from your childhood stories, be prepared for the journey, My Bones and my Flute takes you on. You would sometimes find yourself feeling pity for Mr. Nevinson and then sometimes when his quiet demeanor demands that he affirm himself to Mrs Nevinson as the drama unfolds. You are taken on a journey that delves into the supernatural; My Bones and my Flute grips your imagination and transports you to the jungles of Guyana as the Nevinson’s, with Milton, drawn on a false pretext to confront something phantasmic. Milton, in all his naivety, after learning of the true reason for his trip with the Nevinson’s into the interior was himself consumed with the idea, more so, when he learnt that Jessie could also hear the flute. Mr. Nevinson knew then that Jessie, at some point had touched the cursed manuscript. Though Mr. Nevinson had guarded the document closely it dawned
As I perused through My Bones and my Flute I comprehensively understood why my former lecturer and friend, Juanita Cox-Westmas immersed herself into the works of Mittelholzer. His writing is timeless and fits in perfectly with any genre you want to place it into. One of the great things about Caribbean writers is the way they bring that connection to those in the Diaspora, a central point of ‘home’ you seemingly take a pen and start to retrace your life through their work and, 5
on him that he may have lapsed and Jessie could have handled it through sheer curiosity. Even his astuteness couldn’t prevent Milton from manoeuvring and touching the dreaded manuscript. This did not perturb him in the least after Milton had handled the manuscript. Mittelholzer is clever in the way he weaves the story. His graphic knowledge of the interior lends to the eerie setting and the haunting mist that possessed both Jessie and Mrs. Nevinson. He is very aware of the landscape and his surroundings and uses it with great eloquence through Milton’s narration. He brings the life of interior to interlope with the presence of the evil that the Nevinson’s and Milton are confronted with. From the very first line to the last you are held captive as they come to terms and confront the restless wraith.
My Bones and my Flute is published by Peepal Tree Press, United Kingdom. Peepal Tree Press is the leading publisher of Caribbean and Black British writing. www.peeplaltreepress.com Culturepulse recommends: Juanita Cox (Ed.) In The Eye Of The Storm: Edgar Mittelholzer: Critical Perspectives
6
The Public Good By Ansel Wong The physical, cultural and political landscapes that we all occupy are littered by myriad challenges and obstacles that we are all having to negotiate. For example, each day we are having to confront issues of personal and public safety arising out of fears of terrorism, rampant street crimes or environmental hazards. And each year, we become embroiled in a perennial battle over our treasured art forms having to face up to demands to pay our way or fend off the popularity of beads, bikinis and bums.
Operatic Tenor from Trinidad and Tobago and he joins an illustrious list of Patrons that includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Baroness Kennedy, Dame Judy Dench and Zoe Wanamaker.
Neil Latchman being presented with a bouquet of flowers on the evening.
And in between, it is too easy to miss the many contributions that many among us are making to the development of this great land of ours. We are not all “terrorist sympathisers”, but we are all contributors to the public good so that our children and grand-children can become inheritors of a secure future. On Friday 4th December 2015, such contributions from three of our own were evident but least known – Ansel Wong, Jacqueline Sealey and Neil Latchman.
The PoC was established by Amnesty International in 1962 to relieve the hardship of prisoners of conscience. These were defined as people who have been persecuted, detained and tortured for the non-violent expression of their beliefs.
Ansel Wong is the Vice Chair and Trustee of the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund (PoC), succeeding the tenure of Jacqueline Sealey who for over 13 years served as a Trustee to this same Fund before handing over the baton to Ansel.
Help has been given in the form of grants to help individuals and families with medical treatment, food and clothing, travel, and accommodation costs, study materials and support for family reunions and counselling. Grants totalling over £100,000 in 2014 were given to over 100 people from over 30 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
But the Trinidad nepotism did not end there. The PoC announced the appointment of Neil Latchman as one of its Patrons. Neil is an internationally acclaimed
7
But on Friday night, the occasion was the celebration of awards given to 19 recipients. These were Bursaries that the PoC gives to individuals for post-graduate fees to enable them to convert their existing qualifications in order to secure employment on a level commensurate with their skills, experience and previous qualifications. To date, over 152 such individuals have been granted bursaries covering such subjects as law, medicine, computing, human rights, gender studies, accountancy, development and health and engineering.
Put your business here with the next issue of Culturepulse magazine. We offer reasonable rates for short and long term advertising.
The reception for this event was hosted by Clifford Chance LLP at their Canary Wharf offices.
For further information contact us at:
Neil Latchman rounded off the evening with a short recital of songs from his repertoire, including a Xmas Carol.
culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk
Trinis across the nation continue to quietly and consistently make their contributions to making London a place to enjoy.
Or call: 07738864335
Promoting business in the Diaspora
8
9 order a copy direct, please contact: Now available online at Amazon or to Michelleyaa@waywivewordz.com
Iceland Narrows Gender Equality Gap When it comes to gender equality, it appears that Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland are models by which the rest of the world should adopt and follow. Gender Disparity have long been an issue in both the developed world and the so-called ‘third world’ where work, politics, education and pay are generally controlled by a male dominated environment.
their rating due to the disparity with women being poorly represented in parliament and positions of power. There have been some grounds made with issues of pay equality however, it is suggested that women are generally paid less than their male counterparts. Other areas where the UK falls behind include unequal representation in sport, culture and social spheres.
Women continue to struggle for equal pay and opportunities across all sectors in many countries where equal opportunity legislation exists. However, for the sixth year running Iceland has managed to stay at the top of the table when it comes to shrinking the gender equality gap. The country took heed 40 years ago when 25, 000 of its female population went on a one day strike. The strike prompted the government to act by forming the Gender Equality Council. Since then, Iceland has made great strides in redressing the imbalance that existed in their society.
According to City A.M. almost 10 per cent of the FTSE 100 executive directors are women. A 5.5 per cent rise since 2011. Barclays recently appointed a woman as its chief executive, Jes Sealy but there is still enormous round to cover at board level and with the pockets of finance that is still male-dominated.
Image courtesy: knowledge.ckgsb.edu.cn
Following in second place is Finland. According to World Finance, ‘Finland’s parliament has worked hard to improve the labour market, ensuring that career developments and pay conditions for men and women are the same.’ While education remains a strong aspect of gender equality in the UK they are ranked 26th in gender equality representing a dramatic fall in 10
Iranian women face hijab clamp-down
Shell stops Arctic drilling Environmental groups around the world would have celebrated the news that Royal Dutch Shell oil company have decided to stop its drilling in the Arctic. The Shell-Alaska team said ‘there wasn’t sufficient oil and gas deposits’ to warrant further exploration in the Burger J well in the region. Although the Burger J well will be sealed, activity will continue in the Arctic basin. The Arctic oil and gas industry are faced with many challenges that must be over come before it could become a viable option. The Director for the International Energy Agency said. “It is geologically difficult, technologically difficult, lots of environmental challenges and cost of production is very high.” The high cost of exploration and drilling in the Arctic and the current crude oil prices which wavering between $43-$45 a barrel may well have caused the Shell-Alaska team to reconsider their position.
In November almost 10,000 Iranian women drivers were cautioned by authorities for failing to wear a full hijab. Women drivers in Iran who do not comply with wearing a full hijab could face the penalty of having their cars impounded and fined if they don’t adhere to the strict Islamic rules. According to Iranian police “Trusted invisible agents would monitor and report any violations by women driver.” The move was welcomed by religious authorities who hailed the new concept as one way in the contribution in combating prostitution. However, it appears that there is some contradiction to the new measures since president Rouhani recently suggested a ‘liberal attitude’ to the law where a more relaxed tolerance could be explored.
Oil and gas exploration in the Arctic will not cease, however, in a statement issued by Royal Dutch Shell said “the decision reflects the high cost of oil exploration in the Arctic and the difficulties of operating within the challenging and unpredictable federal regulatory environment in offshore Alaska.” Maybe relaxed environmental regulations could see a renewed interest in Arctic oil and gas exploration. This may seem unlikely as the world gathers in the French capital, Paris to heighten the effects of global warming with the COP1 summit.
Photo courtesy mohabatnews.com
11
Demystifying the Honours List active and should follow some basic guidelines questions such as, has the nominee:
A recent forum organised by the Cabinet Office to encourage nominations for Women and people from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) background for the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
• Made a real impact in their community or workplace • Exemplified the very best sustained and selfless voluntary service? • Gained the respect of their peers? • Changed things for the better? • Improved the lot of those less able to help themselves? • Displayed moral courage in making and delivering tough choices? • Demonstrated innovation or entrepreneurship? • Brought distinction to British life and enhanced its reputation? Deciding who receives an honour is made by an independent selection system. Nominations are first scrutinized by the Cabinet Office to ensure that all the information required has been included. Once everything is checked and relevant feedback is gained on the candidate, a citation s prepared and passed to the specialist honours committees to be considered. The committees are comprised of independent experts that come from different fields such as: voluntary and local service, the arts and media, sport, health, education, science and technology, the economy, politics, community and service to the state. According to the Cabinet Office, each committee decides which is the worthiest candidates and submits its recommendations to a central committee chaired by the Head of the Civil Service. A final list is then prepared for the Prime
Elizabeth Atere-Roberts OBE
At present, only 6% of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List is made up of BME while nominations for women lag. Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE who hosted the evening at the Cabinet Office urged those in attendance to do their part in nominating deserving citizens to the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Nominating someone is far easier than you think. Anyone can be nominated for an award; however, the selection team is looking for candidates to receive an honour, people who have made difference in their community, or excelled in their field of work. The honours selection team suggest you nominate someone who is still 12
Minister who submits the unaltered list for the Queen’s approval. The process usually takes around 18 months from the date of nomination until a successful candidate appears on the honours list. Most successful candidates will receive an award with the Order of the British Empire. Other awards include: British Empire Medal (BEM) awarded for hands-on service to community in a geographical area. Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), recognising a achievement of service to the community which has delivered a sustained impact and which stands out as an example to others. Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for those who have performed a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field. Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), rewarding a prominent national or regional role. Dame or Knight, for those who have made a pre-eminent contribution in any field, usually at national level.
Nilima Menski MBE
Figures from the Cabinet Office suggest 87% of those nominated receive, OBE, MBE and BEM with 70% of nominations coming from the local community of which 40% being women. The Black Asian Minority Ethnic group makes up 7% and 6% from those with disabilities. What are you waiting for? Nominate someone deserving an honour today. Call 0207 276 2777 or download a nomination pack from www.gov.uk/honourstoday Photographs courtesy Cabinet Office website: www.gov.uk/honourstoday
13
Guyana –Venezuela border dispute The government of Guyana in its attempt to resolve a long running border dispute with Venezuela has turned to the UN to reach a legal resolution. The Venezuelan government claims that a portion of maritime space, where oil was discovered is in fact in their territory, a claim dismissed by Guyana. Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge said. Guyana has been in contact with several members of the international community, as well as Caribbean and Commonwealth states that supported Guyana’s position.” At best, it appears that the Geneva Agreement of 1966 remains the only option of keeping the dispute from escalating out of control as the war of words continue between the two nations. Venezuela has accused Guyana of taking a dangerous, provocative stance in the border dispute after Guyana declared it would fight Venezuela in its attempts to ‘claim the maritime territory.’ In response Mr. Greenidge said Venezuela is trying to ‘utilise Guyana’s territory to generate a maritime territory to meet its illegal ambitions.’
Many years ago Venezuela had a similar ambition over the fishing territory with Trinidad and Tobago that saw similar actions resulting in many Trinidad and Tobago fishermen being detained by Venezuelan authorities. The fact that an International Border Settlement exists in the form of the Arbital Award of 1899, however, Venezuela claims this Award is null and void. The Guyanese government stands ready to continue discussions and bilateral relations in an attempt of reaching a peaceful settlement with the intervention of the UN.
Photo courtesy en.mercopress.com
14
The Novice way to choose a wine bottle was introduced for the British market as they are ready wine drinkersfrom shop to glass, so-to-speak. A decent bottle of wine would set you back at least ten quid. So pay attention when shopping for discounted brands, you could easily pick up good wines in supermarket when their stock is coming to an end for under a tenner. I choose wines by country and region too. Chile, South Africa, France and Italy are among my preferred countries while regions such as Bordeaux, Languedoc, Alsace, Loire, Verona, Santiago and Tuscany are places that resonate with me.
Christmas is upon us and you want to splash out on some decent wine to form part of your alcohol collection for the festive season. If you’re a novice at wine as I am then it’s pretty difficult to know what to look for and what to actually choose as your final purchase. Liquor stores and supermarkets shelves are swamped with all manner of wines from around the globe, enough top confuse you into the next century. So what do you do?
If you buy wine weekly, do so by country, in that way you can savour the quality of the wine you’re having and make your judgment on a particular brand. If you’re buying wine for an occasion or to take to a dinner party, seek advice or go for something over a tenner. A bottle of Merlot or Rioja is always a treat that you can’t go wrong with.
People always say to me look for a wine with a good aroma, choose a good year and depending on what the meal is go for something that’s recommended. Well, for a start you won’t know what the hell the wine smells like until you open it and, you can’t know that until you buy it. So my advice is going to a shop or supermarket that has a dedicated sales person. Notice I didn’t say sommelier. I find the staff there, knows a thing or two about the product they sell and, 8 out of 10 they come up trumps.
If you’re interested in learning more about wines check out: www.uksommelierassociation.com Contact Armando Pereira at info@uksommelerassociation.com NB: David is not a wine expert. NB: The jury is still out on decantering red wine. A friend once said to me on letting red wine breathe. Once you open the bottle and nothing happens, start giving it mouth to mouth.
Britain is the sixth largest wine drinking country in the world, consuming a mammoth 12 million bottles a week, so we must know a thing or two about what we are drinking. While there is nothing wrong with screw cap bottle wines, I prefer to go for a wine with a cork myself. Screw cap 15
South African men lose penis While the world is enthusiastically pursing the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation little media and medical attention is paid to a growing problem of male circumcision in South Africa. Since 2006 over 500 young men have died in the Eastern Cape Province alone, from blotched circumcision rituals. The rituals are performed by ‘traditional surgeons several’ often using the same blade in operations.
male doctor and, preferably one who had undergone the ritual himself. A spokesperson for the CTL in South Africa said “Casualties occur as untrained opportunists seeking to make money from these initiates.” The authorities are currently working with medical professionals to promote and educate the villagers in the practice of safe circumcision. Hundreds of young men fall victims to botched operations each year with many of them forced to have their penis amputated due to infection. The young men are weary of complaining, afraid that they would be stigmatized, shunned by their family and branded ‘impipi’ (traitor). The reality is there could be thousands of young men are currently suffering in silence.
The horrific incidents of these operations only came to light a few years ago when a young South African man lost his penis to gangrene infection after a circumcision ritual went wrong. Young me are sworn to secrecy about the tradition however, a 23yr old man broke the code of silence. In doing so he paid a heavy penalty, enduring public humiliation and beatings.
By D. Kalloo
The South African Prosecuting Authority said that thousands of young men are hospitalized due to these horrifying rituals. In the province of Mpumalanga during the period of 2013 there were 37 deaths as a result of these traditional operations. The number of deaths prompted the authorities to act, as a result over 20 people were detained including ‘traditional surgeons and doctors’ and now face charges of negligent killing. In South Africa the ritual is practiced by the Xhosa tribe where as many as 10,000 young men undergo the procedure to take them into manhood. While the Congress of Traditional Leaders (CTL) in South Africa are keen to promote traditional values, they stress that practitioners should use a 16
Rum Glorious Rum Well, we couldn’t have a Christmas issue if we didn’t at least, say one tiny little thing about rum. Rum is the favoured drink in the Caribbean but here in the UK rum is often overlooked as a spirit. There is a vast variety of rums available here, some of superior quality. However, the British favourite rums remain, Captain Morgan and The Kraken. Very often we look past countries such as Australia, France and Mauritius as rum producing countries but they are producers of rums of exceptional quality. I wont use this column to discus what is or isn’t the best rum, what I will do however, is give you a selection of rums to indulge yourself with over the festive season. All the rums on this page is available in the UK from stores such as Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Fortnum and Mason and many High Street liquor outlets. And one last thing, no household should be without a bottle of the world’s greatest Angostura Bitters.
17
COP21 ends with a Global Agreement Kim said, ‘the deal would be a gamechanger and redefine future economic development.’ There are sceptics though, as many believe the deal does not go far enough and the reduction of carbon emission by each country is ‘entirely voluntary.’ The US president Barak Obama said, “This agreement represent the best chance we have to save the one planet we’ve got.” The agreement itself sends a clear signal to governments, business and investors everywhere that there must be a transformation of ‘our global economy from one fuelled by dirty energy’ to one fuelled by a more sustainable economic growth.
After two decades of talks about global warming and saving the only inhabitable planet known to man, it seems the message of global warming has finally reached home with world leaders at the recent COP21 summit in Paris. In an unprecedented ambitious agreement, almost 195 nations have committed to a universal agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The new deal does not require any approval from the US Congress as did the 1997 Kyoto climate treaty. Despite last minute haggling over a verb in signing the 31 page document, a turning point was made in the French capital which was seen as ‘transformative, momentous and historical’ according to UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon and echoed by many other dignitaries gathered in Paris.
One of the setbacks in previous summits was the establishment of a fund by rich
countries to help poorer countries transform their economies. However, by 2015 the fund had failed to raise the required sum of $100bn a year. In a new
Not many people had looked towards a favourable outcome to the summit, however, World Bank president, Jim Yong 18
pledge, rich countries hope to have this fund in place by 2020. Another worrying factor is the fact that there is no clear and consistent resolve to cutting or curbing carbon emissions. This remains a voluntary commitment by individual countries and at best, the US, India and China’s emissions are set to rise by more than a third in the next few years.
This will have catastrophic impact across the world, especially for low lying countries. How world leaders intend to implement an agreement that’s not legally binding is left to be seen. However, more importantly, it will be interesting to see how the $100bn a year fund are achieved and, how this is distributed to aid countries that are in danger from the effects of ‘global warming.’
The fundamental ambition of the Paris agreement is to limit warming to 1.5C°. The scientific rationale behind the figure come from scientist, Jon Schellnuber an advisor to the Vatican and Germany, who says that the 1.5C° marks the point where there’s a real danger in the ‘tipping points’ of the world’s climate. While figures like these are far more complicated for the average person to comprehend, green groups and campaigners who gathered in Paris and many of whom welcomed the new agreement says there’s no real measures in place to achieve that. Experts believe that this figure is not sufficient to prevent global temperatures from rising beyond 2C°. They estimate it could rise beyond 2.7C°.
David Kalloo Photos courtesy: c2es.org and indianpress.com
In our industrialised global economy, it is near impossible to achieve ‘zero emissions’ which is what is realistically needed in real terms to stabilise climate change and, as experts put it, ‘to avoid dangerous warming’ by the year 2070. 19
Noma Dumezweni as Hermione never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione", along with actor Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the eight-film franchise, who similarly took to Twitter to combat criticism, posting "And Neville Longbottom was blonde. I really don't care. Good luck to her".
By Rhianna Kalloo
For Potterheads across the world, the announcement of another peek into the Harry Potter universe was widely celebrated when J.K. Rowling announced that in May 2016, a two-part play - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - will be appearing on stage in London. As a Potterhead myself (A proud Hufflepuff), I was thrilled to hear that my favourite franchise had another addition to it. Today, I was even more thrilled as the lead adult cast for the Cursed Child was announced. 'The Cursed Child' features adult versions of the beloved Harry, Ron and Hermione; Harry being played by Paul Thornley, Ron by Jamie Parker and Hermione by Noma Dumezweni.
As a woman of colour myself, the casting of Dumezweni made me simultaneously overjoyed and saddened. Overjoyed, as when I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone at 9-10 years old, seeing the description of Hermione made my heart sing. She had big bushy hair, large front teeth, and was very clever. It was the first time I had ever read a book that had a character that seemed like me. In fact, I was almost certain that Rowling had fashioned Hermione after me. At that age back before I discovered straighteners and before I had my braces - I was a studious, inquisitive, often lonely, and occasionally bossy child. As I continued to read the Harry Potter books, the more I read, the more of myself I saw in Hermione. The bullying she faced for being a Muggle, I got for being different too. The way she was told she was too serious, I was told the same. I felt that for once, even though she was just a fictional character, that there was someone like me. So knowing
Since the casting was announced, there have been many who have voiced criticisms about the casting of Noma Demezweni, on the grounds that she is a woman of colour. J.K. Rowling was speedy in taking to Twitter to defending the casting of Dumezweni, posting "Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was
20
today that Noma Dumezweni was going to play my favourite heroine, I was overjoyed. Don't misunderstand me, I loved Emma Watson as Hermione Granger too, I couldn't have asked for a better portrayal of my favourite character ever. But knowing that Hermione was to be played by a person of colour and hopefully show that being responsible, intelligent and also so caring wasn't limited to - all due respect here - a white person, made me very happy indeed.
Put your business here with the next issue of Culturepulse magazine.
But knowing that Dumezweni will face, and already has faced, backlash over her casting made me so incredibly sad. It shouldn't be that in 2015 a woman of colour is criticised for wanting to play a character in a play, especially one that portrays so many positive - no, exemplary - qualities to the world. Yet it seems that the stereotypes of people of colour in film and literature are so heavily ingrained that we still have so far to go to overcome them. While, in fact, it may be that for many, seeing Watson's portrayal as Hermione in the franchise for so many years and growing to love her, it will be difficult to adjust to not only a new actress, but one of an entirely different heritage. However, the criticisms on racial grounds alone make me further and further disillusioned with the idea that we will have racial acceptance and tolerance in literature and film in the near future. I hope that society will prove me wrong. All I can possibly say for the meantime is that I know Dumezweni was cast because she clearly wowed her audition panel and that she will be a fantastic Hermione. I hope that she will continue to inspire girls and women in the Black and Minority Ethnic communities that we are allowed to identify with a character if we feel it describes us well, and that we can play anyone that we may choose.
We offer reasonable rates for short and long term advertising. For further information contact us at: culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk
Or call: 07738864335
Promoting business in the Diaspora
21
Woodford & Warner Sorrel For those Trinis who craving ah good Sorrel drink dis Christmas and can’t be bothered to nip down to their local Asian shop and buy some dried sorrel and brew it themselves, here’s an option for you. Sarah Moore of Woodford and Warner based in East London produces top quality sorrel drinks, cordial and I have to say this, ‘De best’ sorrel ice cream ever. Woodford and Warner supplies East London’s establishments such as Jo Jo’s Deli in Chingford and the famous William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. Contact Woodford and Warner to find out where you can buy their products, yuh never know yuh might just get some in time for your Christmas parang.
www.woodfordandwarner.com info@woodfordandwarner.com 07725 869 577 Photos courtesy: www.farmdrop.com www.dukeofyorksquare.com www.woodfordandwarner.com
22
Congratulations to Miss Antigua and Barbuda Amy Harris-Willcock, winner of the Miss Caribbean UK 2015. 1st runner up Miss Jamaica, Selina Chippy and 2nd runner up Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Nicole Renwick. Photos supplied to Culturepulse by Joan Achong
23
Woodford & Warner
Contact Woodford and Warner: 07725 869 577 24
www.woodfordandwarner.com email info@woodfordandwarner.com