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BLACK HISTORY Celebration of Black History Month
PAGE 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE Workout with Vici
PAGE 8
FASHION
Brides of Culture
PAGE 20
BUSINESS
Esther’s business is mushrooming in Ghana.
PAGE 11
The Nubian Times' 1st Birthday the legacy of A ‘legend’ lives on despite heartless bureaucracy PAGE 3
absolutely kaned!
Prince Hammer
PAGE 18
PAGE 14
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CONTENTS
WHAT'S INSIDE THIS MONTH NEWS
NEWS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BHM BHM
P3 - The legacy of a legend
P12 - Dr King's Legacy
P3 - Manchester gospel artist gets time to shine
3-4
P4 - Racial profiling
SPEAKERS' CORNER
SPEAKERS CORNER
12-13 ENTERTAINMENT
P14 - What's on in October
P7 - This isn't a rant about who we are
14-15
P7 - Not so Black & White
LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE
P18 - Absolutely Kaned P18 - End of the road for Hope Powell
P8 - Ask your Pharmacist
BUSINESS
P9 - 20 min Crossword
BUSINESS
18-19 FASHION
P19 - British Taekwondo Championships
FASHION
P11 - Money Matters with Jonathan Thomas
11
P15 - Donald Brown - dream turned into reality
SPORT
SPORT
P8 - Workout with Vici
8-9
ENTERTAINMENT P14 - A sharing and caring type of person
P6 - Growing Pains
6-7
P12 - The Pan-African Congress P13 - The Duality of Black History Month
P20 - Brides of Culture P20 - Manchester Flava
P11 - Esther's business is mushrooming in Ghana
20
P20 - Miss World Dominica 2013
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MORE than 100 years ago the Pan-African movement set out to endow the African diaspora in the Western hemisphere with an unshakable resolve for racial justice and equality. This alone required careful scrutiny of the way black people could gather as one for a common cause: removal of the countless wrongs the most searing forms of racism bring. Efficient functioning of the movement called for a level of consciousness that would move the most stubborn mountain. The framework relied on oppressed black people across the world absorbing the triple evil of slavery, colonisation, and racism the enormity of the brief was irrefutable. Doubtless, any residue of those forward thinking and enlightened minds a century ago has been diluted by time, but the Pan-African remit to promote cohesion and progress remains as relevant and vital now as it did then. Our Black History Month Special also marks the first birthday of this paper, and where possible, attempts to reaffirm our forefather’s attachment to the principles of liberty, fundamental freedoms, democracy and respect for human rights. Indeed, Manchester played a key role in creating an ever closer union among African nations, from15 – 21 October 1945, when the Fifth PanAfrican Congress was held
at All Saints, Oxford Road, so the timing couldn’t be better to reference its historic importance. Attendees included men who were to become political leaders in their own countries - Dr Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Hastings Banda (Malawi), Obafemi Awolowo (Nigeria), and Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya). I was reminded that Marcus Garvey’s second wife, Amy Jacques Garvey, often overlooked in the dusty annals of Pan Africanism, was also present. And Trinidadian George Padmore, with characteristic fire in his belly, brought more intellectual and political fervour to the table. They and many deserving others are the reason for our front page, a pictorial homage to men and women, past and present, whose gifts of time, endeavour, and accomplishments should never be forgotten. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, as we do the committed individuals and organisations who today remain vigilant and stoic, sometimes in the face of withering indifference to their ideals and objectives. Still, solidarity is strength - and we stand on the shoulders of giants. I cannot thank you enough for the support and encouragement I have received from readers, strangers and friends since taking the editor’s chair. It’s a privilege being involved at this precise time – I can tell you that there’s many more exciting things to come.
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A letter from the Editor
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october
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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-12pm 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 a brief profile and, where possible, current picture.
the legacy of a ‘legend’ lives on despite heartless bureaucracy M ahatma Ghandi said that ‘a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members’. If this is a true measure of a nation’s greatness, then the way we treat our elderly can only mean that we should remove the word ‘Great’ from Great Britain. The way the elderly are treated in this country is scandalous; it is, in deed and in fact, a national disgrace. Britain is one of the richest countries in the world. However, it is rated 17th out of 20 European countries in relation to the amount of money spent on the elderly. We spend approximately £10billion on care for the elderly whilst the United States of America, for example, spends $4trillion on healthcare for the elderly. Instead of valuing our elderly society, our ‘caring institutions’ such as the NHS and Social Services departments in particular, have oft been known to treat them atrociously and with a
total lack of respect, dignity and compassion. My family had first-hand experience of this during the final months of our beloved grandmother/ mother’s life; what Gran had to experience and, by extension, what we as her family experienced, is simply unacceptable and should never be visited on any other elderly person nor their family. Minetta Webb was born on 5th May 1906 and came to this country in the late 1950’s. She was one of the oldest people in the country at the time of her death and her lifetime achievements ought to and must be celebrated. Known simply and affectionately as “Gran”, Minetta dedi-
cated her life to her family and was the ever-solid rock upon which our family was built. Gran sacrificed everything for us and even neglected her own happiness and needs in order to ensure
health heroes making a positive difference to other people's lives.
that we were ok. Gran was typical of the ‘old school’ matriarch who, as the head of the family, led by example. She was a role model to many and always had an opinion which always made sense even if at the time you did not appreciate it. She instilled in all of us a sense of pride and self-worth as well as many other vital personal qualities including respect, good manners, hard work and loyalty. Her longevity can be associated with many things including her diet. Gran taught many family members how to cook, and her natural recipes continue to provide wholesome and delicious meals for many. This, combined with her being
a non-smoker, teetotaller and enthusiastic walker, made her live long enough to be one of relatively few centenarians in the UK. Gran is responsible for raising a family of which many have gone on to become business owners, entrepreneurs or professionals. She has therefore, and in her own indomitable fashion, greatly contributed to this country in a manner which perhaps cannot be measured in pounds and pence but which is nonetheless irrefutable. Notwithstanding, in her hour of need, she was let down by institutions who failed in the duty of care that they owed to this wonderful woman. Social Services in particular should hang their heads in shame as they failed to provide additional care to Gran which would have made her final days more comfortable. Gran was cared for by dedicated and devoted family members
nursing manager and mentor. 5. The sickle cell pioneer Dr Nicky Thomas set up the UK's first psychology service to help people with sickle cell disorder. 6. The A&E surgeon Dr Tunji Lasoye is an A&E surgeon who also visits schools to talk about the effects of knife crime. 7. Living with sickle cell anaemia Pamela Gyebi-Ababio, 18, talks about living with sickle cell anaemia and raising awareness of the condition.
N David Okoro TT
MANCHESTER GOSPEL ARTIST GETS HIS TIME 2 SHINE
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1. The rare-blood donor - Rudolph Isaacs has a rare blood type, U-negative. There are only 28 U-negative donors in England. 2. The hospital housekeeper - Icilda Rodney worked for 41 years in the housekeeping department at Guy's and St Thomas' hospital. 3. The diabetes champion - Consultant nurse, Grace Vanterpool, was awarded an MBE for her work raising awareness of diabetes. 4. The nursing trailblazer - Nola Ishmael, OBE, talks about her work as a health visitor,
at home. However, when her needs became more complex, Social Services refused to provide the additional available funding which would have enabled Gran to have the appropriate level of care that she not only needed but deserved. Instead, cruelly heartless to the bitter end, bureaucrats appeared to be obsessed and hell-bent on keeping Gran in hospital in order to ‘manage’ her death. Many families have been in touch to share their similar experiences with us and it is clear that this is a nationwide problem. As a nation we should therefore demand better treatment for our elderly loved ones. The word ‘legend’ is used too lightly nowadays. However, Gran was a true legend whose legacy will still have an impact on the generations of her family to come.
Manchester-based Gospel singer has made it through to the finals of Europe’s biggest gospel talent search - Time2Shine. The show, which has been aired on OH TV, Sky Channel 199, will culminate with a live broadcasting of the Finals on 13th October 2013 at the 02 Arena, London. Kieron Bygraves, 23, who has been singing since he was 6 years old, registered for the Time2Shine Gospel Search auditions, successfully made it through to see the judges and eventually sang his way through to the Finals. Time2Shine is in its 3rd season and of-
fers the winner £100,000 worth of prizes including £10,000 Cash, a record deal and the opportunity to perform at the Barbados Gospel Festival! The show’s presenter is former Blue Peter presenting team member, Diane Louise Jordan, who currently presents the Sunday morning BBC 2 show – The Sunday Hour. As the only Manchesterbased artist left in the competition, Kieron is working hard to drum up as much support as possible from fellow Mancunians as he needs audience votes to increase his chances of winning. Supporters can find out more about the campaign and how they can get involved by visiting: www.kieronbygrave.co.uk
TNT correspondent
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NEWS
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Inspirational
Inspirational
BLACK HISTORY FIRSTS
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
I detest racialism because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a Black man or a White man.
Wangari Maathai
Dr. Martin Luther King
Nelson Mandela
Racial Profiling
‘If it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody’ – Policing the Police
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nother incident of police abuse of power has been alleged against the GM; this time by a social worker and community radio presenter of Afro-Caribbean descent. Anthony Downer, 46, had no previous run-ins with the law until he was accosted by plainclothes officers as he attempted to do his friend and fellow Peace FM presenter, Natalie Teniola, a favour by moving her car before she was issued a parking ticket. In fact, Mr Downer, through his youth work, had co-operated with the police on several occasions on police initiatives regarding guns and gang violence in the city. Despite his history of up-
standing citizenship and being a welcome pillar to a troubled community, Mr Downer believes that the police approached him with only one outcome in mind, an outcome that was pre-determined by the officer’s ‘racial’
First African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
profiling of him. He believes that the officers saw a Black male approach a prestigious car and made an assumption not only as to what they thought Mr Downer was up to, but also how they thought he would react
to the situation. Neither of those assumptions proved to be true. Mr Downer alleges that the officer used tactics that are similar to other cases of police abuse including the use of handcuffs as a lever to inflict pain and to incite ‘verbals’ from those so detained which can then later be used against them. He says that despite him offering simple solutions to give the officers the evidence and reassurance that nothing untoward was taking place they refused to give him any credence perhaps because he had already decided that he was going to arrest him even though there was ample opportunity to have his story corroborated at the scene. The incident was only resolved when workers at Peace FM came out and verified Mr Downer’s story. His ordeal, which left him with injuries to his shoulder and wrists over, Mr Downer was then ‘de-arrested’ and released without charge. His release itself is an indicator that Mr Downer’s behaviour and reaction to the
whole incident had been lawful despite perceived prolonged attempts to invoke an aggressive response. For Mr Downer this was a wakeup call. He believes that his first-hand experience with the police has presented an opportunity to raise awareness and to challenge the community to stand up to this form of harassment. “What I want from this is awareness. I’m not interested in ‘getting them back!’” It is important, Mr Downer told TNT, to firstly know your rights and to conduct yourself in a manner that if necessary could be defended in court if, after being stopped by the police, you are later arrested. But, “who knows what’s happening to younger people who aren’t able to keep their cool?” Downer continued. Accordingly, he believes that bystanders, onlookers and even those who peep out from behind curtains equally have a responsibility to encourage the police to behave within the law. Mr Downer believes that the
community needs to get more involved in local policing. If members of the community are witnessing an arrest, or an incidence of stop and search, providing that they are not putting themselves in danger nor obstructing the police, they should perhaps stop and ask questions of the detainee like ‘do you need any help?’ or ‘are you okay?’ ‘Is there anyone I can call for you?” He suggests that ways to “police the police” can involve filming, recording or photographing as long as members of the public keep a safe distance away from the police and their target. Whilst this may sound somewhat daunting to the average member of the public, remember that you would only be doing your civic duty. In any event, if you ask yourself what you would want someone to do for you if you, your child, other relative or friend was in that position, what would your answer be? N LLOYD WALL TT
Thinking about fostering Can you picture me in your frame?
If there is space on your wall - enquire about fostering today Trafford Council’s Fostering Service is keen to recruit more foster carers with the passion, time and energy to make a difference for children and young people coming into care. If you have space in your home, enjoy the company of children and young people and have the ability to help them achieve their potential we would love to hear from you. If you have been thinking about fostering and are interested in finding out more about this rewarding role please call for more information. Contact Us: Tel 0161 912 3558 Or visit: www.trafford.gov.uk/fostering N LLoyd wall TT
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SPEAKERS' CORNER Inspirational
Inspirational
BLACK HISTORY FIRSTS
The Negro Revolution is controlled by foxy White liberals, by the Government itself. But the Black Revolution is controlled only by God.
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
Charlie Williams
Corner
What does being Black mean to me? What does being Black mean to me? It's the epicentre of human history It was on our sacred ground Where life was first found
To be Black is to show we are the Kings and Queens of Africa We are the scientists, the mathematicians Who gave the world Pythagoras, defined Algebra No race has been oppressed more than ours No race when together generates more power More strength, more passion, more depth No race has had to walk harder Walk taller, being watched Being scrutinised with each and every step It's God's gift and challenge to the special spirts selected To those who aren't lucky enough to be that way inclined don't feel disrespected For years on end we've dealt with white supremacy The politicians, police, their teachings Yet we still treat each other like we're the enemy You see we are those that through time and time again have been persecuted by sirens We are those who absorb the insurmountable pressures to reveal we are the diamonds We are Black
Daniel J Brown 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
Diary of an Angry Black Teacher ‘I am not a role model’ 'I am not a role model!' I like these words but they are not mine. This controversial dictum is from ex-pro basketball player Charles Barkley and was made in reference to the fact that, with his flaws and shortcomings, he is not a good role model for young men. So where are they? What about the current crop of role models, are they good for young males? I think both yes and no. Let’s for a moment analyse who my tutees look up to….Jay Z and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both encourage hard work, both highlight the fact that despite coming from poor beginnings anyone can make it; they both have the celebrity status, lifestyle and friends. The danger of these role models is that our children believe that through hard work alone they too can attain the accolades of their heroes. It is not as simple
Should Black History be part of the school curriculum? Why do we celebrate Black History for only one month out of twelve?
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as that! No matter how hard the millions of young aspirational sporting stars train, they may never have the natural ability of their sporting heroes. Do you think that if you train all day and all night you could ever run as fast as Usain Bolt or demonstrate the agility of Ronaldo? Jay Z happened to go to school with
Hip Hop greats Busta Rhymes and Biggie smalls. He also happened to frequently ‘battle’ with legendary rapper, LL cool J. Without this CV, Sean Carter may never have made it. These ‘stars’ are made from a combination of luck, genetic make-up and God given ability - not necessarily in that order. Yes, it is important for our children to recognise that great things are indeed possible through hard work. However, trying to be someone or something else, especially if it is beyond their natural capabilities, can be as dangerous as their not having any motivation at all. Being the ‘best they can be’ is a great thing too! As per Charles Barkley: “Somebody has to be me, might as well be me.”
BLACK HISTORY FACTS "The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history, Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long the nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was. The world around it will forget even faster......The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting." Milan Kundera
Mr. L
GROWING PAINS with Nawayne Forrester , a savvy 15 year-old
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First Black British comedian to experience mainstream success
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Someone tell me, why no Black history lessons at school? Amidst the vast array of subjects being taught throughout the school year is the diminutive topic of Black history. Civil rights leaders like Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of the Lit-
erary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, are being overlooked, whilst topics which glorify the leaders of Britain’s oft futile wars of both the past and the present are taught throughout the year. Once a year in October, the spotlight will shine on an iconic race which, surprisingly but not unexpectedly, still thrives and prospers in the face of continuously changing adversity. A4 fliers which depict the faces of historically renowned Black leaders and pioneers will be glanced upon then tossed aside by those who believe that they already know the content of the message therein. But knowing something and understanding as well as perhaps acting upon it are very different things. Being Black is much more than the levels of melanin in our skin or the kinks in our hair. It is
about the struggle that our ancestors faced and survived and the battles which many of us still face today. It is about the fight to live freely, equally and indiscriminately and to have access to a breadth of education which serves to reempower rather than placate, patronise and, inadvertently or otherwise, denigrate the Black race. How can such an important topic be confined to only one month? TNT "I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history." - actor Morgan Freeman History is a very important foundation for the building of a better future for the younger generation where they can be inspired by stories of the many who not only fought for their lives, freedom and equality, but are the giants whose
shoulders we all now stand on and who inspire us still. Knowledge is the key to progression and the educational system can only benefit from teaching Black History. The cursory teaching of Black history tends to sweep over selected areas of the vast subject as if it were merely a blink in time, leaving one frustrated, ill-informed and even embittered. For many, the psychology behind the current teaching of Black history is reversed in that it has had the effect of instilling a thirst for further Black historical knowledge so all is not lost, is it? Thus, given the entire scheme of things, a school’s curriculum ought to focus on both the historical and current achievements of Black people not least of all in order to foster the ‘equality’ and embrace the ‘diversity’ that is all too-often promoted when seemingly only politically correct to do so.
News 3-4
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Lifestyle 8-9
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Entertainment Sport 18 - 19 14 - 15
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Inspirational
Inspirational
BLACK HISTORY FIRSTS
Keep going, you're almost there; and remember the sun is most beautiful as it's going away.
Excellence is the best deterrent of racism or sexism.
Robert Adams
Oprah Winfrey
Yasmin Mogahed
This isn’t a rant about who we are It's Not So It’s time to call ourselves African Black & White Charles Crichlow is a serving Police Officer with the Greater Manchester Police and is 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.
I
october
was contacted recently by a journalist from a national newspaper to comment on a speech on 'Affirmative Action' made by shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, in which she talks about changing the law to allow the police service to recruit more Black people into the organisation. My initial reaction was to welcome the decision by making a number of points considered important by the National Black Police Association, i.e. that having a properly representative police service is vitally important to 21st Century democratic policing, and that Affirmative Action, as I describe it, is about making sure that the police service is fit for the purpose of protecting the community it serves. What is interesting is that the Chief Constable of GMP, Sir Peter Fahy, seen by the media as a leading light for diversity in policing, was quickly off the mark in support of this Labour proposal. But here is the deal, the next general election is not due until May 2015 and the primary legislation needed to pass the proposal into law could take many months, even years, and Sir Peter could be long gone by then! You would perhaps be baffled to discover that Sir Peter and many of his fellow police chiefs around the country have opposed the present government's current proposal of 'Direct Entry' the aim of which is to allow the police service to recruit suitably qualified and competent individuals directly into senior leadership positions without having to serve on all the lower ranks. Sir Peter's GMP has one of the worst track records for promoting people of colour, and the service desperately needs fresh new thinking at the very top. There has never in the history of the force been a Black officer in the Chief Constable's senior leadership team who takes strategic decisions on the policing of our communities. Judging from what I see, they must like it exactly that way. it is.
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ctober is Black History Month as we all know. This year, my thoughts have turned to the operative word in the phrase, namely, ‘Black’ and I question whether it is time for us to stop referring to ourselves as such. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not ashamed of being called ‘Black’; not in the least. Whilst many may argue that it is a word filled with negative connotations, for me it has a spirit filled with beauty, wonder and awe. When I look at my wife and my three sons I often think: “Wow! You guys are beautiful!” As I stroll down the street, it is Black women that catch my eye and cause my head to turn - their strength, their innate beauty, the tones of their skin and their physique, amongst other things, all truly something to behold. We use the term ‘Black’ to describe a palette of hues and it is the soul within the core of the word that forms the tie that binds us historically, culturally, and heartically. So, yes, whilst we call ourselves ‘Black’, we should not shy away from nor deny that our core, as a people, is African. Surely the time is
right for ‘Black’ people locally, regionally, internationally, globally to declare to the world that we are ‘African’. After all, White people do not, as a general rule, refer to themselves as ‘White’. It is we that refer to them as such. They prefer terms of ethnicity such as Irish, Scottish, English, Swedish etc. Furthermore, Chinese people do not generally call themselves ‘Yellow’ nor do south Asians refer to themselves as ‘Brown’. Can you imagine a Brown, Yellow or even White History Month’? Sounds ridiculously partial doesn’t it? February is African-American History month in the USA and, apart from their normal self-obsession, our American counterparts have got their title right. In so doing they acknowledge themselves as well as their ancestry and announce to the world exactly who they are. It is thus harder for others to jump on their bandwagon. Conversely in the UK, any and everyone has a say in Black History Month. Whilst this is not necessarily wrong, it evokes a reality in its wake that the term ‘Black’ is treated as an all-inclusive term during
the celebratory month of October but is otherwise generally treated as inclusive of anything other than ‘White’. We must stop defining ourselves by the terms applied to us by the economically powerful such as ‘coloured’, ‘negro’, ‘afro’ and, of course, ‘Black’. These terms simply serve to continue to divide and rule. We are African and, if and when we have the need to differentiate ourselves, we have perfectly acceptable nomenclature with which to do so such as ‘African-Caribbean’, ‘AfricanAmerican’, ‘Kenyan’, ‘Vincentian’ etc. This is not a new debate, but I do believe that the time is absolutely right and ripe for change. Africa, as a continent, is not only steeped in history and culture but is also a vast, rich, versatile and fascinating land, to say the least. I personally have garnered much inspiration from what is happening there politically, socially and culturally. Join me in not waiting for others to tell us it is OK for us to be African. It’s time now…. N jules jack TT
The first Black actor to play a leading dramatic role on British television.
Top Tweets! Follow The Nubian Times on Twitter @Nubiantimes2 and tweet us your views on articles in the paper. This month’s topics of discussion: ‘Black History Month’ and ‘Is it too early to start preparing for Christmas?’
@Isossychildren (Isossy Children) “Thanks to The @Nubiantimes2 for this great interview with Amanda Rabor” @Allegro_mgmt (Allegro MGMT) “Shooting a promo of @EscoWilliams for @Nubiantimes2 MBC Awards in October- A black history month event” @WeAreMicLowry (MiC LOWRY) “Looking forward to performing!”
@BlackGirlNerds (BlackGirlNerds) “I love English accents. I could listen to you guys talk all day” @OneLoveBooks (One Love Books) “Thanks to @Nubiantimes2 for featuring Clarks in Jamaica in their latest issue” Don’t forget, you can also leave your comments on all articles on our website: www.thenubiantimes.com and on our Facebook page The Nubian Times.
Marcus Garvey 1887 - 1940
Una Mason 1905-1965
Publisher, journalist and orator who was a staunch proponent of the Black nationalism and Pan-African movements founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).Garvey also founded the Black Star Line, to provide transportation to Africa, and the Negro Factories Corporation to encourage black economic independence.
The first Black female broadcaster at the BBC from 1939 to 1946. Una Marson, born in Jamaica in 1905, was a poet, publisher and activist for racial and sexual equality. She was secretary to the League of Coloured Peoples as well as to many other organisations including the Women's International League for Peace.
Shakaka Senzangakhona 1787 – 1828
Nanny of the Maroons - 1686
He is widely credited with uniting many of the Northern Nguni people, specifically the Mtetwa Paramountcy and the Ndwandwe, into the Zulu Kingdom, the beginnings of a nation that held sway over southern Africa. His statesmanship and vigour marked him as one of the greatest Zulu kings and a military genius for his reforms and innovations.
Jamaican National Hero, was a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the eighteenth century. Nanny was also known as an outstanding military Leader, a symbol of unity and strength for her people in times of crisis.
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The Nubian Times’ MBC Awards 2013 Shortlist - VOTE NOW! Go to www.thenubiantimes.com to cast your vote
workout with vici I
love dancing because you totally forget that you're getting a great workout at the same time! So, as we hit the final approach to The Nubian Times MBC Awards at the end of this month, let’s formally link Black history to dancing as the final instalment of my 5-month plan. I searched high and low and stumbled upon Lindy Hop or, as some may call it, Swing dancing. On a Monday night I took myself down to The Bridge Tavern in Bridge St, Manchester. Through the pub and up the stairs I found a group of men and women all jiving away and looking fantastic….I needed to give this a try! Keith McGee, founder of
Feets of Amazement who is originally from Michigan but came to the UK in 2003 where he earned the nickname ‘The Grandfather of Lindy in Manchester, UK”, showed me a few basic steps and OMG the steps I was doing were similar to break moves and street dance moves and I’m thinking this is like break dance for adults how fantastic! “I love dancing because you totally forget you’re getting a great workout at the same time.” I asked Keith how important dance is to Black heritage and how it affects us today. He replied: “What I think is significant about Lindy Hop and the dances that influenced and inspired it and thus, in turn, inspires dance today, is its spirit of freedom. It can easily be considered the first ‘street dances’ as we understand
“I love dancing because you totally forget you’re getting a great workout at the same time.”
them to d ay. Even though the music has changed over the decades, the same elements of culture and connection to music haven't changed. I suggest anyone interested in the roots of modern street dance spend some time learning about the dances from Harlem 1920-1940.” So even with little or no dance experience at all you can still have a fab, totally different workout. You’ll be comfortable mixing Lindy Hop’s 6 & 8 count basics as well as Side-by-Side Charleston based on a solid foundation of ‘lead-follow’ techniques that are great for building-body awareness.
Don’t just take my word for it visit the website feetsofamazement.com and get practising for our Awards Party!
N Victoria Thompson TT
Ask your Pharmacist: Insomnia P oor sleep or ‘Insomnia’ affects one in five adults and is characterised by a number of things which include: • Not being able to get off to sleep • Waking up too early • Waking for long periods during the night • Not feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep. All of the above can lead to a person being irritable, experiencing reduced levels of concentration or just not being able to function properly the next day. Everybody will have different definitions of a good night’s sleep but 6-8 hours for an adult is generally considered the average. It is, however, normal to sleep less as you get older. Poor sleep is often a short-term condition and temporary problems such as stress, work or family difficulties, jet lag, change of routine or even just a strange bed can have a part to play. Anxiety or depression can also cause insomnia as one finds it difficult to ‘switch off ’ or stop worrying about things.
Stimulants, particularly if used excessively, will also interfere with sleep, three of the main culprits being caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Waking for short periods each night is normal and worrying about not sleeping will only make things worse. So here are some general tips for improved sleep, also known as ‘sleep hygiene’: 1. Reduce caffeine intake 2. Do not smoke 3. Do not drink alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime 4. Do not have a heavy meal just before bedtime although a light snack may help 5. Do not do any strenuous exercise within 4 hours of bedtime 6. Try to get into the rhythms of wakefulness during the day and sleepiness at night 7. The bedroom should be a quiet, relaxing place to sleep 8. Try to relax and wind down with a routine before bed, be it a relaxing bath/shower, a good book, or a warm drink (without caffeine!) Sometimes a sleeping pill
can be prescribed but doctors nowadays tend to refrain from prescribing them as they can be addictive and the problem will only be masked not solved. In any event, relaxation techniques, daytime exercise and the points highlighted above will all be suggested before medication is prescribed. There are also herbal remedies that can be purchased from your local pharmacy which have helped in a number of cases, however, these are only recommended for use on a short term basis. Valerian is a traditional remedy that has been used for many years to treat insomnia and is, in fact, licensed as an over-thecounter option in countries such as Germany, France and Italy. Although not said to be addictive, Valerian does not work for everybody and will take 2-3 weeks before it takes effect in most people. Side effects include indigestion, headache and dizziness and it does interact with some commonly prescribed medication such as sedatives
and anti-histamines for hay fever, so you should always ask your pharmacist before purchase. Melatonin is a hormone found in the body which helps to regulate the brain’s sleep pattern. It is widely used by shift workers or those with severe jet lag and should be taken 30 minutes before sleep. Once again, it interacts with some prescribed medication, so make sure you seek advice before using it. Other traditional herbs that have been used for centuries to aid relaxation and thereby induce sleep include Chamomile, Lavender and Passion Flower. Chamomile and Passion Flower are herbs that are safe to be used by both children and adults. They can be used to make tea and also oils which can be used in a bath before bedtime. Lavender, in particular, is commonly used in this way but the aromas of all 3 herbs penetrate the human system and help to induce a state of calm and relaxation.
Adedayo Titiloye MPharm
Gardening tips TROPICAL ARRANGEMENT An atmospheric arrangement to inspire the bold and the beautiful. You will need the following: . 3 Anthuriums . 10 Gladiolus . 5 Aspidistra leaves . Leylandii foliage (used as fillers to create the skeleton of the design) . Large vase . Container for the oasis (this can be plastic or whatever you have available) . Floristry tape 1. Firstly, you will need to soak 1/2 block of green oasis.
2. Place the wet oasis in the container and attach it to the vase using floristry tape. 3 . Manipulate the aspidistra leaves into a loop by folding and securing them with floristry pins or tape. 4. Arrange the leylandii to fill in the spaces between the aspidistra leaves. 5. Place some of the leylandii in the oasis at the back of the container to conceal the tape and the oasis. 6. Arrange 3 tall gladiolus at the top of the vase. 7. Add the anthurium to the arrangement together with the rest of the gladiolus. Behold the beauty of your arrangement!
N CLAire MEADOWS TT
News 3-4
Speakers Corner 6-7
Lifestyle 8-9
Business 11
Entertainment Sport 18 - 19 14 - 15
Fashion 20
october
9
The Nubian Times’ MBC Awards 2013 Shortlist - VOTE NOW! Vote for your favourite nominee in Media, Business and Community www.thenubiantimes.com or info@thenubiantimes.com
20 min CROSSWORD Across
29. Me, ____ and I - Song by Beyonce (6) 31. West ____ - The 1. South African Political Caribbean (6) Party (3) 3. ____ Selassie - Ethiopian 33. Digit of the foot (3) 33. Inhabits (6) ruler (5) 6. Reggae, Hip-Hop, Jungle 36. Read out loud (6) 35. Italian boy's name (4) etc (5) 9. Freddy ____ - Ghanaian 39. Barrington ____ Reggae Dancehall artist (4) born US footballer (3) 41. Rasta man 11. Home of the Nubians (slang) (5) (5) 42. Vital part of a sound12. Cassius ____ - Given system (3) name of Muhammad Ali 43. Indian string (4) instrument (5) 14. Worn away (6) 44. First independent 16. David de ___ nation of the Caribbean Manchester United and Latin America (5) No.1 (3) 45. Ethiopian 'Lord' or 18. Avoid (6) 'Head' (3) 19. Iconic British gold medalist (6) Down 21. Ability of a computer to think (2) 19. Niche (4) 2. Largest island in the 23. Reggae ____ Caribbean (4) Nickname of the Jamaican 4. Viv ___ - First Black national football team (4) England international in 26. US territory in the football (8) Caribbean (4) 5. Black - ____ - peas (4) 27. Operating theatre (US) 6. Nelson ____ - Anti(2) apartheid revolutionary
and politician (7) 7. Smallest island in the Caribbean (4) 10. An ancient city of Sumer located on a former channel of the Euphrates River. (3) 13. Noise of a small dog (3) 15. Goe (Anag.) (3) 17. ____ Khan - British Welterweight boxer (4) 20. ____ Lincoln - American abolitionist president (3) 22. ____ Marley - Jamican musician (3) 24. Essence of a lime (4) 25. Dislike (8) 28. Change the arrangement of (7) 30. ___ 'Scratch' Perry Dub pioneer (3) 32. Indian cricket
Need to escape from all the troubles of your daily life? Need a confidence boost but don’t have the money for a shopping spree? Well don’t despair the queen of Black erotica has a story that will get you back in touch with your hidden sensuality. Fifty Shades of Grey this book is not. Rather, it is a story of love, success and desire. This book takes you on a toe-curling journey through the life of Zoe, a successful Black business woman who, quite frankly, is addicted to sex. Although the novel starts off slowly, it reaches its climax through flashbacks revealing how Zoe has been desperately searching for fulfilment and finds what she thinks she is looking for through her various lovers. Zane is a great erotic writer and this book challenges the stereotype that men are the cheaters! Eye opening and enjoyable….definitely one to share with your lover at bedtime!
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson If ever there was a book about triumph over adversity, then this book is one that everyone should read. I can remember my mother telling me to read this inspirational book when I was in my early teens, and the story has stayed with me ever since. Without giving too much away, this true story is about Benjamin who, brought up in inner city Detroit, dreams of becoming a doctor. But with very poor grades his dream seems just that, a dream. It’s up to his mother Sonya to give him the push that he needs in order to succeed. Mediocre at times, but which book isn’t? It is more the message that this book gives us; that with hard work and keeping God as your centre, all dreams are possible. This true story is humbling and shows us that with hard work, truly, all dreams are possible.
With Dr. Joan St John
Prostate cancer - you can still live a healthy life and not die from it
competition (3) 34. Figures used in gambling (4) 35. Christian period of fasting (4)
37. Ancient African kingdom (4) 38. Thanks (slang) (2) 40. African/Asian Islamic ruler (4)
To view answers instantly go to: www.thenubiantimes.com
TNT's Recommended Reads by Jacqueline E Hylton Addicted by Zane
all things medical
For full review continue online, www.thenubiantimes.com
If God is so good , why are Blacks doing so bad? by Bishop James Dixon II
Although this book is mainly aimed at African Americans, we all can relate to the main message that we all need to open our eyes and look in the mirror and take the much needed steps to change our way of thinking. The fact of the matter is that as Black people we need to unite, support each other and think about our lifestyle choices some of which, in fact, hinder us from political and financial growth. Yes, the title is controversial but it is not seeking to put God down. It merely serves as an eye opener that will make us take stock and understand that we must maintain Black businesses in order to grow as a people in these hard economic times. This is a real and powerful book in which the author answers questions that we only speak about in private. The proceeds of this audio book benefits South African children who are either orphaned or impacted by HIV/AIDS ....just one good reason to buy this audio book.
October is Black History Month, so I would like to do something different from what I have done so far. Here, I shall give you a quick “heads-up” on an issue that is of great clinical importance to the Black community and then move on to celebrate Black History Month by mentioning an historical figure of great medical importance. So first the clinical issue I want to talk about, albeit briefly - Prostate cancer. The word ‘cancer’ can invoke terror, fear and misunderstanding in many people but it does not have to be that way. If we take prostate cancer as an example, you may be surprised to know that a man could have prostate cancer yet still live a healthy life and not die from it! Prostate cancer only affects men. The prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland found inside a man’s body just below the bladder. The prostate gland hugs the ‘urethra’, the tube through which men pass urine; thus, if it becomes enlarged, difficulty may be experienced when passing urine. Symptoms may range from having no symptoms at all to having difficulty passing urine. Where there are symptoms, these usually take the form of passing urine more often or having to wait before you can pass urine. Oftentimes, men find that they have to get up at night to pass urine, or find that having a drink of alcohol makes the symptoms worse. I am not able to go into great detail about the condition in this column but would like to pass on a few important facts about prostate cancer. As you get older the prostate gland will naturally increase in size and so may cause the symptoms mentioned above. Whilst it is important to note that these symptoms do not necessarily signify prostate cancer, they should, however, prompt you or your loved one to book a routine appointment for an assessment with your GP to see any difficulty experienced is part of the natural ageing process or due to a disorder of the prostate gland such as an inflammation, infection or cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Black men are at increased risk of developing it and this risk is further increased if you have a family history of prostate cancer! So step forward men, don’t be frightened, feel embarrassed or ashamed! If you are concerned about what is happening with your waterworks, arrange an assessment with a GP. To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com
RECIPES
10
thenubiantimes.com
Inspirational
Inspirational
BLACK HISTORY FIRSTS
Issues are never simple. One thing I'm proud of is that very rarely will you hear me simplify the issues.
I think I’ll paint roads on my front walls to convince myself that I’m going places.
Bishop Wilfred Wood
President Barack Obama
The first Black bishop
Lemn Sissay
Recipe: Grater Cake
Recipe: Jamaican beef patties
The coconut (cocos mucifera) is a member of the palm family and was introduced to the Caribbean during the Spanish period of colonisation. Because of its multiplicity of uses it is said to be one of nature’s greatest gifts. The water inside the nut is rich in potassium and is good for the nervous system. It is a refreshing drink and some doctors advise patients with gallstones and kidney problems to drink it. It is often confused with coconut milk, which is made by adding water to grated coconut and passing through a sieve.
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
500g grated coconut 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 & 1/2 tbsp pink food colouring
150g sugar pinch of salt 1/4 pint water
1lb minced beef 2 garlic cloves Water 2 eggs yolks 1 tsp salt
2 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 onion (diced) 2 sprigs spring onion (chopped) 2 tbsp plain flour 2 sprigs thyme
2 tsp ginger Shop bought flaky pastry 2 sprigs thyme, 2 bay leaves 1 scotch bonnet pepper ( finely chopped) 1tsp paprika, 1tsp turmeric
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan. Add the water and boil the coconut until all the liquid evaporates and the mixture is sticky enough to hold together. Leave to cool for 3 minutes. Place half of the mixture onto a greased tray, pressing with the back of a spoon. Colour the other half with the pink food colouring and place on top. Leave to cool, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!
Sauté onion, spring onions, thyme, garlic and scotch bonnet pepper in rapeseed oil until translucent. Add the minced beef, turmeric, paprika and salt. Add a little water and simmer for another 10 minutes. Mix the flour with water until thickened, add to the mince and cook for a further 4 minutes. Roll the pastry out on a floured board. Use a saucer to cut circles of pastry. Fill one half of each circle with about 2 tbsp of the mince mixture. To make the egg wash, beat the egg yolks with a fork and brush one half theinside edge of the pastry. Bring both sides of the pastry together to form a crescent shape. Crimp the edges with a fork and brush the pastry with the rest of the egg wash. Bake in a pre-heated oven for about 35 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
Recipe: Cho Cho Crumble
Recipe: Duckunoo
Directions:
The Cho Cho (Sechium edule), also called chayote, bironne and christophine, grows on a vine with leaves which resemble the cucumber. It is native of Mexico and is now grown in many countries. In Jamaica, it is served with meat dishes, used in pickles and included in soups or stews. It can also be used as a substitute for apple in pies and crumbles. In this recipe I will be making cho cho crumble.
Ingredients:
2 cho cho 6ozs demerara sugar 1tsp cinnamon
Directions:
6ozs plain flour, 3ozs wholegrain oats 3ozs butter or margarine 1tsp allspince
Peel and thinly slice the cho cho (removing the heart) and boil for about 3-4 minutes until soft. Drain and dry on kitchen paper. Add 4ozs of sugar, the allspice and cinnamon. Place the cho cho in a greased pie dish. To make the crumble, rub together the butter, rest of the sugar, flour and oats (through your fingers) until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Place the crumble evenly over the cho cho and bake in a pre-heated oven gas 4 mark -360F for approx 40-50 minutes until golden brown. Serve with ice-cream or custard. Enjoy!
Ingredients: 8ozs cornmeal 1lb grated sweet potatoes 1 coconut, grated 8ozs plain flour 8ozs demerara sugar 6ozs butter or margarine 1 tsp vanilla essence 4ozs raisins
½ tsp salt 2 tsp all spice 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder 100ml milk foil cut into squares String
Directions: Combine all the ingredients. Mix thoroughly until the mixture holds together and is dropping off the spoon. Place 3 tbsp of the mixture into good quality foil and secure the edges with your fingers. Tie each one into a small parcel using the string to hold it in place. Place the tied parcels into boiling water and cook for 40-45 minutes. Serve with cream, custard or eat as they are. Enjoy!
All recipes by Beverley Ogle-Young
BUSINESS
11
L
K
Who’s Reading
Money Matters with economist
Jonathan Thomas
How solid is the recovery in house prices?
O
ne of the most painful fallouts from the financial market crisis was the roughly 15% collapse in average house prices as the economy contracted and banks plugged up lending. But values have recently rebounded, up by more than 5% on this time last year according to the Halifax. So is this the moment to revive the art of lingering with intent outside every estate agent's window in expectation of a re-run of 2002-2007 when prices leapt by 50%? No. This time around the authorities have jump-started the sector with artificial stimulants. As ever, the side effects might be unsettling. The dosage began last July with the Bank of England’s Funding for Lending Scheme. This involves banks borrowing from the BoE at a lower rate than that offered elsewhere, such as from other banks, providing that they increase credit to the private sector. These lower costs have been passed on to customers in the form of cheaper and more plentiful mortgages, thus boosting take-up. Further propulsion has come from the £15bn Help to Buy Scheme which was introduced in the last Budget. Under fairly mild conditions, the state will lend prospective buyers up to 20% of the purchase price which can be repaid when the property is sold. From next January, it will be extended as a guarantee to lenders. So for example, if the house buyer is unable to pay back the funds loaned, the Treasury will step in to cover, say the first 15% of borrowings. Bricks and mortar have rarely had it so good.
Esther’s business is mushrooming in Ghana
B
usinesswoman Esther is ‘the Mushroom lady - the brains behind cultivating the underdeveloped mushroom industry in Ghana. Three years ago, British-Ghanaian Esther was so inspired by the passionate mushroom farmers she met in her native Ghana, that she decided to use her skills to help cultivate their industry. She saw that mushrooms could be a sustainable source of income, as well as a nutritious staple. However problems with contamination and disorganised practices have made it hard for farmers to reap the benefits. British-Ghanaian Esther secured funding from Comic Relief ’s Common Ground Initiative, which is co-funded by the Department for International Development, and works with African diaspora organisations in the UK run by people of African heritage with strong emotional, cultural and political links to their country. In 2012, Esther – from UKbased GEM Consultancy - set up a not-for-profit organisation in partnership with the national association of mushroom famers in Ghana. They work to support farmers with technical training and access to fair prices for their mushrooms. Esther was struck by the passion of local entrepreneurs and farmers she met during a volunteering trip. She says, ‘I started to see a different side to Ghana from the holidays I took with family. I began to see it as a place to
do business. I saw the potential in mushrooms.’ About 20 years ago, a widespread contamination destroyed almost 7000 mushroom farms, and the industry has been slow to recover. Despite being a potentially lucrative practice, it was disorganised and underdeveloped. The mushroom market is fragmented, with no centralised marketing service to guarantee fair prices to producers. Training is often expensive and without co-ordinated support, fledgling farming groups have struggled to get established. Keen to help with her business acumen, UK-based Esther wanted to turn their passion into a strong business; tackling the main barriers to mushrooms becoming a vibrant industry in Ghana. She explains, ‘The beauty of mushrooms is that it requires little capital; no tractors or land, just a bit of space and good practice. So it can generate a good income for farmers with little assets.’ Driven by Esther’s business background and dedication to
BLACK HISTORY FACTS "Intellectuals ought to study the past not for the pleasure they find in so doing, but to derive lessons from it." Cheikh Anta Diop
the cause, GEM consultancy has an extensive network of motivated Ghanaians both in Ghana and the UK committed to its mission to help rebuild the mushroom
industry. With support f r o m Comic R e l i e f ’s Common Ground Initiative, co-funded by DFID, they have already produced manuals, provided loans and training to over 50 farmers at a centre where they can also sell mushrooms at a fair price. These can then be sold on to various buyers, who know the farmers’ involvement in the organisation
will guarantee quality. It also offers micro-credits and recordkeeping training for mushroom growers, building capacity and resulting in an increased income and an improved standard of living. Esther is proud of their success, ‘We are already delivering to hotels, restaurants and the National School Feeding Programmes. We are even starting to talk to UK churches who operate in Ghana about using their land to grow mushrooms.’ ‘I’ve seen people put their children through university because of mushroom income’, she says. ‘Helping farmers to become profitable could make things like this become more common place. It’s very exciting.’ N correspondent TT
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BLACK HISTORY
thenubiantimes.com Olaudah Equiano
Dr Harold Moody
Elisabeth Welch
(1745 -1797)
(1882-1947)
One of the first Black people to have her own BBC radio series in 1935, Soft Lights and Sweet Music, which made her a household name in Britain
One of the most prominent Africans involved in the British movement towards the abolition of the enslavement of Africans. He was a prominent member of the ‘Sons of Africa', a group of 12 Black men who campaigned for abolition.
In 1931, founded the League of Coloured Peoples (LCP) in 1931, the first Black pressure group and the largest British Pan-African organisation in the 1930s and 1940s.
(1904-2003)
Dr King’s Legacy: From Jim Crow to John Bull Manchester and the
I
t is only 50 years since the iconic Dr Martin Luther King spoke the immortal words “I have a dream” on the steps of the Washington Lincoln Memorial on August 28th 1963. That speech, probably the most recognised speech in the world, set the consciousness of the world alight and exposed American ‘Jim Crow’ segregation laws as constituting the most fundamental violation of human rights. Dr King’s radical confrontation of racism with non-violent resistance has become the ‘gold’ standard of protest worldwide. Such was the potency of his threat to the establishment that, five years later, Dr King would be assassinated by a sniper’s bullet. Dr King set the bar and the example for us to follow. As we look back on his life he reminds us that progress against injustice always requires selfsacrifice and commitment. As Frederick Douglass, another great African American who fought against the horrors of
plantation slavery said: “Power concedes nothing without demand”. This special anniversary year provides us with an opportunity to look back and assess how much progress we have made in tackling racism. Since 1963 we have fought to have the colour bar that exists in areas of housing and employment removed; we have witnessed the introduction of complex race equality legislation designed to protect us against discrimination but which few of us either understand or can afford to enforce; and we have welcomed
the Stephen Lawrence McPherson Report which sadly but not surprisingly now lies gathering dust on a Whitehall shelf together with countless other reports into ‘racism’. This new ‘John Bull’ era of racism is based on the new economics of austerity which acts like a magnifying glass to amplify racism to terrifying new levels. The Government and others have learned well that they can get away with racism without committing a single offence. Instead of the overtly racist policies of yesteryear they now covertly use welfare
African History – The Nubians
W
ell, it’s October and that can only mean one thing! No, not Halloween but Black/African History Month. Black/African History Month has been celebrated in the UK since the late 1980’s. However, it was established in the United States in February 1926 by Carter G Woodson, an African American historian. Woodson wanted to encourage the study of African History and chose February in honour of the birth month of the former slave and renowned African American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass (1818-95). Black History Month (BHM) is important because it gives us the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the many contributions made to humankind by people of African descent. This glorious history has been neglected and, in many cases, deliberately hid-
den. BHM as an entity, to some extent, helps to redress the balance by raising the awareness of the vast contribution made by our ancestors. Personally, I do not restrict my celebrations to one month! The honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey said; “A people with no knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots". We all know what happens to a tree without roots..... That is why African/ Black history is of great important to all of us because if we know where we have come from, we will also know where we are going….where we need to be. We must also remember that Black History does not begin and end with slavery and colonialism. It is an important part of our ‘modern’ history, yes, but not the be-all-and-end-all of it. In fact, it only represents a fraction of
our experience particularly when you consider the fact that Black History stretches over a period of tens of thousands of years! This brings me on to the allimportant Nubians. The Nubians were the inhabitants of the ancient African civilisation of Nubia. Nubia was located in what is now modern day Sudan, Southern Egypt and Eastern Ethiopia.
reform, criminal justice law, immigration legislation, housing policy and public sector cuts to nonetheless discriminate on the basis on race. Dr King confronted crude ‘Jim Crow’ racism; here in Britain we face ‘John Bull’ racism….seemingly clever, polite, dressed in a smart suit and wearing a plastic smile. It’s the polite racism of the most insidious kind that refuses to acknowledge racism and can perhaps leave you questioning your own sanity. Thus, in relation to rising levels of Black unemployment the response is that it’s because Black people are lazy and uneducated whilst the highly discriminatory use of stop and search laws by the police is because Black people are more likely to be criminal. And what of the surprisingly high rate of exclusion of Black children from school? To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com N LEE JASPER TT
Nubia is the home of one of Africa’s earliest civilisations and its history and glory goes beyond 4000BC. It was a rich and powerful nation blessed with natural resources such as gold, ivory and copper. It was also a centre of culture and had real military might. To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com N David Okoro TT
BLACK HISTORY FACTS Sudan has more pyramids than any other country on earth - even more than Egypt. There are at least 223 pyramids in the Sudanese cities of Al Kurru, Nuri, Gebel Barkal and Meroë. They are generally 20 to 30 metres high and steep sided.
Pan-African Congress
T
he Fifth Pan-African Congress was held in Manchester, 15-21 October 1945. It is worth remembering that even then it would not have been easy for delegates to book halls or find accommodation. But Manchester, yes Manchester, had attained a level of political consciousness which made it the chosen venue for this fifth African Congress, and played a significant role in not only addressing international issues of discrimination, but also protested against increasing discrimination in Britain. This congress also stood out from earlier congresses because it was the first to involve people from the African diaspora, including African-Caribbean and African- American delegates. It is impossible to précis here how much Manchester became a centre of contact for Black people living in Britain and still do justice to the success of the Pan-Africanist movement and the various individuals who could be listed in tribute to what their grouping achieved. Plus, names like George Padmore and Ras Makonnen are just two of many who co-ordinated the movement’s demands and objectives. The latter played a highly influential role in organising the congress aided by his business acumen and contacts inside the local Labour Party. The congress amassed scholars, intellectuals and political activists from African independence movements and the American civil rights movement. The presence of 77-year-old W.E.B Du Bois was historic as he had organised
the First Pan-African Congress in 1919. Although the British Press showed less than scant regard for the conference, resolutions passed included the criminalisation of racial discrimination and the condemnation of imperialism and capitalism. In Manchester alone, there were reportedly 33 delegates from the West Indies and 35 from various British organisations, including the Negro Association, pictured. TNT is deeply grateful to reader Lorraine Coppola of Altrincham whose late father, Mr Sam Nelson, is featured (no. 18) in the photograph she kindly sent to our offices. Lorraine said: “My dad was born in the Gold Coast, now Ghana, which was a colony. He came to England in 1939 when he was 18 and joined the RAF. After the war he continued to work as an engineer in factories in Old Trafford and Cheetham Hill. In the evenings he worked as a musician and played the drums in modern jazz bands. ”My dad had an older cousin here in Manchester called George Nelson who was also in the Negro Association. George had a workshop in Moss Side. Friendships were formed between Africans and West Indians who worked together with the Negro Association and the Congress. I think we owe these men who worked together trying to make a difference for Black people. They endured a level of racism and hardship that we will never know. I am very proud that my dad was involved with the Negro Association. My dad died in 2002 aged 81.”
Speakers Corner 6-7
News 3-4
Lifestyle 8-9
Business 11
Geronimo
(1829-1909)
John Richard Archer
(1863-1932)
A prominent leader of the Bedonkohe Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States for their expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades during the Apache Wars.
Toussaint L'ouverture (1743-1803) A hero for our times
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here were many men and women who gave their lives during the slave rebellions, for example on the islands of Barbados and Jamaica in 1816 and 1831 respectively. But one true hero that stands out is Toussaint Louverture of San Domingo, now known as Haiti. Toussaint, an ‘educated’ slave who rose up to lead the one and only successful slave rebellion when in his forties, was a superbly gifted man with high personal ambition. He defended the freedom of Blacks without reservation and incarnated the determination of his people never to be slaves again. His problems were compounded by the petty conflicts between Mulattoes and Blacks. The mulattoes, who were farerskinned than the Blacks (generally because they were of mixed race), were encouraged to consider themselves better than the Blacks not least of all because they had received more educated than them. This prompted the Mulattoes to align themselves with the French. But little did they know that the French colonists despised them even more than they did the Blacks! Thus,
the treachery Toussaint had to contend with on the part of the Whites, the Mulattoes and, to a lesser extent the Blacks, can only be imagined. Toussaint of course cared nothing for colour or race. He wanted a united country where there was racial equality, civic pride, social morality, public education and religious tolerance. So it must have frustrated him somewhat to have to deal with petty differences rather than concentrate his efforts on far more important things. To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com
TNT Books about Black British History Staying Power - The History of Black people in Britain by Peter Fryer (Pluto Press 1984) Black England - Life before Emanicpation by Gretchen Gerzina (John Murray, 1995) Black Settlers in Britain 15551958 by Nigel File and Chris Power (Heinemann, 1981; reprinted 1995) Black Edwardians - Black people in Britain 1901-1914 by Jeffrey Green (Frank Cass 1998) Wonderful adventures of Mary Seacole in Many Lands by Mary Seacole (1857; reprinted by Falling Wall Press edited by Ziggy
Alexander and Audrey Dewjee,1984). Black Londoners 1880-1990 by Susan Okokon (Sutton Publishing Limited, 1998) Black Londoners 1880-1990 by Susan Okokon (Sutton Publishing Limited, 1998) Colouring over the white LineThe History of Black footballers in Britain by Phil Vasili (Mainstream Publishing,2000) Roots of the Future-Ethnic Diversity in the making of Britain By Commission for Racial Equality, 1997
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London's first Black Mayor, aged fifty years old when he was elected mayor of Battersea on 10th November 1913.
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harriet tubman
(1820-1913)
I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.
The Duality of Black History Month
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here is an awkwardness with Black History Month that you can’t escape. Are Black people a single group with a shared history? Does being Black transpire nationality? Is the colour of your skin what defines you and therefore your sense of identity and culture? Do we need a Black History Month and if so why just a month? Six hundred years ago most, if not all, Black people on earth lived in Africa. Since then for example, the countries of the Caribbean have created their own vibrant history. Yet even that is a collection of histories. It is easy to forget that the West Indies is a massive group of diverse islands. Each island with their individual customs, food, heroes and villains and sepa-
rate from those of Africa, itself the continent with the largest number of countries and cultures on earth. African-American culture is distinct and unique and, in a century, has become rich and rooted in art and music and film and discussion and social development. So why is that pinned to the history of the Maasai tribe in Kenya? Or with a Congolese child-soldier? Or an aboriginal Australian? Just because of the colour of their skin. To have one month out of 12 dedicated to the history of Black people seemingly marginalises the history and culture of all Black people as a single, homogenous minority. But is it that? The human race came to be in Africa. As a corollary, every human on earth has Africa as
a part of their history. But not every human on earth is Black, not all Africans are Black and not all Blacks are African. The slavers and those who were pro-slavery saw Black people as the same. Since then western culture has been built on those false foundations. We need to dismantle this culture which is based on ignorance and rebuild it from the bottom. We cannot simply stick Black History Month on top and think it will solve it. To the contrary, it reinforces it. With recent immigration from Eastern Europe, we now have different White cultures. Would a British-born Black person see a Polish immigrant as closer in culture and history to a Britishborn White person than themselves? Would a Jamaican-born
Black person? This is where the inconsistencies are exposed and why it’s difficult to see Black History Month as a meaningful concept. Black History Month has somewhere amongst it some pure motives, but is there not a better way to celebrate Black culture, or the cultures of Black people? Where was everyone at Carnival? Where were the deep and engaging talks on Caribbean history and African history? Where were the motivational speakers? The social leaders? The activists and the vanguards of Black Manchester? Where are all they now? To read more, please continue online. N LLOYD WALL TT
Stop & Search: The thorn in the black man's side
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ou could be forgiven for thinking that history is repeating itself with last month’s consultation on ‘Stop & Search’ at the Windrush Millennium Centre in Moss Side. The mammoth of a thorn forever in Black British society’s side was back on the national agenda again. The consultation, (attended by community leaders, university lecturers, charities to include Community Change Foundation (CCF) and members of Windrush Millennium Centre) not only questioned the
effectiveness of the law itself but the bureaucracy behind it; critics citing that it is nothing more than blatant ethnic profiling. It should be no news to anyone that, based on the evidence available thus far, the police have a lot to answer for when it comes to the improper deployment of Stop & Search powers in relation to Black people. Thus in the same vein, it is no surprise that concerns being raised over this issue are beginning to sound like a broken record with nobody attempting to ‘fix’ it. The Police &
BLACK HISTORY FACTS "If you are not going to do anything to promote African interests, please get out of the way of those that are at least trying. Be quiet and get out of the way. Some of us have work to do!" Runoko Rashidi
Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 was introduced into law in response to decades of earlier cries of ‘foul play’ by Black youth who repeatedly fell victim to the old ‘sus laws’ then in force. Yet, here we are in 2013 and Black people, our youth in particular, are still 7 times more likely than their White British counterparts to be stopped and searched according to a police watchdog. In support of their deployment of the ‘sus-cum-stop and search’ law, the police argue that it is a “useful” tool to detect and stop crime and thereby keep neighbourhoods safe. But such a response begs a question as to just how ‘useful’ that tool has turned out to be in relation to
keeping neighbourhoods safe. Which neighbourhoods are being kept safe? For whom? And why? But before all of that, a question as to why our Black men are being targeted in this manner by the police must be posed. To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com N Yasin Chinembiri TT
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“A Sharing and Caring Type of Person” A
journey guy doing things to keep the music alive” is how the iconic reggae singer, entertainer and record producer, ‘Prince Hammer’, described himself in a recent TNT interview. Berris Simpson, better known as Prince Hammer was born and bred in Kingston, Jamaica, where he was brought up by his grandmother. His passion for music was discovered at the age of 3 and, whilst growing up in Jamaica, Hammer idolised musical legends such as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra; he believes that their music helped him understand the world of music better. However, he continued, "it's been a long journey listening to the American icons…. listening to the reggae era helped me decide reggae music was my way forward.” And by ‘the reggae era’, Prince Hammer is referring to the likes of John
Prince Hammer
Holt, Bob Marley, Jacob Miller, Prince Far-I, Dennis Brown, the Mighty Diamonds, Gregory Isaacs, amongst others, the names of which reel off his tongue with delightful ease as he sits back in his chair and reminisces for a fleeting moment. By the age of 17 he had become known as an ‘entertainer’ from his days of dee-jaying on the Vee-Jay sound system early in the 1970's and primarily recorded under the title of Berris Simpson. However, an old friend of his who suggested that he use a stage name gave him the name 'Prince Hammer', a name that he since has carried.
Images Left to Right: Ken Booth, Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Issacs all with Prince Hammer.
What’s on in october Black History Month Special MANCHESTER THE NUBIAN TIMES MBC AWARDS
The Hilton Manchester, Deansgate, Saturday 26th October, 6.30pm - Midnight Top of the list of course! TNT will be celebrating its first birthday with an extravagant Awards dinner party to be held at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester’s City Centre. Special guests will be present at The Nubian Times Media, Business and Community Awards evening and
exclusive performances from some of the North West’s finest talent will provide entertainment for this charitable event – nominated charity: Prostate Cancer.
Contact Theatre
Oxford Road, Manchester See website for times and prices. Several shows will be taking place at Contact on Oxford Road this month including The Black Sound Series and Collective Artistes. Go to www.contactmcr.com for more information.
not least of all because Sherwood enabled his travel to the UK in 1978 hav-
In 1977, Hammer brought out singles such as ‘Kings of Kings’ and ‘Addis Ababa’ on his own record label 'Gold Cup'. Following that year, he also made a cameo ap-
A Talk by Marika Sherwood
Working Class Movement Library, Salford , M5 4WX Friday 4th October, 2pm, FREE A talk by Marika Sherwood to mark Black History Month: Struggles in Manchester before and after the 1945 Pan-African Congress. Sherwood's book Manchester & the 1945 Pan-African Congress has been reprinted and will be available to purchase.
LIVERPOOL
pearance in the 1978 movie, 'Rockers'. Having got a role in the movie because of the way he walked – “I walked straight into the movie” Hammer told TNT - the movie nonetheless gave him a broader audience for his 1978 album 'Bible' which was produced by Blacka Morwell. Hammer's next album, 'Roots and Roots', was released on Hit Run label in 1979, a label that was owned by English record producer and ‘Dub master’, Adrian Sherwood, a man who is clearly close to Hammer’s heart
ing sold a “Craven A box of prereleased records” that Hammer had sent to him from Jamaica to sell in England so he could then buy his plane ticket. After the release of 'Root and Roots', Sherwood set up a tour in the UK for Hammer where, during his stay, he released his version of Rod Taylor's 'If Jah Should Come Now' which was a huge hit not only in the UK but
also in his hometown, Jamaica. Though Prince Hammer has provided us with a bounty of musical entertainment over the years, the legendary reggae artist, who is also a community worker, is still focusing on the music. "I never stop making songs, I work with a lot of people and I try to give others opportunities; whilst growing up, I've always seen myself as a sharing and caring type of person and I want to give back to the society and naturally this is my journey” - a journey which sees him giving “local lads a voice in the dance hall as their stuff is not being aired on mainstream radio” through his Ambition Sound. This “sharing, caring journey guy” finally tells TNT: “My heart says ‘yes’; my heart says ‘give’”. And give he certainly has, not only to his fans but to the community and, moreover, the industry itself. N Shadia Oseni TT
Here I was thinking that Black History Month was becoming less and less recognised in Manchester and the UK generally but a little extra research proved me very wrong! Here are a few of my top suggestions for special ways to mark this significant month; visit TNT’ website for more details and ideas. Have a happy October! TNT's Siobhan White International Slavery Museum
Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 4AX Several special events, talks and participatory projects will be taking place throughout this month in honour of Black History. Go to liverpoolmuseums.org. uk/ism to find out more.
Merseyside Black Achievers Awards
St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, L1 Saturday 26th October, If you’re closer to Liverpool than Manchester on this
night, why not pass by and meet some of Liverpool’s finest Black achievers in all their glory at this glamorous awards event, currently in its ninth year.
HUDDERSFIELD Black Heritage Memorial Sculpture
Huddersfield Library and Art Gallery, HD1 2SU Tuesday 1st October, 1pm, FREE Netherhall Learning Campus High School and artist Melanie Wilks have
created this sculpture to commemorate the Black community's contribution to Kirklees and the death of anti-slavery campaigner, Harriet Tubman.
Bag Lady
Lawrence Batley Theatre, HD1 2SB Saturday 12th October, 2.30pm, £10 Marcia Layne's monologue explores important issues of mental health and social exclusion, challenging and celebrating the notion of the angry and strong Black woman.
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How Donald Brown Turned his dream into reality
NAS LYRICS
Renaissance Man, Donald Brown, has met and sculpted the great and the good since leaving Manchester for America. He tells TNT how self-belief turned his unthinkable dream into reality.
[Nas] Be, be, 'fore we came to this country We were kings and queens, never porch monkeys There was empires in Africa called Kush Timbuktu, where every race came to get books To learn from Black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans Asian Arabs and gave them gold when Gold was converted to money it all changed Money then became empowerment for Europeans The Persian military invaded They heard about the gold, the teachings, and everything sacred Africa was almost robbed naked Slavery was money, so they began making slave ships Egypt was the place that Alexander the Great went He was so shocked at the mountains with black faces Shot up they nose to impose what basically Still goes on today, you see? If the truth is told, the youth can grow Then learn to survive until they gain control Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes Read more learn more, change the globe Ghetto children, do your thing Hold your head up, little man, you're a king Young Princess when you get your wedding ring Your man is saying "She's my queen"
“When I was about fourteen years old, I took a lump of soft, muddy clay home from school and created a head of myself, on the kitchen table. Seeing my passion and commitment for sculpture, my mother asked me, "What is playing with mud going to do for you?" The general consensus amongst my immediate circle of influence was that one had to be exceptionally gifted, determined and extremely fortunate to garner the appropriate opportunities in order to avoid winding up as a failed and or starving artist. In Great Britain, a young Black man, pursuing figurative sculpture as a serious career was as foreign to social thinking, twenty-five years ago, as I believe it is today. There were and are no Black sculptors like Michelangelo, Rodin or Bernini with whom others and I could identify with to celebrate and emulate. Mother's concern later proved to be one of the most significant and motivating questions that helped in
my development as an artist and as a man, by virtue of the seemingly negative energy it imbued. I soon discovered the art of converting negative energy into positive energy and still find it to be a liberating and empowering experience and an ability that can be developed into one of many essential life skills. It can be a natural reaction for individuals to internalise a negative comment that
is directed at them, albeit with good intentions. For example, how many times have you had what you consider to be a great idea, or visualised new goals and dreams but upon sharing them with others you find they do not share your vision or enthusiasm? They have nothing to say by way of encouragement but instead they discourage and possibly derail you. If so many dreams are potentially lost, because others disapprove, what does that say about the insecurity of those who allow such negative energies to significantly alter the course of their lives? Ultimately, who
really is the decision-maker regarding that particular aspect of your life? Take control of your mental journey, in order to maintain control of your life’s journey. Allowing others to make decisions for you can result in your suffering the consequences of their indiscretions. Being decisive builds confidence and character. Even if we make poor choices we can learn and grow from understanding our mistakes. However, by seeking the valued opinions of others, it is possible to be discreet with our personal information, whilst accumulating a wealth of knowledge that can better position us to make our own wise decisions. It is often said that a unique door that is opened to us is an opportunity of a lifetime. It is my opinion that we can spend our entire lives walking through many doors that are opened for us; however, very often we have the keys to the doors that only we can open.”
I KNOW I CAN
N correspondent TT
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
"Black History is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are."
Design: peteramoah@hotmail.com
The Nubian Times MBC Awards 2013
BLACK HISTORY FACTS
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Notice of Application for a Premises License LICENSING ACT 2003 Name of Applicant: Imooluwa Restaurant & Bar Address of Premises: 117 Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester, M14 4RB Proposed licensable activities to be carried on at the premises: To carry out the business of a takeaway / restaurant with alcohol. An application has been made for a premises license for the above address to include the following: • To enable the sale of alcohol between - 9:30am - 11:30pm Monday to Thursday - 9:00am - 4:00am Friday and Saturday - 2:30pm - 11:30pm Sunday • To enable regulated entertainment (as specified in the application) when the premises are open for the sale of alcohol • To enable the provision of refreshments as specified in the application Our saying is: “The potential for greatness is within us all, Representations shall be made writing it is for us to achieve together through thein support we togive the below address on or before: each other.” 11th November Contact Alicia at: 2013
0161 226 1031 173 Princess Rd, Moss Side, M14 4RL
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Inspirational
Inspirational
BLACK HISTORY FIRSTS
When I was about eight, I decided that the most wonderful thing, next to a human being, was a book.
The slaves who were ourselves had known terror intimately, confused sunrise with pain and accepted indifference as kindness.
Sir Trevor McDonald OBE
Margaret Walker
Ntozake Shange
The first black news reader in the UK
absolutely kaned! When We
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ne minute and nineteen seconds was all it took for Kane Mousah to TKO his opponent. If I had not known that he had been absent from the cage for 4 and a half years, I couldn’t tell as there was no sign of rustiness from the Fallowfield fighter. Watching him spar before the fight with his uncle and trainer, Anthony, you could see that intensity and determination was apparent in his eyes. This was just supposed to be light sparring bout before the event; however, Kane did not look like he was taking it lightly – it was more as if he had just entered the cage. The bell goes and Kane’s opponent flies out of his
until he gained a full guard and proceeded to ground and pound him. Whilst this was happening the noise level at Reebok Stadium hit ‘deafening’ with fans of Kane causing such a din that I couldn’t hear members of the press who were seated next to me! Seconds later he had won and there followed a huge roar and shouts of EASY, EASY, EASY! Kane who said, “I’m inspired by tough guys who would put themselves on the line for what they believe in”, has also trained with Manchester’s Michael the
Were Kings A time when West Indies cricket ruled the world
count Bisping from the UFC as well as Brenden Loughanne, who was headlining the Full Contact Contender event (FCC7). Kane, who fights out of Rough House gym says, “My fighting
corner and swiftly eats a left hand (as pictured). He drops to the canvass then is smothered
style is more like BJ Penn and dynamic like Jon Jones”. That night he said, “The support was excellent and I thrived on it”. He also paid tribute to The Nubian Times for supporting him on his journey back into the cage. We have a chance to witness a local lad excel in his chosen sporting profession. As well as having a great following, he has the determination to become a champion and, in his own words: “I will be a champion”. N Rele Akinwale TT
End of the road for Hope
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ope Powell's 15-year reign as Head Coach of the England women's team has come to an end as the Football Association has decided the time is right 'for a fresh outlook'. Following a successful playing career, Powell took on the head coach role in 1998 guiding England to the European Championship final four years ago where they lost to Germany. The recent disappointment of the latest European finals, where England bowed out in the first round after two defeats and a draw, has undoubtedly played a part in Powell's departure. England has become the laughing stock of world football having seen embarrassing failures in the men’s teams at all levels in the last 12 months, and finally this summer Hope Powell’s Three Lionesses crashing out of Euro 2013, writes Lloyd Wall. .
English football is being held back by an inability for the big wigs at the FA to find a balance between development and immediate performance.
Powell’s job as the senior women’s head coach came to an end last month as the Football Association decided it was time ‘for a fresh outlook’.
She was the first ever woman to gain a UEFA-Pro licence, the highest qualification in coaching, and is also a seasoned international herself having notching up 35 goals in 66 caps and gaining an OBE and a MBE in a career which has bought the women’s game onto the back-pages. But BME coaches are rare in football, despite growing efforts, and Powell represented the perfect example of how England is trying to develop off-field, with a female BME head coach, yet the performance on-field seems to have stalled. The big question that needs to be asked is ‘what role does football play in our country?’ Is football about giving everyone the opportunity to progress and compete, or is it about getting results on the world stage at any cost? This is a decision the FA needs to make and stick to long-term.
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llowing for the wholly patronising description, the West Indies were once known as the "calypso cricketers". At the time they were hugely entertaining to watch, but they still ended up losing. Now move forward a little bit because all was about to change and the Windies team ready to detonate with a vengeance. First came the authoritative captaincy of Clive Lloyd, then Viv Richards, the game’s most dominant batsman who could destroy a bowler whatever they came up with. Add a pinch of Michael Holding and Andy Roberts, and you had two of the most fearsome fast bowlers in the world. A great era of Caribbean cricket was upon us, starting with their success in the inaugural World Cup of 1975 and continuing into the early 1990s. As we celebrate Black History Month, I didn’t want those glory days to be forgotten or lost in time. We may never see those days again, nor their brand of cricket ever replicated, but we can reminisce with pride, can’t we? Who can forget the burning passion of the likes of Richards on and off the field, once saying “my bat is my sword”? I hasten to add here that if I talk about Richards I must highlight the deadly batting elegance of Gor-
don Greenidge, and the poetic pace of all the fast bowlers who were to follow. Avid Caribbean cricket followers will also be well aware of the wider drama that often visited the game, perhaps best illustrated in the film, Fire In Babylon. It focuses on the West Indies’ side involved in the 197576 tour of Australia as it recalls the racism they suffered from the fans and the merciless pummelling they received on the pitch from the Australian fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Alas, the Windies suffered a nononsense 5-1 beating. However, the brilliant matchwinning Windies machine resurfaced in the 1976 tour of England. It was the breakthrough series. In a sweltering summer, an England side led by Tony Greig was swept aside 3-0, with Holding and Roberts in full cry. From then on it was Win! Win! Win! with them taking the 1979-80 series in Australia and revenge being sweetly captured. It is with some glee that I recall a side now incorporating the likes of Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner and Colin Croft, and the famous "blackwash" tour of England in 1984. The terraces at grounds like The Oval were over spilling with West Indian fans watching and revelling in seeing latter day gladiators triumphant yet again.
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EVERYONE'S A WINNER AT BRITISH TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS A father’s pride in achievements of champion daughter and team mates
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the world. Charlotte only started competition sparring 10 months ago but she has always been gifted with the ability to learn a new sport or activity very quickly. From the age of four Charlotte has trained in various disciplines including swimming and ballet. What Charlotte has just achieved deserves a massive well done for her hard work and dedication as it usually takes two to three years of hard competition sparring to get to the level Charlotte has currently achieved and within
t the British Taekwondo Championships held on September 9th at the Manchester Velodrome, Denzle Simpson had cause to celebrate the achievements of his daughter and her team mates at the high profile event which hosted competitors from across the British Isles. Charlotte Simpson was crowned British Champion in her category for girls up to and including 11 years of age and a weight of 43kg plus. Charlotte had three bouts spread over a period of four hours; each bout consisted of three one and a half minute rounds. She stopped her first opponent in the second round with a technical knockout. The other two bouts went the full distance but Charlotte won on points. Charlotte first took up the martial art of Taekwondo a little over 2 years ago having joined the Premier Taekwondo Club based in Birkby, Huddersfield. Taekwondo is an Olympic sport and is fast growing throughout
BLACK HISTORY FACTS The Nigerian city of Ile-Ife was paved in 1000 AD, on the orders of a female ruler, with decorations that originated in Ancient America. Naturally, noone wants to explain how this took place approximately 500 years before the time of Christopher Columbus!
Bronze medal in her 59 kg Cadet female advanced category whilst Sarah Jalali also won a Bronze medal in her 55kg junior female advanced category. In the next row, from left to right, is Charlotte Simpson, Gold medalist in the plus 43kg children female category. There is also Kyla Julien, Silver medallist, 47kg Cadet female advanced and Aaliyah Powell, Gold medallist, 34kg children female category. Everyone’s a winner with hard work, focus and dedication!
BLACK HISTORY FACTS On the 1 March 1979, the New York Times carried an article on its front page and also on page sixteen that was entitled Nubian Monarchy called Oldest. In this article we were assured that: “Evidence of the oldest recognizable monarchy in human history, preceding the rise of the earliest Egyptian kings by several generations, has been discovered in artifacts from ancient Nubia” (i.e. the territory of the northern Sudan and the southern portion of modern Egypt.)
BLACK HISTORY FACTS TNT believes that Black History and Black Studies should be studied throughout the year and not just during Black History Month held in October. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) said that "Education is your passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today"
10 months at that! On average, she trains between three and four times a week with each session lasting up to 2 hours. Charlotte increases her training to 5 times a week when a major event is due to take place. Charlotte’s team mates also excelled. In his category - 38kg children male - Caden Cunningham won a Bronze medal: see pictures of Caden (in the front) with his team members. In the second photo, from left to right, and pictured with their trainer, Mosy, Rebecca Khawaja who won a
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f the name of rising mixed martial arts star, Emmanuel Akpan, (pictured) doesn’t quite register with you don’t worry. Back in Old Swan, Liverpool, his Nigerian parents are none the wiser either about his bourgeoning skills in unarmed combat. In fact, they have no idea that he wakes up early every day, except Sunday, to train from 6-9a.m. and has had a string of successful bouts in a sport that is gaining mainstream acceptance and popularity – a sport that can no less be traced back to the ancient Olympics! Coming from a traditional Nigerian family where education comes first, Mum and Dad will be glad to know that ‘Manny’ is doing fine in his third year at University in Manchester where
he is studying economics. What they don’t know (until now) is that a few weeks ago Manny, 20, known widely as a genuinely nice guy in and out of the ring, disposed of his
last opponent in swift fashion; knocking him out cold with a flying knee move to win an amateur fight night. Hmm, nice one Manny….. N Rele Akinwale TT
BLACK HISTORY FACTS The human race is of African origin. The oldest known skeletal remains of anatomically modern humans (or homo sapiens sapiens) were excavated at sites in East Africa. Human remains were discovered at Omo in Ethiopia that were dated at 195,000 years old, the oldest known in the world.
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FASHION Inspirational
thenubiantimes.com Inspirational
We're programmed to believe that time is the enemy, that it takes away from us or that it diminishes us. I have found that it's done the opposite for me. Life is in perfect balance. It's just that our perception of it isn't.
BLACK HISTORY FIRSTS
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
Diane Abbott
Queen Rania of Jordan
Maya Angelou
The first Black woman to be elected to the House of Commons.
Miss World Dominica 2013 MANCHESTER
F
ollowing the footsteps of Miss Mona John Lewis who, back in 1978 competed in the prestigious contest to find ‘Miss World’, 20 year old Leslassa Armour-Shillingford is this year representing the Commonwealth of Dominica in the prestigious contest to be held 28th September in Bali, Indonesia. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica – the Nature Isle of the Caribbean - was last represented in the global contest some 35 years ago but is more than making up for her absence with the natural beauty, poise, elegance and talent of Leslassa. Leslassa, whose name means ‘harmony’ in Amharic, describes herself as a “down to earth, natural and committed young Caribbean woman”. Currently a dance teacher, she aspires to study Agricultural Economics at university before returning to Dominica to use her acquired knowledge to
find their passion and innate talents and then excel at them. Currently holding the titles of Miss Dominica 2013, Miss Caribbean Culture 2013, Miss Jaycees International 2013 and Miss Carnival 2013, she is also the Ambassador for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism 2013 and
further develop the local industry. She believes in conservation and living in balance with nature. Passionate about her platform of Holistic Education, Leslassa sees it as an essential way to educate children and all people to appreciate their whole selves,
the Caribbean Cultural Ambassador 2013. She has also been named the Caribbean Regional Spokesperson for the Innocence Project 2013, a joint initiative with UNICEF and the Eastern Caribbean Governments as well as other regional counterparts in a bid to effectively change the dialogue on child abuse. Leslassa has taken this role in her stride as the ‘voice of those who have lost their own’ by making this cause the centre of her dance for the Miss World Talent Final where she was one of the 12 chosen out of the 137 young women to compete in this segment. She wore wristlets made of blue ribbons that represent the child abuse awareness campaigns and they were braided in memory of the children who were lost to this abuse.
Flava
Busy Playsuit, kept simple with a cute top knot
GEEK
CHIC
To read more, please continue online. www.thenubiantimes.com
Brides of culture 8th Multicultural bridal exhibition
B
rides of Culture (BoC) returned for the eighth instalment of its unique free Multicultural Bridal Exhibition September 28th 2013, at the luxurious Hilton Canary Wharf. Held at a prime location in the middle of one of the world’s busiest commercial districts, the strategically chosen venue was perfect for this season’s Brides of Culture exhibition. With a dedicated website that serves as an interactive echannel for brides and grooms from all ethnic backgrounds, Brides of Culture goes over and beyond the usual mainstream wedding exhibitions. Abi Laditan and Kemi Osinloye founded Brides of Culture in 2009 to provide useful tips, information, ad vice and details of local and regional vendors to meet the wedding planning needs of a diverse mix of brides and grooms. In 2013 they were fi-
nalists in the Women4Africa Awards and were shortlisted for the Business Women of The Year Award. Their passion and energy has led to the BoC exhibition becoming one of the most highly anticipated cross-cultural wedding exhibitions in London and, indeed, the UK. The last exhibition held in March 2013 attracted nearly 1000 attendees and over 45 major wedding suppliers. Testimonials and feedback from attendees and vendors
ful teen
y Fun, pla
alike continue to encourage Abi and Kemi to strive to make the Brides of Culture Multicultural Bridal Exhibition grow from strength to strength with this
latest exhibition expected to be the biggest and most successful yet. TNT readers can look forward to a report on the outcome of this exhibition in its November issue! According to statistics gleaned from the 2011 UK Census, with a total of 1,148,738 the largest ethnic minority group in Britain are those categorised as Black or Black-British, with the second largest group being Indians (1,053,411). Overall, ethnic minority groups represent almost six per cent of the population of Great Britain, with over 235,000 weddings occurring each year.
look
Lovely simple daytime look, add court shoes and hit the town