Butterfly Magazine - Issue 20

Sister Audrey

Black people ca n b e

racist?

Vol. 1 Issue 20 4th September 2020

Incredible Chadwick Boseman tribute by Senegalese artist Boubou

k c i w d Cha

n a m e s o B

In collaboration with

1976 - 2020

profile

UK’s first black TV reporter Barbara Blake-Hannah:

‘Journalists are the Most Important People in the World’ Fifty years on Barbara Blake-Hannah does not like to talk about the racism that cut short her career as the UK’s first black onscreen TV reporter for Thames Television.

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Credit: englishpen.org Credit: thecatkeaton

Linton Kwesi Johnson Jamaican Born Poet Win The 2020 Pen Pinter Prize

Linton Kwesi Johnson — Inglan Is A Bitch Transform your viewing...

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Twenty Weeks review - BCC

BUTTERFLY MAAG’S

VISION 2020 To view media in a world where skin colour really doesn’t matter.

OUR MISSION

To continually introduce the groundbreaking work of Black Creatives to a global audience.

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020 is shaping up to be quite a year and it’s not over yet, but in the midst of it Butterfly Maag has, to quote ‘AS’, a reader in Florida, ‘been a blessing to me’.

We started the journey with the question, ‘What is the future of Black TV?’ and recognized by media is shaped by the Psychosis of Whiteness. As the year descended into lockdown the impact Esther Osemwegie shared a heartwrenching account of the challenges facing BAME frontline staff and their patients. With not much else to do people spent more time online or in front of the TV. Lockdown brought out the best and the worse of some people but overall it demonstrated Unity at its best.

More and more the importance of supporting, starting and encouraging Black-owned business come to the fore and we promote them in ‘The Disruptor’. Fayida taught us that Black people have communities in every nook and cranny on the globe. The world was shocked by the senseless killing of George Floyd and the protests that erupted led to a special edition of the

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Disruptor as we remembered all the Black men and women on both sides of the Atlantic that have lost their lives to police brutality and the cry for change came.

For some like Juliet Ryan, the sting of racism was too much and she shared the joy she now experienced in her new life in The Gambia and encouraged other to Blaxit.

Prof. Lez Henry put a new spin on Fatherhood as the magazine was heralded as having a male nuance because it promotes strong black men and fatherhood. Kéllé Bryan, on a break from filming ‘Hollyoaks’ provided hope for lupus sufferers as she shared her journey.

The lure of the African continent continued as Justin Muhammad thrilled us with the progress of Next Level Development’s intentional community in Zambia. Butterfly Maag’s journey started with the question about Black Television and journalist, Antoine Allen, spoke boldly about the need for Black-owned networks. As he influences TV one programme at a time, Carmelle Gentle is influencing Black women to embrace the natural

actor at age 43, and the tremendous legacy he has left behind.

rhythm of breastfeeding by sharing her own challenges.

As the Black Lives Matter, protests grew louder, Dwight Lawrence started conversations on racism in his corporate environment at Lane4 with the hope of ushering in change. The subject of Black TV remains firmly on the agenda as major broadcasters start discussions about Black representation on the screen and what they can do but Samuell Benta, who has first hand experience of the obstacles put in the path of budding Black creatives did not hold back on the punches. The theme of disruption continues as Jeanette Young, fashion icon and disruptor brought a splash of glamour to the pages. The continental glamour continued with, Denise Dje Komenan blending astute business savvy and her property empire.

Butterfly Maag prides itself on connecting the Black Diaspora with the continent of Africa and the Caribbean. It opens up a world of possibilities and Tongayi Choto from Zimbabwe showed how his company ‘Afriblocks’ was connecting African professionals with the world. International singing icon Sister Audrey’s song, ‘English Girl ‘ continues to keep the Windrush debacle on the front burner. Issue 20 arrived with the sobering death of Chadwick Boseman, the iconic Black Panther’s

All of that was just the cover story!

Each week we bring you a range of stories about Black people all over the world through film, TV, and social media. By far our most popular section is What’s on the Screen where we try to bring you shows for the whole family.

None of this would have been possible without the continued support of the volunteers that put the magazine together every week. Thank you to the Butterfly Team past and present.

Finally, I cannot go without thanking you, our faithful readers, for your support, encouragement and the articles, what’s app, Instagram; Facebook; Messenger; Linked in; Tik Toc messages; phone calls, and emails that help fill the pages.

Continue to share the magazine and encourage people to subscribe. BM Thank you,

Beverley

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THE BUTTERFLY MAAG TEAM

42 43 45

Freedom is Mine

iChurch

Contents Cover: Chadwick Boseman Credit: Contributed

Bakita: KK

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Rhea’s Watch

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Barbara Blake-Hannah

Linton Kwesi Johnson

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Legacy The Films of Chadwick Boseman

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48 Fashion

Government

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BUTTERFLY MAAG’S VISION 2020

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In Conversation With Sister Audrey

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The Disruptor

What’s on the Screen?

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52 53 54

Sports Arrow

The Library

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Blackspectation

EDITORIAL TEAM Karen Ferrari Simone Scott-Sawyer Editorial Researcher Tasina J. Lewis Marketing Team Marvin Osemwegie — Marketing Director Michael Brown — Social Media Analyst Financial Strategic Advisor Nastassia Hedge-Whyte, MAAT, ACCA,ICAJ Regular Features Rhea Delaney (London) Joshua Grant aka Sports Arrow (London) Fayida Jailler (UK) Bakita Kasadha (UK & Uganda) Chi-Chi Osemwegie (London) Design Editor Rusdi Saleh Graphics Butterfly logo by Wayne Powell (Jamaica)

Submit a story: communications@butterflymaag.com Advertising enquiries: ads@butterflymaag.com Ad copy should be submitted Friday for the following week’s publication.

Butterfly Magazine published weekly on Fridays.

Laughter

Malawi

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Editor-in-Chief Beverley Cooper-Chambers

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Men’s Health

Health

Last Word

Butterfly magazine is published weekly by BUTTERFLY MAGAZINE LIMITED, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE, UK. Tel: (44) (0) 203 984 9419 Butterfly ™ 2015 is the registered trademark of THE LION AND THE LAMB MEDIA HOUSE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publishers BUTTERFLY MAGAZINE LIMITED. Advertising enquiries: communications@butterflymaag.com Address all correspondence to: communications@butterflymaag.com No copyright infringement is intended

The Blessing

The Blessing Malawi

Life in Malawi

Discover Malawi’s Blantyre

Malawi THIS IS

The sisters putting Malawi women’s football on the map

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THE LIBRARY

A Call for Clearly Defined Data Protection Law in Nigeria

M

y name is Amapamoere Jennifer EreMendie. I just completed a PhD degree on Communication Culture and Media. My PhD research is centred around the ways in which the Nigeria state authorities establish and maintain order through censorship of dissidents.

Thesis Objectives - To examine the rationale behind the lack of data protection laws in Nigeria 2. To explore the socio-political changes that led to recent technological innovations in the surveillance and criminalisation of dissenting public discourse on social media 3. To examine the weaknesses of social media regulations and paucity of data

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protection for Nigerian citizens 4. To consider the impact of social media legislation on protest groups I am interested in media and critical studies and in the beginning stages of a bespoke International Film industry. The JESDA Film Institute - focusing on telling stories from Africa. I also run a charity EIF. EIF initial projects include Project on distribution of stationeries to disadvantaged school children in Amassoma And Port Harcourt Nigeria.

CONTACT INFORMATION Website: www.eifcharity.com Email: info@eifcharity.com My phone numbers are: +4407847700121 and +44 7466 097709

Barbados Bearded Fig Tree

A history of Barbados Cricket In the 80s

Key Facts About Barbados

Barbados 21 Foods From Barbados Bridgetown The Capital of Beautiful Barbados

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What’s on the Screen?

The Screeners’

TV Choice

Illustration by Wayne Powell (Jamaica)

WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL LIBRARY

Welcome to our Virtual Library !

Feel free to browse around and choose any book to read, all you have to do is click on the book cover to get the link.

Enjoy!

Credit: Total Filmography

Man

Credit: Marvel Entertainment

Credit: Movieclips Trailers

Peek at Chadwick’s legacy

42: The Jackie Robinson Story

Captain America: Civil War Transform your viewing...

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woman

Colorism: Why Black People Discriminate Against Each Other

Set if Off

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Credit: ImdbPro

small child

Credit: Lego

Black Panther (2010)

Black Panther v KillmongerLego Marvel Super Heroes – Stop Motion Killmonger has stolen a very important suit case and it’s up to Black Panther, and the others, to track him down before it’s too late!

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Credit: Trans Tales Entertainment

Artist Boubou Paints Using Whatever He Can Get His Hands On.

The LEGO Story – How it all started 14

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Credit: Late Lawson for BBC Afrique

OLDER CHILD

young adult How Gun Violence Affects Women

Credit: Movieclips Trailer

Jada sits down for a special one-onone conversation with Lauren London, longtime partner of the late Nipsey Hussle, to talk about the traumas of gun violence and coping with grief and loss..

21 Bridges (2019) Transform your viewing...

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gen z

Credit: CSmoke365

Credit El-Matbakh/Google

Joy Reid Makes History As the First Black Woman Anchor Of A Primetime Cable News Show

Harold Moody – Google Doodle 16

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Avengers: Endgame

Credit: pianopappy

grandPA

Credit: One Media

Jackie Robinson interviewed on Dick Cavett Show

Marshall (2017) Transform your viewing...

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Credit: New Trailer Buzz

grandma

Credit: Movieclips

Message from the King (2016)

Gods of Egypt (2016) 18

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Lead story

f o s m l i F e h T Legacy

k c i w Chad

n a m e s Bo Transform your viewing...

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ss Credit: Associated Pre

Dr Chadwick Bo Commenc

Credit: Netflix

Black Panther Star at 43 Chadwick Boseman dead

Da 5 Bloods 20

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sity oseman’s Howard Univer cement Speech in 2018

Black Panther – Deleted & Bonus scenes

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lers Credit: Movieclips Classic Trai

The Express: The Ernie Davis Story

Credit: Movieclips Classic Trailers

Michael B. Jordan Landed ‘All My Children’ After Chadwick Boseman Got Fired for Refusing to Play Racial Stereotype

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he wrestled with speaking up or not, a major decision considering “All My Children” was his first acting credit.

“I remember going home and thinking, ‘Do I say something to them about this? Do I just do it?’ And I couldn’t just do it,” Boseman said. “I had to voice my opinions and put my stamp on it.

And the good thing about it was, it changed it a little bit for [Jordan]. They said, ‘You are too much trouble,’ but they took my suggestions, or some of them. And for me, honestly, that’s what this is about.”

Jordan replaced Boseman as Reggie and ended up staying with “All My Children” for nearly three years. The “Creed” actor said he was hearing about Boseman’s firing for the first time during The Wrap interview and he acknowledged he had no idea at the time that Boseman’s decision to stand up for the character would affect the kind of role being offered to him.

“It’s hard to speak in the moment about how things we do can affect other people. But this is a pure example, right here on the spot — we ain’t never talked about this before a day in our lives — to understand how what people do now can directly affect what other people do in the future,” Jordan said. “And the work that we’re doing on ‘Black Panther’ is hopefully doing the same thing for the next group of actors that are coming up, just like our predecessors opened up doors and made things easier for us.”

Both Jordan and Boseman are on the awards season circuit promoting “Black Panther,” the Ryan Coogler-directed Marvel movie that many believe will become the first superhero film to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

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Article source: Indiewire/Zach Sharf

M

ichael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman made for an iconic hero-villain pairing in last year’s superhero blockbuster “Black Panther,” but their careers have been intertwined since 2003. Following his breakout role on the first season of “The Wire,” a 16-year-old Jordan joined the cast of the ABC soap opera “All My Children” in the role of Reggie Porter. Jordan took over the role from Boseman, who played Porter for just one week. The casting swap is hardly breaking news, but the reason why it happened was finally revealed by Boseman during a joint interview with Jordan for the latest edition of The Wrap’s awards season magazine.

“It’s one of those things where you get a role, and you don’t really know,” Boseman said.

“When I got it, I was like, ‘This is not part of my manifesto. This is not part of what I want to do.

How can I make it work?’ Because with a soap opera, you don’t know the full scope of what’s gonna happen — you don’t know where they’re gonna take the character, because they don’t always know where the character is going. And because of that, there’s possibly room for me to adjust this and change it and make it so it’s stereotypical on the page but not on the screen.”

Boseman had some issues with the way Reggie Porter was written using racial stereotypes. In the “All My Children” storyline, Reggie was a young gang member who was adopted by Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and her husband, Jackson Montgomery (Walt Willey).

Boseman did not agree with how the writers wanted to portray Reggie on the program, and

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t Credit: Marvel Entertainmen Credit: Marvel Entertainment

Entertainment Larry King interviews‌ 24

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Chadwick

Cultural Impact

Credit Larry King

Black Panther 2020

Boseman gets emotional about Black Panther ’s Cultural Impact Transform your viewing...

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ington h s a W il z en D s k n a h Chadwick t his benefactor Chadwick Boseman Surprises Black Panther Fans While

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Chadwick Forever

hen I walked out of my screening of Captain America: Civil War, a person handed me a paper and pencil, to gauge my reaction to the film. Four years later, I couldn’t tell you what exactly was on that paper, except that it asked if I might be interested in a solo film starring Black Panther, the superhero who had debuted roughly two hours earlier.

I checked “yes”.

That checkmark wasn’t a casual shrug of “sure, why not?” It was an emphatic, desperate clarion call for more of what I had just seen. It was a plea to visit Wakanda, the nation that Civil War had teased in the end credits scene, with its gleaming onyx panther sculpture roaring above the trees, greeting its visitors but fiercely protecting its citizens. I was hungry for more of that brutally tactile but effortlessly graceful Vibranium costume which had put Captain America and the Winter Soldier to shame in the film’s combat set pieces.

They Thank Him

Black panther Captain America Civil War Chadwick Boseman in Captain America: Civil War (courtesy: Marvel) But most of all, I wanted to know more about the man underneath it: the king T’Challa, whose head uneasily wore his father’s crown after a fateful explosion killed him. I wanted to see more of the man who, even in vengeful fury, carried himself with a graceful regality that was unlike anything I had seen before. I wanted to know his wants, his desires, his fears, his triumphs, his tragedies, all of it.

I wanted the actor Chadwick Boseman to be the superhero I never had growing up, and didn’t realize I craved until I left that theater.

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Government

We would love to hear from you!

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COntinue Story

Black People Can Be

Racist ?

By

L

ast week, I used the term ‘inverted racism’ to describe my treatment within my black community and how it led me to write my song, ‘English Girl’, but on reflection the correct term is ‘Self Hate’.

I know that seems harsh but Black people live with the residue of colonialism in their DNA from the families that were manufactured in the Caribbean. Yes, manufactured, because the reality is Black people were considered property, less than human. Black families were made up of people from different, disconnected African tribes. From their separation from their tribes to the loss suffered on the transatlantic journey, to the willful divisions on the auction block Black

Sister Audrey

people only means of survival was fictive kin.

Fictive kin means to create a family when your blood family has been destroyed. It is common practice in Black families to address older people as Auntie and Uncle even though they are not related.

Yes, Black people can practice ‘Self Hate’ and put up barriers to stop each other from progressing, this is referred to as the ‘Crab in a Barrel Syndrome’, again originating in slavery days when the deliberate hierarchy of slaves promoted distrust, resentment and fear, but that is as far as it goes.

Today, Black people do not have the power to determine the life path of others.

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So can Black people be racist?

The direct answer to that is ‘No’. Racism is a power base that Black people, especially in the UK, do not control. Black people, at the moment are subjected to the power base of others.

Racism is in the DNA of the descendants and beneficiaries of colonialism and manifests itself through White privilege. The African slave trade has been replaced by Institutional Racism that limits Black people’s progression with ‘invisible chains. Racism is defined by economics. Black People do not have the economic power to choose their housing therefore they are placed on housing estates, with poor living conditions en masse and with few options, but that is a discussion for another day. In education have no power in determining what is taught in schools, colleges and universities or said about them in the media. They do not have the power base to physically limit anyone’s chances of getting from point A to point B. Institutional Racism dictates that certain careers are not really open to Black children. For example, Black people can work in the bank as a cashier, but how many young Black men or women manage to own an Investment bank or know how to trade on the stock market? Who is going to encourage that child or sponsor that child to follow that dream?

Chadwick Boseman has proven that what a child can achieve when someone, in his case, Denzil Washington, invests in him, believes in him and gives him hope.

From working in the community it is clear to see this system in operation in the schools and colleges from the start of the students’ journey. In institutions with an attendance of 75% students are from ethnic backgrounds, there is no positive literature or information available to inspire ambition equal to their White peers. To this day when some children try to express themselves it is seen as ‘aggressive’ and/

Skub, Skub in action...

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or ‘threatening which often results in the child being excluded. Being excluded opens the door for the child to be exposed to criminal or gang activity and destroys the chances of that young person reaching their full potential instead of a becoming statistic.

It makes me so angry to see that the same system of institutional racism and self -hate which I experienced at school, is still in place but rebranded as sophisticated learning.

Fortunately, my parents taught me to read and write before I started primary school. The school had ten classes taught at private school level and I was one of the brightest students.

Moving on to secondary school, saw most of the White children join local grammar schools.

The few Black children joined the top streams of secondary schools. I was the most visible one out of the two Black girls in the top class at Catford County Girls’ School. Unfortunately, although the Race Relations Act came into force in 1965, some teachers’ behaviour did not reflect the tenet of the law and many did not hide their belief that no Black girls should be in the top class.

Just like students today, I was sent out of the lessons, to sit in the corridor, there were no chairs, for the simplest of things. For example, when I was being taught that Christopher Columbus discovered the West Indies I put up my hand and innocently asked what I thought was a valid question, “But Miss, how comes noone in my family looks Indian?” Her response was, “You people are always playing the fool and disrupting my lessons with silly questions-go and sit outside….”

Excluded I now had to dodge the other Black girls from the lower streams who had been excluded taunting me for in a higher stream. When I couldn’t dodge them I had to fight. The streaming system

didn’t make sense. A lot of the girls in the bottom stream had not long arrived from the Caribbean. Some of them were much more advanced than some of the girls in the top class and also had a better attitude to learning. I loved the sciences but was not allowed to study them as a choice, “You’re never going to be a chemist” was the reason I was given. I moved from being one of the brightest children in primary school to being classed as one of the ‘naughty girls’ in secondary school. I started playing truant with my White friend and eventually left school with no formal qualifications but with a knowing that I was clever enough to achieve them. On reading this my mum might be surprised because no one informed my parents of my truancy. No one cared.

Childhood trauma at home I don’t want it to sound like I had a terrible time with my Jamaican family because the good times far outweigh the mixed culture family trauma. Like many Caribbean families, brothers and sisters pooled their resources to by a family home until each could own their own house.

Six of the ten children in the house were born in Jamaica. They took pride in recalling their shared Jamaican experience, I felt excluded. I was told I was different because I was not adept at some things and that was hard for me to bear.

I was taunted for not knowing what an Ackee tree looked like, or not being able to make the ‘skub, skub’ sound that all proficient Jamaican washer women made when washing clothes. Worst of all, was suffering the ‘cold shoulder’ at times when they thought being one of the English children gave me more privileges within the family. Those were confusing and traumatic time as outside of the house I wasn’t seen by the indigenous English as being English at all.

It was hard being in a minority both inside and Jamaican Ackee outside my home.

Battle to survive I spent years trying to establish an identity. I was fortunate to be able to express much of the frustrations through the music. Tracks like “Young, Gifted and Black” by Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths and “Christopher Columbus” by Burning Spear are two songs which had positive influences on my thinking and growth.

My musical career enables me to travel around the world where I witness institutional racism and the perpetuation of self- hate at work. I invested time and energy tracing Black people’s journey and gained access to my roots.

I discovered a vast African culture, which predated slavery, which was where my education in school had started and stopped. Africa’s contribution to civilization was the turning point in my long search to belong. I identify with that greatness and their abilities now. I went on to achieve qualifications in Social Work, Professional Broadcasting and Teaching. I now invest all my spare time working with young people and disadvantaged families as they jump over those invisible barriers to relevant education, meaningful employment into quality housing and property ownership. There is always a way out…to be continued in October.

Today you have life…

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Welcome to the Disruptor

To be a disruptor in business is to create a product, service, or way of doing things which displaces the existing market leaders and eventually replaces them at the helm of the sector. [`the disruptor]

Less Talk More Action

Akon City

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How A Hospital Drone Delivery Service is Saving Lives in Rwanda

Icyerekezo Satellite Launched Transform your viewing...

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The Grenada Nutmeg Industry

Nutmeg:

Grenada’s ‘Black Gold’ is on the Cusp of Resurgence

Here Are Some UK Black-Owned Shops For You To Stock Up Essentials Right Now 34

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Hypolink Relocation Package LONG STAY RATE FOR 1 – 2 MONTHS

H

YPOLINK Village is centrally located within the centre of the tourism district on the main highway close to shops, banks, and other facilities.

300m away from the beach. (see our website for more details) We are offering a special rate for people that want to relocate to The Gambia.

We are aware and concerned that returnees face many difficulties when they are ready to resettle in Africa. Therefore, we have joined with recognised, experienced, established individuals and companies to assist and facilitate a smooth transition from the Diaspora to Africa.

We are offering people staying one month or more assistance in the following areas: Preferred accommodation rates @ £20 per night for 2 people sharing a one- bedroom and a living room Self-Catering service Apartment with ensuite Bathroom Preferred accommodation rate @ £35 per night for 2 people sharing a one Bedroom and a living room Luxury Apartment with ensuite Bathroom Preferred accommodation rate @ £40 per night for up to 5 people sharing a two Bedroom and a living room Luxury Apartment with 2 ensuite Bathrooms Seminars on site with land owners, Bankers, Diasporas and Building contractors Individual advice to suit your needs based on our 15 years of experience in The Gambia

We shall work with you in advance to make a tailor-made programme to suit your needs and budget, we shall hold your hands throughout your search for a new beginning.

We also offer a working holiday where you can learn how to build your own property using cost effected Adobe compressed earth blocks.

HYPOLINK Village Resort Bertil Harding Highway, (Palma Rima Junction), Opposite Kololi-Road, The Gambia, West Africa.

WhatsApp: +220 788 9883 or +447752151551 Email us: hypolinkvillage@gmail.com See our Resort Tour | Like us on Facebook | Map our Location | See our Gallery Website: hypolinkvillageresort.com Find us on: booking.com and expedia.com For reference only: This offer is only available directly from HYPOLINK reach us via the details above.

Interested in relocating to the Gambia

The Gambian borders are expected to be open soon.

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Men’s Health

Legacy 101

by Beverley Cooper-Chambers

T

he doctor invited me to sit down as he told me that my 3-month old daughter, Leonii, had Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious disease. I don’t remember anything else because the next thing I knew she was dead.

Fast forward four years, and I am sitting at my mother’s bedside and she’s telling me that, at 50 years old, she has eight weeks to live because she’s got cancer. She died in seven week. I remember thinking she’s too young to die, way too young.

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Until, at age 39, I woke up in hospital with amnesia, unable to move, and doctors standing over me, ‘You’ve had a stroke’. At that point I realised that life is precious and that tomorrow is promised to no one.

Credit: The Stroke Association

My Stoke Guide Who knows what was going through Chadwick Boseman’s mind when he first got the news that he had terminal cancer and that he had limited time to live? That does not matter.

Whatever it was remains private. All we know is that the decision he took to leave us a legacy will resonate for generations. To film lovers, he left a plethora of excellent films; to the media he left the message that he would define the focus of his life not them; to Black creatives he left the proof that there is a platform for your work, which is not stereotypical and defined by others, but carved out by you; to the younger generation he left a role model, a super hero that looked like them; to men, and Black men in particular, he left the legacy of strength. It is okay to be scared but to turn that fear into a faith and to channel that faith into your skill set and create something powerful; to the older generation he left a silent message that screamed if you are 50, 60, 70, 80, 90+ and you still have breath in your body do

something positive with your life, don’t waste life moaning about what you didn’t do and don’t have – do something now; to women he demonstrated what constitutes a real man – not the money, the fast cars, fancy houses or the lifestyle – but humility, determination, commitment, and faith.

Cancer, any kind of cancer, is frightening but the key is to recognise the signs, catch it early, and ask for help. Black men, in particular, are reluctant to admit there is something wrong and they definitely put off going to the doctor until the last minute. That attitude can be fatal.

If you don’t want to go to your doctor find an organization that can give you the information you need and get you support. You absolutely do not have to suffer in silence.

There are organizations that can help.

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Men’s Health

Source: Black Men’s Health UK

Credit: Men’s Talk

GYM CHAT

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Patrick Hutchinson Talks Fitness, Race, and the Sectioning of Black Men

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Public Health England released their latest STI surveillance data for 2019 and the story is rather disappointing as sexual health is another frontier where people of Black ethnicity in the UK face significant disparities.

We, people of Black ethnicity, face the highest population rates of STI diagnoses. In 2019, our rate of diagnosis was 2522.8 compared to the national average of 832.1 per 100,000 people.

Overall 9.9% of new diagnoses were amongst people of Black ethnicity.

In 2019, we had the highest diagnosis rate for Chlamydia at 1188.6 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 407.6 per 100,000 people. Overall, 9.6% of all Chlamydia diagnoses were amongst people of Black ethnicity.

Credit: Black Men’s Health UK

We also had the highest diagnosis rate for gonorrhoea at 436.6 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 126 per 100,000 people. 11.4% of all gonorrhoea diagnoses were amongst people of Black ethnicity.

We had the 3rd highest rates for syphilis after people of ‘Other’ and Mixed ethnicities. Our rate was 23 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 14.2 per 100,00 people.

5.3% of all syphilis diagnoses were among people of Black ethnicity.

We had the 2nd highest rate of diagnosis for herpes, after people of Mixed ethnicities, at 125.1 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 61.4 per 100,000 people.

6.7% of all herpes diagnoses were amongst people of Black ethnicity.

We had the 2nd highest diagnosis rate for warts after people of Mixed ethnicities. Our rate was 139.3 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 91.1 per 100,000 people. 5% of all diagnoses were amongst people of Black.

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Men’s Health

What is Prostate Cancer?

Black Mental Health UK

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Race, Mental Health & Policing; Coercion or Care?

Death: We don’t like talking about it but it is important we do. Why? It means not leaving a mess for your loved ones to sort out. Remember they are stressed already because you are gone so just get everything in order. It will be worth it.

Chadwick shares a moment with a Black Panther fan.

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Freedom is Mine

USA (Gullah Geechee)

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BY FAYIDA JAILLER

e tend to use the umbrella term “African-American� to describe the infinitely vast and diverse community of black and Afrodescendant people living in the united states. Today we will be speaking about the Gullah Geechee, a distinct collective of communities who live in the Lowcountry region of the United States, in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, including the Sea Islands. The total size of their population is difficult to quantify, but in 2005 it was estimated to be around 200,000 people spread across smaller communities.

The Gullah Geechee people are the descendants of enslaved Africans from prolific rice-growing regions of West Africa. They were specifically chosen for their expert knowledge of rice cultivation and production.

They were enslaved and brought to work on the rice, indigo and cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast in the United States.

Historically, the inclement terrain, plagued by mosquitos which brought malaria and yellow fever, meant that plantation owners and their families would vacate the plantations during rainy season, leaving the enslaved Africans to work in their absence. On top of this, the isolated islands and coastal plains meant that the enslaved African population preserved much of its language, customs and 42

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culture, which have been passed down the generations to this day.

The US Civil War was a turning point for the Gullah Geechee people. Many Gullah people fought with the Union Army, and the Sea Islands were the first territory in the South where enslaved Africans were freed.

The Gullah Geechee speak a creole language, derived from a mixture of African and European languages. Today it is recognised as the only African creole language in the United States.

One characteristic tradition of the Gullah Geechee people is that of arts and crafts, including hand woven baskets, fishing nets and clothes.

Gullah Geechee music is a fusion of styles brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans, including negro spirituals, gospel, rhythm and blues and soul.

An important figure in the Gullah Geechee community is Marquetta Goodwine, better known as Queen Quet Chieftess of the Gullah Geechee Nation. She lives in Saint Helena, South Carolina.

Queen Quet is the founder of the Gullah Geechee Sea Island Coalition, and in 1999 became the first Gullah to speak before the United Nations.

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iChurch

This Life is Over and My Time is Done On Earth Transform your viewing...

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Fela Durotoye

Do the right thing

STILL IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING

by Asenath Scott Every person waking up today is constantly made aware That coronavirus is still around, even as they place their feet on solid ground.

Our dressing code has changed, those who wear dentures put them in, Those who apply mascara put it on; but no one can see the lipstick Or the smile as a mask you must apply.

Take a stroll along the road Take a bus ride to the store Signs abound for you to know masks must be in place to say hello.

Otherwise you dare not go.

Coronavirus causes death, it baffles the scientists as the symptoms alter day by day.

First, the elderly then it dances to anybody.

Children learn to stay apart No hugging unless it’s your sweetheart.

Otherwise stay six feet apart, wash hands, social distancing that’s a start!

There are those who were hospitalised, Those who attended to them, Those who lived to tell the tale Those who didn’t survive Those who counted the financial cost.

The Stock market, financial market, flea market, hardware, software market.

Buyers, sellers everywhere, Wonder if coronavirus is here to stay?

Pastors, preachers, men of cloth.

Prophecy comes at a cost.

Many false ones arise, while others true to the cause, bring comfort, solace, and pray for the lost.

Today I celebrate the One who is the beginning and the end.

Who says to trust in Him and not to our own understanding.

To acknowledge Him and He will direct our path.

Coronavirus, here for another day, Stay focused, wash hands, wear masks, social distance, Study and share new learning, Pray and praise the Lord above for we are in the land of the living.

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Photo: contributed. Bakita Kasadha

Bakita: KK

SPEAK YOUR

TRUTH Meet Bakita: KK

Overcoming self-stigma to achieve your potential

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Bakita Kasadha is a writer, researcher, health activist and poet better known as BAKITA:KK.

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“No one can tell our stories like we can� underpins her why.

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RHEA’S WATCH

Highlights achievements of the youth today, showcases people who seek Highlights achievements of the youth today, showcases people who seek to​ create a brighter to create a brighter future for the youth and reveals hidden gems from future for the youth ​and reveals hidden gems from the past who helped to make the world a the past who helpedbetter to make place. the world a better place.

Alex got a place in the UK's Premier Athletics Club Birchfield Harriers at age 15. Alex got into all the Youth Development teams in 2019 and she was called to compete in middle league competitions which are for seniors. In 2018 and 2019 Alex Welcome to my 2 part series: represented South Black Bold Young Photographers Birmingham schools twice in athletics.

Photography is an art form that many young She went on to people use to express themselves. Over the years represent West I have been inspired by images that tell a story Midlands schools at Mason Trophy Inter Counties Schools Championships in 2019 in or capture an experience. This week I had the the 300m Hurdles. She has competed in ​England Athletics' national championships privilege of interviewing an amazing young man twice. Alex now studies French, Russian and Latin at A Levels.

Black Bold Young

Photographers Meet, Dray

I’ve found myself falling into creative things from an early age, If it involved creating or altering something I was interested.

Dray-Darnell Gonzales.

His photography is simply breathtaking!

In the past there were many photojournalists who would capture images such as the handsworth riots back in 1985.

Would you say the way we capture real life has changed now?

Or do you think it’s the same?

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My name is Dray-Darnell Gonzales, I turned 21 in lockdown (so it basically doesn’t count) and I’ve been a photographer for three years now in a professional capacity. I grew up in Smith’s Wood, Birmingham.

Why did you first begin photography? Was you inspired by anyone to start?

I’ve found myself falling into creative things from an early age, If it involved creating or altering something - I was interested. So my emphasis on all things visual started from around then. I only started to get interested in photography once I was tasked to make a music video in my Media lessons back in Year 9. We had a remake a popular song and create a video inspired by the official music

video. I chose Shift K3y - Touch as my first music video. Opting to do it all by myself instead of in a group as my peers would.

Shot it all in my living room with a black throw sheet pinned to the wall and and interesting choice of LEDs and editing techniques.

The video came out quite well and got me an ‘A’ grade.But I wouldn’t say it would hold up very well today, so I’m glad to have progressed.

What do you photograph?

What’s your style?

Right now, I’m at a stage of development and finding out what type of visual arts I excel most in, and I’ll eventually hope to shift focus on that. So I do all types of photography and videography but I tend to mainly focus on portraits, headshots and promotional work with businesses, who need content for a website, social media marketing, etc.

In the past there were many photojournalists who would capture images such as the Handsworth riots back in 1985. Would you say the way we capture real life has changed now?

one of them for your image to make a dent.

To somebody new getting into photography, I would say, don’t stress too much about it. So many people spend so much time trying to figure out all the technical aspects of photography, such as ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture.

When the main thing that should be your focus is the actual image itself. Stay in Auto mode and learn about composition and different techniques that’ll help make your shot better, then you’ll naturally get a better understanding of what changing the shutter speed, ISO and aperture will do for each image.

In addition to this, if you’re going into photography professionally, you need to be aware of what point your portfolio is good enough to stop taking on as much free work, also known as TFP (Trade For Print/Time For Print), as the people you’re shooting for will almost never pay you unless you set that boundary yourself.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY

I believe that the way we capture real life has changed because the way we live has changed. Photojournalism still very much exists today, but the appeal to it has changed, in my opinion. I say this because everybody has a camera these days, and we all have the opportunity to capture an image of something happening that could be remembered for years to come.

You’re not the few photographers taking pictures of a crowd anymore - you’re one of many. And you have to compete with every last Transform your viewing...

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Fashion

B

Size 8 VS Size 14

Try The Same BooHoo Outfits You will be shocked when you see how these clothes look on two different sizes

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n o i t a t c e n p o i s t k a t c c a e l p B s n k o c i a t l a B t c e p s k c a l B WHAT PRICE EMANCIPENDENCE?

By Donna Marie Williams

As we reflect and celebrate Freedom!

Liberty! Emancipation!

Independence! and Sovereignty of our nation Let us never forget the price our ancestors paid So that our race would not fade What price freedom you might ask?

Nanny, Sam, Paul, Marcus took them to task But wait up! What about George, Alexander and Norman Who rival these marathons?

The One who has no equal or rival Who came and we placed on trial The Son who sets you free indeed Is He whom we have caused to bleed

Let us never forget our dependence On the Glory of His resplendence And as we journal our memorials Our impact will surely be ambassadorial Our alleluias are to magnify the King’s Legacy To give to our children as their currency What price emancipendence?

The King whom we sentenced To our leaders, Great Defender Grant true wisdom from above Strengthen us the weak to cherish Give us vision lest we perish

Relax

LAUGHTER GOOD FOR THE SOUL

So my kid’s gotta wear a mask!

Get ‘em early

What is Politics?

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Exercise with style

Pizza & Women

Stupidity Bill Transform your viewing...

51

Sports Arrow

Allen Iverson Thanks Coach John Thompson in His Hall of Fame Speech (2016) RIP Coach

by Josh Grant

Rest in peace John Thompson, College Basketball Legend and Chadwick Boseman, an Inspirational Actor

T

he sports world has suffered too many deaths, throughout this year already.

Unfortunately, this week is no exception.

We received recent news that former NCAA coach John Thompson and ‘King T’Challa’, Chadwick Boseman have passed away.

John Thompson, an icon in basketball, was the first Black coach to win the NCAA championship, which led the way for other BAME coaches into basketball. More recently, he was the assistant coach for the USA Men National Team. He had huge influences on big NBA names such as Patrick Ewing and Allen Iverson. Hall of Famer, Iverson mentioned emotionally how John Thompson was responsible for changing his life for the better. He accepted him at Georgetown at a point in his life when everyone else had rejected him.

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Chadwick Boseman who featured in Marvel’s blockbuster films ‘Black Panther’, ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ was a big sports fan who enjoyed watching sports live, especially the NBA. Chadwick inspired millions and the public showed their love for him on Twitter, as his last tweet was the most liked tweet ever on Twitter!

Prayers go out to the families and friends of these two legends and may you never be forgotten.

Until next time, watch this space.

Josh

Health

Coping with Endometriosis

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Last Word