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SEPTEMBER '13
T H E MIGHT Y DIAMONDS - ENTERTAINMENT
Minetta WebbThe Final Chapter
Yasin Chinembiri MEETS WordPress cofounder Mike Little
A magnificent farewell for a remarkable life
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he funeral has been held for 107 year-old Minetta Webb - one of the UK’s oldest women. A horse drawn funeral carriage strewn with yellow roses, her favourite flowers, highlighted the significance of the occasion, brought an unmistakable dignity to the occasion. Mrs Webb, a great-greatgrandmother, died at her home in Fallowfield last month surrounded by her family, friends and carers. A funeral service was held at English Martyrs Church in Whalley Range, marked by a moving eulogy read by Mr David Okoro which had much of the congregation in tears. Mr Okoro told how it was Minetta who had looked after him from the age of two after being abandoned by his mother. He said: “She is the only mother I have ever known and will love her forever.” A close relative paid her own tribute saying: “Great-
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gran was a phenomenal woman, mother, teacher, and role model for five generations. She remains a powerhouse to the family, a symbol of dignity and pride.” Kelly Poulston, one of Minetta’s carers, added: “It’s been an honour to be part of her life, the second oldest woman in Britain. She was a true inspiration, an amazing lady.” There was controversy in the weeks before her death when a row over care be-
tween her family and a hospital came to the attention police. Officers tried to remove Mrs Webb from her home after her family took her out of Manchester Royal Infirmary. The hospital had issued an emergency order to keep her there as officials believed she could not receive proper care
Did carnival go with a bang or a whimper this year?
at home. The great-great-grandmother's family said they were happy with her hospital care but wanted her to be at home. On the day she passed away the family were told that Social Services had agreed to help deliver a suitable homecare package for her.
ithin minutes our conversation and the person sat opposite me started to turn heads - the way A-list celebs do when they walk into a room. Only the remarkable Mike Little is neither and wouldn’t thank you for saying so. An excited couple who spotted Mike begged to differ once they realised who I was talking to – only the cofounder of WordPress! A website Mike Little started in 2003 and has developed ever since, most notably when he created and maintained the website for the then Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, from 2009-2010. Mike, a published author and technical editor who was raised in Stockport at a time when cassette tapes were king, has reached other lofty heights. Yes, he once developed three sites for the
cont. on page 4.
BUSINESS LIFESTYLE SPORT Black Unemployment
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Law Commission and a consultation site for the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP), and yes, he recently consulted on the Department of Health’s WordPress web site. Having recently been honoured with an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Digital’ award at this year’s SASCon 2013 conference in Manchester, Mike says he never imagined it to have the universal success it has gone on to foster. Said Mike: “It was just another project I was interested in working on and I would never have imagined it would grow to the size it is now. The statistics are unbelievable.” Imagine, 18 per cent of the entire internet is using WordPress sites, along with the likes of Sony, Ford, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and over sixty million others. Perhaps it’s his humil-
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CONTENTS NEWS
LIFESTYLE
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8/9 BUSINESS
ENTERTAINMENT
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12 FASHION
SPORT
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m o r f r e t t A le Editor the
IT would be nice to get Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce together and ask them what it's like looking down from the top of the planet? Everyone knows they collectively stole the show at the athletics world championships in Moscow, and returned home to Jamaica dripping in gold medals. How their achievements must have lifted the place of their birth! I would also like to ask Oprah (Winfrey, of course) if having a black skin will always be at the basis of unexplained victimisation. Or, explained for that matter as when a shop assistant at a Swiss designer handbag boutique blithely told her a bag on display was“too expensive” for her. But I would forego all of the above to wish philanthropist and former Microsoft chief executive, Bill Gates, all the luck in the world following his criticism of Google plans to bring internet connectivity to developing countries using high-altitude balloons, rightly saying that having web access will do little for people dying of malaria. Putting it at its most incisive, he said
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in one interview: “When you’re dying of malaria, you’ll look up and see that balloon and I’m not sure how that will help you.” Closer to home, TNT brings you two inspiring stories each of high achievement in their own way. One concerns Wayne Marshall, a world renowned classical musician from Oldham; and the other, Mike Little, who lives in Stockport and is co-founder of WordPress, which today runs more than 60 million sites around the world (that’s over 17.5 per cent of the web!).
Last month this newspaper highlighted the healthcare plight of 107 year-old Minetta Webb, the second oldest woman in Britain. Sadly, Minetta passed after we went to Press last month. Surrounded by her family, no less than five generations, all told, she did so peacefully with immense dignity and grace. I can think of no better tribute than for her character and style to be ever remembered thus.
Carl Palmer
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The Nubian Times’ MBC Awards 2013 To be held at the exquisite Hilton Hotel Deansgate, Manchester Saturday 26th October 2013, 6.30pm-12am The Nubian Times MBC Awards will deliver acknowledgements, honouring the past, present and inspiring the future. To nominate: info@thenubiantimes.com Stating: nominee's name, category, brief profile, and, where possible, current picture.
Are ethnic minority cancer patients invisible to health professionals? A
nalysis revealed by Macmillan Cancer Support state that One in four ethnic minority cancer patients say hospital doctors spoke in front of them as if they were not there. This compares to only one in six of white British cancer patients who were asked the same question. The analysis of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey revealed that ethnic minority cancer patients were twice as likely to feel that doctors and nurses were deliberately keeping information from them compared to white British cancer patients (27% compared to 12%). . High-quality cancer patient
experience is vital to cancer patients before, during and after gruelling cancer treatment. This includes being treated with respect and compassion by health
STORY OF HULME - PART 1
TNT’S Lloyd Wall remembers the good, the bad, and ugly
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he story of Hulme goes back much further than the year of my birth in 1986. It goes back to the start of industrialisation and the birth of the slum. Suffice to say, a full history of Hulme would be as long as it would be diverse. So, this piece is just a fragment of the story. In 1986, Hulme was a notorious, dangerous and povertystricken place but culturally it found a way to thrive. Hulme was the dumping ground for the world’s ‘undesirables’ but this paradoxically brought with it a truly unique and bohemian community. The landscape was dominated by the crescents and other high-rise blocks of
poorly thought-out slum dwellings built to replace the untenable terraces that went before it. My early memories are of needles, stray dogs, burning cars and vermin. That was the physical world I was born in but the community I lived in was rich, diverse, active and conscious. Pictures of my fourth birthday-party show every shade of skin colour, like a Dulux colour-chart and back then these superficial differences never even crossed my mind; they were no more significant than the colour of their t-shirts or how tall they were, there was no reason to think otherwise. It wasn’t until I was older that I was introduced to racial difference.
professionals, being given the right treatment and drugs as well as the right information to help them manage their condition. Unfortunately, Macmillan’s There were drugs, gangs and crime but thuf also was a big West-Indian community that brought food, drink and music to the area, there were punks who brought political-activism and consciousness and street-parties, there were nightclubs made from knocked-through flats and the Hulme atmosphere brought in people from all areas and backgrounds to party and be together and put Hulme at the forefront of the ‘Madchester’ era. Art became part of the landscape, graffiti, music an art house and the abandonment by the council led the people of Hulme to take charge of the communal areas with community projects and world-class bonfire night celebrations. When the National Front and skinheads, Thatcher and the police were trying to divide communities, Hulme stood united and side-by-side in the face of the evils of the world. Members off the Gay community also quickly realised that Hulme was ahead of anywhere in the UK in terms of tolerance, acceptance and pride in unity and a diverse and open community emerged and blossomed.
existing research also shows that cancer patients from ethnic minority groups experience challenges and poor treatment throughout their cancer journey. They have reported instances of being treated without dignity and respect, of poor, ineffective communication, lack of compassion and disregard for emotional distress. Yvonne Welch is British Caribbean and lives in London. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, she said: “Nobody explicitly confirmed to me that I had lung cancer until after I was operated on when a tumour and part of my lung were removed. No-one seemed to want to say the word cancer to me. “Then when I had a course of aggressive chemotherapy, it was not properly explained to me that the purpose was to prolong life by 12 months. It was only afterwards that
doctors spoke openly about what the aim was.” Jagtar Dhanda, Head of Inclusion at Macmillan Cancer Support, commented: “No one should be left feeling ‘invisible’ by health professionals, but it is absolutely shocking that there are such disparities between the patient experience of ethnic minority and white British cancer patients. “Discrimination and exclusion can take many forms including basing the needs of a patient purely on preconceived ideas about their skin colour or ethnicity. “A cancer diagnosis can be devastating – no matter who you are. Every patient must be treated with the same level of dignity and respect by their health professionals.” If you are experiencing any of these issues use these five top tips to ensure you get the best care and support possible:
• Find out who your ongoing ‘Key Contact’ person is • Talk about how you feel • Make suggestions based on your experiences of treatment and care • See a copy of your assessment and care plan • Get support with day-today concerns *No one should face cancer alone. Macmillan cancer support groups can give you an opportunity to talk to people who understand what you're going through. For more information visit w w w. m a c m i l l a n . o r g . u k / supportgroups or call 0808 808 00 00. **Ethnic minority cancer patients include those from Mixed, Asian or British Asian, Black or Black British, Chinese or Other ethnic backgrounds. Almost 1,800 cancer patients from ethnic minority backgrounds responded to these questions in the survey. N correspondent TT
Poor Social Attitudes Sir, I Am Not Yours, or Anyone’s F*****g Black Bastard
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hilst running late for a men’s meeting at church last Saturday, my wife stopped the car in the middle of the road to drop me off. Immediately, the vehicle behind began to beep. I enquired as to what the problem was and was greeted with frustrated hand gestures and a very stern countenance from the white male driver. Not one to back down from this type of situation, I suggested that patience was in order, dear fellow! A person who I assumed was his wife, wound her window down to explain they were late for an appointment. After imploring me to cool down, my wife drove off and as he moved to progress their journey, I clearly heard the man shout, ‘f.....g black bas-
tard’. Now, I am quite comfortable with the guy being embittered and annoyed at where we had chosen to stop the car; really frustrating if your time keeping is tardy. I can even shrug off being called a ‘fucking arse’ for example. But the reference to my colour, ethnicity and race in that three word sentence, coupled with my inability to respond, set my blood boiling and heart racing with sheer anger. What is more, the historical context of my forefathers not being allowed to marry is disturbing. Not that the latter would have entered his head at all. Why do white people always have to go there? It never occurs to me to make reference to someone’s race or religion when arguing with them. If
you ever go to football, you will hear fans cheering one of their players and then calling an opponent a ‘black c**t’, even though he could be brothers with the guy they were just praising. In previous essays, I have hinted that the idea of a postracial society is an anachronism. Things are certainly different, but I am yet to be convinced that they are not the same. As I have written this month, unemployment figures for black people not just in the UK, but across Europe and North America shed light on this. There are many other examples to hand. Yes, I am black and proud to be of African descent. What I am not sir, is yours, nor anyone else's ‘f...g black bastard’ N jules jack TT
NE WS Inspirational;
birthday;
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
Prince Harry
Mother Teresa
15th September 1984
Did carnival go with a bang or a whimper this year?
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HE much anticipated Manchester Carnival came and went – but the jury’s still out, it seems, on all that happened in between. Yes, it went off with its usual fanfare, albeit at its temporary home at Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield. However, moving from the usual Alexandra Park location in the heart of Moss Side to Platt Fields was always going to be a bit of a gamble – not to say an inconvenient move – for those used to having the annual celebrations practically on their doorstep. My verdict? Well, as Alex Park undergoes regeneration it was always a bone of contention that the change
SEPTEMBER
meant the procession of floats would be cut short, and the whole e v e n t done and dusted in a day instead of stretching over two days. Happily, despite all this and rumours of there being an entry fee, the day seemed to go well. People still unhappy with the new surroundings soaked up the great music, enjoyed the stage acts, and all the while, loving the food and drink w h i c h c o m e s with multicultural attraction that is
Manchester Carnival. The Soca and Calypso dancers in their vibrant costumes were as welcome as the whiff of jerk chicken that filled the air. While working in a much smaller area didn’t seem to put people off attending, it didn’t seem quite as busy as previous years. Not to worry. Next year, after more than 40 years at Alexandra Park, carnival should be back to where it belongs – Moss Side – the beating heart of the community. N siobhan white TT
Youngest son of Prince Charles and Lady Diana
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Our Girls Aren’t Lollipops Thrown Down On The Ground
t must have seemed – perhaps still seems – unimaginably surreal to the people who had met the likes of Jimmy Saville and Mark Bridger decades earlier and thought “ah, he is a nice guy”. The thing is, a paedophile’s true desires are locked away for years until they strike, by which time the horror sinks sharply into the flesh like pins & needles to those who had met them and been non thewiser. Within the BME community, paedophilia is hardly discussed with the same scrutiny as in the white community. As widely acknowledged, it’s not because it doesn’t occur within our community, but the shame it brings upon a family or community is perceived to be greater than the need to address the crime, as the White society does. What the Saville and Bridger cases have done is cast some light on a broader crisis; the way our children use the internet, our own community’s
tabooing over addressing the issue and the urgent need for us to choose justice over reputation. “In some places, very few mind you, blood is shed if someon=e is found to be a paedophile, but generally as a community, it goes unrecorded. Our community is conservative with not just this but with a lot of other things like mental illnesses for example”, Sarah Ibrahim, Young Planners’ project manager who deals with minority communities’ issues, explains. This fact tortures the victims and leaves them feeling they are just throwaway
Come On, Mr Education Secretary, What Does ‘Best’ Really Mean?
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et's call this an open letter to a man named Michael Gove. Michael is white, middle-aged, state-school and Oxford-educated, and he decides all the important stuff within Education. Most of the top dogs within education are called Michael and are white, private-school and Oxford-educated, except for the likes of Michael’s boss, who is white, Eton and Oxford-educated and called David Cameron. So, those are the people calling the shots in our education system; no blacks, no women either, or very few, nor indeed anyone named ‘Rafiq’. Anyway, it’s
perhaps because they are called Michael and white and upper middle class that they seem frightened of telling the news as it is – ‘education for white British students and teaching vacancies for white British graduates’. Take the figures by Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record, on the numbers of students at higher education institutions (HEI’s) in Greater Manchester from 2011/2012, for example; only 4,395 Black students were taken on by Manchester’s HEI’s against the entire 106,165 enrolled; with Manchester University taking on the least BME undergraduates. Baffling indeed, especially after an official report published in
June, revealed that poor white children are the least likely of any ethnic group to succeed at school. These figures invite scrutiny, but don’t hold your breath for righteous explanations. Because the ‘Michael Gang’, tiptoe on eggshells over racial discrimination on BME teachers and students – effectively crushing the truth behind the enormous disparity reflected in the figures. According to the Department for Education (DfE): “Schools will be selective; choosing only those ‘best’ suited to the school”. Come on, Michael, what does ‘best’ really mean? – just tell us the truth!
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Because unlike the ethnically and religiously diverse body you’ve insinuated the DfE
is, the statistics prove that’s demonstrably untrue. N Yasin Chinembiri TT
girls to everyone (whether to relatives or the abusers) – no more than a lollipop thrown down on the ground. Victims often worry about being believed, should they speak up against an uncle or family friend. This alone invites speculation but sadly speculation is usually all it amounts to. It’s about time we wake up to the vile ‘sickos’ lurking in our community before they turn our girls into abusers too – yes, that’s the cycle if unbroken. N YASIN CHINEMBIRI TT
Yasin Chinembiri meets wordpress cofounder Mike Little ...cont from front page
ity that shields him from the blast of his success, but it’s hard to fathom what keeps him so grounded. “I’m just a one-man band who works for me. I have a mortgage and family to feed,” he says with characteristic modesty. Could this man be any more down to earth? Well, he continues to develop sites with WordPress and maintains around 100 WordPress sites and blogs for himself, clients, friends, and, of course, family. Just before dashing for his train, Mike mentioned that he’s currently working on a long-running award-winning site, which is bound to generate another stream of followers. He explained: “It links school children with scientists, covers part of the school curriculum and even lets children have real time chats with scientists.”
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SPEAKERS CORNER
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Celebrating Inspirational Women
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Who’sReading Reading Who’s
Diary of an Angry Black Teacher ‘Confidence is the key’
Poetry Corner Looking Up At times, we are all like kids looking up; wishing and hoping that someone would lift this trouble of living and carry it on their hip.
Timeless Speckles She said, “We are nothing but grains of light violently speckled, yet talking softly in the dialect of sieved liquid; making time doubt its hold on us.”
Yasin Chinembiri Do you have a passion for poetry? If you want to see your work in The Nubian Times send it in to articles@thenubiantimes.com
Debatable Issues Stop and Search Is there any trust left between police and the community? Visit our facebook page to join the debate facebook.com/thenubiantimes If there is a pressing issue that you think needs debating, let us know at info@thenubiantimes.com
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o one likes a cocky child. As a parent, I really dislike it when I hear a child, especially my daughter, inform their parents what they are getting for their birthday/Christmas. Like they pay the bills up in here! As Head of PE, I come across this over inflated ego all the time. They believe that because they have Cristiano Ronaldo’s football boots, played the new FIFA video game and they’ve watched a few Match of the Day episodes, that they know more about football than me?
But therein lies the rub. If the children are too confident they question every decision I make. If they are too insecure we end up getting our butt whooped by the opposing team. Makes the team talk quite difficult. I was previously Head of Year for some time, and the responsibility that is difficult to measure is the ability to convince these students that they can accomplish anything. To instil the belief in themselves that they too can compete with students from more affluent homes. Isn’t it self doubt that
"It is then our job as adults to encourage a generation of young adults who question the world around them." infects our young ethnic minority students there by leading them into searching for adulation and praise from gangs or less productive elements in our society? An unpublished government article highlighted by The Guardian suggests that black boys' unemployment
rate is twice as high as their white peers. I tell all my students that one day they will have to convince the person interviewing them that they are better suited to the advertised job than anyone else. It is then our job as adults to encourage a generation of young adults who question the world around them and can confidently suggest improvements. Of course the risk is that we have a generation of arrogant know-italls. But, isn't that better than shy, docile children in the job centre? Mr. L
GROWING PAINS with Nawayne Forrester , a savvy 15 year-old OPPORTUNITY The feeling of helplessness isn’t one we want to become frequently acquainted with, but it’s one that resides in us still. There’s energy and potential in young people, ready to be committed into an activity, but more often than not their ability is left to simmer until their ability in the trade wouldn’t be viewed as little more than ordinary. A head-start might be what the younger generation need in order to succeed in life. And with them valuing hard work as well as accepting more responsibility, there’s bound to
be a visible improvement in the way young adults spend their free time. The lack of faith in teenagers is obvious; the only jobs regularly available are paper rounds and the likes. And although that would instill a sense of responsibility to get the job done, it wouldn’t help to expand your skills or intelligence. As teenagers are constantly being expected to act like adults, it would be understandably beneficial to allow them to gain an understanding of what it is to be treated as an adults; in the work place. As the activities that are
available are pretty limited, idleness could lead to mischief. It would be very wrong to categorise all young people like myself who have nothing to do as possible trouble-makers, but the chances of trouble being caused when there is nothing else to do is far higher. Society needs to take a chance on us and give us the opportunity to do something monumental with our lives at a younger age, as opposed to waiting till we are legal adults and may find it much harder to find jobs to our liking. Why do tomorrow what you can do today?
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SPEAKERS CORNER
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Who’s Reading
It's Not So Black & White Charles Crichlow is a serving Police Officer in Greater Manchester Police and president of the National Black Association. He has spoken and lectured widely on a range of policing issues across the UK, USA and South Africa.
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few years ago I warned about the rise in police use of Tasers. My concerns then were that whilst the criminal justice system still produced outcomes which showed disproportionate unfair treatment of BME communities, any increase in the level of force used by Police ought to be very carefully scrutinised. Tasers are a supposed non-lethal firearm which releases a 50,000 volt shock dart intending to provide temporarily incapacitate as opposed to deadly force. The problem is that increasingly, a number of deaths have been associated with the use of these weapons. Amnesty international reported recently up to 500 taserrelated deaths in the USA alone between 2001 and 2012. Here in the UK, statistics have also shown a significant increase in the use of Tasers and deaths associated with their use. Greater Manchester Police faced criticism recently on its use of Tasers. My other worry about Tasers is that they may represent a slippery slope towards the routine arming of British police officers with conventional firearms, a prospect I dread even as a serving officer. If such a thing were to happen current debates about police abuse of stop and search powers could take on a more deadly dimension. The recent announcement by Home Secretary, Theresa May, about abuses of stop and search powers and the need for Police officers to use such powers proportionately, shows a glimmer of hope that the government are starting to 'get it'. Whilst the Home Secretary acknowledges abuses in the use of stop and search powers, it is critically important that the dots are joined up in order that we avert the prospective use of Tasers, and other deadly force, becoming ever more disproportionately used against BME communities.
Who’s the Fairest of Them All? "She avoided the sun and used creams in elegant bottles, so that her complexion, already naturally light, became lighter, brighter, and took on a sheen’” Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Very subtly, the gorgeous Ms Ngozi-Adichie introduces us to skin bleaching, prevalent in her native Nigeria. For many across Africa, South and Far East Asia and diaspora populations, skin is at once unbearable and unwearable. It’s quite easy to pin this on feelings of inferiority, the result of colonialism and centuries of European economic and cultural dominance. Easy, but regrettably true. For the vanquished, fairer skin has long been equated with privilege, success, power and all things desirable; ergo, we want to resemble our victors. Politically and ideologically, the concept of White supremacy still reigns supreme. Don’t shirk and ‘kin yu teet’! The use of the term is both appropriate and correct. I urge, awake from your illu-
sion. What illusion? That bleaching and/or cloaking to avoid the sun is the gateway to attaining the myth of the supreme white ideal; that there, we finally gain a coveted acknowledgement of our humanity and so a fast track up the social mobility ladder. In India, it is said the darker you are, the fairer your aspirations as beneath every dark skinned girl, is fair skin, waiting to be unveiled. Filipinos desire lighter, whiter skin and apparently, will do anything to get it. In Chinese, this is referred to as ‘Mei Fu Bai’, meaning white, wealthy and beautiful. Although many of us have an understanding of the history of European enslavement and colonialism, most choose to ignore the reality of its baneful significance, continuum and
constant regeneration which maintains white people in their place of power and privilege and us, glibly upholding the system. Economic globalization and individual freedoms of ‘the me generation’, has ensured skin bleaching is an accepted way life, easily purchased off the shelf, in markets or, more alarmingly, home produced concoctions. An 1875 advert for a Pears’ soap references its magical powers and states it is ‘matchless for the Hands and Complexion’. In a ‘before’ picture, a black child sits in a tub, staring at the water, astounded, suggesting bathing is a new experience. A white boy wears a white apron, suggesting dirty work ahead. He has soap in hand. In the ‘after’ picture, the black boy rises and sees his transformation in a mirror. He’s delighted; magically, his body has become white. Who’s the fairest of them all? To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com N jules jack TT
This month’s poem comes from Vanessa Connaughton Fancy seeing yourself or your school’s creative writing in the next edition of Minetta Webb A Born The Nubian Times? Then send yourWas work into Fighter info@thenubiantimes.com Full Of Joy, Full Of Laughter She Loved Her Family More Than Words Can Say Her Love Was Unconditional Day After Day Minetta Was Kind,Caring,Loving & Sweet You'd Of Fell In Love With Her Within A Heartbeat 107 yrs Old,She Was Still Going Strong She Fought & Fought Just To Prove "them" Wrong Yet Sadly The Time Had Come For Her To Go She Is Now In A Better Place Re-united With Family Members Who Were Sadly Taken Many Years Ago. Fancy seeing yourself or your school’s creative writing in the next edition ofThe Nubian Times? Then send your work into info@thenubiantimes.com
Ms.Vanquish Each month, our mystery author, tackles important issues through the medium of story telling.
The Best Bet
“Hey T, how you doing?” “Nice man, Just chilling” he responds not looking up at Dale. “Where’s Sophie?” asks Dale “In the kitchen sorting out the unpacking.” “Your Sophie is great man, I’m still trying to find a woman like her, you are one lucky guy, she got it all man, great figure, funny, beautiful looking, sexy as hell and she can cook.” “Yo she’s lucky! You don’t forget that!” he says pointing at Dale. “Lucky how? What the hell you on?” Dale laughs. Sophie walks through the living room carrying a big cardboard box “Hi Dale, you ok love?” “Yeah not bad Soph, how you doing girl?” “Yeah I’m good, just sick of that lazy sod.” “What the hell? Is that it looks heavy let me give you a hand” says Dale “T man you can see the woman struggling?” “That’s what he’s like Dale, doesn’t do shit.” Dale takes the box off Sophie and helps her carry it upstairs, while Tony continues to watch the horse racing. “Come on, come ooonnn, shit man, I knew it, shit horse, falling every damn chance it gets” Tony sucks his teeth. “Daddy, can I have some money for the shop please?” asks Danielle as she walks in the room “Daaaaddy!.. Can I have some m… whose mum talking to upstairs?”
To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com
LIFEST YLE
SEPTEMBER
8
The Nubian Times’ MBC Awards 2013 Awards Category in Media
• Journalist of the Year • Presenter of the Year • Champion of UK Music
• Most inspiring public figure • Digital Media Award
• Literary excellence • Publication of the Year
To nominate: info@thenubiantimes.com Stating: nominee's name, category, brief profile, and, where possible, current picture.
workout with vici
Recipe: Eggy Bread
clockwise and begin rocking quickly so that when the motion becomes rhythmic you can slow down the rocking to a more gentle pace. Hold abdominals in and raise arms to feel deeper muscles being used. For visual instructions get yourself on Youtube there are millions of easy to follow tutorials. So that’s the how but what’s the why? Let me tell you the benefits of a weighted hoop workout are immediate to see and feel. Hooping uses your glutes, thighs, hips, legs, knees and importantly your abdomen especially your transverse abdominal muscles. These are your core muscles that support your back and abdominal wall. So whilst working towards those steel abs you are improving your posture. For a loss of 3-6 inches you should hoop for 30 minutes 3/4 times a week. The beauty is you can do it at home by yourself or with a mate or even find a class in your area. You can purchase hoops online and at sports stores.
The Nubian Times five months plan;
HOOPING
F Ingredients: 4 slices of bread 3 large eggs salt & pepper lemon Juice Directions: Cut sliced bread into shapes, mix eggs and all other ingredients into a mixing bowl, dip bread shapes into mixture, place in heated pan and fry on both sides till golden brown, serve with a selection of fruit Beverly Ogle Young
ollowing my previous articles where I’ve given you some cardio and core workouts, this month I have been introduced to Hula Hooping, and thought I just have to share this with you guys because of the immediate improvements I’ve noticed around my midriff. Ok it may be ten, 20, 30, eek 40 years since you last did it, and might not have been particularly great at, but bear with me. Hooping, as i t ’s called these days, is done with a weighted hoop and its much larger than the ones we used as a child. The weight and size makes it a lot easier to keep up. The basics of hooping are to gyrate not twirl your hips. First, stand feet hip distance apart with one foot slightly forward if you prefer. With your hand push anti-
Ask your Pharmacist: Hay fever
H
ay fever is a common minor condition that is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, which affects up to one in five people at some point in their life. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycle and for most people is totally harmless with exposure causing no health issues. But for those with hay fever, contact with pollen triggers the body to react as if it were under attack, as it releases chemicals designed to prevent the spread of what it wrongly thinks is an infection. These chemicals then cause the nose, eyes, throat, and sinuses (small air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead), to become swollen, irritated and inflamed, which in turn causes the symptoms of hay fever such as sneezing, wheezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes.
There are 30 types of pollen you can have an allergy to, as well as the 3 main different sources which cause hay fever. In England, most people are allergic to grass pollen, however trees and weeds can also cause a reaction. Depending on which pollen you are allergic to means you will experience hay fever at different times of the year. Tree pollen - released during spring (Jan- April); 25% of people in Britain with hay fever are allergic to pollen from trees. Grass pollen - released during the end of spring and beginning of summer (MayAug); 90% of people in Britain with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen. Weed pollen - released any time from early spring to late autumn.
The amount of pollen that plants release and spread is dependent on the weather. During their pollen season, plants release pollen early in the morning, and then as the day gets warmer and flowers open, pollen levels rise. On sunny days, the pollen count is highest in early evening. On humid and windy days, pollen spreads easily. On rainy and windy days, pollen may be cleared from the air, causing levels to fall. The pollen count is usually given on the weather forecast during the spring and summer months. There is currently no cure for hay fever, and the best treatment would be to avoid pollen altogether, however this is not possible, especially during the summer months as we all spend more time outdoors. There are a number of treatment options available over the counter from
N Victoria Thompson TT
the Pharmacy to help manage symptoms, and these come in a number of forms. Tablet/liquid form - Antihistamines treat hay fever by blocking the action of the chemicals (Histamine) released when the body thinks it’s under attack. E.g. Cetirizine/ Loratadine/ Chlorphenamine
Gardening tips Home grown vegetables
Nasal spray - Containing a decongestant to unblock your nose by opening nasal passages. If used for more than 7days in a row however, it can cause more congestion known as rebound congestion. Eye drops - Drops containing Sodium Cromoglicate, will help with symptoms such as redness, itchiness and watering. For more information on how to prevent hay fever, read the online version of the article.
Adedayo Titiloye MPharm
Growing your own vegetables couldn't be easier. All you need is soil, compost, vegetable feed and a warm sunny spot, and away you go
• • • •
Cabbage • Parsley Potatoes • Thyme Beetroots • Basil Carrots
claire meadows
thenubiantimes.com
LIFEST YLE
SEPTEMBER
9
The Nubian Times’ MBC Awards 2013 Awards Category in Business • Business of the Year
• Corporate contribution of the Year
To nominate: info@thenubiantimes.com Stating: nominee's name, category, brief profile, and, where possible, current picture.
42. Type of dressing (4) 43. Time period (5) 45. Vile (4) 1. Tyrant (4) 48. I want my _____ (3) 5. United States of 50. Women's America (3) magazine (4) 8. Digital audio tape (3) 51. Sheet of matted 11. Dueling sword (4) cotton (4) 12. Doctoral degree (3) 13. Fish breathing slits (4) 52. Pod vegetable (3) 53. Prevaricator (4) 14. Meager (4) 54. Wrath (3) 15. Body of water (3) 55. Trinitrotoluene (3) 16. Little Mermaid's 56. Carry (4) love (4) 17. Buckets (5) Down 19. Niche (4) 21. Miner's goal (3) 22. Globe (5) 1. Pace (5) 24. Government 2. Pointed weapon (5) agency (3) 3. Eagle's nest (5) 27. Aborts (4) 4. Spool (4) 28. Leading (5) 5. Delivery service (3) 30. Presented (6) 6. Trims wool (6) 33. Inhabits (6) 7. Accommodate (5) 34. Confuse (5) 8. Director (abbr.) (3) 35. Italian boy's name (4) 9. Boxer Muhammad (3) 36. Western Athletic 10. Tender loving care (3) Conference (3) 13. “To the right!” (3) 37. Dickens' “___ of Two 18. Dakar is capital (7) Cities” (2 words.) (5) 20. Native American 39. Some (3) tribe (7)
Across
20 min CROSSWORD 23. Insert (3) 24. Snake like fish (3) 25. Friend (3) 26. Advertisements (3) 27. Freudian term (3) 29. ____ you! (attention getter) (3) 30. South by West (3) 31. Drink (3) 32. American Football Conference (abbr.) (3) 33. Pain unit (3) 35. Firm (6) 38. Lure (5) 39. Folded sheet of paper (5) 40. Acclaim (5) 41. Journalist's question (5) 42. Bacon - lettuce tomato sandwich (3)
With Dr. Joan St John
Are relatives from abroad entitled to NHS treatement?
S
44. Rain cats and dogs (4) 45. Federal Bureau of Investigation (3) 46. Canoe propeller (3) 47. Southwestern Indian (3)
TNT's Recommended Reads by Jacqueline E Hylton The Scholar This gritty and believable youth novel chronicles the lives of cousins Cory and Sean. After his father’s death, under police arrest, Cory goes to live with Sean. Cory is athletic and soon finds that he’s running with the wrong crowd and before long becomes involved in petty crime and dealing drugs. Sean on the other hand is devoted to his studies and his girlfriend, but a twist of fate finds Sean stepping in for his cousin in his dark dealings, and soon he too gets a taste for the easy money life. The story is realistic with its use of street language and descriptions of the streets of West London, which allow the reader a true insight in to the choices a young black man growing up in a fast paced city environment has when it comes to life. Courttia excellently records contemporary black British life in a fast paced narrative style. This, for me, had a much deeper message than that of simply following the right path, but it goes further and teaches us just how we can avoid the evil that is all around, and that if Cory and Sean had avoided the attraction of easy money, they too could have realised that, they wanted more.
all things medical
Green Eggs and Ham I started reading this book to my daughter at just 10 months old, it’s still one of our favourite books to cuddle up to just before bed. This is a book that every bookshelf should have, this best selling and critically acclaimed book by Dr Seuss is a delight to read. The book was first published in 1960, and according to publishers weekly, it was the 4th best selling English language children book of all time. This book is aimed at beginner readers and its simple vocabulary consisting of only 50 words, tongue twist their way through a story about a character called “Sam-I-am” who insists that the never named other character try a dish of green eggs and ham. It starts with the character ‘Sam-I-am’ asking, “Do you like Green Eggs and Ham?” to which a stern answer of “I do not like them Sam-I-am!” is retorted. The moral of this story is simple; don’t make up your mind about something until you’ve tried it, and believe me this great book is an excellent tool for teaching.
49. Basin (3) To view answers instantly go to: www.thenubiantimes.com
For full review continue online, www.thenubiantimes.com
Nelson Mandela’s Favourite African Folktales Tired from all the entertaining during the summer holidays? Fed up with all the money it costs to take a small family out for just the day? Don’t want to let your little darlings watch too much TV? Or, just want a break from reading the bedtime story? Well, this audio book is just one way to take time out, and just let you and your child’s mind listen, imagine, and wander to the beautifully spoken stories, carefully selected by The Nobel Laureate for Peace, Mr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Rich in exciting stories, this audio book will be something that the whole family can listen to. The stories are brought to life by the actors, all of which are perfectly placed to take you on a journey through Africa. The book comes with a map so you can see exactly where each story took place. With most of the stories having a learning lesson, those which don’t, explain mythical natural worlds which allow your imagination to run wild and feel like a child once more. The proceeds of this audio book benefits South African children who are either orphaned or impacted by HIV/AIDS this just one good reason to buy this audio book.
ummer is a wonderful time for family to visit, but what if, when Aunty comes to stay from across the seas, she gets ill? Is she entitled to NHS treatment? Or will she have to spend her carefully saved up spending money on treatment? And what if Aunty used to live in the UK, is she still able to expect her doctor to refer her for treatment? Well, I will try to help you through the maze of entitlements and different categories of patient. If Aunty lives in the European Union, and, if she has the right documents, then, in certain circumstances, she may be eligible for NHS treatment. But this being Nubian Times, I doubt that most of our relatives live in the EU. So what if Aunty, or Mummy or Daddy for that matter, is coming from somewhere in the African diaspora? People who used to live in the UK and are receiving a pension from the UK are still entitled to see a GP. However, if they no longer reside permanently in the UK, they are not entitled to Hospital treatment unless it is an emergency. It is one of the quirks of the NHS, that although you have contributed to the NHS, and paid your taxes, and chances are you probably even worked in it, entitlement is not based on what you did in the past, but rather what your situation is now. I know that will come as a shock to many people, but this is something I have needed to explain to people in the surgery on a number of occasions. What if your relative never resided in the UK and is not intending to live here? Well they may still be able to register at the GP’s surgery as a temporary resident if they are in the UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) for up to 3 months. However, be aware that once again, registration with a GP does not necessarily mean the person is able to receive free hospital treatment. Finally can I just warn that the old cliché, honesty is the best policy, really does apply here. Hospitals are clamping down on fraudulent use of their services and will seek to recover costs incurred.
ENTERTAINMENT
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SEPTEMBER
10
K
Who’s Who’s Reading Reading
cultureword TNT PROFILE: writers conference Wayne Marshall
T
he 7th Black Writers' Conference & Festival will be the biggest yet. Major writers including, Maloria Blackman, Fred D'Aguiar, Suiata Bhatt, Bali Rai, Samuel Shimon, Dorothea Smartt and Thomas Glave will all be participating. They will join Penguin publishers, literary agents, two young writers' workshops, three book launches, information stalls, a young writers' performance and an evening festival that includes Slam Champion, Stephanie Dogfoot, Malika Booker, Sujata Bhatt, J P Cooper, Speakeasy Band, Young Identity and many more. The Conference will feature the following debates and workshops: Writing For Children: How do we get more diversity into published children's writing? Women poets and the stage: the reception subtle exclusions that female spoken word artists face in public space that remains dominated by men. Queer writing: What space does the black queer writer occupy? Is there 'room at the inn' for black queer writers? How
classical musician from Oldham
does 'double discrimination' inform and undermine our writing? Freedom and Resistance: 'Tortured, the Truth, Remains And Will Free Itself.' How has the relationship of writing and resistance changed in the 21st century? There are two specific writers workshops and a performance opportunity all led by
Young Identity young writers group! Cultureword Black & Asian Writers Conference 2013 Saturday 19th October Contact Theatre, Manchester How to book: Contact Theatre website N correspondent TT
Rewind, rewind. Classical musician from Oldham? Yes, Wayne Marshall is from Oldham. And, he travels the world as a conductor, virtuoso organist and solo pianist. Wow. I didn’t know that. Anything else? Lots. He’s a renowned interpreter of Gershwin, Bernstein, Ellington and other 20th century American composers. He’s been Organist-in-Residence at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall since its opening in 1996, but is also in great demand all over the place.
Some fancy places, I bet? Well, appearances as guest conductor have included many UK orchestras as well as Accademia di Santa Cecilia, RAI Torino, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Vienna Radio, Swedish Radio, Sydney Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Maggio Musicale. So, is all his work in and around Europe? No. In recent seasons he has conducted opera in Washington, Dallas and at the Opera Comique with the New World Symphony Orchestra.
What’s on in september & EARLY OCTOBER… ATTRACTIONS MANCHESTER CENTRAL TOURS
Manchester, September Take a walk under the vaulted arches and station clock of the gable, part of the Manchester skyline for over a hundred years. manchesterguidedtours. com Admissions: Variable
theatre wicked
Palace Theatre, Manchester 1st Sept - 16th Nov The global musical phenomenon that tells
the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz has already sold over 85,000 tickets at Manchester's Palace Theatre.
Approximate Show Duration 2 hours 45 minutes
Tickets: £20 - £72.50
KEISHA THOMPSON: I WISH I HAD A MOUSTACHE
Palace Theatre, Manchester 10th - 12th Sep Body hair is still a controversial topic which brings out a reaction in most people. Join poet Keisha as she takes you on a Socratic journey through the history of the female beauty regime.
Tickets: £6 / £3 Concessions
COMEDY Doc Brown - "Of Mic and Men"
The Dancehouse, Manchester Fri 27th Sept Brown's seamless mix of truly inspired Hip Hop and Stand Up comedy, its a must for Hip Hop connoisseurs and for those who enjoy great stand up. Buy tickets online; Livenation.co.uk
CLUB NIGHTS THE VIRGO AFFAIR
The Big Western Club,
Manchester, M16 7PA Sat 7th Sept Music by DJ Little Sample (Huddersfield), DJ Ali G, Ants International (London). Prepare to bubble till the early hours. Admissions: £10
soca dance fever
Imani Centre, Oxford Place, Rusholme, M14 75GS Sat 7th Sept Music by Daddysamson, Dubstar, DJ Tyrone. For all soca movers and shakers, carnival flava is still here. Admissions: £7.50.
SPORT Haye vs. Fury IS ON!
Here you can read what else is happening in and around Manchester .
Phones4u Arena, Manchester, Sat 28th Sept A superfight between Britain's two best heavyweight boxers. David Haye and Tyson Fury, both world-ranked, charismatic and dangerous, have agreed to a highlyanticipated domestic showdown. Tickets: £32.50 - £800.00
CONCERT jay - z
What’s he most proud of? Not sure, but he was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Valletta Capital of Culture 2018. I sense an ‘And’ coming. And he was selected as Chief Conductor of WDR Rundfunkorchester for the 2014/15 season, becoming their Chief Conductor Designate sometime this month (Sept 2013). Is he any good? Silly question. This is what one classical source said after hearing him play: “Wayne Marshall demonstrated one of his great strengths – that of improvisation. This was really something – superb playing, thrilling and moving by turns…’ Tell me he likes other music. A bit of Shabba maybe? No Shabba, but when on Desert Island Discs he chose two nonclassical tunes – Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. • Wayne Marshall is appearing at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Sunday, 22 September, 2013 at 3:PM
Phones4u Arena, Manchester 3rd & 4th Oct The American rapper, record producer and
entrepreneur is one of the most successful hiphop artists in the world, having sold more than 50 million albums across the globe, as well as receiving seventeen Grammy Awards. Tickets from: £43.80
Bruno mars
Phones4u Arena, Manchester Sat 5th Oct The Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter will be performing hits including Just The Way You Are, The Lazy Song and Marry Me at his October Manchester show. Tickets: £44.80
thenubiantimes.com
ENTERTAINMENT
SEPTEMBER
L
11
K
Who’s Reading
THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS BRINGING SPARKLE TO MANCHESTER
A
night of classic reggae with a very special gig by original Jamaican roots reggae legends, The, Mighty Diamonds followed by one of Band on the Wall's famous reggae parties taking the vibe into the early hours. Featuring the acclaimed close harmony singing of Tabby Shaw, Bunny Simpson and Judge Ferguson, the trio have scored a series of major roots reggae hits over the years, including Go Seek Your Rights, I Need A
Cleo Sol - Making the climb with Unity Radio
Roof and the massive Pass The Coutchie (later adapted in the UK by Musical Youth). Expect all these and more as this legendary band raise the roof at Band on the Wall next month.
TNT correspondent
Film Review -
Fast & Furious 6
T
ighten your seatbelt the Fast and Furious is back! What an amazing franchise that has come a long way since its debut in 2001 when it took the film scene by storm. It’s no longer just about undercover cops but a family of misfit criminals who have made their tight operation into a profitable family unit. How else would they be able to afford and race such outstanding pieces of machinery? Car racing is still the essence of Fast and Furious 6 with one of the most
surreal car and plane chases in the history of film-making. The stunts are off the chain! Romance, action and a moral obligation to find Letty and look after one of their own, Fast and Furious 6 is definitely one of the best, if not the best so far, and well worth the trip to the cinema. It’s often hard to keep the momentum of a franchise fresh, action packed and exciting – "this it manages with aplomb!" 8/10 N Hanna Charles TT
T
arrus Riley passed by for an interview on the Miss Motivator show (Thursday's 2-4pm) Peace FM 90.1 Dj's, staff and members of the community came to meet and take photo's with the reggae star. Tarrus, famous for songs such as She's Royal, and Good Girl Gone Bad, shared the news of two new releases that are climbing right up the Reggae charts - Gimme Likkle One and To The Limit.
He also became the proud owner of a book 'Pardner Money Stories, Vol 2', written by Peace Fm's Caribbean News presenter Deanne Herron. Peace FM's Development Officer Karen Depasois said: “We all spent a really nice afternoon with Tarrus. It was a pleasure to meet him, he is a very humble and down to earth guy.” Peace Fm 90.1, Manchester's African & Caribbean Community Radio Station.
For Advertising, Sponsorship & general enquiries call: 0161 222 0292 or email: info@peacefmradio.co.uk
Here at Unity radio station, during magnificent mornings, resident Jay Diamond had the pleasure of chatting to up and coming London based female vocalist Cleo Sol . Cleo is a creative young woman with several releases and her music reaches many with its diversity of tracks, ranging from R&B to electronic, not to mention collaborations with pop artists such as Toddla T. Considering Cleo’s musical background it’s no surprise to hear about her selection of inspiring releases including albums, singles , remixes and a number of collaborations with more of today‘s huge chart names. Cleo says: “I’m creating now and I will always be creating.” In fact, the musical night owl is said to feel most creative in the middle of the night when waking up from a slumber and inspired by the mountainous outdoors while exploring new destinations. Cleo Sol’s lyrics touch on topics of popular culture,
empathising with listener’s emotions, romantic affairs and experiences with drugs. To get up to date on some of Cleo’s great new sounds, visit soundcloud. com/Cleosol . Cleo tells that access to free download for her new track ‘borderline’, released on Universal Island Records LTD , was inspired by Massive Attack. If Cleo’s music has affected you in the same way as us at Unity radio, and online listening just isn’t enough, be sure to keep in touch with her Facebook and Twitter pages where you will find future concert dates. Also, no need to worry about travelling far to enjoy Cleo’s vocal creations live. She enjoys getting out of London and travelling around the Uk, not least of all in Manchester where she has already performed – and loved it! For more music/artist updates follow us on Twitter : -@unityradiofm or join us on facebook.com/officialunityradio N Amy Hallam TT
BUSINESS
SEPTEMBER
12
The Nubian Times’ MBC Awards 2013 Awards Category in Community • Charity of the Year • Contribution to Education • Outstanding Leadership • Lifetime achievement award To nominate: info@thenubiantimes.com Stating: nominee's name, category, brief profile, and, where possible, current picture.
MoneY Black Unemployment matters Lesson 1: risk, a necessary component of progress
with economist
Jonathan Thomas
Immigration: The Cause and the Cure
A
s the jostling starts for the 2015 general election, the latest round of government muscle-flexing towards immigration has arrived with public “spot checks” and circling vans. But the real step-change comes this autumn with the piloting of a £3000 bond on "high risk" visitors on six-month tourist visas from Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The reported aim of the levy is to deter overstaying with the money returned upon departure. Despite the fact that tourist visa holders are not counted in the official migration figures, the Home Office has curiously cast the bond as the “next step in bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands." Anyway, we know the drill. Over the coming months we can expect a stream of "concerns" about the adverse impacts of migrants on jobs, wages, welfare, housing, crime etc. And woe to those reckless enough to highlight the fact that these claims wither against empirical scrutiny, bulldozed into irrelevance by charges of ignoring legitimate concerns and missing the bigger picture. But the rightful worries and 3D image have been inconveniently highlighted by last month's Fiscal Sustainability Report from the government-funded Office for Budget Responsibility. The OBR demonstrate that the UK needs more young immigrants to work and pay the taxes required to prevent the nation from going bust over the next few decades as the native population ages and pressures on NHS and pension funding intensify. A similar report could have been written for the rest of Europe. For now, the national insistence on what economists have politely called “compositional amenities”- which basically translates into a rejection of difference, especially when these involve nonEuropean lineage – hold sway. Nonetheless, all this posturing cannot offset fundamental choices which will have to be made within the next few decades. An average tax rate of 50%? A 25% cut in pension payments? Hospital payments at the point of delivery? Or a £3000 “Golden Hello” for potential migrants?
Y
oung black men are more likely to be unemployed than any other ethnic group. Before you say it, the situation for black women is not much better either. The differences in the rates could be down to females being deemed less threatening, achieving greater educational attainment or a combination of any number of reasons. Whatever the reason, it is of no
consequence. The situation for us as a whole remains forever the same. Even when we do get a foothold, for the vast majority, progression is generally limited. We tend to dominate the lower tiers of organisations, progress no further than middle management, are passed over or ignored for promotions and bonuses and generally get paid less than our counterparts. For
the few of us that arrive at the top, it’s an extremely lonely existence. It really is time for us to strategically rethink and establish longer term strategies to address our job market vulnerabilities. Whatever the solutions, they must neither depend or rely on external sources, government or otherwise. The older I get, the more I really appreciate that we, especially those of Caribbean descent, have been too risk averse and thus lack the ability to generate real wealth. The result being that we remain ever exposed during a downturn. At 20, and approaching the final year of his first degree, I am encouraging my eldest son to focus on being an entrepreneur. I have done so for years. I want him to be in control of his own destiny and have absolute confidence in his ability to succeed. He started his first business aged 17 and did not
achieve his dream. No problem! Let’s reflect, learn and move forward. His latest plan is bigger and better. The key is defusing the negative bias from our psyche. We often convince ourselves that we will fail and focus on that probability. I am not suggesting that this pathway is for everyone or that one should take unnecessary risk, but, I am encouraging you and your loved ones not be scared away from opportunities or your visions. What’s the worst that could happen? Look, it’s normal to fear short term failure but, as often said, successful people focus on long-term gain. Failing after having taken a calculated risk is not a failure, but a step along the way to success. My accountant is always drumming this into me. This newspaper was started by three young women who saw an opportunity, established a pathway and are now executing plans. They have created employment for others and massive potential for themselves. The model is staring you in the face. Use it. If not for yourselves, then for your children. N jules jack TT
TNT BUSINESS PROFILE: Denataa Amoateng
E
urope’s most important African woman, we’re told Well, according to the prestigious African Women in Europe (AWE) 2013 Award she is. Denataa, 30, was described as a “diligent entrepreneur and visionary” and female “icon” to the British-African community for her work promoting Ghanaian achievement in the UK. She was also praised for her charity work, which includes founding the GUBA Foundation – an offshoot of the awards that supports autistic children within Ghana and the British-Ghanaian community. Tell me more about the AWE awards Now in its second year, the annual AWE Awards recognises the achievements of African women in Europe and aims to “empower African women to bring a positive change in themselves and surroundings.” Specifically, the awards highlight the positive impact that African immigrants have on the
two continents in terms of economic and social development. Wow. The African Women in Europe Award is some achievement then? Certainly is. This is what Denataa herself said: “The awards reflect a positive image of African women as intelligent, hardworking, multi-tasking, ambitious and socially-aware, and I am proud to live up to those ideals and serve as a role model for African women everywhere. “Since their formation in 2011,
the AWEs have helped empower African women living in Europe and significantly raised awareness of the vast contribution they make both to their native and adopted homelands. I feel there is even more to this lady. Am I right? Yes again. She trained as a nurse but soon moved into the entertainment world, first as an actress and gospel singer, and then as a TV presenter of popular Ghanaian programmes, such as The Denataa Show, and the
West African country's answer to The X Factor — music talent show “Mentor”. Oh, she’s also the manager of former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, and still finds time to care for the sick as a qualified paediatric nurse AND raise a young family of three. Who else has won this award? Previous UK-based winners of a African Women in Europe award include: Akua Wood owner of Sheabutter Cottage, Kanini Mutooni, founder of Inuka, a micro finance platform, and Dr.Wangui wa Goro, a writer and human rights campaigner. Finally, how proud is she of her award? Very. Denataa — who was born in the Ashanti region of Ghana, but now divides her time between the UK and Africa — told TNT: “I am honoured, humbled and delighted in equal measures to win the prestigious African Women in Europe Award 2013. N correspondent TT
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99 UPPER CHORLTONROAD, M16 7RX TEL: 0161 226 1234 OR 0161 226 2763 (*on production of this voucher)
firmstart.co.uk
Manchester Counselling Training Centre (MCTC) DO YOU KNOW YOUR CULTURE? Back 2 Roots AIM TO …educate minds, innovate bodies, elevate souls of the next generation and wider community! Exploring the dynamics of identity culture and history through arts such as Dance, Music and Film Making… WANT TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE UK LOOKING AT SCATTERED CULTURES AND HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU? TAKE PART IN ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS AS A MEANS TO EXPLORING CULTURES, SUCH AS MUSIC, DANCE, FILMING. WATCH OUT FOR OUR 2013 EVENT/SCREENING DOCUMENTARY @ THE CONTACT THEATRE Come down, meet our team and GET INVOLVED... Open every Saturday from 11am 1pm @Sunshine Studios, 52 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 1ED, 1ST Floor. Join back to roots on a journey of self discovery through media and arts and find the answer to that underlying question…
Do you really know your culture?
Would you like to build your confidence whilst gaing an accredited Level 2 Qualification? Are you good at listening or do you want to be a better listener? Have you ever thought of a career in counselling
Opportunities: FREE Level 2 Effective listening skills. Accredited by CPCAB
This course will teach you the following skills: • Improve Communication • Improve existing work roles • Enhance personal relationships • Improve collegial relationships within workplace teams • Enhance helping relationships • Promote better community relations
Interested in helping your community? We are providing FREE training and support for people from loal black & minority ethnic (BME) communities to become Cultural Consultants. We will run training days between September 2013 and January 2014. You will get; • Free training • Free lunch at every training session • Free childcare provision at every training session • Expenses allowance if you complete the course
Parent and child places for 6 parents and 6 young people aged between 12 and 16. Training to take place at: Moss Side Millenium Power House, 140 Raby Street, Moss Side, M14 4LS. If you know any parent and young people interested, let them know
Our saying is: “The potential for greatness is within us all, it is for us to achieve together through the support we give each other.” Contact Alicia at: Manchester Counselling Training Centre (MCTC), WISSCC Training Centre, Manchester, M14 4SW. For more info contact Naomi Pemberton, Project Leader: nyedkoy@yahoo.co.uk - alternatively contact 07557 262 017 for more information.
Tel: (0161) 868 0962 or Mob: 0797 141 7621 blogging.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/mewxjah8/
Want to find out more? Come to our open day to meet the trainers, ask us questions and hear more about the Cultural Consultants Project!
10:30am or 1:30pm
at the Zion Centre, 339 Stretford Rd, Manchester, M15 4ZY You can email us at: info@justpsychology.co.uk or phone on 0161 262 1622 or visit our website: www.justpsychology.co.uk/culturalconsultants
13
OPPORTUNITIES
SEPTEMBER
14
birthday;
Inspirational;
Will Smith (Actor)
“If you're gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.”
Dubbed Most Powerful Actor in Hollywood
Marilyn Monroe
25th September 1968
Local Opportunities In and Around Manchester administrative assistant Employer: The Nubian Times Location: Greater Manchester Pay: 3 Month Trial Period. Contract Duration: 12 Months Closing Date: Mon 30th Sept We are looking for Admin staff. If you feel you have the much needed skills, passion, talent and drive we would love to consider you for an interview.
are not always needed, although a degree in English Business, Administration or Management may be beneficial. Previous office or commercial work experience can also be helpful. To apply send your CV and a brief description explaining why you would be suitable for this role. info@thenubiantimes.com
advertising sales representative Employer: The Nubian Times Location: Greater Manchester
Key responsibilities: • Answering telephone calls • Maintaining diaries • Arranging appointments • Taking messages • Typing & Word Processing • Filing
Contract Duration: 12 Months
Qualifications & Training: Formal academic qualifications
Closing Date: Mon 30th Sept
Hours: Part Time Pay: Basic - £7ph (with a 7-day Commission Only work trial)
This is a Target driven job role: see commissions sale below: 15% at £3,000 or less 20% at over £3,000 or more 25% at over £10,000 Key Responsibilities: • Hit individual & group sales target • Manage a client base and develop relationships • Target new clients to generate advertising revenue • Identify new customers and build your client base through field sales • Send out media packs to potential advertisers • Maintain a spreadsheet and project the nuber of contacts to be made • Follow up on new leads and referrals resulting from field activity • Offer a price and negotiate around it Are you wanting to take control of your own wage? We are looking for candidates who are highly focused, practical and have a suitable
attitude and ability to use their initiative to gain advertising sales. To apply send your CV and a brief description explaining why you would be suitanle for this role. info@thenubiantimes.com
Distributors Role: Part Time Distributors Pay: £7PH
collect and return to us any surplus delivery material and equipment. For more information or to apply send your CV and a brief description explaining why you would be suitable for this role. info@thenubiantimes.com
• Editing news on a continual basis throughout the day • Ensuring all external documents follow the correct style and accuracy rules • Writing for Group Publications from time to time (primarily covering holidays/ absence)
sub editor
Applicants will need to be experienced with a proven track record in: • Ensuring articles are accurate and do not break laws • Checking queries with the Editor • Re-wording articles if necessary • Ensuring page layout follows flat plans • Ensuring the continual use of the approved house style. For more information or to apply send your CV and a brief description explaining why you would be suitable for this role. info@thenubiantimes.com
Role: Part Time Sub Editor
Hours: 12 - 15 hours total pcm
Wage: Negotiable depending on experience
Probation Period: 6 Months
Hours: 12 - 15 hours total pcm
Closing Date: Mon 30th Sept
Probation Period: 6 Months
You will be required to report to our office each morning at 7:00am or 9:00am to collect your delivery media, after which you will be dispatched with a team leader, to your designated area. After completing your round, the team leader will
Closing Date: Mon 30th Sept This role will include: • Editing and if necessary rewording press realeses • Ensuring the accuracy of data content as well as editing editorial content of hardcopy and online publications
Do you have room in your heart and home for a foster child? Every year children in Manchester are separated from their family for a host of reasons, which can include illness, neglect or family breakdown. Manchester City Council has a responsibility for these children, so we need foster carers. These are people who can care for a child or young person in their own home when, for whatever reason, the child or young person is not able to live with their usual guardians. This could be short or long-term, ranging from an overnight stay to fostering a child until they reach their 18th birthday. Foster carers receive an allowance, ongoing support and training. Could you give a child or young person a family life at a time when they need it most?
Be the difference. Foster for Manchester Visit fosterformanchester.com or call 0800 988 8931
76727 Fostering 2013 Nubian Times Half Page 247x149.5_v2.indd 1
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thenubiantimes.com
SPORT
SEPTEMBER
Inspirational;
birthday;
“A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty as wasted thirty years of his life.”
Lennox Lewis (Boxer)
Muhammad Ali
2nd September 1965
15
Three times heavyweight champion
MO inline for a knighthood - Why not? The City Revolution that kind of dominance, no wonder Mo was being hailed by no lesser person than track legend Brendan Foster as “the greatest athlete Great Britain has ever had.” Few can argue with the fact that in winning his third World Championship gold medal, Mo was adding to his two Olympic and numerous European titles. Tick.
"The greatest athlete Great Britain has ever had.”
W
orld Champions and unbeatable, Mo Farah surely in line for knighthood. Yes, that was the glittering headline in the wake of runner Mo Farah becoming
double world and Olympic distance champion. Bearing in mind that only Kenenisa Bekele has done that before, and a Briton has never previously got close to
But one question many fans and some pundits will ask is why the haste these days to adorn Brit sports men (Sir Bradley Wiggins- 2013, Sir Chris Hoy -2009) – and women (Dame Kelly Holmes- 2005, Dame Tanni GreyThompson) when all they’ve done is reach the pinnacle of what they’re good at? Well, consider for a moment the historic for which reasons the honorary award is given – for services to the monarchy, or country, especially in a military capacity. Now ask yourself if Mo
has indeed excelled in his service to the country – and how? It has long been held that sport has the capacity to lift us all above the myriad issues of the world, to inspire, to participate, to dream of what could be achieved. Mo has done all of that and more. Tick. Mo, though, is a tad more complex. For all his stamina and speed endurance, there are those of a right wing persuasion who won’t even recognise him as British. And, I do recall how he was once detained by US customs officials who suspected he was a terrorist, saying that despite his international fame he frequently gets stopped because of his Somali origin. Even showing US officials his gold medals in an attempt to be released from detention "they wouldn't have it." Be that as it may, the best bit is that Farah is close to being unbeatable. You know that, I know that, and, more importantly, his rivals know that. Until then surely there is only one way to honour the man from Mogadishu via Feltham. Arise, Sir Mo. N correspondent TT
TNT Tribute to the King and Queen of world athletics
H
E is undoubtedly the biggest name in world sport. SHE is the unbeatable queen of women’s sprint. BOTH are Jamaican. As their stunning winning performances at the athletics
world championships in Moscow are consigned to history, the yellow, green and black of the Jamaican flag came to represent world domination – thanks to Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Trelawny-born Usain, the su-
preme athlete whose majesty on the track is matched only by his charisma and popularity off it, never looked like losing any of his stardust. He completed another sprint double in 200metres and 100, before leading his country to a relay win that made it a hat-trick of golds for him. ShellyAnn, the tiny pocket rocket, from Kingston, ascended to equal
prominence and mirrored Usain’s achievements in the same three events. Her petite frame not only captured the sprint double crown, but FraserPryce, 26, joins East Germans Silke Gladisch (1987) and Katrin Krabbe (1991) in completing a World Championships sprint double. Final word from a voice in the crowd that gathered in West Parade in downtown Kingston to watch the athletics on a giant TV screen: "Just straight Jamaica to the world, is only Jamaica can do it, we are number one," shouted a vendor from West Queen Street.
TNT Correspondent
“Mancini lost the dressing room”
M
ancini lost the dressing room,” are the words of former Manchester City star Jeff Whitely. When talking to Jeff he sounded enthusiastic about City’s rise in the recent years, but bemoans the different atmosphere he witnessed at Maine Road as opposed to what he now witnesses at the Etihad Stadium. The revolution of the club is unbelievable, from League One matches against Gillingham to Champions League matches against Bayern Munich. But there lay Mancini’s downfall with lacklustre performances i n successive campaigns leading to the fiery Italian losing the dressing room, and subsequently his job. So with the new signings of Jesus Navas a flying winger, Fernandinho a box-to-box midfielder, Stefan Jovetic a creative talent and Alvaro Negredo an out and out finisher. The hierarchy also brought in Chilean Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, for his Champions League Pedigree and his attack minded philosophy. Surprisingly, Jeff’s three key
players this season are: Aguero, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry. Personally, the latter should be Vincent Kompany, but Jeff was a midfielder, so he sees the unsung work of a Barry. His main wish though is that City keep Micah Richards and get him contracted as soon as possible, because the fans need an academy hero as well as a foreign superstar. This season he expects them to play to their full abilit y,
play well and create numerous chances. With that he said City could win the lot, but should definitely win something and improve on their last campaign.
TNT rele Akinwale
FASHION Inspirational;
birthday;
“Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for your seat at the head of the table.”
Jada Smith (Actress)
Barack Obama
18th September 1971
S
hoes aplenty and male wardrobes seems an unlikely combination – but not when it comes to Clarks in Jamaica. That’s also the title of a book by DJ and designer, Al Fingers, who has written a fascinating book mapping the relationship between the Somerset shoe company and Jamaican culture. In fact, such is the style connection that goes back more than 65 years, there exists a list of songs by Jamaican artists recorded between 1975 and 2012 that includes Clarks shoes in the lyrics. A Vybz Kartel song, Clarks, is credited with bringing the phenomenon to people’s attention. Kartel himself once said he thought Clarks was “as Jamaican as ackee and saltfish, and roast breadfruit.” Al Fingers himself agrees: "I've always been intrigued by the Jamaican fascination with Clarks shoes and the way they are referenced within Jamaican music. From the birth of the company in 1825 to the arrival of the first 96 pairs of Clarks shoes
Blockbuster actress starred in Matrix & Nutty Professor
The Nubian Times MBC Awards 2013 shortlist - VOTE! Media
Literary excellence
Community
Journalist of the Year
¨ Malorie Blackman Author - Nouths & Crosses ¨ Simon Woolley Writer: Operation Black Vote ¨ Sameem Ali Author: Belonging ¨ Professor Gus John
Contribution to education
¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
Chris Osu Joanna Abeyie Jill Foster Andre Lowe
Presenter of the Year ¨ Henry Bonsu - Colourful Radio ¨ Tony Morris - ITV Granada ¨ Eno Eruotor - BBC Weather ¨ Ranvir Singh - ITV Daybreak
in the Caribbean courtesy of Colonel Henry Emerson Smith, who was acting as an agent for Clarks in the West Indies in the early 1900s, through to Clarks promotional push in the 1940s. Fingers documents the creation of Clarks' Desert Boot style, designed by Nathan Clark, the great-grandson of the company founder, James Clark. The Desert Boot (soon to become known in Jamaica as "Clarks booty") was changed in the late 50s to appeal more, specifically, to West Indian men. And the design tweak worked. Along with the
Wallabee, the Clarks booty was one of the most sought after shoes among young Jamaican men in the 60s and 70s. The book cites numerous tales of how various Jamaicans remember the brand growing up, with histories of Dancehall recording artists coming back from recording sessions in London with suitcases full of Clarks to give to family and friends, and how police even leaned on Clarks-wearing youths believing them to be criminals simply for owning a pair. How else could they afford them, was the reasoning. N correspondent TT
#
Why Clarks is still high steppin’ in Jamaica
16
SEPTEMBER
Champion of Music ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
Unity FM Cornerstones Record Shop DJ Silva Wayne Marshall
Inspiring public figure ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
Darcus Howe Mike Little Rio Ferdinand Lee Jasper
Contribution to Media ¨ Operation Black Vote Francine Fernandes ¨ WordPress - Mike Little ¨ S.B.T.V - Jamal Edwards ¨ Shine Media - Joanna Abeyie
Publication of the year ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
The Voice/Gleaner Asian lite Big Issue Pride Magazine
Business Business of the Year ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
Kool Runnings Boohoo.com Cliche Model Management A1 Will Pass
Corporate contribution of the Year: ¨ Co-op - Co-operative Foundation - Truth About Youth ¨ City South Manchester Housing Trust - Youth & Community Engagement ¨ Henikan Brewery - Our Moss Side ¨ Moss Care Housing Association - Hate Crime Awareness Week
¨ Back2Roots - Arts, Culture, Media ¨ Louise Dacacoidia Trust Making Education A Priority ¨ FFOP - Providing Local Opportunities for Training & Employment ¨ MCTC - Providing Excellence in Counselling Training Outstanding leadership ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
Charles Crichlow Hartley Hanley Atiah Choudry Elouise Edwards
Charity of the Year ¨ Anthony Walker Foundation ¨ Prostate Cancer UK ¨ Sickle Cell Society ¨ African Caribbean Mental Health Service (ACMHS)
Special MBC Lifetime Achievement Award ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
Nanna Bonsu Minetta Webb Louise Dacacodia Kath Locke
Please return to: Cornbrook Enterprise Centre, 70 Quenby Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4HW or info@thenubiantimes.com (All entries must be sent in by October 14th 2013)
To be held at the exquisite Hilton Manchester Deansgate on Saturday 26th October 2013, 6.30pm – 12am Champagne Reception, 3 Course Formal Dinner, MBC Awards and Charity Auction. UK Artists attending: The Voice UK – Cleo Higgins Mobo Award Winner – Esco Williams X Factor – Eli Cripps Britain’s Got Talent – Mr Zipp Liverpool Group – MiC Lowry Email: reservations@thenubiantimes.com Nominated Charity – Prostate Cancer
Design: peteramoah@hotmail.com
The Nubian Times MBC Awards 2013