JULY 2020 • ISSUE NO. 1908
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THE VOICE SAYS:
THE POLICE
CONTINUE TO FAIL US Met chief says things are improving but where is the evidence?
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ILLIONS HAVE marched in the wake of George Floyd’s death. But systemic racism in policing is not just an American problem. We are still five times more likely to be stopped by police than white Britons, more likely to be Tasered and a disproportionate number of black people die after use of force or
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restraint by officers. In an exclusive interview Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told The Voice that the police have changed. Our community’s view has not – two decades after the Macpherson report was published there is still very little progress. See full story inside
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Inside
ROUNDUP
THIS MONTH
NEWSPAPER
News, views, stories & videos
What’s the future for Caribbean tourism post COVID-19? p6
1. Ty Chijioke has died
The 47-year-old had been admitted to hospital with medical complications related to COVID.
2. Boris Johnson issues statement on BLM The Prime Minister said: “We simply cannot ignore the depth of emotion that has been triggered.”
3. Coronavirus: If I am infected with COVID-19, is it because I am black?
‘I thought I was going to die’
Data suggests that black, Hispanic and South Asian groups are more likely to be infected by the virus.
4
p18
‘Racism isn’t getting worse – it’s just getting caught on film’ p25
p28
Honouring The Heroes Of COVID p31 Willie Jones, the singer with a unique take on country and hip hop p40
Emma Thompson, Black Lives Matter campaigner
THE 10 MOST POPULAR STORIES ON VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK
Keeping mums-to-be safe after the pandemic p15
Does God care that we are perishing?
Spotlight
amaica’s ag on top of the world
The flag was deemed the winner of a fun World Cup of Flags 2020 competition.
retch 32 shares video of father being Tasered by the police The footage from April sees the rapper’s 62-year-old father apprehended.
6. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence set to go again Bad Boys producer Jerry Bruckheimer says a fourth movie is in the works.
7. Prof Kevin Fenton set to lead in uiry on impact of COVID-19 on BAME community
The professor, right, first joined Public Health England in 2012.
8. Has President Museveni turned 49 m IMF loan into pandemic heist? Popularity of Money Heist sparks speculation.
9 NHS recovery hospital for COVID-19 patients named after Mary Seacole The NHS Seacole is the first of its kind in England.
0 KSI ready to drop his album
Dissimulation is available to stream now.
This issue is 48 pages. The normal 72-page issue will resume soon.
It’s hard to believe that in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, black people in the UK are marching for change in the same way our forefathers did decades years ago. Last Saturday, I turned 29 and I chose to celebrate my birthday by participating in a protest in London at Parliament Square. I know this is an unconventional way to mark your revolution around the sun, but I felt it was where I needed to be. I know a lot of people have legitimate fears about COVID, and rightfully so, as it is a real threat to the black community, but in my opinion, it is no greater a risk than some of the other day to day threats we face as people of colour. Our race unfortunately continues to be a barrier to opportunities and experiences our white counterparts do not have to face. We often take comfort in putting things off or making excuses for it ‘not being a good time’ or not being ‘convenient’ but the real question to ask is when will it ever be a convenient time to talk about race or advocate for change? I would say that time is now. I would implore all people who are afraid to say something, to be a voice and impetus for change, because this is only the beginning. The time is now for the UK to come to terms with its colonial past and address the pain and atrocities that it has in icted upon black people. I would like to know that when my future self looks back 50 years from now, I can say with certainty that I was on the right side of history. I hope you, too, can say the same.
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JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 3
News
Met police chief: ‘I recognise that there is further to go’
HELD TO ACCOUNT: Met Commissioner Cressida Dick says that while figures have improved in the UK, there is still a long way to go in ridding the force of racism – and that the people must be the judge of improvement
Commissioner Cressida Dick recognises anger with the force – but is working on change EXCLUSIVE by Vic Motune
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ET POLICE Commissioner Cressida Dick has acknowledged some of the criticisms of the force by the black community which has accused it of discriminatory policing. In a wide ranging interview with The Voice, Commissioner Dick answered questions from community organisations such as StopWatch and Access UK and collated by the newspaper’s news editor Vic Motune. The questions covered areas such as police community relations, ethnic diversity in the force and racial disparity in the use of stop and search.
ANALYSIS
A recent analysis by Dr Krisztián Pósch, a lecturer in crime science at University College London for The Guardian found that officers enforcing the coronavirus lockdown were more than twice as likely to issue fines to black people as to white people. The common sentiment shared by the organisations The Voice spoke before interviewing the Met Police chief was that no progress had been made since the publication of the Macpherson Report in 1999 to end the kind of discriminatory policing that has traditionally been such a point of contention between the police and the black community. The Macpherson Report famously described the Met Police as “institutionally racist”. When asked if the force was still institutionally racist she
said: “I fully recognise that there is further to go, and that some people will see us as a service which hasn’t changed as much as they would like. And we are, of course, working in a society that is going through an awful lot of questioning itself right now. “One of which we recognise,
We’ve done a huge amount against hate crime, and I’m proud of that that racism has existed and does exist. “We’ve done a huge amount against hate crime, and I’m proud of that. I have a long history, personally, of being antiracist. “I’m passionate about this. And I’ve been working very hard on it personally in the last two or three years as Commissioner. But we’ve got further to go. And it’s for others to judge where they see we now are.”
PROUD
She added: “I’m very proud of so many of the changes that we’ve made in terms of the way we police our communities. We’ve always been a service which has tried to involve the public, but we’ve been doing that more and more and more over the last few years. “We have been trying to make sure that we are sensitive in the way that we police, that we listen to the public, and that
we recognise where people may feel that they want a different police service that what they’re receiving right now.” Asked about ethnic disparity in stop and search, Commissioner Dick again acknowledged community concerns. She said: “I do understand that if you’re living in a high violent crime area and you might be from African or Caribbean heritage, you’re feeling that your son is more likely to get stabbed, hugely more likely to get stabbed than, you know, white people a mile up the road, because that’s the shocking disproportionality.
CONFIDENCE
“If you’re seeing that and you’re seeing lots of officers, and on occasion you’re seeing lots of stop and search being done, that may be a really uncomfortable feeling. And I want people to feel more confidence in their policemen, to see us as there to protect them, and not there in any way other than as a friend and a protector. And that’s the bit I know we’ve got further to go.” She added: “In areas of high violent crime, you will have police officers. “It would be a racist thing to withdraw police officers from an area which has both high violence and minority communities. We wouldn’t ever do that. “We are there. And we are trying to protect people. And we’re trying to target individuals who we know are violent drug dealers who are carrying knives, who are carrying firearms and so forth. And one of the ways we do that is through Stop and Search.”
However, she highlighted the fact that there was greater transparency on the issue. “One of the changes that I’ve
We use minimum force. We only use force which is necessary seen so strongly in the last 20 years is that we are now more transparent. We’re now more accountable. We are now more heavily scrutinised than we ever have been, and probably than any other public service in this country. And certainly
the UK police services are more so than any others in the world. And I’m proud of that. “Also we look at our figures all the time, including through the lens of race and disproportionality. So you have readily available to you our figures on stop and search, on use of force, on the usage of Taser and use of firearms.
CONTRAST
“And let me just contrast that with, for example, the United States. It’s extraordinarily hard to get figures on any of those subjects there. Secondly, many of the tactics that they use routinely there we don’t. Because we use minimum force. We only use force which is necessary. Some people have talked about choke holds. We don’t
use those. We don’t use gas in crowds. We don’t use baton rounds. We use our firearms incredibly sparingly.” Dick continued: “If you come to Stop and Search, you have to remember that we are policing in an environment which sadly is unequal, and in an environment in which violent crime affects some places and some people hugely more than others. And it breaks my heart that some places which were subject to high violent crime when I started as a police officer, still are. I was an Inspector in Peckham for five years. And Peckham has changed a lot, but there are parts of the Borough of Southwark, which is subject to really high violent crime on occasion. And that was true nearly 30 years ago.”
You can help us bring an end to systemic racism in Britain Over the past two months, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have marched in mostly peaceful protests led by the Black Lives Matter movement. While the protests have been sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US, campaigning organisations
in the UK, including this newspaper, have been clear to say that systemic racism is not just an American problem. Over two decades after the publication of the Macpherson Report, there are many who believe that the force remains institutionally racist.
Although improvements have been made post-Macpherson, such as hate crimes now being identified, black officers are disproportionately subjected to discipline compared to their white counterparts. We still have disproportionality in stop and search, with a black person five times more
likely to be stopped by police than their white counterparts. A black person is 20 times more likely to be stopped under section 60 roadblocks and more likely to be Tasered. These figures may be down to unconscious bias. But even if so, the fact that police officers know these
figures but decide not to question why they are happening is institutionally racist. We’re urging you, our readers, to contact police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and let them know of your concerns.
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News
BADENOCH HEADS UP BAME COVID REVIEW
Equalities Minister to be supported by government departments and agencies
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QUALITIES MINISTER, Kemi Badenoch has begun work on the next step of Public Health England’s review into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people from black and minority ethnic communities. Badenock will be supported in her work by a number of other government departments and agencies. A report by Public Health England examining why people from a black and minority ethnic (BAME) background were dying in greater numbers than people from other ethnicities was published in early June. However, it was labelled as a missed opportunity by the British Medical Association and criticised for its lack of recommendations.
EXPLANATION
But a week later campaigners demanded an explanation after it emerged that pages containing recommendations to protect BAME communities were removed from the report. Unpublished parts of the report, seen by Sky News, said that BAME groups in Britain should be given targeted health advice in the event of a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak. It is thought that these pages were held back due to sensitivities around Black Lives Matter protests around the world. The unpublished parts of the report also say that factors such as racism and social inequality
This government is rightly taking the findings seriously may have contributed to increased health risks to BAME people. Historic racism and experience of discrimination may mean that people are less likely bet to seek care or to demand better personal protective equipment, said the draft. Inequalities in conditions such as diabetes may increase the severity of cases. Other possible factors that explain the disproportionate impact on BAME communities are health conditions such as diabetes and risks linked to occupation, especially for those who work in front line areas such as transport, nursing and social care. Dr Chaand Nagpaul CBE, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA), pictured inset above, wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock demanding an explanation as to why pages containing recommendations to protect BAME communities were removed from the COVID-19 disparity report. A second report, including
some of the aforementioned missing pages was published a week after the first one. The latest report recommends: • Better data collection about ethnicity and religion, including having this recorded on death certificates to accurately monitor the impact on these communities; • Supporting further research with the participation of ethnic minority communities to understand the increased risk and develop programmes to reduce it; • Improving BAME groups’ access to, experiences of and outcomes from NHS and other services using audits, health impact assess assessments and better representation of black and minori minority ethnic communi communities among staff; • Developing risk as assessments for black, Asian and minority ethnic workers in roles where they are exposed to a large section of the general public or those infected with the virus; • Producing culturally sensitive education and prevention campaigns to rebuild trust and help communities access services such as contact tracing, antibody testing and a future vaccine; • Targeting ethnic minority groups with culturally sensitive health messages to address conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma; • Ensuring that COVID-19 recovery strategies actively address inequalities to create long-term change. Hancock announced that Badenock would oversee further work to examine the issues raised by the report in the form of an ongoing review and implement recommendations. According to the Government Equalities Office the review will: • Examine the effectiveness and impact of current actions being undertaken by relevant
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KEY ROLE: Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch says she is taking the work of the government forward; inset below left, a man in London wears a face mask during his commute
government departments and their agencies to directly lessen disparities in infection and death rates of COVID-19;
POLICY
• Make modifications to existing policy, or develop new policy, for which the relevant Ministers would be responsible; • Commission further data, research and analytical work by the Equality Hub to clarify the scale, and drivers, of the gaps in evidence highlighted by the report; • Consider where and how the collection and quality of data into the disparities highlighted can be improved on, and take action to do so, working with the Equality Hub, government departments and their agencies; • Lead engagement on the disparities highlighted with Departmental Ministers; • Build on and expand the stakeholder engagement undertaken by PHE, to consolidate
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and develop the qualitative insights gained and how they may support further actions that should be taken to address the disparities highlighted. Badenock said: “This government is rightly taking seriously the initial findings from the PHE report published earlier this week. “However, it is also clear that much more needs to be done to understand the key drivers of the disparities identified and the relationships between the different risk factors. “That is why I am now taking this work forward, which will enable us to make a real difference to people’s lives and protect our communities from the impact of the coronavirus.” Speaking about the government’s earlier decision not to release parts of the report that contained protecting people from BAME backgrounds Dr Nagpaul said in a letter published by The Guardian: “I’m finding it inexplicable the gov-
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ernment did not release the full report at a time not only when the BAME community suffered so disproportionately with the virus, but also at a time when there was global outcry and outrage to racial inequalities.
RESPONSE
“A clear response is needed as to why these pages and important recommendations were omitted from publication, especially when it is so critical that action is taken to save lives now and reduce race inequalities.” The letter continued: “The BMA called for this review and contributed our views to it, and we were extremely disappointed that the points raised in our submission were not addressed in the report published on June 2. “It now appears that pages addressing these and the contributions from other stakeholders may have been removed from the final report.”
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News
PANDEMIC IN PARADISE What does the future look like for the economies dependent on tourism in a post-COVID world?
By Heather Cover-Kus, Commonwealth economic analyst
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ITH ABUNDANT sun, sea and sand, tourism is the economic lifeblood of many small island developing states (SIDS). While they are not the countries that bring in the most income from tourism – the United States generated $214.5billion (£169.6bn) in 2018 – SIDS are by far the most economically dependent on tourism. Fifteen of the 20 countries where tourism makes the largest contribution to overall GDP are small island states – and 10 of them are in the Caribbean. Tourism is an attractive industry for many island economies because it is a large employer of both skilled and unskilled labour. It brings in significant foreign direct investment, drives international trade in services and capitalises on a country’s natural beauty and culture. Furthermore, with limited natural extractive resources and a small labour force, there are few other options for indus-
Lockdown measures have struck at the very heart of tourism tries that these countries could depend on as a source of income. Tourism in the time of coronavirus But, contrary to the usual depiction of these ‘paradise’ destinations, life is not all beaches and bliss. SIDS are frequently under threat from natural disasters. Not only do storms damage resorts and key attractions, but they also often damage critical infrastructure like airports, harbours, and roads. In Dominica, 40 per cent of the country’s hotel rooms were destroyed in Hurricane Maria in September 2017 and the island suffered an 88.4 per cent fall in visitor arrivals during the first half of 2018. And while the Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be particularly active this year, countries like Dominica now
face the shock of another challenge. Without a single drop of rain, a global pandemic has rocked the $8.8trillion global tourism industry to its core. The lockdown measures implemented to control and contain the COVID-19 virus have struck at the very heart of tourism everywhere, not just in small states. Borders have closed and planes are not flying. Hotels and resorts are empty, restaurants have shut down, and taxis have no passengers.
GROWTH
The projected growth for the cruise ship sector that analysts predicted in January, has sharply turned into strong contractions. Unemployment in the travel and tourism industries has soared. In Jamaica’s western coast alone, at least 15 hotels and resorts closed in March and thousands have been laid off. These layoffs are likely to have led to further job losses in other sectors. In addition to hotel employees, services like taxis, restaurants, tours, and retail are also dependent on tourism. For example, travel and tourism directly accounted for 14 per cent of jobs in Antigua
HIT THE HARDEST?: Bridgetown, Barbados is likely to be badly affected by the effects of coronavirus; below, cruises in Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Lanka have an uncertain future and Barbuda in 2018, jumping to 46 per cent when combined with indirectly related jobs. As governments around the world begin to slowly ease restrictions and restart their economies, the immediate future of the tourism sector remains fraught with challenges. Tourism demand is uncertain. While on one hand, many people who have been in lockdown for months will be eager to get away, with a global economic recession and unemployment on the rise, many may not be able to afford a holiday.
SUPPLY
Moreover, it may take a while for people to feel safe enough to board a plane or cruise ship. From a supply perspective, many governments are extending current restrictions on international travel and imposing two-week quarantines on incoming passengers. Even if SIDS decide to forgo these restrictions in an effort to revitalise tourism, they will have to ensure that they open in a way which is safe for their citizens and which will
not cause a second wave of infections. The tourism of tomorrow As many tourism-dependent countries look to reopen in July, analysts will be watching closely to understand what post-COVID tourism will look like. Governments in the Caribbean are looking to promote more regional tourism, while others are similarly exploring travel ‘bubbles’ between recognised safe places. It remains to be seen whether regional transport connections are sufficient for this new market. Perhaps international tourism in SIDS will become a luxury reserved for the ultra-wealthy who have access by private planes and yachts. If so, countries will have to reassess their current supply of hotels and resorts to see if they meet the needs of this new tourism model. Importantly, governments need to ask whether any of these tourism options are enough to sustain their economies. Realistically, the development and distribution of a coronavirus
vaccine is tourism’s best hope. Until then, governments may want to look into immunity certificates and disease detecting dogs as a practical solution to reopening more widely. The quicker these can be tools can developed and utilised, the better.
RELIANCE
The coronavirus pandemic has caused many countries to question their reliance on the tourism industry. But practically speaking, for SIDS, relatively few options remain for economic growth outside of tourism. Alternatives like financial services, citizenship-by-investment, and technology services are not a quick fix. They take time, investment, and a redirection of resources. In the meantime, the economy simply cannot wait. After such a long period of confinement, many people will be eager to escape to somewhere sunny and relaxing. And many SIDS are looking forward to welcoming guests again to a post-pandemic paradise.
Source: World Travel and Tourism Council
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Dotun Adebayo
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LET’S NOT PLAY THE COVID BLAME GAME
People in power are blaming everything on the virus – but that won’t wash long term
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HEN ANYTHING happens from now on, don’t blame it on the sunshine, don’t blame it on the moonlight, don’t blame it on the good times, just blame it on the COVID. It’s the new whipping boy that nobody can argue with. Why should Boris Johnson blame it on the sunshine or the moonlight, or even the boogie, when he can blame it on COVID? ‘Don’t blame us, blame COVID’. The state of the economy, the unemployment rate, the baffling smoke signals on the rules of engagement. If not the scientific advice. Why shouldn’t the scientific advisers respond: “Don’t blame us, blame COVID”? Why would US president Donald Trump blame it on the Florida sunshine or the moonlight in Vermont or the boogie up in Harlem when he can blame it on (“the Chinese”) COVID?
RESPONSIBLE
The state of the economy, the unemployment rate… why take responsibility for anything when you can hold China responsible? For everything. Except for the high death tolls, the UK and US are paying. When the time comes for that national post-mortem on the who, what, why, where and when of this crisis, I’m not sure the “COVID” defence will be the settlement of all argument. I can see it being used in the court of law, though. “Does the defendant plead guilty or not guilty?” “I plead COVID, m’lud.” I hear that burglars round my way are using COVID as a reason for NOT breaking and entering. Apparently they are
afraid of catching COVID if they burgle your house whilst you’re asleep. So even they are blaming COVID. I can almost hear them being interviewed by the cops in the future. “So where were you on the night in question?” “On lockdown.” “But the lockdown was over years ago.” “Officially yes, but I don’t trust the government, so I’ve stayed in lockdown ever since, so all those burgled addresses where you found my finger-
Burglars are using COVID as an excuse for not breaking in prints, it can’t have been me. I’m an innocent man. Quarantined in my own home.” COVID is also being blamed in the bedroom. A friend of mine called the other day to say he was leaving his wife for a woman half her age. He blamed it on COVID. “Pamela has been self-isolating from me for a few years now,” he admitted. “But I decided not to leave her until both the kids have left home and gone to university. But that’s another three years and we may still be in lockdown and by then Pam will be too old to find a decent man, so I’ve filed for divorce now instead.” Some of us olders will know what COVID’s going through. We black folk used to get the blame for anything. We got blamed for immigration when we came over here from Africa and the Caribbean. We got blamed for the economy that time in 1992 when
SHOWING THANKS: Medical staff take part in the Clap For Carers during the COVID-19 lockdown
the pound lost its value and the government had to withdraw it from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism thingy. What do they call that call that day again? BLACK Monday? BLACK Tuesday? BLACK Wednesday or something? You might not remember what day of the week it was, but you must remember something about that day. We’ve been blamed for crimes that we didn’t do, completely ignoring the ones we did do. Black boys are more often sent to the PRUs (sounds like an abbreviation for “approved” but actually stands for Pupil Referral Units) presumably for “dropping school standards” whereas a secretary of state for education never gets the blame and sent to the PRU for exactly the same offence. And as for neighbourhoods, do we still get the blame for a drop in house prices when we move into one nearby? And when your neighbour’s wife has run off and left him,
you, a black man, gets the blame for running off with her. So we know all about the ‘blame game’, having played on both sides of it. How do you think that Shaggy wrote that masterpiece It Wasn’t Me if it wasn’t for all the man dem getting caught by their wives with their trousers down… and did I mention the naked woman in the bed beside?
FAILED
It might be worth this government considering, before they out their foot in it again, what Shaggy would say at the daily Downing Street press briefing? PRESS: Prime Minister, you promised us the Earth. PM: It wasn’t me. PRESS: You set testing targets that you have failed to reach. PM: It wasn’t me. PRESS: You were seen breaking social distancing by hugging up someone you had never
met before… a newborn baby. PM: It wasn’t me. As you can see, it’s simpler and more convenient to pass the blame on the left-hand side, as I’m sure Musical Youth sang once upon a time. The problem is that COVID as chief protagonist doesn’t quite work. The blame game needs a physical bogeyman to put in the stocks and throw rotten apples at. COVID is invisible. We can blame it as much as we like, but blame is only pertinent where you are able to hold someone to account. Otherwise it is redundant. There is no point in the COVID post-mortem spending millions of pounds on an inquiry that concludes: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times and the most unprecedented of times that we have to blame on COVID.” You might as well save all that money and add it to Captain Tom’s walking fund. Tens of thousands of people
have died in this country. What’s the point in blaming anybody? On the other hand, tens of thousands of people have died, and if some of them could have been saved, we need to know what went wrong. The hundreds of thousands of relatives whose loved ones have died are not looking to put individuals in the stocks. But if systemic failings are behind the high rate of deaths in this country “from” COVID (rather than “because” of COVID) they need to be made transparent so that they are fit for purpose. That much is clear to everyone. But if they are simply covered up and passed on from one parliament to another, nothing will get done. In these unprecedented times I would love it, just love it, if once, just once, I heard someone say, “Fair cop, I f***ed up. I’m not going to blame COVID, I f***d up.” That would be unprecedented.
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As oftobeen the 15th June, all been nonenvironment COVID-19-secure - COVID-19-secure environment consideration the safeguarding measures needed to make the o open their stores to allowed open stores to As of to the 15th their June, all been nonessential retailers have all businesses will need to conall businesses will need to conmeasures needed to make the environment COVID-19-secure ve shoppers and emprospective shoppers and emessential have been allowed toretailers open their stores to sult staff and unionsult representastaff and union representaenvironment COVID-19-secure all businesses will need to conprovided ployees, they impleprovided theyand impleallowed to open their stores to prospective shoppers emtives in this process.tives in this process. all businesses will need to consult staff and union representagovernment’s guidement the provided government’s guideprospective shoppers and employees, they impleSome of the safeguarding Some of the safeguarding sult staff and union representatives in this process. creating lines a “COVID-19 on athey “COVID-19 ployees, provided implement thecreating government’s guidemeasures that are due to be measures that aresafeguarding due to be tives in this process. Some of the vironment. secure” environment. ment on the government’s guidelines creating a “COVID-19 put in place include, limiting the put in place include, limiting Some of the safeguarding measures that are due tothe be uidelines secure” introduced, The onguidelines lines creating aintroduced, “COVID-19 environment. number of people in store atofany number people in store measures that are due at toany be put in place include, limiting the sure all businesses are aim to ensure all businesses are secure” environment. The guidelines introduced, given time, increasing the fregiven time, increasing the freput in place include, limiting the number of people in store at any e safety putting of their staffsafety the ofintroduced, their staff The guidelines aim to ensure all businesses are Rossiter quency of hand-washing and quency of hand-washing PREPARED: Andy number people in store atand any given time, increasing the frePREPARED: Andy Rossiter umers first byconsumers making and making aim to ensure allfirst businesses are putting the safety ofby their staff cleaning surfacescleaning throughout surfaces throughout given time, increasing the frequency of hand-washing and PREPARED: Andy Rossiter lothing outlets, shoe sure all the clothing outlets, shoe putting safety ofby their staff and consumers first making the store and creating approthe store and creating approquency of hand-washing and cleaning surfaces throughout PREPARED: Andy Rossiter er stores, electronic stock through the stock door, through he ex- the liant atby reading interpreting and trainer stores, electronic wasdoor, ablehe to exapply was for the at reading and interpreting and consumers first making sure all clothing outlets, shoeandliant ablegovto apply for signage the gov-to priate priate promote the signage to promote the cleaning surfaces throughout the store and creating approailors, market plains “...most independents government advice to make it retailers, market vendors, ernment’s Retail, Hospitality & apply plains “...most independents government advice to make it surevendors, all tailors, clothing outlets, shoe and trainer stores, electronic Retail, Hospitality & safety liant at reading and interpreting stock through the door, he ex- ernment’s new health and measwas able to for the govnew health andcreating safety measthe store and appropriate signage to promote the book shops and the haven’t init their stores for inthe bookshop specific and at releastoy book shopselectronic and the bookshop Leisure Grant theable Corohaven’t been their stores specific releasandstores, trainer stores, retailers, tailors, market vendors, Grant and thethe Corostock through door, he for ex-andLeisure liant reading andand interpreting plains “...most independents government advice to been make was toRetail, apply for govuresHospitality store will ures be taking to and ernment’s & the store will be taking to priate signage tosafety promote the new health measrrying out risk assesssome time. In fact, our shops ing it in digestible and accessilike are carrying out risk vendors, assessnavirus Business Interruption In infact, our shops it in digestible and retailers, tailors, toy stores, bookmarket shops and the ing Business Interruption plains time. “...most independents government advice toaccessimake it some haven’t been their stores for navirus bookshop specific and releasernment’s Retail, & standards. maintain Leisure Grant andHospitality the hygiene Coromaintain hygiene standards. new health and safety measures the store will be taking to d are safe. have become timehave capsules of Inin ble weekly bulletins.” ments and are safe. Loan Scheme to support become time capsules ofloanLoan weekly bulletins.” toy are stores, book shops the ble like carrying out risk and assessScheme loan to haven’t been their stores for bookshop specific and releassome time. fact, our shops ing it in digestible and accessiLeisure Grant and Interruption thesupport Coro- maintain navirus Business ures the store will be taking to hygiene standards. howaccessibook selling was three “Werisk plan to bring his Like his many other how bookInselling was shops three “We to bring like areand carrying out assessments are safe. business. Like other some time. fact,business. our ing it inplan digestible and have become time capsules of ble weekly bulletins.” navirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme loanmany to support orkplaces guidance maintain hygiene standards. n Safer workplaces guidance SAFETY SAFETY months ago they’re back just two or business owners, has been months ago they’re back just ments and are safe. business owners, he has been havehow become time capsules of he ble weekly bulletins.” book selling was three “We plantwo to or bring Loan Scheme loan to support his business. Like many other ww.gov.uk/guidance/ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ n Safer workplaces Special considerations willconsiderations also Special filled with titles that threeguidance staff to SAFETY will also thankful for thesethankful cash injecfilled with titles that three staff to for these cash injechow book selling was three “We plan bring months ago they’re back just two or his business. Like many other business owners, he has been afely-duringworking-safely-duringn Safer workplaces https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ be made afloat, for those with visual be made for those withwill visual were of interest beginguidance with SAFETY Special considerations also tions to keep his business afloat, were of interest begin with tions to keep his business months agotitles they’re back just filled with that thankful three stafftwo to or business for owners, has injecbeen thesehecash us-covid-19 coronavirus-covid-19 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ working-safely-duringimpairments and disabilities to impairments disabilities to back then. So, filled it were and limit our Special considerations willvisual also made forand those with but hetitles has been even more back then. So,that it but and limit our he has even more with three staff of interest begin withto thankful for been these cash afloat, injec- be tions to keep his business working-safely-duringcoronavirus-covid-19 ensure these new safety measensure these new safety measwill be really exopening be made for those with visual impairments and disabilities to thankful for the Coronavirus Job will beof really ex-it thankful oand p elimit n i nour g for Coronavirus Job were interest begin with back then. So, tionshe to keep his business but hasthe been even afloat, more coronavirus-covid-19 ures are both accessible and ures are both accessible and citing, if strange days from impairments and disabilities to ensure these new safety measRetention Scheme which he has citing, if strange days from Scheme which has back then. So,exit Retention and will be really o p elimit n i nour g but he for has been evenhemore thankful the Coronavirus Job inclusive. inclusive. at first, to restock at seven to ensure these new safety measures are both accessible and found essential help avoid first, restock seven tog OCKDOWN LOCKDOWN essential to help avoid will be to ex- tofound o p e nfrom in citing, ifreally strange days thankful for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which he has The government’s guidance The government’s guidance and reopen.” five. and We’re ures are both accessible and redundancies among his tightand reopen.” ter, owner andRossiter, foundredundancies among his he tightAndy owner found- five. citing, if days We’re from at first, tostrange restock seven to Retention Scheme has inclusive. found essential towhich help avoid LOCKDOWN aims to support businesses to aims to support businesses to “Since the also reducinclusive. The government’s guidance knit staff. “Since the also reducsiter Books a small staff.essential er of Rossiter, Rossiter Books and - a foundsmall at first, to restock knit sevenWe’re to and reopen.” five. found to help redundancies among his avoid tightLOCKDOWN Andy owner reopen and for workers togovernment’s feel reopen and for workers to feel George Floyd ing opening The guidance aims to support businesses to “The latter half of this year will be George Floyd ing opening independent book“The latter half of this year will be chain of independent bookand reopen.” five. We’re “Since the also reducredundancies among his tightknit staff. Andy er of Rossiter, Rossiterowner Booksand - afoundsmall confident, safe andconfident, empowered safe and empowered murder and the murder hours aims to and support businesses to for workers to feel a “Since particularly new aand unusual and Floyd the to als been closed since particularly and unusual shops has been closed since the alsoopening reducGeorge ing knit staff. “The latter halfnew of this year will be reopen er of Rossiter Books -toaalsmall hours chain of independent bookto return to work. to return and tosafe work. Black Lives MatterBlack low for thorreopen forand workers to feel empowered chapter for booksellers because Livesand Matter fortothorning of the lockdown forhalf booksellers because beginning of closed lockdown in low George Floyd ing opening murder the chapter hours al“The latter of this year will be confident, a particularly new and unusual chain of in independent bookshops has been since movement, we’ve ough cleaning confident, and empowered to return tosafe work. of the number of titles that have movement, we’ve e is looking forward of number of titles that have March. He is looking forward murder and the hoursforcleaning to thoralBlack Lives Matter low a the particularly new and unusual chapter for booksellers because shops has been since the beginning of closed lockdown in ough n For more information on also seen a strong apat the beginning to return to work. n For more information on had their releases delayed due also seen a strong apat the beginning ospect ofto opening his had their releases delayed due the prospect of opening his Black Lives Matter low for thormovement, we’ve ough cleaning chapter for booksellers because of the number of titles that have the beginning of lockdown in March. He is looking forward COVID-secure petite for books on petite racealso and end ofand the creating a COVID-secure to the Coronavirus outbreak. But for books racewe’ve and and end of the day, customers soon and Coronavirus outbreak. But n For more information on store customers soon movement, ough cleaning seen aonstrong ap- to at the beginning ofthe the number of creating titles thatahave had their releases delayed due March. He is and looking forward to thetoprospect of opening his day, working environment equality, such as equality, Whypetite I’malso No fixtures allow people working environment on the plus we’re reosuch as Why I’mside, No now fixtures to day, allow people n to implement the on plus side, now we’re reon For more information on creating a COVID-secure has begun to moving implement the a strong apat the beginning for seen books on race and and end of the had releases delayed due to thetheir Coronavirus outbreak. But to the prospect of opening histo moving store to customers soon and access the following link. Longer Talking to White People to social distance, installing Peraccess the following link. pening both booksellers and the Longer Talking to White People to social distance, installing Pernt’s guidance. pening both booksellers and the creating a COVID-secure working environment government’s guidance. petite for books on race and and end of the day, equality, such as Why I’m No moving fixtures to allow people to the outbreak. But on theCoronavirus plus side, now we’re reostorebegun to customers soon and has to implement the https://www.gov.uk/ Race by ReniAbout Eddo-Lodge. spex screens at tillspex points and https://www.gov.uk/ public willPeople have very Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. screens atAbout tillinstalling points and ers love government’s serving cus- to will have a very strong workingthe environment access following link. “Booksellers love serving cusequality, such as White Why I’m No apublic moving fixtures to allow people Longer Talking to to social distance, Peron thestrong plus side, now we’re reopening both booksellers and the has begun implement the guidance. business-coronavirusTravel writing and good fiction have introduced hand sanitiser business-coronavirusline-up of new books to look forTravel writing and good fiction have introduced hand sanitiser nd we’ve tomers, been serving new books to look foraccess the following link. https://www.gov.uk/ and we’ve been serving LongerRace Talking to White People line-up to social distance, installing by Reni Eddo-Lodge. screens at till points Perand About peningof both booksellers and the public will have a very strong government’s guidance. “Booksellers love serving cus- spex support-finder are riding We had stations atdecthe entrances support-finder ward to!” are also riding high. Wefiction had ward stations atto the entrances to high. community for a decto!”will https://www.gov.uk/ business-coronavirusour local community for a About Race by and Reni Eddo-Lodge. spex screens at till also points and Travel writing good have introduced hand sanitiser public have a very strong line-up of new books to look for“Booksellers love serving customers, and we’ve been serving Here, one customer request six travel stores.” Here, you can also find “Being able to shop in perone customer request six travel eeing those regulars “Being able shop in can perbusiness-coronavirussupport-finder ade, so and seeing those regulars Travel writing and good fiction have introduced hand sanitiser are also riding high. We had stations at the entrances to line-up of new to books toyou look for-also find ward to!” tomers, we’ve been serving our local community for a dec- stores.” about some the books to be sent theircustomer relative about some of the son, especially indeto beriding sent to their relative having that relationson, especially atout smaller support-finder Here, you can also find again andseeing havingthose thatfor relationare also high. We hadat smaller stations at the entrances to tobooks one request six travel ward to!” “Being able to shop inindeper- of out our local community a dec- stores.” ade, so regulars coronavirus support to inspire them for future trips. I REOPEN coronavirus support pendents, is a joy,” Rossiter says. to inspire them for future trips. I REOPEN o return to normal will pendents, is a joy,” Rossiter says. Here, you can also out about some of find the ship tohaving returnthose to normal will one customer request travel son, stores.” books to be sent to theirsix relative “Being able to in indeperespecially at shop smaller ade,start so seeing regulars again and that relationschemes you may be think escapism is more imporHe speaks about catering to schemes you may be “I think lockdown made a lot of He speaks about catering to think escapism is more imporic,” Rossiter says. “I think lockdown made a lot of out about some of the coronavirus support be fantastic,” Rossiter says. books to be sent to their relative to inspire them for future trips. I REOPEN son, especially at smaller independents, is a joy,” Rossiter says. again andtohaving relationship start return that to normal will eligible todon’t apply theThe changing appetite of contant catering thanofever.” to apply for be realise they lockdown don’t than ever.” the appetite conde body, The Booksellrealise that theya coronavirus schemes yousupport may “Our trade body, Booksellto inspire thempeople for future trips. that I people REOPEN think escapism is more imporHe changing speaks about to tant is a joy,” Rossiter says. “Ipendents, think made lot of foreligible ship start to return to normal will be fantastic,” Rossiter says. ifmade you own a business. During lockdown, Andy sumers andbrilhaving newabout ifeligible you own a business. want all their shopping tolockdown just shopping During the Andy sumers and having some new ation, have been bril- body, want their tolot just schemes may to you apply forbe ers Association, have think escapism is more imporHesome speaks catering to tant than ever.”lockdown, the changing appetite ofthe con“I thinkall a of people realise that they don’t be“Our fantastic,” Rossiter says. trade Thebeen Bookselleligible to apply for if you own a business. the changing appetite of contant than ever.” During the lockdown, Andy sumers and having some new peopleallrealise that theytodon’t want their shopping just “Our trade body, Thebeen Booksellers Association, have brilif you own a business. During the lockdown, Andy want all their shopping to just ers Association, have been bril- sumers and having some new
“ ““
we’ve we’ve we’ve also seenalso a we’ve seen a also seen a strong appetite also appetite seen a strong strong appetite for books on books strong appetite for on for books on race and for books race andon race and equality race and equality equality equality
” ””
JUNE XX-XX, 2020 JUNE •1 XX-XX, 2020 •1 JUNE XX-XX, 2020 •1 JUNE XX-XX, 2020 •1
10 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News
‘The youth must know their rights’
WORRYING TIMES: Osime Brown, left, has been clinically diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and often self-harms, as the picture below shows*
The founder of the Young Lawyers Association, Onyi Pipi, aims to equip young people with the confidence they need when dealing with the police
T
HE WHOLE world has erupted in protests as it stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. As do I. We are doing our part at Young Lawyers Association (YLA) to make sure that young black boys and girls are aware of their rights as citizens of this country, and to offer them opportunities that they may otherwise not have had. I started YLA with a view to offer free legal advice and have been doing so every first Tuesday of the month since December 2018 for anyone who cannot afford legal representation. As much as the black and minority ethnic (BAME) community faces discrimination, racism and under-representation, throughout this piece, I will be drawing on my experiences as a member of the black community. Nevertheless, I stand in solidarity with the members of the BAME community. Whilst working as a paralegal, I decided to use YLA to go into schools and colleges across London, teaching young people their stop-and-search rights, while my younger brother, an MA student, teaches politics. The goal is to get stop and
*Image pixelated
The UK’s justice system has criminalised black people for too long search and police powers taught in schools as part of the curriculum in PSHE/Citizenship lessons.
JUSTICE
That way, we can equip our young people with the confidence they need when dealing with the police. Teaching our young men and women their rights lets them know the police are not above the law. While this will not end institutional racism in the UK, it will help young people better navigate the criminal justice system. This can start with a young person challenging and questioning officers about the lawfulness of stop-and-search. The UK’s criminal justice system has been criminalising our young black people for far too long. This is seen in the often-perpetuated idea that
black-on-black crime is the reason for the higher percentage of stop and searches in the black community. Black-on-black crime simply does not exist. It is a completely false narrative consistently thrown at us in order to justify the wrongful actions of the police, rather than dealing with the fact that institutionalised racism is alive and thriving. This is precisely why we never hear any discussions of “white on white” crime. Whilst the common denominator is the fact that the perpetrator and the victim are both white, whiteness is not the primary motivation for the crime in question – the same is true for black people.
DISADVANTAGE According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), between April 2018 and March 2019, there were 38 for every 1,000 stop and searches of black people. This is compared with four for every 1,000 stop and searches of white people. Not teaching our young people how to use the rights afforded to them is leaving them at an ongoing disadvantage. Another way we believe the fight can be advanced is if we invest in our youth. As clichéd as that sounds, its importance cannot be overemphasised. We need to offer young people who have been excluded from school providers a chance at employment. As helpful as it is, in order to advance the fight for black lives, we have to be willing to go further than posting a black square on Twitter, or posting
@thevoicenewspaper
VISIONARY: The YLA’s Onyi Pipi
quotes followed by the Black Lives Matter hashtag. It is not right that a young person should feel disregarded or forgotten about by society. This is why at YLA, we are working with a pupil referral unit in Barnet. We have started working on a programme called Reform, where we are seeking to connect employers with the
We have to go further than posting a black square on Twitter students for a training period. Following the training, the employers will then take the young person to work with them for a minimum of six months. The Reform project would be funded so it would be of no cost to the employer. We are currently looking for employers to get involved so please, if you know anyone who would like to get involved, email admin@ younglawyersassociation.com. My hope for YLA is that we will eventually be able to run our reform programme in
@thevoicenews
prisons. Programmes like this, even if not offered by us, are desperately needed in prisons. The prison system in the UK is simply not fit for purpose. It’s supposed rehabilitative properties are entirely non-existent. This is evidenced by the fact that prisons effectively operate as “universities of crime”. This is exacerbated by the fact that upon being released from prison, former inmates are ostracised by employers and wider society alike.
DISCRIMINATED
For black ex-offenders, they thus suffer from “double discrimination”, according to a 2019 report written by Unlock – the country’s leading charity for people with convictions. They are discriminated against both because they are black and because they have a criminal record. This makes it near impossible for them to get jobs, in turn making it difficult to afford food or a place to live, and so unfortunately in some cases they are left with no other option than to commit crimes, thus continuing the cycle. The 2019 Unlock report showed that 78 per cent of peo-
voicenews
ple felt like their ethnicity made it harder for them to overcome the problems they faced as a result of having a criminal record. I hear all too often that Britain is a country which prides itself on being “multicultural” and “diverse” – but this is simply not reflected by the way black people have been and continue to be treated. YLA’s commitment to anti-racism influences everything that we do. Including and especially our reform programme, and teaching stop and search in schools. Right now, the fight is not black people versus white people, it is everyone versus racists. This has been displayed through the fact that is not just black people protesting against police brutality, and other forms of injustice; it’s white people, Asian people, people standing and protesting in solidarity with us. We aren’t asking for the world, we’re simply asking that we are not unlawfully killed in this one. Justice for George Floyd, justice for Shukri Abdi, justice for Belly Mujinga, justice for Breonna Taylor, justice for Ahmad Arbery. Justice for all those killed by the system. Black Lives Matter.
www.voice-online.co.uk
JULY 2020
THE VOICE | 11
Guest column
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH T
Dr Floyd Millen questions why the police chose to take no action when Colston’s statue came down
HE POLICING of the protests in Bristol on June 7 and London on June 14 and 15 perfectly captured the zeitgeist of 21st Century citizens living in Bristol – a city whose past and present is indelibly linked to slavery – and London – the capital city, where from 1650, England adopted aggressive mercantilist economic policies which ushered in a period of economic and racial exploitation on a scale which hitherto had never been seen before. The 1999 Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report by Sir William Macpherson declared the police service in England and Wales was institutionally racist. Over the past 20 years the police service has taken faltering, stilted and staccato steps towards chipping away at the verdict of the Macpherson report.
CREDIT
The police service in England and Wales deserve credit for the way they have policed the Black Lives Matter protests over the past month. In particular, chief constables and the Met Commissioner have used the media effectively to inform protesters about infiltrators seeking to hijack the peaceful protests and cause violence. The Met Police have shown willingness to engage, although the use of mounted police was a mistake and served to heighten feelings of unease, particularly as the Metropolitan police were less ‘armed’ when they policed far-right activists who were hell bent on causing trouble.
ily stoking anger and fear. During the London protest of June 14, the Metropolitan Police acted courageously, protecting Black Lives Matter protesters against the far-right racist groups who were hell bent on violence. It was a relief to see how the ‘functionally procedural’ British system of policing veered away from its previously aggressive and militaristic approach but yet it still policed the peaceful demonstrators more robustly than it The Avon and Somerset did those from the far right who Police in Bristol acted with came, prepared for violence. restraint, preferring to keep the peace rather than try to enforce In Bristol, despite many years of the unenforceable. Who would have thought dissent, Bristol City Council saw that whilst they were in harm’s it fit to honour and revere the way and in the heat of battle, life of the slaver Edward Colthe Metropolitan Police Service son. Similarly, Oxford Univerand the Avon and Somerset Po- sity continues to publicly argue lice in Bristol would be shining for the statue of the racist Cecil a bright light on how to police Rhodes to be honoured by its with consent whilst simultane- university. The irony is not lost that the ously highlighting the institutional racism writ large and Chancellor of Oxford University displayed in other public insti- was the last colonial Governor of Hong Kong. tutions? If one is searching for exThe recent London protests saw the Commissioner of the amples of institutional racism, Metropolitan Police, Cressida avert your gaze from the police Dick, implement a form of po- for a moment and reflect on the licing which sought to engage position adopted by these and with protesters in a way which other institutions. marked a departure from the Imagine the uproar if our policing of past Mayday pro- police services in England tests where the police ‘kettled’ and Wales erected and maincrowds and ‘anonymised police tained statues revering despots, officers by de-badging’ them. murderers and dictators like Notwithstanding these im- Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels or provements in policing eti- Saddam Hussein? quette, when a small group of protesters became unruly, the Metropolitan Police reverted to The inconvenient truth is that its heavy-handed tactics of old, to these and other institutions, which many saw as unnecessarunnecessar black lives only matter when
The 1999 Stephen Lawrence report declared the police were institutionally racist
DISSENT
INSTITUTIONS
they are not required to act. These institutions and the people leading them continue to defend the indefensible whilst continuing to press their knees into our neck. In Police Reform and Political Accountability, I write about some of the contradictions at the heart of policing. From the Guildford Four; Birmingham Six; the Maguire Seven; the death of Clinton McCurbin in Wolverhampton; the shooting of Ian Gordon (he was the first African Caribbean man to be shot by police in UK in Telford in 1991); to the shoot-
MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD: Black Lives Matter protesters take to the streets of London; inset below left, the Edward Colston statue in Bristol is pulled down ing of Mark Duggan in 2012. One inconvenient truth is that the police are at the forefront of protecting and serving our communities, but they are also the arm of the state which is perpetrating grievous acts on the life of so many BAME people. When the police set their minds to tyranny it will inevitably lead to a state of ‘warre’. On June 7, 2020, the people of Bristol not only spoke, but they acted. The defenestration of the
authoritarian societies are defined by order without liberty, our democratic society can only exist if it has both liberty and order.
COMPLICIT
In Bristol, it was the police who were on the right side of history. Over the years, local MPs were too silent and complicit and refused to support the removal of this statue. A sceptic would assert that
These institutions and people leading them continue to defend the indefensible whilst pressing their knees into our neck statue of the slave driver Colston presented us with an up close opportunity to witness one of the many contradictions at the heart of British policing. The decision by Avon and Somerset’s Superintendent Andy Bennett that his officers should not intervene to protect the Colston statue showed what the police can do when they police by consent. Lord Scarman (1981) wrote that the priority of keeping the Queen’s peace required higher prioritising rather than enforcing the law. In Bristol, not only were the police on the right side of history, but they realised that whilst
like rats scuttling from a sinking ship, the MPs U-turned when they realised that public opinion had turned against their position and sort advantage by aligning themselves with the protesters, putting distance between themselves and the Home Secretary, who had allegedly overstepped operational boundaries by attempting to use the weight of her office to direct the Chief Constable of Avon, and Somerset to arrest protesters. If this was true, the Home Secretary failed to firstly grasp the notion that “the operational independence of the police is an insurance policy for the monarch” and ‘keeping the Queen’s
peace’ is the public manifestation of that insurance policy. Secondly, keeping the Queen’s peace at times requires that the peace is allowed to be disturbed, enabling dissent and protests to vent. The toppling and defacing of any public ornament is an act of criminal damage. Police will usually intervene to prevent such actions taking place. So why didn’t the police prevent the public destruction of a statue which the City of Bristol saw as appropriate to be displayed? Machiavelli (1513) once wrote “…some things that seem like virtue will lead you to ruin if you follow them, whilst others will, if followed, result in safety and well-being”. On this occasion, policing by consent in Bristol and London meant policing with the understanding that simply enforcing the law without an understanding of the peace would lead to ruin. In effect, the police realised that they were policing themselves as they were both the citizen and the police. Dr Floyd Millen is a political scientist and a former adviser to the Metropolitan Police Authority. Floyd has a PhD in Political Science and Criminology from Loughborough University and a Masters’ Degree in Modern British Politics from the University of Hull.
12 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News
‘ALL LIVES WON’T MATTER UNTIL BLACK LIVES MATTER’
Amid widespread protests, it appears our message is still getting lost in translation By Samuel Brooksworth
A
S COVID-19 reached its peak, brightly coloured rainbows appeared in windows as a symbol of hope against the virus. Our frontline NHS heroes were acknowledged and celebrated, as they should be. The nation came together for the fight against the coronavirus. However, it took the Covid-19 pandemic for the UK to sit down in isolation with no distractions and notice there was another global pandemic. A pandemic that has built deep roots in the very fabric of society over centuries. After the murder of George Floyd on May 25, protests took place across the UK and around the world.
SIGNS
People from all races chanted ‘Black Lives Matter’, held up signs, and took to social media in acknowledgment of the unfair treatment and clear negative statistical disparities of black people compared to every other race. This wasn’t just black people against racism, this was everyone against racism. As the world seemed to be united behind this call for equality and justice, a new chant was heard in the distance. This chant grew nearer and louder. This chant was ‘all lives matter’. However, it’s time to depict the reasons as to why saying ‘all lives matter’ is quite
frankly tone deaf and missing the point. There are deep economic and social inequalities prevalent within the UK which indicate that black people are worse off on everything from representation in high-paying jobs, police brutality to coronavirus death rates. In healthcare terms, black mothers were five times more likely to die in pregnancy than white mothers, between 2014
EVERYONE’S FIGHT: To see non-black people fight for our cause is promising – but so much more needs to be done; inset bottom left, BAME people are disproportionately affected by Covid-19; inset bottom right, black people are arrested at three times the rate of white people in England and Wales
How much evidence must black people have to present? and 2016 according to the UK Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths. Results from Covid-19 now show black and minority ethnic (BAME) people represented 16 per cent of all deaths to up to May 28 from the virus. It is estimated that the deaths of black Africans are 3.7 times higher than might be expected by geography. When the Covid-19 crisis was at its peak, black people were also more likely to be fined or arrested by the Metropolitan Police for breaching lockdown rules. As of mid-May, black Londoners accounted for 26 per cent of fixed penalty notices and 31 per cent of arrests for breaching lockdown in the capital. In social terms, ac-
cording to the latest year of data, black people were still 9.5 times more likely than white people to be stopped by police.
RESTRAINED
Black people are subsequently arrested at more than three times the rate of white people in England and Wales. They are four times more likely than average to be physically restrained, almost six times more likely to be struck with ‘less lethal’ firearms, and seven times more likely to be shot with conventional firearms. Black defendants are twice as likely to be denied bail and are more likely to serve
prison sentences, which are 50 per cent longer than those for white people. At the same time, black people are more likely to be the victims of crime, at a rate of 60 per 1,000 in 2018/19 compared to 42 per 1,000 among their white counterparts.
It is no secret that black people earn less than white people In education terms, black people in the UK are 21 times more likely to have university applications investigated for suspected false or missing information, figures show. The data reveals that 419 black British applicants to undergraduate courses in 2018 were highlighted as a cause for concern, compared to 181 white British applicants, despite there being far fewer black applicants. Further studies show that even when black students come from the same socioeconomic background as their white counterparts, there is
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still on average a 15 per cent negative disproportion in the grades they receive in higher education. Finally, £3.2 billion a year. This is the total loss of wages that black and ethnic minority employees lose out on compared to their white counterparts who are doing the exact same work. It is no secret that black people earn less than white people when it comes to salaries. The differentiation between the two races has become a taboo subject with only about three per cent of large companies reporting their ethnic pay gap results.
INEQUALITIES
Even with stats showing such blatant inequalities within organisations, the majority of companies in the UK choose to ignore this. Black people living in the UK then tend to be worse off than their white counterparts with 22 per cent of black children living in low income and materially deprived households. The national average is 12 per cent according to the Office of National Statistics. Those who chant ‘all lives matter’ do not see or understand the struggle of black
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people in the UK and even when they do, some still proceed to ignore. Now with all of these statistics at our fingertips, ignorance is no longer an excuse. How much more evidence must black people have to present to prove that black lives are mistreated?
SYSTEMIC
These stats show the systemic racial inequalities that have led to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests. By doing this, people are not dismissing that all other lives do not matter, but are simply focusing on the lives that are being affected the most. The Black Lives Matter movement is a fight for equality. It’s a fight to tear down the systemic injustices that have allowed a minority to struggle more than others. Saying all lives matter is the equivalent to saying all jobs matter when we clapped for the NHS. Saying all lives matter is the equivalent to saying all cancers matter during breast cancer awareness week. Saying all lives matter is simply not acknowledging there is a problem that needs to be addressed. It’s a fight for black lives to matter, so all lives can matter.
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JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 13
News
‘ONE OF JAMAICA’S FINEST’ ‘REMARKABLE MAN’: Oliver Clarke was instrumental in The Gleaner Company acquiring The Voice newspaper; inset below left, former JNBS chairman Oliver Clarke, right, speaks during a visit to The Voice offices shortly after buying the paper
Former chairman and managing director of The Gleaner Company, Oliver Clarke, played a crucial role at The Voice after its founder Val McCalla died. Clarke was hailed a man who gave ‘exemplary service’ to his country By Vic Motune
S
INCE ITS beginnings in a small office in Hackney, east London, in August 1982, The Voice newspaper has continued to speak up for Britain’s black community and champion their rights. That such a paper should exist was the result of the vision of its founder Val McCalla. He firmly believed that Britain’s fast-growing black community should have a voice amid the social unrest that erupted during the 1970s and early 1980s. However, when McCalla died in 2002 there was a big question mark over whether or not The Voice would stay in the black community given the interest shown by mainstream media companies in buying the publication. It was Oliver Clarke, the man who stood at the helm of The Gleaner Company as chairman and managing director for many years, who stepped in to ensure that the company would continue to reflect the community it served. Under Clarke’s leadership The Gleaner Company bought The Voice in 2004 in a deal that was said to be the biggest single investment undertaken by the company. Clarke said at the time: “We have been looking consistently to expand our presence overseas and the acquisition of The Voice and its Young Voices magazine gives us
a golden opportunity to better serve our readers of the diaspora.” It was this kind of leadership that earned Clarke several plaudits during his life and following the news of his passing in May. “A remarkable man”, an entrepreneur who showed “astute and visionary leadership”, someone who “walked with kings but never lost the common touch”, “a humanitarian who cared deeply about ordinary people”.
GROWTH
These are just some of the heartfelt tributes that poured into The Voice after his death on Saturday, May 16 at 9.45pm at his St Andrew home, ending his battle with cancer. He was 75. For more than four decades Clarke was instrumental to the growth of the Gleaner Company, publishers of The Gleaner and The Sunday Gleaner among other titles, to the point where it was Jamaica’s leading media company. Its publications also had a strong appeal to Jamaican Diaspora communities in countries such as the UK, Canada and the United States. As well as The Gleaner and The Voice he was also widely involved in a number of other areas of business including banking, the book industry and real estate. Born in Kingston in 1944, Clarke rose to prominence in the Jamaican private
sector after completing his education at Sherborne School and London School of Economics. He joined The Gleaner in 1976 at the invitation of then chairman Leslie Ashenheim and is credited with leading the turnaround of the entity. Clarke’s success in turning around the company placed it in a strong position to establish and defend its independence. Paying tributes to his achievements, former shadow home secretary and Hackney and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott told The Voice: “Oliver Clarke was a remarkable man. He was one of that great postindependence generation of Jamaicans in public life. “I first met him over 30 years ago, as a new British Member of Parliament. I was young, radical, a committed socialist and a big admirer of the former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley. “Oliver Clarke, by contrast, was conservative to the bone and a leading antagonist of the Manley administration. “But, despite having very dif-
nancial crisis in Jamaica of the mid-1990s.” Abbott also praised his contribution to public life in Jamaica. She said: “His contributions to public life in Jamaica are well known. But he was also went to some trouble to promote talented young Jamaicans in his companies. “He believed in his country and he believed in his people. Oliver Clarke probably wielded
Oliver was many things – but above all he was a faithful servant of his country ferent views politically, Oliver and I got on well almost from the beginning and we stayed in touch down the years.” She continued: “Over time I grew to admire and respect him. Oliver was a genuinely patriotic Jamaican. “He was also very engaged in the Jamaican diaspora in the UK. “And I liked the way that at events and exhibitions, Oliver was not too grand to involve himself in innumerable practical ways. “He built the Jamaica National conglomerate up from its humble beginnings as the Westmoreland Building Society and went on to steer it successfully through the terrible fi-
most influence in Jamaican society as the proprietor of The Gleaner newspaper. Whatever you thought of its political line, it was an iconic brand and for many Jamaicans a ‘Gleaner’ was synonymous with a newspaper. “Oliver was many things: a businessman, a media owner and a political actor. But above all he was a faithful servant of his country. Rest in power, Oliver.” Seth George Ramocan, CD, High Commissioner for Jamaica, also praised Clarke’s contribution, not just to the country but also to the Caribbean region. He said: “Undoubtedly, Oliver Clarke was one of Jamaica’s best. He was an entrepre-
neur par excellence with a long and distinguished career in the private sector, while fostering strong relations and partnerships with successive governments.
OUTSTANDING
“His outstanding career spanned many years and he can be credited for his committed work and sterling contribution to the growth and development of media and banking in the region. “He was known locally, regionally and internationally for his astute and visionary leadership. “His transformative approach led to Jamaica National Building Society being one of the Caribbean’s leading companies and together with the Gleaner Company, household names within the Jamaican Diaspora across the world, including right here in the UK.” High Commissioner Ramocan continued: “Despite his numerous accolades and accomplishments, Oliver Clarke could be aptly described as ‘one who walked with kings but never lost the common touch’. “As such, he will be also lovingly remembered for his good natured, humble and down to earth personality and of course, his sense of humour and infectious laughter. “Importantly, he will be remembered for his philanthropic
nature and willingness to give a helping hand or good advice to those in need. “This is indeed a sad loss of a giant and pace setter in the development of modern Jamaica. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the Honourable Oliver Clarke, for his unstinting and exemplary service to the government and people of our beloved island.” Former managing director of the Caribbean Council David Jessop also paid tribute to Clarke’s life calling him “a truly important member of Jamaican and Caribbean society, and a global citizen”. He said: “His passing marks one of those moments when you know the world is diminished. Oliver was on the right side of history whether as Chairman or the Jamaica Gleaner, as Chairman of Jamaica National, or in the pivotal role that he played in the establishment of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and its international outreach at a critical moment in Jamaica’s history. “An astute businessman, over the horizon thinker, challenger of norms, and a humanitarian who cared deeply about ordinary people, Oliver was one of those rare individuals who was genuinely interested in all those who worked with or for him.” Oliver Clarke is survived by his widow Monica and daughter Maria Alexandra.
14 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News
‘HE WAS A GOOD MAN’
Afro GPs have big Herts
Dela Idowu explains the need to bring communities together in hard times
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S SOMEONE who lives in the borough of Brent – the area with the highest number of deaths to COVID-19 in London – it’s hard not to notice the number of funeral hearses that are becoming a familiar sight on the roads, and more noticeable are the lone family limousines following behind. The borough of Brent has a high population of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) residents. Sadly many have lost their lives. It was devastating to hear from my local newsagent that a number of his regular customcustom ers had afdied af conter con tracting coronacorona virus. As the TRIBUTE: The tree death
Many in our BAME population have died toll continues, the tragedy of COVID-19 came knocking on my street. On my way home from doing my essential shopping, I bumped into my neighbour’s son. As usual, I asked after his parents, who I fondly call auntie and uncle. His composure changed as he told me his father had sadly passed away from coronavirus. A few days later, I bumped into Mrs H. She was griefstricken; she had been unable to say goodbye to her husband at the end of his life, and she spoke of the heartbreak of having only five family members allowed to attend his funeral. It was painful for me not to
be able to give her a hug and some comfort to hear what had comfort her because of the so- been said about her husband. I had recently held an event cial distancing rules. Seeing her grief made the for black-living kidney donors, impact of COVID-19 on ordi- where family members had written messages to their donor nary people really hit home. Having lost a loved one my- about their transplant and hung self, I knew just how sad she them on a ‘Gift of Life Tree’. must be feeling, so the I thought our street next day when our could do something street came out to similar for Mr H by clap for the NHS writing messages and keyworkers, about him. I stepped forward I typed up a and announced note explaining that, sadly, we had who I was, what lost Mr H. number I lived at MOVE: Dela Idowu Residents instantly and what I wanted to started commenting on do. I posted it through what a nice man he had been, my neighbours’ letterboxes the how he had time for everyone next morning, along with a tag. I was amazed at the response. and always had a huge smile Almost all the street’s residents on his face. Several mentioned his beau- returned their tags and comtiful front garden, too – he mented that it was a good way to pay their tributes. tended to it so carefully. Who knows, after this I might I felt so uplifted every time I walked past it, sometimes even be brave enough to organise an after lockdown party on my feeling slightly envious! Later that evening, I won- street to keep the community dered if it might bring his wife spirit alive.
SUPPORT: Afro GP Herts are helping our care homes A GROUP of GPs of African descent working and living in Hertfordshire have raised money to provide food parcels to care home staff working in the county. Afro GP Herts said it wanted to support what it called the ‘forgotten frontline workers’ in their efforts to care for people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Charles Esene, the facilitator of Afro GP Herts, said that while NHS staff had received much praise during the pandemic through events such as ‘Clap For Our Carers’, care home staff seemed to have been forgotten. In a bid to show support for them, members of Afro GP Herts decided to raise money for carers in the county. Fourteen care homes were
picked by the group and two GPs volunteered to visit the homes to give staff essential items and acknowledge the work they do in caring for the vulnerable. Dr Esene said: “Whilst a lot of praise and support – and rightly so – is being given to frontline NHS workers, carers in care homes toiling to look after the residents during the pandemic seem unnoticed. “As general practitioners, we work directly with the care homes. We see firsthand the impact the virus has had on the nursing and residential homes, and we also see the efforts by the staff caring for these patients in these very difficult times. We recognise them as frontline fighters in the battle against this pandemic.”
JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 15
News
KEEPING MUMS-TO-BE SAFE T
VITAL CHECKS: If you are pregnant and black, you may be at higher risk, so keep your midwife appointments
Antenatal services are open and midwives are there to help you and your baby stay healthy, says Janet Fyle
HERE’S NO doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has been hitting the UK hard. But black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities are being hit harder. Put simply, you are at higher risk from the virus because you are black. Why? We don’t yet fully understand, but we do know that we can take steps to give ourselves a fighting chance. Don’t think that this only applies to men or older people. If you are pregnant and black, you are also at higher risk. Recently published research shows that just over half of pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19 symptoms were from BAME backgrounds. The risks of being hospitalised with COVID-19 also increase if you have a pre-exist-
ing medical condition, such as diabetes, or if you are obese. This is why the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is working with its partners to ensure you and your baby are safe. We have launched a cam-
Let your midwife know if anything unusual is going on paign to help you take care of yourself and your baby – and to seek help when you need it. Services are open and midwives are there to help. As part of the campaign, the RCM has published a poster for
women with four bits of simple advice on keeping you and your baby safe during the pandemic. If you have symptoms of the virus, like a cough or a fever, phone NHS 111 for advice. It’s really important to let your midwife know if there’s anything unusual going on, particularly if you are worried about your baby’s movements or if you are bleeding. It is important that you attend all your antenatal appointments so that your midwife can check that you’re staying well and your baby is growing well. And if your midwife is coming to visit you at home, they will want to see and speak to you in a private space so they can have a chat with you and examine you. You may be thinking ‘the NHS is so busy, I don’t want to worry
anyone’. Or maybe you’re worried about exposure to the virus if you have to go to hospital. Maternity services are open and they are safe. Midwives are doing everything they can to make sure you still get the care and support you need. We also know this virus is not affecting NHS staff equally. Over 60 per cent of healthcare workers who died with COVID-19 are from BAME backgrounds. We want to ensure that mid-
wives and maternity support workers are properly protected and not put at increased risk. The RCM is doing all it can to ensure pregnant women get the care they need safely, and that staff are cared for as well. We have published guidance to support and protect staff who may be at greater risk of COVID-19, including BAME NHS staff. Inequality didn’t start with the pandemic. Black women were five times more likely to
die in childbirth before COVID-19. We’re committed not just to finding out why, but to make sure things change for the better. The colour of your skin should not determine whether you have a safe pregnancy or whether you come home at the end of an NHS shift. Visit rcm.org.uk for more information. Janet Fyle is professional policy advisor at the Royal College of Midwives
16 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News Feature
‘IF I GET COVID-19, IS IT Statistics suggest that BAME groups are more likely to contract COVID-19 and suffer more severe outcomes – but could the answer lie not in race, but in racism? Dr Winston Morgan explores
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HE CORONAVIRUS pandemic has thrown up two major questions linked to racial identity in societies with a diverse racial make-up such as the UK and North America. Data suggests that black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups are more likely to be infected by the virus and suffer greater negative medical outcomes following infection. Some commentators are also arguing that the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic are also having a greater impact on these groups more — a kind of double whammy. Although these issues appear very different on the surface, could the answer to both questions lie in structural racism? Although it is still far too early to come to any definitive conclusions about the accuracy of the data, speculation is rife about why certain groups are being affected disproportionately. In terms of race, what do we know about the virus and its medical and possible social impacts? It’s the immune response, stupid! An individual’s immune system plays the central role in whether you are infected by any virus, and this coronavirus is no different. To be infected you must be exposed to an appropriate virus load sufficient to get past your physical barriers and mucus membranes which along with some of your white blood cells particularly neutrophils and macrophages form part of your
It is far too easy to be seduced by simplistic arguments innate immune system. How your body responds to the viral invasion depends on whether you already have antibodies to the virus or a similar virus from previous exposure. The presence of the appropriate antibodies may slow down or even stop further infection, then over several days, your adaptive immune system including B and T cells will have kicked in to make specific antibodies against the virus.
STANDARD
Outside these standard responses, for some individuals, their immune system can be a major problem. In some, the immune system may simply go into overdrive in a bid to fight the infection and this could lead to serious morbidity and even death, even if the initial viral load was relatively low. One common form of overreaction to many coronaviruses is overproduction and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a ‘cytokine storm’. Normally, these small proteins are produced by cells in the body as part of the normal response to infection, but their overproduction in a storm can have harmful and even lethal effects.
For others who are immunocompromised as a result of genetics, lifestyle, age, pre-existing medical conditions or from taking certain medications, their immune responses may be too weak to fight the virus, with similar morbidity or mortality outcomes. Presently there is no evidence to show that genes which determine the socially constructed racial characteristics, widely used today to categorise race, are linked to how our immune system responds to viral infections. Where do pre-existing ond t ons fit n There are clear intersections between what happens once you are infected by the virus, your socioeconomic status, racial groups and your medical outcome after infection. What is most worrying about the reporting in the media is the underlying message that there may be some genetic connection between being from BAME groups and susceptibility to the virus. This is despite the fact that these are socially constructed groups and there is as much genetic variation within these groups as there is between the whole human population. To drive home the point, in North America, the main groups affected are African Americans and Hispanics, and in the UK it is south Asians and people of black African origin who are thought to be disproportionately affected. We have also seen the impact of COVID-19 in China, Italy and Spain – these are very different groups using
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RESEARCH: Preliminary data shows a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups the classical definition of race. In terms of pre-existing conditions, it is now widely stated on government websites and reported in the media that those
that some preliminary data is suggesting that these groups are being affected disproportionately by the direct medical consequences of the virus.
There is as much genetic variation within these groups as there is between the whole human population with conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are more likely to suffer greater adverse effects and even death from the infection. The higher levels of these pre-existing conditions in BAME groups is now extensively being proposed as the reason
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What these stories do not emphasise, is that the response of an individual’s immune system and whether they have any susceptible pre-existing conditions, are both determined by a combination of environment and genetic factors. Another angle that is being
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actively pursued both by allies and those who want to weaponise race, is the link to vitamin D deficiency.
MELANIN
People with higher level of melanin who do not get exposure to enough direct sunlight produce less vitamin D naturally, which is essential for many bodily functions including the immune system. However, in terms of a link to susceptibility to COVID-19, this has not been proven on a number of levels. But any link would fit conveniently into the narrative of blaming or attributing susceptibility to the virus to something inherent in the racialised groups. This angle appeals to the dog whistle racists and at
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JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 17
the same time, it avoids questioning how our society is organised in any meaningful way. What is being missed is that in any society which values its citizens equally, anyone with the possibility of having such a critical deficiency as vitamin D would have been identified through medical monitoring and given supplements as a matter of routine. The fact that this is not happening is another example of structural racism, a point some of those making this argument may have missed. ‘Race is the child of racism, not the father’ In the absence of any genetic link between racial groups and susceptibility to the virus, we are left with the more difficult to accept the reality that these groups are suffering more because of how our society is organised. We live in a highly racialised world which means that we associate different abilities and qualities with certain physical characteristics, mainly skin colour (race). We also live in a democracy, so we have a collective responsibility and are all accountable for how members of our society are treated.
MERITOCRACY
We are also a meritocracy, that means success or failure in our society should be solely dependent on an individual’s abilities and qualities. To balance the impact of the meritocracy we delegate many of our responsibilities to institutions (healthcare, justice and education, to name a few) which support, control and regulate our society to ensure there is fairness for all and to maintain social justice. Despite the existence of the institutions our society has many inequalities directly linked to racialised hierarchies. During periods of stress such as with the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequalities which are usually ignored are brutally exposed and laid bare.
RESPONSE
Our instinctive response to the new reality is to persuade ourselves that the inequalities are themselves the result of a natural phenomenon and therefore outside the remit of our democracy and the control of our institutions. To reinforce these points, we search for or must conjure up inherent deficits in those suffering the inequality. It is far too easy to be seduced by the simplistic arguments that those racialised as BAME are affected because they are more likely to have
underlying medical problems linked to their genetic make-up. This is a perfect illustration of what Ta Nehisi Coate said about how society often uses race to abrogate its responsibility for racism. “Racism – the need to ascribe bone-deep features to people and then humiliate, reduce, and destroy them – inevitably follows from this inalterable condition. “In this way, racism is rendered as the innocent daughter of Mother Nature, and one is left to deplore the Middle Passage or Trail of Tears the way one deplores an earthquake, a tornado, or any other phenomenon that can be cast as beyond the handiwork of men. But race
those with inherent weaknesses or disabilities could have poorer outcomes. In this way the higher rates of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 can be attributed to victims’ race rather than the failings of our democracy, institutions and meritocracy. But in a democracy evidence of a prevalence of certain diseases in certain racialised groups brought about by environmental conditions is clear and direct evidence of structural racism. Conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are rife in disadvantaged communities not because of inherent genetic predispositions but the result of structural racism. The levels of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even the condition of your immune system are directly connected to the food and exercise you have access to.
News Feature
Racism can be evidenced by inferior societal POWER These in turn are linked to outcomes your level of education, employment, housing, healthcare, for those economic and political power. These inequalities existed beracialised fore COVID-19 and will remain as inferior long after it has gone and reis the child of racism, not the father. “And the process of naming ‘the people’ has never been a matter of genealogy and physiognomy so much as one of hierarchy.” — Ta Nehisi Coates: Between the World and Me, 2015. Racism stems from the belief that certain human phenotypic characteristics allows us to place people in distinct groups or race, that all members of a designated group will have similar abilities and qualities which makes them either superior or inferior to other groups. Racism can be evidenced by inferior societal outcomes for those racialised as inferior. In the context of the current pandemic, one interpretation of Coates description of race as “the child of racism, not the father” is that when we see racism in action, everyone including many of the racialised groups instinctively blame those racialised characteristics. Evidence of structural racism This partly explains the need to find evidence to show the higher prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even vitamin D deficiency in certain racialised groups and confirming they are uniquely susceptible. This is a common response to evidence of racism and is called the meritocracy defence; the idea that in a meritocracy only
placed by another pandemic. If we accept and disseminate these unsubstantiated excuses without also shining a light on the impact of structural racism, now cruelly exposed by COVID-19, we too are accepting nothing can be done. When society eventually moves into the post pandemic world those racialised groups and their allies have to be ready to push back against narratives which blame them for the consequences of structural racism.
ANSWER
The answer to the question; if I am infected with COVID-19, is it because I am black? is always no. Being black, Hispanic or Asian are socially constructed concepts and not based in any genetics or biology that could impact on how we are infected by viruses. Race was social construct to justify the racism brought about by colonialism, but today it is still just as important in our supposed post-colonial world. Dr Winston Morgan is a reader in toxicology and clinical biochemistry at the University of East London. Dr Morgan is part of the group that set up the University’s Black Academy, which had its first meeting in Novem er . He splits his research between bioscience research and research into the outcomes for BAME students and staff in Higher Education.
OUTLOOK: Top, Ta Nehisi Coates says that the process of naming ‘the people’ stems from a hierarchal societal structure; above, more of us are taking precautions to keep homes clean
18 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News
‘I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE’
2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi shares her story after recovering from coronavirus in Lagos
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YOUNG NIGERIAN woman has shared her experience of recovering from coronavirus after a trip to London. Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi described her experience of contracting COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus, in a series of posts on Twitter. Osowobi had been invited to London in early March to take part in Commonwealth Day celebrations. The 29-year-old, who is the executive director of Stand to End Rape Initiative, a
I was so scared for Nigeria non-profit organisation aimed at tackling sexual violence and supporting abuse victims, was a flagbearer at the Westminster Abbey service held on March 9 to mark Commonwealth Day. After returning home to Nigeria she said that she began to feel sick and contacted the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a public health institute that is leading the West African nation’s efforts to stem the spread of the disease. Osowobi, who was named the 2019 ComCom monwealth Young Per Person of the Year, tested positive for coronavirus and was later taken by In ambulance to Lagos’ Infectious Disease Centre
in Mainland Hospital where an isolation ward had been set up for coronavirus patients. She wrote on Twitter: “I returned to Nigeria from the UK post-Commonwealth event (I totally enjoyed) and fell ill. As a responsible person, I self-isolated. Days after, I tested positive for COVID-19.
INTERVIEWS
“Before returning, I had planned several interviews, I was scheduled to start a fantastic consultancy job and was also expecting to sign a contract worth millions. I lost them all! I had to self-isolate and also inform people I came in close contact with to get tested.” Describing her experience at the hospital she wrote: “I felt lonely, bored and disconnected from the outside world. Few days after, another patient came in. We bonded. Days later, patients trooped in. ‘Are people observing self-isolation and so-
cial distancing?’ I was so scared for Nigeria.” She continued: “The next days were tough. No appetite. The nausea, vomit and stooling was unbearable. I’m a blood type A and COVID-19 dealt with me. I thought I was going to die and contemplated a succession plan for Stand to End Rape. I was on drugs daily. Sometimes, I‘d take eight tablets in the morning, 13 tablets in the afternoon, 10 at night. My system threw everything out! Water, food, soap and all disgusted me. But I’d look at the wall and force myself to stay hydrated — drank ORS. I fought to live! “Days after, the doctors shared the good news that I tested negative. I shared this news with family and friends! My blood sample was taken and I also tried to donate my plasmapheresis to help others. I hoped to be discharged.” However, one of her test re-
CLOSE CALL: Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi fell ill after a trip to London; left, the room in Lagos where she was treated sults came back positive, and she was forced to spend extra time at the hospital under medical observation. Osowobi asked to be moved to a different ward but remained in the same ward with other patients who were still testing positive. “For them, I was a beacon of hope and they needed me gone to register the progress,” she wrote. She was discharged with four
other patients. After leaving the hospital she wrote on Twitter: “Today, I am proud to inform you that I murdered COVID-19 and have tested negative twice! I have been discharged! I bless God for His mercies.” Osowobi thanked the Lagos state governor and commissioner of health and the nurses at Mainland Hospital writing that they deserve accolades for their work.
JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 19
News
A COMMONWEALTH LIFELINE Secretary-General Patricia Scotland endorses tool using space technology to help struggling island nations prepare for natural disasters
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PIONEERING invention which uses space technology to help countries plan and prepare for storms can be a lifeline for disaster-prone Caribbean islands, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has said. Announcing plans to introduce the new CommonSensing rapid disaster mapping service to the Caribbean community later this month, she added that the technology will have multiple benefits for the region. Already piloted in the Pacific, the initiative will use satellite-based information to help countries identify longterm strategies to fight climate change and create revolutionary farming practices to improve food security.
EFFECTIVE
CommonSensing uses satellitebased information to predict disaster and climate risks and to help identify effective agricultural strategies. Climate finance experts use this information to strengthen funding applications. She said: “We are standing at the doorway of what is expected to be a monstrous Atlantic hurricane season, with 33 per cent more storms than average. “Coupled with the devastating social and economic impact of COVID-19, it has never been more important for us to offer every possible support to our vulnerable islands – some of which are still recuperating from apocalyptic natural disasters.” The technology, she added, can save lives by providing pinpoint accurate information that can be used to plan evacuation and build storm defences. “It is not just about immediate disaster response, this project will also help us with long-term climate action. It is providing invaluable information to our finance experts who make applications for funding for climate-related projects. “They have already managed to secure $33.6 million (£27 million) worth of climate
change funding with a further $572.6 million (£460.5 million) in the pipeline for our countries, from notoriously difficult to access funding pots.” A collaboration between the UK Space Agency, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications programme (UNOSAT), the UK Met Office, and the University of Portsmouth, the new initiative is part of a recent package of Commonwealth-led measures which
Many Caribbean island nations are also weighed down by debt have attracted praise from governments. According to experts, COVID-19 lockdowns have decimated the economies of small Caribbean island nations that depend heavily on tourism, hampering preparations this year for the hurricane season, which runs from June through November.
EMISSIONS
Forecasters at Colorado State University expect a busierthan-normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, with four out of 16 predicted storms set to become major hurricanes, partly due to warming sea surface temperatures linked to climate change. Small island developing states are responsible for just one per cent of global carbon emissions but disproportionately suffer the effects of a warming climate that fuels more severe storms. Many Caribbean island nations are also weighed down by debt, partly due to huge economic losses caused by hurricanes – a situation that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Countries in the region can sustain losses equal to 3070 per cent of their GDP when struck by big storms, Baroness Scotland told Reuters. “In six hours,
you’ve gone from a middleincome country to a no-income country,” she said. Many climate-vulnerable Caribbean states that are classified as medium or high-income are excluded from debt relief and concessional loans offered by G20 countries and multilateral finance institutions, she noted, calling for that to change. But the announcement comes of amid debate about the Secretary-General’s tenure. At the time of going to press the BBC reported seeing a letter in which Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that a “significant and diverse number” of heads of government “from across the Commonwealth” opposed the idea of Scotland being automatically reappointed for another four years.
SUPPORT
However, a source close to the Commonwealth said the Secretary-General had overwhelming support from member countries. And there is broad agreement that there has been an undeniable boost in the Commonwealth’s relevance, visibility and impact, under her leadership. The source said: “We’ve done an informal straw poll of member states that’s shown that more than 40 out of the 54 member countries support the reappointment of the Secretary-General. This includes the open declaration of CARICOM’s 11 Commonwealth members and broad support from across Africa and the Pacific. “The truth is that the current Secretary General has been passionately working to revive and reform the Commonwealth, which is exactly what she was mandated to do by the governments that selected her.” A growing number of countries have publicly expressed their backing for SecretaryGeneral Scotland. In February, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves described “attempts to hound” out the Secretary-General as “entirely unacceptable”. He said: “Those who are doing so, must cease it. It is unbecoming.” He added: “St Vincent and the Grenadines and the rest of the Caribbean Community, overwhelmingly support Baroness Scotland to continue as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.”
POSITIVE STEPS: Baroness Scotland during a trip to The Bahamas following a hurricane; inset below left, a trail of devastation is left in Dominica
20 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Midlands News NEWS IN BRIEF
Leicester chef cooks for virus-hit hospitals
A LEICESTER-BASED chef has used his culinary skills to bring relief to NHS staff at two hospitals in the East Midlands city as the COVID-19 pandemic raged. Howard Shaw, co-owner of the Palm Tree and Caribbean Cuisine, pictured above, cooked and prepared free hot meals for Leicester General and Glenfield Hospitals to convey his thanks for the hard work and dedication shown by medical personnel in fighting the virus. Shaw, who has previously worked as a chef in Norway, also began a self-named You Tube channel to showcase his professional talents during the lockdown. The member of the Association of Jamaica Nationals activities came to light outside Leicester when he responded to the organisation’s call to share good news of member activities in response to the pandemic. Tyler funding brings Coventry COVID relief A teenage campaigner from Coventry, who launched a project to steer peers away from crime and anti-social behaviour, is among the 32 activists to have made successful applications to a £200,000 Community Initiative Fund. The Fund was launched in May to support organisations who offer support to the community during the COVID-19 crisis and is made of items seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Tyler Campbell’s Fridays 4-in-1, is a youth-led digital event and a prime example of community action in practice. The organisation supports young people who are feeling isolated and in need of support. Via the internet, it offers constructive and expert advice on a variety of issues, including developing confidence and skills to ensure young people are equipped to navigate through life postlockdown. Campbell said: “The effect that COVID-19 is having on our young people who have
been separated from their friends and other members of their families has been life-changing. I want them to know we are here to help and encourage them to log onto our website – fridays.org.uk. We will also be inviting contributions from anyone from the local community who wishes to engage with young people in a safe and friendly environment.” Homeless youth turned councillor welcomes relief funding
by Veron Graham
‘HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?’ We’ve seen this response before, and we’ll see it again – but until non-black people take our injustices in society seriously, nothing will change, writes Veron Graham
D Formerly a homeless teen, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for homes has welcomed the £150,000 raised to support homeless people across the West Midlands. Change into Action, the alternative giving scheme, supports local specialist charities and street teams working to change the circumstances of rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping, whose plight have been worsened by the outbreak of COVID-19. The scheme uses donations to pay for items such as clothing, travel to get to medical and other essential appointments, emergency accommodation, and rent deposits. Cllr Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods at Birmingham City Council and Chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members Advisory Group, pictured above, said: “This is wonderful news and I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed. Over 260 people have received help through the scheme which is fantastic. “Over the last decade, we’ve seen rough sleeping increase exponentially. That’s why Change into Action is vital. It provides rough sleepers with the type of funding that can be seemingly small but in reality, is life changing. As a homeless teen myself, I know first-hand how tough it can be to change your life. “Donations will make a huge difference and will put us one step closer to designing out homelessness.”
URING THE last several weeks I have been inundated with requests for comment on the murder of George Floyd and before that the additional toll Coronavirus is taking on non-white people. My responses have been deliberately measured: recognising the advances made in civil rights but also there’s a very
As the global call for justice grows, let’s be mindful of the tendency in the UK for rage to grow long way to go, and that we need wide support. It’s too easy to take an extreme view, and say little or nothing, doubting any real change will emerge or to go ballistic because black people’s reduced access to justice and equality continues to literally kill us.
EXPERIENCE
This is because my professional experience meant I was not at all surprised at the impact of COVID-19 nor the inhumanity of brother George’s killers. The NHS was ill-prepared for normal operation, as recently as late 2016 when I finished working there. Care homes lacked sufficient protection during my time working in communications in the adult social care directorate for a prosperous local authority two years before. Shortly after I left Staffordshire Police, officers from the force tasered ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson to death, a kill-
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SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE: Veron Graham says he is not surprised by either the impact of COVID-19 on BAME people nor the inhumanity shown by the killers of George Floyd in the US ing that was sandwiched by the fatal shootings of Philando Castile and Terence Crutcher by police in the US. As the global call for justice grows, let’s be mindful of the tendency in the UK for rage at tragedy to grow, spike and fizzle out … until the next injustice. Unless the protesting and speaking out translates into legislature with sustained pressure from as many people as possible, including non-blacks, we’ll
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be here again. The best way to secure lasting change, as the civil rights and anti-apartheid movements show – is gaining support from people who don’t look like us, including those who are uncomfortable speaking about these issues.
DISPARITY
The same power disparity that makes black people easier targets for a fatal virus, a quartet of corrupt ‘police officers’ and any number of deadly threats
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also puts non-black people in better positions to help secure lasting change – in criminal justice, healthcare, education and beyond. Injustice against black people is dominating international news headlines for the first time. To echo Sam Cooke’s haunting 1964 anthem, change can come, but frustrated silence or anger that alienates potential advocates could move it out of reach yet again.
www.voice-online.co.uk
JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 21
Midlands News
‘CHANGE IN DONOR LAW HAS GONE UNNOTICED’ After a life-saving lung transplant, Michelle Hemmings fears that a change to organ donation laws has been swept aside after COVID-19 dominated headlines
A
BIRMINGHAM RECIPIENT of a lifesaving organ has spoken of her concern that the change in donation law has gone unnoticed due to the domination of news headlines by COVID-19. Michelle Hemmings, 47, underwent successful lung operation in 2018 after requiring a transplant after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis – scarring and hardening of the lungs made it increasingly difficult for her to breathe. Legislative change came into force in England on May 20, moving to an ‘opt out’ sys-
tst
I owe my life to someone donating their organ to me and I am eternally grateful for that tem, meaning that all adults are considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they re die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups. Michelle told The Voice “I’m isolating as Voice: a clinically vulnerable individual and this is a very worrying time for people waiting for a transplant and for donors. It has been a very difficult time to promote the law change and the new Organ Donation Register especially within the BAME community.
e to do so
STANCE: Dr Jesmond Jaddoo
FOREVER THANKFUL: Michelle Hemmings, right, with surgeon Dr Arvind Vijid and fellow patient Michael Willis; inset, in surgery “I owe my life to someone donating their organ to me and I am eternally grateful for that. “This gift of kindness has fired me up to raise awareness of the importance of organ donating especially in our com-
et n
A CIVIL rights campaigner has countered the pledge made by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to recruit 1,000 new officers from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities over the next three years. PCC David Jamieson said: “A variety of issues have brought people on to the streets over recent weeks, but equality and fairness is at the core. That requires the government to step-up and ensure that there are opportunities for all communities so that everyone can
out nu
reach their potential, as well as the courts, health service and other agencies who influence our day to day lives. For policing there are key actions, too.” “There is no simple solution, but what will make a bigger difference than anything else is ensuring that our force looks much more like the communities it serves. Presently only 10.9 per cent of our officers are from BAME communities. That is an improvement from when I became PCC but is still not good enough. “This requires an increase
munity and trying to reassure them that it’s a necessary thing to do because it could be them or their loved ones that could be next.” Michelle is setting up a charity, ‘Michelle’s Lung 4 Life,’
er o
in effort by West Midlands Police, but also requires those who have been sceptical towards joining the police to think again. Change the organisation from within.”
LOBBIED
Against the backdrop of black people being nine times more likely to be stopped by the police than white people and over 500 complaints lobbied against West Midlands Police in the year to October 2019, making it statistically the nation’s worst force, Bishop
alongside her fundraising and promotional efforts for organ donation. Wales already has an opt out system, after changing their law in December 2015. Jersey introduced the system
o fi ers
Dr Desmond Jaddoo said on Twitter: “When you have issues, don’t place a plaster over a gaping hole. (West Midlands Police) needs to deal with the issues of trust and confidence, community relations and the brutality that happens to Black people.” Speaking directly to Jamieson, he concluded: “The time is right to deal with this and if you do really care, do that first. The facts are trust and confidence is not high. “It’s time that you do something about it.”
in July 2019 and Scotland will also move to an opt out system this autumn. For more on the Organ Donor Register, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit organdonation.nhs.uk
If you have a story for the East or West Midlands, call/text Veron Graham on 07954 572 988, email veronpgraham@ gmail.com, or find him on Facebook or LinkedIn
22 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News Feature
HAS AFRICA MANAGED TO AVOID THE WORST? Though the impact of on the continent has been significant, it seems that some of the measures taken by some nations have worked
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HE COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented levels of disruption to the global economy. So it’s no surprise that its impact on Africa has been significant. For the continent, as well as the world, it has been more than a serious public health crisis. It has affected the culture and traditions of societies across the globe. In Africa, where many communities are deeply rooted in a communal way of living where families and friends live and eat and socialise together, the pandemic has brought huge disruption in daily socialisation rituals.
TACKLING THE PANDEMIC: A health worker teaches children how to wash their hands during a door-todoor testing for COVID-19 in Umlazi township near Durban, South Africa (photo: Rogan Ward, Reuters); inset, director of the gender, poverty and social policy division of the ECA, Thokozile Ruzvidzo
CONFIRMED
At the time of going to press there were more than 275,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the continent according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus has now spread to every country in the continent since the first case was confirmed in the region 14 weeks ago. However, there is some good news. Despite the huge numbers of people affected, the pandemic, which has struck with such mordevastating impact, mor tality rates have been lower than many other parts of the world. WHO experts say that case numbers have not grown at the same exponential rate as in other regions and so far Africa has not experienced the high mortality rates seen in Europe or America. At the time of going to press, there were some 7,395 confirmed deaths on the continent. By comparison, when cases reached 100,000 in the World Health Organization (WHO) European region, deaths stood at more than 4,900. Early analysis by WHO sug-
gests that Africa’s lower mortality rate may be the result of demography and other possible factors. Africa is the youngest continent demographically with more than 60 per cent of the population under the age of 25. Older adults have a significantly increased risk of developing a severe illness. In Europe nearly 95 per cent of deaths occurred in those older than 60. African governments have made difficult decisions and were quick to confineimpose confine ment measures, inin cluding physical and social distancing, which will have significant socio-economic costs. These measures, which along with contact tracing and isolation, expanded or increased hand washing have helped to slow down the spread of the virus. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, pictured inset, said: “For now COVID-19 has made a soft
It is possible that our youth dividend is paying off landfall in Africa, and the continent has been spared the high numbers of deaths which have devastated other regions of the world. “It is possible our youth dividend is paying off and leading to fewer deaths. But we must not be lulled into complacency as our health systems are fragile and are less able to cope with a sudden increase in cases.” African governments have made difficult decisions and were quick to impose confinement measures including physical and social distancing. For example, South Africa declared a national state of disaster and implemented a nationwide lockdown before reporting its first death from COVID-19. Uganda suspended
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public gatherings before the first documented case in the country. Nigeria began screening passengers at international airports nearly one month before the first case was detected. It is thought that these speedy actions gave African countries an advantage in limiting the spread of the virus. A report by Partnership for Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 (PERC) said: “Early, decisive action taken by many African governments may have slowed transmission. “While it is difficult to measure the precise impact of any single intervention, African Union (AU) member states have yet to document the spiralling caseloads seen in parts of the United States and Europe.” The continent has also made significant progress in testing with around 1.5 million COVID-19 tests conducted so far. However, testing rates remain low and many countries continue to require support to scale-up testing, especially in urban areas. While the quick response of African leaders to the pandemic has been praised, experts have
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predicted that the economic impact of COVID-19 on the continent’s cities is likely to be acute. Africa’s cities are home to 600 million people and account for more than 50 per cent of the continent’s GDP. For countries such as Botswana, Uganda, Tunisia and Kenya, cities account for as much as 70 per cent of GDP.
SHARE
As such, the economic contribution of cities in the region is far higher than their share of population. According to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), a leading think tank, the approximately 250 million Africans in informal urban employment in cities and those working for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for 80 per cent of employment on the continent, could be affected. Thokozile Ruzvidzo, director of the gender, poverty and social policy division of the ECA, said: “As engines and drivers of economic growth, cities face considerable risks in light of COVID-19 with implications for the continent’s resilience to the
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pandemic. Africa’s cities drive consumption with their growing middle class with per capita consumption spending in large cities being on average 80 per cent higher at the city level than at the national level. “COVID-19 related decline in urban consumption will thus impact domestic value chains, including rural areas.” The ECA has proposing specific support to city governments to mitigate and respond to the economic effects of COVID-19, in addition to the immediate health and humanitarian focus. These include measures to boost finances and capacities of local authorities as first responders, short term bailouts and exemptions for SMEs to limit productivity and employment loses, social protection for those in informal urban employment while anticipating the potential of labour intensive public work programs for job creation in the medium term. “Local governments must be supported because they are better able to respond to local needs including in coordination with community-based structures,” added Ruzvidzo.
www.voice-online.co.uk
JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 23
Opinion
USA: IS IT SAFE FOR BLACK PEOPLE TO TRAVEL THERE? Given the alarming and continued killings of unarmed African Americans by the police, the Home ffice and countries around the world with black populations should issue travel warnings, argues Dotun Adebayo
Y
ET ANOTHER African American man dead on the streets Stateside and not one word of caution on the Home Office’s Travel Advice webpage about visiting America whilst black. Not a peep. It beggars belief. After all, the Home Office is there to protect UK citizens, and what we know as black men is that George Floyd could have been anyone of us. Irrespective of where we come from. African American, black Brit, Caribbean, African – we’re all black and that is a more important consideration than where we come from in these circumstances. Yes, George Floyd, who died at the hands of a white police officer in May, could have been any one of us.
BREATHE
As could Eric Garner, who eerily gasped the same last words as George Floyd, “I can’t breathe”. Floyd was being prevented from breathing by white police officer Derek Chauvin, pictured below right, kneeling on his neck. His three colleagues stood by and did nothing, said nothing. That said everything. Like it was a normal day in the office of the streets. If none of those four policemen, who have all been fired and are now facing criminal charges, were horrified by their behaviour, if none of Chauvin’s colleagues were unduly concerned that their colleague had kept his knee on the victim’s neck for at least eight minutes, with the man gasping repeatedly “I can’t breathe”, then Minneapolis, Minnesota is an unsafe city for every black man. As is any city or state where a seemingly random sample of the forces of law and order have scant regard for human life. You are nearly five times as
In some US states you’re five times as likely to be shot dead by the police if you’re black likely to be shot dead by a police officer as a black person in Midwest states such as Iowa and Nebraska than your white friends. If Minneapolis, the city that Prince put on the map and that Morris Day, Jesse Johnson and The Time made funky, is unsafe for black men, what about the rest of the States? Should the Home Office Travel Advice to black men be just within the jurisdiction of the Minneapolis Police Department or should it be a coast to coast blanket warning? The video of George Floyd’s dying moments resonated across the nation, resulting in America’s first truly countrywide multi-racial protests as well as protests across the world. White folks are angry having been shook out of denial about black deaths in police custody. And black folks, black men in particular, are angry because “it coulda been me, it coulda been my brother, my father… it coulda been my son.” Things are a little differ-
ent here, but we’ll come on to that in a heartbeat. If the Home Office’s Travel Advice is supposed to protect UK citizens overseas, why is there not a single word of caution for black Britons who are 2.5 times more likely to be shot and killed by the police in America than your white friends? And those stats don’t even tell the REAL story. For one thing, I would like to see the numbers on specifically black men being shot by white police officers. But that is far from being the biggest failing of the ‘cold hard facts’ by numbers. Stats don’t lie, but neither do they tell the ‘cold hard facts’ about race-hate (‘racial discrimination’ passed its useful-
GLOBAL RESPONSE: Black Lives Matter protests have made everyone take note racial inequality ain’t contagious. It’s only when what we now call ‘white privilege’ or, indeed, ‘white supremacy’ holds you back (time and time again), beats you down (time and time again), humiliates you and ultimately kills you that cars and buildings
You hate me because I’m black, now what are you going to do about it? ness, it seems ‘racism’ is suffering the same fate, so let’s call it what it is). For example, if a white man is shot dead by police while shooting at police, but a black person is shot dead by police when driving with a broken tail-light, the stats become at best incomparable and at worst misleading. I don’t need to tell you that race hatred is all about the intent: you hate me because I’m black, now what are you going to do about it? Otherwise it doesn’t make sense worrying about a virus in a man’s head t h a t
start getting burned down and suddenly it’s unsafe for everybody. Current guidelines aside, has knee restraining someone on the neck for eight minutes whilst your colleagues hold the motionless man down ever complied with any guidelines?
PROTECT
I’m no medical expert, but I just can’t see how putting your full weight through your knee on a neck for that length of time isn’t going to kill a man. Police are not supposed to kill people. Or even leave them brain damaged. They’re meant to protect us all. More than anything, it’s the look on the police officer’s face as the man underfoot dies that has enraged the general public but especially black folk. It’s the look of white privilege. The
look of ‘I can get away with this in broad daylight because I was born this way’. At one point in the footage, he even appears to have his hand nonchalantly in his pocket or at his side. As if this was all in a day’s work. It’s not like we’ve not seen the ‘look of white privilege’ before. On the contrary, black folks have seen it for centuries. But we’ve never been able to attach an emoji to it. Like I say, there are many ‘looks’ to white privilege so we may have to collect the entire set. A day or so before the death of Floyd in Central Park, New York, we got a different ‘look’ of white privilege. A white woman, walking her dog, took umbrage at a black man enforcing the rules of the park by telling her to put the mutt on a leash. The look of white privilege on her face said it all: ‘How dare you, how dare you speak to me in that way’. It could have been a simple case of ‘class privilege’ if she hadn’t taken to first threatening the black man that she would call the police and tell the police the lie that she was being threatened by an ‘African American’. And then she actually carries her threat through and, in her call to the authorities, lays the ‘vulnerable white woman versus King Kong’ trope on too
thick for my liking. And when one considers that, in another time, Emmett Till, was accused of less than that when he was lynched in Mississippi. He was just 14. Not to mention what happened to the Scottsboro ‘boys’ once upon a time in America.
PRIVILEGE
There is one look of ‘white privilege’ that you won’t be able to capture in an electronic message smiley and that is the look of institutionalised white privilege. That’s the look of privilege that caters for your needs more if you are white. If you are a white Briton you know that when you go to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website the travel advice is tailored to you. But black Britons don’t really know how safe it is for us to travel in the States and what we should be made aware of for our safety and security. In his final breath Floyd called out “Mama!” This bit of the video is too painful for me to watch. In literally his final breath this 46-year-old hulk of a man can feel his life ebbing away from him and like a child calls out for the mother who brought him into the world, as this quartet of policemen whose duty is to “protect and serve” take him out of this world.
24 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Opinion
Diversity in the police has improved – but not enough
There are still huge obstacles at the top, write Daniel Silverstone and Dominique Walker
T
HE DEATH of George Floyd at the knees of officers from the Minneapolis police department and the anger that has cascaded from it, reminds us of how important legitimate, representative and proportionate policing is for democracies. The death of Mark Duggan in the UK nearly 10 years ago also sparked nationwide protests which turned into the largest riots the country had experienced in a generation. In such emotionally charged times – when relations between the police and the African-American community are at a nadir – there is a temptation to conflate the judgement of some American police officers with their UK counterparts.
TENSIONS
This risks exacerbating existing tensions between black communities and the police here. But the police force in the UK is very different. In the US, police routinely shoot and kill more than 1,000 Americans every year. African-Americans make up less than 14 per cent of the population yet account for more than 23 per cent of deaths. In the UK, the highest number of annual fatal shootings by police was six in 2016-17. For two years – in 2012-13 and 2013-14 – the figure was zero. Perhaps more troubling than the differences are the similari-
ties when it comes to underrepresentation of black people in their ranks. This has been a longstanding issue in the US and the UK does not fare much better. As of March 2019, just seven per cent of UK officers, or (8,329), identified as black and minority ethnic (BAME) – and that was the highest proportion since records began. Black officers of African
Representation alone cannot fix larger societal issues when it comes to racism Caribbean heritage make up only 1.2 per cent of this figure (1,492 officers) – despite them making up 3.3 per cent of the population. Representation alone cannot fix larger societal issues when it comes to racism. But when deployed appropriately, it can provide reassurance and support to communities of colour. As the UK’s first-ever – and only – black chief constable, Michael Fuller outlined in his 2009 memoir Kill The Black One First, tensions between
TRAILBLAZER: Michael Fuller is still the only black officer in the country to have held the role of chief constable; inset below left, a lack of diversity in UK police forces has been a longstanding issue; inset below right, the death of George Floyd sparked worldwide protests
black communities and the police are longstanding. In his role as chief constable of Kent and as a senior officer with London’s Metropolitan Police Service, he was able to be an effective conduit between them.
SURGE
The US has seen a recent surge in police numbers and many states are now facing bankruptcy due to the impact of Covid-19. This means that the potential for change is limited. The UK is in a much better place here. In 2019, Prime Minister Bo-
ris Johnson announced the intention to recruit 20,000 new officers. The ultimate aim of the UK’s new Police Education Qualifications Framework for training police officers and staff is for
In the London Met there are no officers at the highest ranks the force to be representative of the general population. All new recruits will have three opportunities to enter the service: by attaining a general degree, a pre-joining policing degree or an apprenticeship. There are also “direct entry” routes into roles like detective and senior posiposi tions such as inspector and superintendent. These aspirations ought to be good news for black people who want a career in the police as on average (in 2016), eight per cent of first-year underunder graduates across the UK were
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black. The trend is even higher in London, which has the highest proportion of black students, making up 17 per cent overall. Yet, while the UK force is diversifying at its junior levels, at a senior level there are still huge obstacles. For example, in the London Met – the largest force in the UK – there are no black officers at the highest ranks.
DECISION
One of the Met’s most senior black female officers, Superintendent Robyn Williams, is currently on the sexual offender register after she was found guilty of possessing an indecent image which had been sent to her phone. The decision to prosecute her was labelled a “classic case of institutional racism” by the Black Police Association. Meanwhile, the latest Home Office figures from 2019 show there is only one black chief officer in the whole country. The Met’s head of human resources, Clare Davies, has said “it would take over 100 years to be more representative of London” if the force continues at its current rate. The events in the US show
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how quickly African-American communities can lose trust and faith in the ones who are supposed to “protect and serve”. UK police forces need to grasp this and speed up the scale at which they are recruiting black applicants. So far, anecdotal evidence in Liverpool John Moores University’s police training scheme seems to show that the new framework is working, as more diverse applicants are coming through. Ultimately, if black applicants progress to leadership positions, they might just make a difference. That is because leadership matters. Both former US president Barack Obama and President Donald Trump witnessed fatal police brutality during their tenure but only one tweeted “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” and experienced the severe consequences which followed. Daniel Silverstone is Director of the School of Justice Studies, Liverpool John Moores University. Dominique Walker is a lecturer in Police Studies at Liverpool John Moores University This article originally appeared in The Conversation.
www.voice-online.co.uk
JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 25
Opinion
‘Racism isn’t getting worse – t s ust ett n u t on fi Injustice and discrimination is nothing new to us – but the use of technology and social media means that people can be held to account more easily, says Samuel Brooksworth
I
F ANDREW hit me, I had to hit him back. Growing up as a twin, like most siblings, we both had a simple rule. If he hit me, I had to hit him back and of course vice versa. Until either one of us got our hit, there would be no resolution. White people are hitting black people, but black people are not able to hit back. Ever. Not in most court rooms, not in most places of work, and not almost anywhere. Being hit time and time again, but being told to stay calm, and not to react. When you do react, you’re the problem. This is a vicious cycle of no resolution.
DIFFERENT
George Floyd’s death feels different. Not because it has differed to any other unjustified murder that has been carried out by law enforcement on an unarmed black man, but it feels different due to the string of senseless racial discrimination that has occurred in this very same month. Two names – Ahmaud Arbery and Amy Cooper. Let’s start off by saying racism isn’t getting worse, it’s simply getting captured. The Ahmaud Arbery murder shows the pivotal role that footage plays in bringing justice after what is basically murder in broad daylight.
THREATENING
Additionally, incidents like that involving Amy Cooper, the white woman who was caught on camera telling Christian Cooper, a black birdwatcher, she was going to tell the police an African American man was “threatening my life” after he
The world can tune in front seat and view what many of us have to deal with on a day-to-day basis asked her to leash her dog in New York’s Central Park. Incidents like this, which most black people can relate to, are finally also being filmed. No longer are these injustices simply things happening ‘in our heads’.
PRIVILEGE
Instead the world can tune in front seat and view what many of us have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. A white person using their privilege to make a black person feel lesser. This particular incident angered many who saw it as Amy Cooper was an educated woman in a senior position within a top corporate organisation. One can only imagine how many white people like Amy are in organisations blocking black people from progressing or getting promotions through their mindsets towards black people, only to hide behind the façade of ‘work place equality’. George Floyd’s murder and the Amy Cooper incident go hand-in-hand. Floyd was killed
at the hands of racist law enforcement officers. Black people’s hopes and dreams are also being killed on a day-to-day basis by women like Amy Cooper in the corporate world and our culture is being stolen by organisations that want to profit from us but are then not willing to defend us. We are being killed on the street, in the workplace and in courts rooms. These two incidents highlight why frustration reached boiling point in the Western world due to the injustices we face every day.
UNJUST
Covid-19 has further highlighted this racism due to the unjust disproportionate rate of fatalities of black people compared to white people. Is coronavirus racist? No. Are black people more susceptible to contracting the virus? No. What has been highlighted by this disproportionate rate of fatalities is the lack of care and attention given to those who have complained or have suffered. Added to this, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in England are 54 per cent more likely to be fined under coronavirus rules than white people are, again showing the disparity between how black people and white people are treated. Why is this? Like everyone else, black people are at home in isolation, hopelessly watching these incidents take place around the world and seeing nothing being actioned. With Ahmaud Arbery’s death and Amy Cooper’s incident bitterly stacking weight, George Floyd’s murder is the straw that finally broke the camel’s back.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Top, the death of George Floyd ‘feels different’, says Samuel Brooksworth; left, video footage of Amy Cooper’s encounter with black bird enthusiast Christian Cooper went viral
26 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Opinion
‘Let’s stop talking about defeating racism and take some real action’
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It’s important to use the momentum created by George Floyd’s tragic death to bring ideas and people together, says Helen Grant MP
ILLIONS OF people around the world watched the funeral of George
Floyd. His shocking and heartbreaking murder in Minneapolis on May 25 has ignited the campaign against racism with public outcry and protest all around the world – including on the streets of my own constituency of Maidstone and The Weald. For as long as I have been involved with politics there have been numerous strategies, reports, plans, reviews and audits to tackle the scourge of racism; David Cameron’s 20-20 vision, The Parker review of diversity on Boards, the McGregor-Smith review on race in the workplace, the Lammy Review on black and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals in the Criminal Justice System, Theresa May’s Race Disparity Audit – a world first for publishing data by ethnicity – and multiple Equalities and Human Rights Commission reports.
INFORMED
Yes, we are well informed about the issues, the causes and the demographics but what we need now is action. In my view there are three main areas on which to focus: in society, in government and politics, and within the BAME communities. In society we need to recognise that racism does exist. For too many it is still invisible, or considered to be something that happens somewhere else. We will never be able to find a fix if significant elements of our society fail to both recognise and reject racism. In government and politics we all need to work even harder to re-build trust with BAME communities and individuals. Much damage was done during the referendum campaign, by both sides, and the lasting effect should not be underestimated. Our great British values of di-
Politics is power, but a large number of BAME people are not even registered to vote versity, inclusion, multi-culture and equality need to be reconfirmed at every opportunity if we are to redress the situation. We must also do even more to address the fact that many BAME people in Britain today still face social and economic disadvantage. Dealing with this has to be the start-point for any race or integration policy. By way of one example, in both public and private sectors, I would like to see compulsory data collection and disclosure relating to BAME recruitment, retention, promotion and pay. The light of transparency can be very powerful in tackling conscious and unconscious bias.
EQUALITIES
In the public sector I would like to see more proportionate ‘universalism’ to reduce health inequalities; balancing universal and targeted services to ensure they are delivered in proportion to the level of need – which is often higher within BAME communities. Services like the NHS Health Check would be a good example. And in the criminal justice system, there needs to be more accountability, transparency,
oversight and safeguarding, right across the board. Within the UK BAME population, too, some of us can do more for ourselves and our communities, particularly by engaging more with our democracy. Politics is power, but a disproportionately large number of BAME people are not even registered to vote. Registering and using our votes; lobbying our MPs and other local representatives; joining political parties and standing for election as councilors and MPs – all of this action can, and already does, make a difference.
MEASURES
These thoughts are just a few examples of practical measures we can take, right now, to start to redress the injustice. Let us use the momentum created by George Floyd’s tragic death to bring ideas and people together, in a wave of action, to defeat racism in all of its baleful ignorance. But please, no more reports and reviews. We’ve done the surveys, we’ve seen the data and we have good legislation. We know what we need to do. I have seen at first-hand the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to tackling racial inequality, particularly during his time as Mayor of London. I have no doubt that he is the man to drive through a transformational agenda which will improve the life chances of people from BAME backgrounds in our country. As we rebuild our economy and our society in the wake of the coronavirus crisis we have the opportunity to build back fairer and build back stronger. Let’s not waste it.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER: Top, a woman protests in London; left, actor Jamie Foxx attended the funeral of George Floyd; a horse-drawn procession took place ahead of Floyd’s funeral
Helen Grant is MP for Maidstone and The Weald. She was also the Conservative Party Vice Chairman for Communities from 2018 to 2020
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JULY 2020
In partnership with UK Goverment
ADVERTORIAL
THE VOICE | 27
RETAILERS CREATE COVID-19 SECURE Black lives and COVID 19 SHOPPING ENVIRONMENTS
RACIST
FRAGMENTED
A UNISON Statement
by General Secretary Dave Prentis - 18th June 2020 fearful of losing their jobs often their employment status was a condition attached to the visa/ work permit whose loss will automatically activate their administrative removal by the Home ffice from to their country of origin. We will continue to give a voice to the daily burden and worry Black workers face going out to work in public facing roles and returning to their families at the end of their shift fearing
section of the PHE report was published only after pressure. The belated Commission announced on the 15th June is unsatisfactory when there are reports with dozens of outstanding actions awaiting implementation. We call on the UK Government to:
1. implement the recommendations from the Windrush Lessons Learned Review by Wendy Wil-
ments. A judge led Royal Commission or Public Inquiry must be convened and focus on Black deaths due to COVID 19 and the contributing factors. It must be used to galvanise change. UNISON stands ready to play the leading role as we did with the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry a generation ago that established that organisations could be guilty of institutional racism. There is an immediate and
Photo credit: Francesca Jones
T N
he COVID 19 pandemic has exposed systemBy Rianna atic institutional and Raymond-Williams structural racism and inequality in health, socio-economic deprivation, poor housing, emew education, government ployment, guidelines in our workplaces, for retailinstitutions ers and wider socihave launched ety. It has to also shoneCOVID-19 a spotensure light on thesecure increasing environnumber of migrant workers have ments as lock down who measures died the across virus asEngland. essential beginfrom to relax workers. We have a moral duty As of the 15th June, all nonto their families safeguard essential retailersto have been their immigration status and allowed to open their stores to income, especially those prospective shoppers and who emmay not have recourse pubployees, provided theytoimplelic funds. ment the government’s guidelines on creating a “COVID-19 secure” environment. The guidelines introduced, aim to ensureof all racist businesses are A catalogue murders putting theincluding safety ofthe their staff in the USA recent and consumers first Taylor by making murder of Breonna and sure all Floyd clothing George by outlets, police shoe and and trainer stores,byelectronic Ahmaud Arbery vigilanretailers, market vendors, tes, has tailors, renewed a worldwide toy stores, book the call for justice forshops Black and people. like are carrying riskown assessThis includes theout UK’s hisments are safe. questions tory ofand unanswered of increasing numbers of Black n Safer workplaces guidance people being murdered by the https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ police, racist violence, and lack working-safely-duringof accountability - from deaths coronavirus-covid-19 in custody to the recent hostile environment under the current government. The statistics in official reports LOCKDOWN of those whoowner catchand COVID 19 Andy Rossiter, foundand disproportionate er ofthe Rossiter Books - a death small rates Black workers andbooktheir chainofof independent families are been shocking to since read. shops has closed But deathof has a name the each beginning lockdown in and a story deservesforward telling. March. He that is looking They our members, friends, to theare prospect of opening his family, workplace store toand customers sooncomand rades. Whilsttowe mourn each has begun implement the death, we resolve to re-double government’s guidance. our efforts to filove ght for the living “Booksellers serving cusand toand renew the been fight against tomers, we’ve serving established institutional and our local community for a decstructural racism. Black lives ade, so seeing those regulars matter. Nothaving just thethat right to live, again and relationbut live to a life freeto from racism, shipto start return normal will discrimination, and poverty. be fantastic,” Rossiter says. “Our trade body, The Booksellers Association, have been brilThe brutal realities of COVID has exposed the way racism affects where you live and how you work. It affects health and wellbeing, access to healthcare and housing. Our economy relies on an army of invisible workers, a high proportion of whom are Black workers; and who have come to the fore to save lives and keep society functioning. The exposure of occupational segregation, fragmented employment, zero hours contracts, privatisation, cuts, poverty pay, lack of PPE and lack of sick pay is therefore no surprise. Added to this is many Black workers’ fear that raising concerns with managers will only make their situation worse. Particularly the migrant workers THE WEEKLY GLEANER
PREPARED: Andy Rossiter liant at reading and interpreting government advice to make it bookshop specific and releasing it in digestible and accessible weekly bulletins.” “We plan to bring back just two or three staff to begin with and limit our opening days from seven to five. We’re also reducing opening hours to allow for thorough cleaning at the beginning and end of the day, moving fixtures to allow people to social distance, installing Perspex are screens at till points and they now carrying COVID 19. haveare introduced hand We committed to sanitiser fighting stations at the entrances for them and fighting racism to in stores.” the workplace. UNISON at all levels has been REOPEN pressing safety issues continuHe speaks about catering to ously with employers and govthe changing appetite conernments, with equalityofissues sumers and having some new at the forefront, including urgent actions to protect Black staff through risk assessments, employers who fail to carry out effective risk assessment as their lawful duty will be taken to court. Yet sadly, the Public Health England (PHE) disparities report on nd une confirmed that Black and Asian ethnic groups are up to twice as likely to die from COVID 19. Our Black members have told us that Black communities have lost faith in the UK Government taking this issue seriously or taking action to protect Black lives and it was little surprise there was no multi-agency action plan to accompany the PHE report or any urgency from the Prime Minister. On 16th June, the missing
“
stock through the door, he explains “...most independents haven’t been in their stores for some time. In fact, our shops have become time capsules of how book selling was three months ago they’re filled with titles that were of interest back then. So, it will be really exciting, if strange at first, to restock and reopen.” “Since the George Floyd murder and the Black Lives Matter movement, we’ve also seen a strong appetite for books on race and equality, such as Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People Aboutin Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. liams March 2020. Two years Travel and fiction on andwriting they are stillgood waiting for are promised also riding high. We had the compensation. one customer request six travel 2. implement the Lammy Rebooksoftothe be criminal sent to their relative view justice systo inspire them for future trips. I tem from 2017. think escapism is more important thaninto ever.” 3. bring force Section 1 of During the Andy the Equality Actlockdown, 2010 - the Public Sector Socio-Economic duty in England. This is already enacted in Scotland and Wales.
we’ve also seen a strong appetite for books on race and equality
”
4. act on Theresa May’s comprehensive Race Disparity Audit published in 2017. Continued warm words are not enough and action is needed today. Employers, governments, public bodies, and regulators must be held to account for their duty of care, legal and lawful responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to, the Health and Safety Executive, the Care Quality Commission (and devolved equivalents), Equality and Human Rights Commission and the departments of the Westminster, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland govern-
was able to apply for the government’s Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grant and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme loan to support his business. Like many other business owners, he has been thankful for these cash injections to keep his business afloat, but he has been even more thankful for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which he has found essential to help avoid redundancies among his tightknit staff. “The latter half of this year will be a particularly new and unusual chapter for booksellers because of the number of titles that have had their releases delayed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. But General Secretary Dave Prentis on the plus side, now we’re reopening both booksellers and the critical ouraunion work public role will for have very to strong with employers (or totolook force line-up of new books forthem through all available colward to!” lective “Beingmeans able toincluding shop in legal peraction) to ensure Blackindestaff son, especially atthat smaller are listened and respected pendents, is atojoy,” Rossiter says. so that: lockdown made a lot of “I think •people Risks are addressed effectively realise that they don’t and wantmeaningfully. all their shopping to just • Appropriate action is taken to support staff to work safely. • Where work cannot be made safe for that individual, paid alternatives are provided. • Employers listen to and act on the issues and concerns Black staff have about their circumstances and experiences. • The huge toll of systemic structural racism on Black staff is acknowledged and support provided. Safe workplaces are a human right. Nobody should fear going to work. Racism is not business as usual. Racism, hidden or overt must not be ‘part of the job’. Public service workers battling COVID 19 as part of their job cannot be expected to battle the Home ffice at the same time
on immigration matters. UNISON campaigning on immigralandWindrush at their door, but bookselltion, and opposing the ers alsoenvironment know they need hostile has to ledwork the hardinfor their audience. It’s not way supporting and advising simply a worker case ofmembers, just opening migrant seyour doors.” curing an exemption for some from the damaging Immigration Health urcharge, ndefinite BUSINESSES Leave to Remain for the families Prior to opening, all shops will be of those who have died as a reobliged to carry out a risk assult of COVID-19 and exposed sessment in store, taking into the problems in the current Imconsideration the safeguarding migration Bill. The one-year visa measures needed to make the extension campaign for medienvironment COVID-19-secure cal and care professionals must all businesses will need to conbe extended to all health and sult staff and union representasocial care staff as a first step tives in this process. – but UNISON is calling for all Some of the safeguarding essential workers to receive Inmeasures that are due to be definite eave to emain so they put in place include, limiting the can do their job and support number of people in store at any their families without additional given time, increasing the freworries about the Home ffice. quency of hand-washing and cleaning surfaces throughout the store and creating appropriate signage to promote the This to be new union healthwill andcontinue safety measpro-active and will visible standures the store be in taking to ing with hygiene our members maintain standards.and communities. As a public service union, we are in constant SAFETY dialogue and engagement with Special considerations willthose also our members who live in be made for those with visual communities and rely on those impairments disabilities to services. Weand value our local ensure these measequality reps new andsafety the leaderures ofare accessible and ship ourboth national and regioninclusive. al Black Members Committees government’s guidance toThe guide us. Self-organisation aims to trade support businesses to through unions is also the reopen and for workers to feel most effective way to increase confident, andservice empowered diversity insafe public workto return to leadership. work. places and
DIALOGUE
We will move forward ton For to more information gether tackle systemicon insticreating a COVID-secure tutional structural racism and working build unityenvironment at a workplace level. access the following link. the We will call out and oppose https://www.gov.uk/ dog whistle politics and policies business-coronavirusthat feed violence against Black support-finder people and support peaceful, Here, you can also find socially distanced, protests. out about some of thea bright COVID 19 has shone coronavirus support spotlight on what is important schemes you mayinbe and what we value our socieapply forcalls on the ty.eligible UNISON,totherefore, if you own aand business. Government employers to end the ethnicity pay gaps that deny Black workers equal pay for work of equal value. Black men earn £4 less per hour. Inwork poverty is costing lives in the UK. Black and migrant workers are having to risk their lives to feed their families. Economic inequality coupled with systemic and structural racism that drives it is costing a disproportionate number of Black lives. This union says loud and clearly that Black Lives Matter. We are prepared to be judged on our actions.
We demand our Governments do the same.
JUNE XX-XX, 2020 •1
28 | THE VOICE
JULY 2020
Religion
DOES GOD CARE THAT WE ARE PERISHING?
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As lives are lost to coronavirus, it makes us ask big questions, says Bishop Joe Aldred
S THE number of in infections and deaths from coronavirus in this country and around the world continues to be a concern, a question that has been asked is, if there is a God, does He care? A recent Guardian article says that although COVID-19 is no respecter of persons – after all, the heir to the throne Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson got it – the poorest have been twice as hard as other groups in society. And because black and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the UK are over-represented among the poorest, we are two times,
sometimes three times more likely to die from COVID-19. If we are honest, we must admit that in spite of concerted
In spite of prayers, COVID seems to show no regard for the righteous prayers, fasting and well-wishing, COVID-19 seems to show no regard for the righteous or the unrighteous. When anyone recovers, be-
lievers tend to praise God, but most of us haven’t yet arrived at the place Job got to when after hearing of disaster after disaster, he ‘got up and tore his robe and shaved his head, fell to the ground in worship and said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised”.’ Job was gracious in that moment, in chapter 1; but by chapter 3, as his troubles piled up, he cursed the day he was born. Most of us are right there with Job, full of mixed emotions. But the sceptics, the unbeliever,
LIVING WITH RISK: BAME people are more likely to die from COVID-19, figures suggest
JULY 2020
THE VOICE | 29
Religion even some believers ask, does God not care that we are perishing? In history, that question has been asked over and over again. During 300 years of terror and murder in the Transatlantic slave trade and chattel slavery on plantations in which millions died cruelly; in the Holocaust when millions of Jews were gassed; in two world wars when millions died; today after acts of terrorism, when we see children dying from malnutrition, dirty water and natural disasters.
STRUGGLE
We should not be surprised that many are asking, does God not care that people perish? Many have concluded that God is really only a figment of the imagination of the delusional; that religion is the opiate of the poor in mind and body. For the most part the church, especially the Pentecostal church, instead of wrestling with these big issues that people, including believers, struggle with, we generally bury our heads in the sand, turn up the volume, as we sing, pray, preach, observe our rituals and rites, hoping the questions go away. Well, the questions are not going away. What is happening instead, is
pare to for the gradual return to some kind of normality, post COVID-19, with all the tragedies that will have occurred, and people asking ‘does God not care that we are perishing?’, we cannot just return to where and what we were, because the world around us will have been changed. Peter puts it like this: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3.15). EXPLORING SCRIPTURE: Looking at the Bible can help us to understand God’s love for us that the world, Europe in particular, including many of our children, have decided that the church has little or nothing to say to them about the reality of the pain, danger, and sorrow they face. A definitive answer to whether God cares or not can be found in the words of Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. God told him: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” And I want to suggest that we might use this COVID-19 lockdown to ponder this question: Does God care that people perish? If so, how? Look with me at scripture. According to Mark 4, before the storm began to blow and threaten the boat Jesus and his disciples were in, Jesus taught
them and a crowd in parables about the Kingdom of God.
PARABLES
The people of Jesus’s day loved to hear his parables, probably because they related to true-life situations, such as farmers sowing seeds on the hillsides. Yet the disciples nearly always failed to understand the theological meanings contained in those parables. Jesus never tried to blind with science, or theology, he wanted to raise their gaze to understand the truths of God. In three of these parables we see that the kingdom of God is a partnership between heaven and earth, between the farmer
who plants and God who makes things grow. Unless the farmer sowed the seed there was nothing for God to germinate and grow. In the parable of the growing seed, Jesus taught that after the sower sowed, God made the seed grow; then when its kernel was ripe, the farmer put in the sickle and harvested the grains. In the parable of the mustard seed Jesus taught that, though it was the smallest of all seeds, yet when it was planted it grew to be the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade. The lesson was clear: unless the planter plants, none of these things happened. As we pre-
PARTNERING
Of course God cares. He cares but He cares mainly through you and me. We need to take our partnering with God more seriously, more consciously, more intentionally. We need to reflect that partnership when we sing, pray, preach that it is not all about God, it’s about God and you, God and me, God and us in partnership. I want to ask us to consider whether we have been lulled into a modern form of Christianity that says, “it’s all about you, Lord”. There are two things I want us to remember. To be the partners with God we are called to be, we need to lose our fear of death and replace it with faith and trust in God in life and in
death. Second, we need to use the “rod” God has put in our hands. God showed Moses that as he worked, God worked. God showed the disciples that when they reach the end of their tether, according to the divine will, God steps in. So, practically what might this mean for COVID-19? We know that social and economic deprivation, and what goes with that, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, leading to multiple underlying health issues, has made many susceptible to the virus. As a church, how seriously do we take the deprived conditions and lowly place of black people in UK society? It is good that we pray for healing, but are we willing to act to promote good health and well-being? Prevention is better than cure. I was so pleased to watch the Zoom seminar on diet put on by Bev Cunningham. That and similar issues in other areas of social, economic and political realities need to become part and parcel of how we live, worship and pray going forward. My hope and prayer is that we will discover the partnership into which God has called us with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
30 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
News Feature
WARNING OVER RISE IN COVID-19 HATE CRIMES
A UN and International Organisation of Migration scheme aims to prevent the scapegoating of refugees and migrants as carrying the virus, writes Vic Motune
H
UMAN RIGHTS and anti-racism campaigners have warned of a rise in pandemic-related hate crime and xenophobia. Organisations such as the UN and the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) have pointed to a number of documented cases of aggressive behaviour and hate speech towards refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who are being scapegoated as alleged potential carriers of the coronavirus and a health threat to European societies, Canada and the USA. Media analysts have also highlighted the fact that internet is overflowing with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories spread by far-right groups. And anti-Muslim actions have been intensified in Europe and globally, and recently, Africans have become a target for xenophobia in China. Even African nationals living peacefully together have started to criticise each other.
STIGMA
Campaigners say that growing xenophobia, hate and scapegoating during times of hardship will be among the tough post-COVID-19 challenges that people around the world will face. According to the IOM stigmatisation of certain groups during public health crises is not new. From terrorism to disease outbreaks, migrants have often been scapegoated for endangering native populations and been subject to verbal and physical
We must strengthen our immunity against the virus of hate assaults, racist threats and institutional exclusion. A recent case in the UK highlights the problem. In April, two men were arrested after “disgusting” racist stickers claiming to link migration with the coronavirus pandemic were posted in Sheffield. The stickers bear the logo of the far-right Hundred-Handers group and read “Open border, virus disorder” and “Pubs closed, borders open”. Police said two men, aged 20 and 22, were held on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences. Ben Miskell, a Sheffield councillor, said: “This is absolutely disgusting and comes at a time where our diverse community is busy working together to tackle the virus. “This sort of behaviour can damage community cohesion and relationships across the city. We’re all working together to try to combat the virus.” He added: “We have got people from all sorts of different backgrounds working in hospitals, care and community groups that are coming together to help elderly neighbours – regardless of the colour of their skin or their origin in the world. “These sorts of things are meant to just divide us rather than bring us together and capitalise on something awful that is happening in Britain for some really sinister aim.” An IOM spokesperson said that “diseases have at times been perceived as ‘foreign’,” point-
POSITIVE MESSAGES: Mariama, a volunteer who participated in a regional Migrants as Messengers workshop in Dakar (photo: IOM Guinea 2020); below left, IOM staff in Niamey welcome over 1,400 Nigerian returnees from Burkina Faso; below right, a sticker in Sheffield appears to blame migration for COVID-19
ing to the examples of HIV/Aids in the 1980s and more recently, Ebola. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stigma can drive people to hide their illness to avoid discrimination, preventing them from seeking immediate health care. During a press conference on March 2, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom said: “It’s so painful to see the level of stigma we’re observing.” In his speech, he called for people to “fight in unison,” adding that the stigma “to be honest, is more dangerous than the virus itself. [...] Stigma is the most dangerous enemy”.
SEVERE
Responding to these concerns in a recent message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (pictured inset left) appealed for a strong effort to end hate speech globally. He said: “We must act now to strengthen the immunity of our societies against the virus of hate.” Both, the WHO and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) have put out information pamphlets that aim to fight the stigma against people of Asian descent. The CDC website states that “diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity”, Also, according to the WHO “stigmatisation could contribute to more severe health problems, ongoing transmission, and difficulties controlling infectious diseases during an epidemic.” It pointed out that stigma can: • Drive people to hide the illness to avoid discrimination • Prevent people from seeking health care immediately • Discourage people from adopting healthy behaviours WHO urged people to spread the facts to counter misinformation and amplify voices of those who have had and recovered from COVID-19 as well as calling on media organizations to offer balanced reporting and portray different ethnic groups
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responsibly in their reporting of the pandemic. To tackle these issues IOM has issued a toolkit for strengthening the design, delivery and evaluation of migration communications campaigns. It aims to ensure that rapid, accurate and balanced information reaches the audiences that most need to access it. IOM Director General António Vitorino said: “We are seeing an alarming increase in anti-migrant rhetoric, in particular the scapegoating of migrants and others in the public domain and online. “The toolkit provides clear, proven approaches to address
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misinand reduce the impact of misin formation.” In Guinea, returned migrants are helping their communities prevent the spread of COVID-19 – and misinformation around the pandemic – through the IOM’s ‘Migrants as Messengers’ community engagement project. “A lot of people think that if they are sick, they will face stigmatization,” said Elhadj, a volunteer. “We are going to help people understand that if someone is sick, they have to go to the hospital.” Another example of a positive story aimed at tackling misinformation about refugees that
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the IOM initiative has produced is that of Mohammed, 39. He worked as a doctor in Libya and was training to become a surgeon until violence forced him to flee to France in 2016. Mohammed passed the French language exams required to start the process of registering as a doctor and completed internships where he shadowed senior doctors at hospitals. When the COVID-19 crisis began in France, he immediately registered on the emergency roster set up by the Ministry of Health to support medical staff in hospitals. “My dream is to work as a doctor,” Mohamed said.
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JULY 2020 THE VOICE | 31
HONOURING THE HEROES OF COVID Charity pays tribute to NHS staff who have died
THE ULTIMATE PRICE: Just some of the NHS staff who have died after contracting COVID-19
A
LEICESTER-BASED CHARITY has developed a digital archive to commemorate front line workers who have died after contracting COVID-19. The Heroes of Covid website, created by Leicester-based charity Second Genesis, will also honour people who have made efforts to help combat the virus by selflessly making PPE equipment, those who have worked tirelessly to support others in their communities and families who have lost loved ones through the crisis. They include people like Lewisham hospital nurse Grace Kungwengwe, pictured inset right,, who passed away shortly after testing positive for the illness. After her passing, hundreds of people who knew or worked with her paid tribute to her dedication to helping others in need. They also include people like Emeka Nyack Ihenacho, one of a group of London bus drivers who died in March after contracting the virus after going to work. Aadam Muhammad from Second Genesis told The Voice:
This will allow us to express our loss – but also celebrate their lives “The Heroes Of Covid website was created to officially memorialise the growing numbers of global casualties of key workers and front line staff, many of whom are from black communities, and pay tribute to those who are voluntarily helping to make a difference by producing PPE for key workers; supporting vulnervulner able people in need and generally trying to keep us all hopeful for the future. “It will also act as a permanent ‘virtual memorial’ of our friends, associates and family members who have died in the pandemic. This will allow us to express our feelings of loss – but also celebrate their lives, sacrifices and what they have achieved.” He continued: “These mem-
ories will be retained through the donation of images, happy stories, audio/video clips and best wishes, which will then be uploaded on to the site for current and future generations to acknowledge and observe.” Speaking about how the initiative would continue to help people affected by the pandemic in the future he said that Second Genesis was planning “an official annual remembrance charity concert and candlelight vigil, within a prominent national venue, that will feature the works of performance and visual artists”.
SUPPORT
“This will raise funds to provide direct support to the families of the victims of the pandemic,” he said. Second Genesis is also developing a range of charitable initiatives that will help people who have been affected to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the pandemic. One of these is an album called Songs Of Freedom, a collection of original songs and music specifically written about the COVID-19 crisis, by new and emerging artists and producers. The album will then be available for download for listeners and will also help raise funds.
News
32 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
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Lifestyle
Business
Black crypto is here Sable Assent is set to empower the black economy BY LISA MAYNARD-ATEM
W
HEN IT comes to the realms of the global economy, we have moved very much from a paper society to a digital one. In many instances, money has become invisible which to a degree, gives it even greater power. However, with greater power comes greater responsibility – and also a degree of risk. If our money cannot be seen, then how can it be managed? Within the black community, there is a need to support the small businesses and non-profit organisations which run through the very DNA of our heritage.
However, the lack of a consistent flow of currency means that this DNA is not as strong as it could be. Fortunately, Sable Assent exists to address this issue. Sable Assent, the brainchild of Daryl C. Speaks, pictured inset below, is a global digital ecosystem that empowers the black economy.
GOAL
A community of busi businesses, non-profits and consumers exchanging a digital token, their goal is not solely empowerment but the obliteration of poverty among black people, regardless of where they are and what they do. The ongoing reduction and elimination of systems that were put in place to support and uplift
THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION: Sable Assent gives more power to the black community to purchase digital currency; left, a Sable Coin
supported by an annual spend
“The aim is of over one trillion. This means that we can supto create an port our consumers, businesses and non-profits around the exchange of goods between world. Our communities will thrive and be restored to their former the people, by glory of greatness. the people and VALUE for the people, The circulation of value within our is at the very leaving nobody heartcommunity of what Sable Assent behind” wishes to achieve. To encourour community, has meant that we face significant challenges when it comes to accessing capital in various forms. The Sable Assent digital ecosystem provides an avenue of support for our neglected communities. Their Sable Coins, used as a medium of exchange, will be available to circulate amongst a potential population of 1.5 billion globally, which is
age and further its usage, a global team has been put in place to connect with consumers and ensure that the coins are used by the community through a combination of engagement and education. Furthermore, it will be an easy and safe way for us to spend via a user friendly application for smart phones, tablets and computers. The overarching aim is to cre-
ate an exchange of goods between the people, by the people and for the people, leaving nobody behind. Their motto is ‘Each One Teach One’, which is exactly what we as a people need in order to move the needle forward. Speaks firmly believes that we can all plan for the world we want, whilst living in the world that we have. Sable Assent are currently in talks with The Black Untied Representation Network (BURN), a newly formed not-for-profit start
up in Greater Manchester, which has been created to tackle deep rooted racial inequalities, negatively impacting the lives of people of African descent. The two organisations will work towards strengthening the economic muscle of the black community. For more information and to register your business at no cost visit sableassent.com. You can now purchase SAC1 on our first exchange platform at latoken.com
JULY 2020
THE VOICE | 5
Culture. values. family.
Share more than your home – adopt.
Don’t write yourself off. When it comes to adopters we welcome all enquiries and applications, regardless of sexuality, status, and background. In short: if you want to adopt, we want to hear from you. Find out more today, call: 0300 369 0556
We believe it’s important that an adoptive family can promote a child’s ethnic, cultural, and religious background. It can make it easier to gel as a family, and helps a child establish their identity.
36 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Lifestyle
Art
‘The Tate has forgotten to look inward’
REPRESENTED?: Turner Prize-winning artist and Oscarwinning filmmaker Steve McQueen speaks to pupils as his Year 3 exhibition was unveiled at the Tate last year; inset far left, a portrait from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen series (photos: Tate)
It is more clear than ever that actions speak louder than words as the gallery speaks out BY JOEL CAMPBELL
T
HE VOICE newspaper has been working with The Tate closely for the last three years, but even with their eyes firmly on increasing the diversity of artistic output that has been created by black people, they forgot to look inward. That isn’t a criticism, it’s a truth. For if they desired to be truly inclusive and thus diverse, a look to the left or right would
about 80 people and I already
“Spotlighting knew one of them. All three were from the media. It spoke must be volumes. Not necessarily of the omcoupled with nipresent privilege enjoyed by those in the corridors of power, concerted but of the shortcomings of their networks. action. We If this was a snapshot of who the people in that room was see the connected to, it was no wonder things are the way they are. landscape now and we’ll TONE So I applaud the tone of their recent statement – see right – for see it in the it no longer puts the notion of future, too” increasingly diverse output as have told them everything they needed to know. I write from experience. Last December I, along with other me members of the national media, was invited to a Christmas at lunch at the Tate which was atdirec tended by the respective directors of all the varying sections of the institution. I was one of three black people present in a room of
the be all and end of appearing inclusive, it juxtaposes the issues of recruitment within their own ranks. This type of spotlighting will lead to significant change quicker than any other. Spotlighting alone, however, must be coupled with concerted action. We see the landscape now and we’ll see it in the future, too.
Support our own art and artists today
ON A MISSION: Paul Reid has established Disrupt Space to help emerging black artists
FED UP of the way that art created by black artists seemed to be getting passed over and is ‘underrealised’, Paul Reid says he was compelled to start his company Disrupt Space to address issues others were sidestepping. Disrupt Space is a black arts agency established to represent emerging visual artists. The organisation manage artists and through their events programme, connect them to collectors and people passionate about black art. With a growing number of works of contemporary black art coming out of Africa, America and the Caribbean, Reid told Lifestyle it was time to start hailing these pieces for what they were. The former director of the Black Cultural Archives, The UK’s only black repository, said his motivation for Disrupt Space stemmed from a frustration he felt in his previous role whereby he couldn’t properly assist the industry with providing the type of resources to enable them to promote themselves.
The Tate statement in full IN RESPONSE to the tragic events of the past few weeks and the powerful anti-racism protests across the UK and around the world, we wanted to reaffirm Tate’s commitment to combating racism. We stand in solidarity with all those who are peacefully protesting and we hear the demands for change from our own visitors, supporters, artists, colleagues, partners, and the wider community. But making a statement isn’t enough. To address structural racism and the inequalities underpinning society, we have a responsibility to act. Our role at Tate is to share art in all its complexity and diversity. In recent years we have made progress in better representing BAME artists in our collection and our programmes, but that work must go much further. We know, too, that not everyone has equal access to art and its benefits. We’re committed to changing this through our work, and to challenging ourselves to dismantle the structures within our own organisation which perpetuate that inequality. The founding of our gallery and the building of its collection are intimately connected to Britain’s colonial past, and we know there are uncomfortable images, ideas and histories in the past 500 years of art which need to be acknowledged and explored. We also recognise the connection between our commitment to address the climate emergency and actions to combat social inequalities. This includes the intersections of race, gender, sexuality and class in the experience of inequality. These are not new aims for Tate. We have a stated objective to become a more inclusive institution that reflects the world we live in now. But progress has
not been fast or significant enough, so we are taking a number of actions in response. These include: • Creating a properly resourced internal taskforce this month to accelerate our progress toward being an anti-racist organisation. • Developing an action plan in dialogue with colleagues, which will be published on our website this summer, with progress reports shared publicly at 6-month intervals. • Redoubling our commitments to diversifying our workforce, especially at the highest levels, and supporting ethnic minority career progression. This will include publishing updated statistics to measure progress. • Reaffirming that we have zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, and introducing mandatory anti-racism training alongside existing unconscious-bias and structural racism training. • Commissioning a guide to ally-ship from recognised BAME leader(s) in this field for those who work at Tate to help us shape positive practice in our sector. • Continuing our work to diversify our collection and exhibitions, as well as finding new opportunities to amplify the voices and creativity of black artists. Some of these actions will have immediate effects, while others will take longer to accomplish, so we must hold ourselves accountable for maintaining this focus in the long term. In setting out these commitments, we also want to acknowledge that we do not have all the answers and have not always got things right in the past, and we will continue to educate ourselves and listen to others.
Watch the full interview at voice-online.co.uk
@thevoicenewspaper
@thevoicenews
voicenews
www.voice-online.co.uk
JULY 2020
THE VOICE | 37
Lifestyle
Books
Commanding the narrative ne writer hare her oti ation or tellin i ortant torie that hel ed ha ed the ritain we li e in toda
BY JOANNA BROWN
I
WAS TRULY honoured to have been highly commended for the Spread the Word Life Writing prize this year – coming joint second in this prestigious competition. In writing about my mother, who travelled here on her own from Sierra Leone in 1960, I wanted to show that her powerful contribution and legacy was not just as a devoted mother to me, but as a woman who touched many lives through her work as a nurse in the NHS for almost 30 years.
RESILIENCE
Her determination, her resilience and her capacity for humour and joy endured and flourished in a country where the odds were stacked against her. As I write this, many black people and people of colour are reeling from the disproportionate devastations of Covid-19, the events in the US and the range of public responses. Many of us are, once more, bearing the burden of educating others about our own experiences of racism and about the systemic racism endemic in British society. We are doing our best to make the most of this sudden surge of attention to racial inequality whilst feeling pain, anguish, despair and exhaustion, knowing that this is nothing new.
There is a profound national amnesia here in the UK when it comes to Britain’s imperial and colonial past and its legacies. That past is directly linked to the British present, to systemic racism in this country.
“Even when researching, you’re coming up against gaps in the record – silences in the archive” But we are seeing profound gaps in knowledge and understanding across the population, even by those in high-profile newsrooms. Most black people in the UK have had to do that educational work for ourselves. In addition to experiencing the lived realities of being black in this country, we have always had to work harder to tell our stories and have them heard because the mainstream media, who hold the storytelling power, don’t value our stories enough. In fact, they often just don’t even know them. The cultural programming issue is a recruitment issue: who gets to make the decisions about who we see on screen (and how we are seen), about which books get published, about the histo-
HOPING FOR CHANGE: Author Joanna Brown says that the history of black people in Britain is often eclipsed by other narratives
ries our children learn about in school? In the UK, black history has always been a community endeavour – so much of the work is done outside of the large mainstream cultural organisations, outside of the academy, by community leaders and activists, by the black press, by families, by smaller cultural organisations, by community bookshops and independent publishers, by supplementary schools, by independent historians, by writers, filmmakers, artists. This work is often either underpaid or unpaid, done on a voluntary basis by people who are driven by their understanding of the importance of the work.
DIGGING
For me, a large part of the work is about doing the digging; finding the stories that have been buried. But as a writer, I also want to explore the inner lives of people through storytelling, to find the voices in those silences. I am working on several projects at the moment: a collection of short stories drawn from childhood memories and my family history and a novel exploring the lives of black women in Britain at the height of the slave trade. There’s lots of work to do – even when carrying out the research, you’re constantly coming up against gaps in the record, silences in the archive.
We have to keep digging for that material – there’s so much out there, but it’s often buried deep in archives or eclipsed by other narratives. I am also working on a children’s book about remarkable people in black British history, because there are still so few educational resources that highlight the achievements of African and Caribbean women and men in Britain. It’s about giving black children a sense of personal pride
ace on o r oo hel Outraged: Why Everyone is Shouting and No One is Talking
Written by Ashley ‘Dotty’ Charles Ours is a society where many exploit the outrage of others in order to gain power – and we all too quickly take the bait. But by shouting about everything, we are in fact creating a world where outrage is without consequence. There is still much to be outraged by in our final frontier, but in order to enact change and become more effective online, we must learn to channel our responses. This is the essential guide to living through the age of outrage.
Cinderella Is Dead
Written by Kalynn Bayron It’s 200 years since Cinderella found her prince – but the fairytale is over. Sophia knows the story, though – off by heart, because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she’s tiny until the night she’s sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen by a man at the ball are forfeit. But Sophia doesn’t want to be chosen. She doesn’t want to go to the ball at
in their own heritage, whilst ensuring that their peers can also enjoy these wonderful stories and appreciate the contribution.
JOURNEY
I began that journey with the incredible story of Ignatius Sancho, who was born on a slave ship in the eighteenth century, brought to London and sold to a family in Greenwich. Resilient, humorous, indomitable, he found his way out of enslavement to become a writer, a com-
poser and a shop-owner in the heart of Westminster. He was also the first person of African descent to vote in the UK. The acknowledgement from the judges and team at Spread the Word is a significant boost to my writing confidence and a renewed call to arms. At this early stage of my writing career, I’m hoping that the prize news will help me to secure an agent and a publisher for my work, so that I can bring these stories out into the light.
e e ot o co ered all. Not when she’s afraid the girl she loves might be chosen, too.
Ways to Make Sunshine
Written by Renée Watson, illustrated by Mechal Roe From New York Times-bestselling and multi-award-winning author Renée Watson comes the start of a character-driven, young middle grade series starring a black girl and her relatable and lovable family. Ryan Hart and her family live in Portland, Oregon, and her dad lost his job a while ago. He finally got a new one, but it pays less, and he’ll have to work nights. And so they’re selling the second car and moving to an (old) new house.
38 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
What’s on & where FESTIVALS Black Coffee, Nina Kraviz, Paul Kalkbrenner, Robin Schulz and many more confirmed for EXIT festival this summer After the Serbian Prime Minister asked the EXIT festival not to cancel but move to August, the organisers are working round the clock to create a special and meaningful event for the 20th birthday edition. The first wave of more than 30 performers include Black Coffee, Nina Kraviz, Paul Kalkbrenner, Boris Brejcha, Ofenbach and Laibach. Roni Size who headlined the festival 20 years ago, will also perform an exclusive B2B set with LTJ Bukem feat.EXIT resident MC Dynamite, to name a few. August 13-16 Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia Tickets can be found at exitfest.org for just £89 plus booking fee, and for those who wish to bundle them with accommodation and local transfer, there are also packages starting from €149
Africa – the continent, key facts about African history, population, location of Africa on the globe, representation and ancient kings and queens of Africa. Weekly 4pm (new episodes upload) YouTube Free ACCESS ALL AREAS ‘Racism & Diversity in the Music Industry’ webinar ACCESS ALL AREAS: Impact announces their ‘Racism & Diversity in the Music Industry’ panel and biggest webinar to date with eight panellists and three artist performances! This three-hour special will be moderated by DJ/ Producer and Radio Host, Ras Kwame from Capital Xtra and Orange Hill Productions. Top industry executives from across music business will be taking part in a frank discussion and debate surrounding the issues of race and diversity in the UK music industry. July 4 3-6pm fb.com/AAAseminars Free only from Eventbrite
CARNIVAL AT HOME: Cowley Road Carvnial will be taking place virtually this year – and you’re all invited
MUSIC
Fly-Kid Is ‘The ‘90s and ‘00s Daytime Hiphop and R’n’B Party For London’s Flyest Kids And Grown-Ups DJ Emily Rawson (BBC 1Xtra DJ) and friends and dance teachers, hiphop facepainting, games and more! Have you had a kid, but really miss going out and hearing the music you love? We do, so we’ve EDUATION created Fly-Kid – the Thinking on Sunday: daytime party from Supa Acts Against God – A Black Kids History Dupa Fly you can bring Short History of lessons on YouTube your kids to and introduce Boy, Lloyd, Ying Yang Blasphemy A phenomenon that spans them to the tunes you grew Twins and Sammie September 13 human experience, from up on! Evening the ancient world right up July 11 The O2, London to today’s ferocious 12pm-5pm From £45.25 religious debates, The Curtain, 45 Curtain blasphemy is an act of Road, Shoreditch, London, individuals, but also a EC2A 3PT STAGE widespread and constant £5 - £29 presence in cultural, One Dance UK launches political and religious life. The Millennium Tour online celebration of David Nash, author of the youth dance this 2020 If you’re looking for a place first accessible history of After the huge success of summer that teaches key facts this crime, described its The Millennium Tour debut US Dance Digital 2020 will about Africa as part of prosecution, its impact and in America, Neoluv in be a weekend of streamed important black history, its punishment and conjunction with dance masterclasses, then search no more. suppression. G-Squared Events is proud showcases, careers talks Specifically for kids in early July 12 to bring the phenomenal and information sessions years/foundation stage and 3pm-4.30pm show to the O2 Arena for young people, engaging key stage one, Kids’ Black Check conwayhall. London. The line up the best dancers and History is a new YouTube ticketsolve.com/ includes Omarion, Bow dance leaders in the channel that will feature £5 donation Wow, Pretty Ricky, Soulja country to share their skills,
dancers, delicious street food recipes and refreshing cocktails as well as workshops and classes, to be part of the day’s sing-a-longs and the famous Carnival procession. July 5 cowleyroadworks.co.uk
DATING Virtual Speed Dating (Ages 32-44) During this difficult period of social distancing and self-isolation the genius all for free. minds at DateinaDash have July 17-19 come up with yet another u.dance@onedanceuk. unique concept for singles org in London. We are so excited to launch the first Virtual Speed Dating event DAYS OUT in London. All you need to Cowley Rd Virtual be able to join in the fun is Carnival Organisers are streaming a a computer with a webcam or camera smartphone Virtual Carnival live on (with a decent internet Carnival day from 11 am connection) and you’re and we want you to get ready to go! Sit back, pour that carnival vibe and join yourself a drink and relax in, wherever you are. We as you talk to dozens of will be bringing you the Carnival spirit to your front eligible singles from the safety and comfort of your garden, balcony or doorown home. step. What is more, we July 2 want you to participate and 7.30pm-10pm be part of the day’s speeddating.shoobs. festivities. We want com/ musicians, singers,
Please note that in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, many of these events will be subject to sudden change, postponement or cancellation. The Voice cannot be held responsible for any such changes — Lifestyle
JULY 2020
ADVERTORIAL ADVERTORIAL
THE VOICE | 39
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safety, safety,but butI Ialways alwaysremind remindthem themI work I workas as part of a team and we are all about part of a team and we are all aboutproprotecting tectingeach eachother, other,ininaddition additionto toprotectprotecting the public. ing the public. Phenomena Phenomena The The support support I’ve I’ve received received from from the the PoPolice Now Leadership Development Officlice Now Leadership Development Officers, ers, who who coach coachand anddevelop developall allparticiparticipants through the two-year programme, pants through the two-year programme, has has been beenphenomenal. phenomenal.They Theyhave havebeen been keeping up to date with our progress keeping up to date with our progressand and making makingsure surewe’re we’redeveloping developingthe theleaderleadership shipskills skillswe weneed needto tobe beable ableto tomake makean an impact within our roles in the police. impact within our roles in the police. Difference Difference IfIf you you want wantto tosee seeaarepresentative representativepopolice force, you need to join lice force, you need to jointhe thePolice PoliceNow Now National NationalDetective DetectiveProgramme. Programme.We Weneed need people like you. We need people who feel people like you. We need people who feel that they are not represented in the pothat they are not represented in the police force. We need people who feel that lice force. We need people who feel that because of their accent, because of their because of their accent, because of their skin colour, because of their hair texture, skin colour, because of their hair texture, they will not fit in. The police are looking they will not fit in. The police are looking
for forpeople peoplelike likeyou. you.Be Bethe thedifference differencethat that you want to see.” you want to see.” Stigma Stigma At AtPolice PoliceNow Nowwe weare areaware awareofofstigma stigmaand and issues in policing, but it is our mission issues in policing, but it is our missiontoto transform transformcommunities communitiesby byrecruiting, recruiting,dedeveloping and inspiring leaders in policing. veloping and inspiring leaders in policing. InInorder ordertotomake makeaareal realimpact impactinincommucommunities across the country, the police nities across the country, the policeneed need to tobe beas asdiverse diverseas asthe thecommunities communitiesthey they are working in and this is where we need are working in and this is where we need more morepeople peoplewith withblack blackheritage heritagetotostand stand up and make a stance up and make a stance by by becoming becoming those thoseleaders leadersmany manycommunities communitiesacross across the thecountry countryreally reallyneed. need.
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40 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Lifestyle
Music
Breaking boundaries US country and hip-hop star Willie Jones says that his take on music is being reflected in the real world BY JOEL CAMPBELL
M
ERGING THE open-hearted honesty of country and hip-hop, Willie Jones plays with the conventions of both genres to create a sound that’s fresh for 2020. Prior to the near-global lockdown, Jones wowed fans at London’s O2 Arena where he performed to a sell-out crowd as part of the C2C Festival. The love he received is testament to his talent. Jones has quickly amassed some 500,000 monthly listeners at Spotify, with millions of streams for his new track Trainwreck,, which is out now. The track shoots out of the starting blocks with Jones’s bluesy vocal quality narrating a story of having loved and lost. Suddenly the jangly banjo cuts to the thud of a hip-hop beat as he ex-tends the
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: Willie Jones’ unique take on country and hip-hop genres have seen him gain hundreds of thousands of fans
“My experience led me down a spiral. Don’t let the lighthearted banjo pluckin’ fool you – this song is very real and deep”
tale of a woman who “crushed my heart like a beer can”. Trainwreck again proves that Jones can hone in on the common ground between two genres that have previously felt too different to unite. Jones commentcomment ed: “This is my first heartbreak song and lislis tening back to it, I can restill re member the pain I was going through.” “We can all relate to seeing your girl/guy w i t h
another man/woman, but it sent me down a spiral that affected all different parts of my life,” he added. “Don’t let the light-hearted banjo pluckin’ fool you, this song is very real and deep,. Jones wrote Trainwreck with two collaborators from completely different backgrounds: the multiple Grammy Award winner Mark Batson and Jus-
tin Ebach, who recently won the CMA’s Triple Play Award in recognition of writing three No 1 hits for Dustin Lynch, Brett Young and Jordan Davis within the space of 12 months.
CREATIVITY
Even staying at home hasn’t slowed down Jones’s creativity. In recent weeks, he’s launched both Trainwreck and Back Porch
Playmaker director opening up world of PR to artists BY JOEL CAMPBELL THE CREATIVE director of the Playmaker Group has told Lifestyle that a part of his organisation’s vision for artists of the future is better management of their brand, profile and portfolio. Many deem the responsibility of how an artist presents themselves as their own personal responsibility – but Ray Paul doesn’t agree. His organisation have devised On Air, a media and PR course aimed at new and developing artists to assist them on their journey. The course runs over four weeks in July (on Zoom) and introduces the elements of the media and PR world to art-
ists, with pointers as to what to look out for as they start their musical journey. Priced in order to encourage young artists, managers and creatives to come forward and increase their knowledge and skills in a very vital area of the business, the course has been devised and will be
run by Paul himself, who possesses over 30 years of media experience, specialising in working with emerging talents within the spectrum of media and PR. Paul enthused: “The current climate brings many challenges throughout the music industry, none more so than for new and emerging artists and managers. “Trying to navigate your way in an overcrowded market and create a distinct proposition is difficult if you aren’t aware of the media landscape. “This course aims to bridge that gap and give participants a level of insight that has been gained from over thirty years of working in media and PR across the world.” Email info@thepmg.co.uk for details.
@thevoicenewspaper
@thevoicenews
as well as hosting a series of live streams themed around his varied interests, from art to cooking to an upcoming puppet show series. Hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana, halfway between Dallas and New Orleans, Jones is a star in the making on both sides of the Atlantic. The southern states in America have long had their historical battles with racism and injustice. A melting pot of French, African, American and FrenchCanadian cultures, Louisiana is known for its colonial-era French Quarter, raucous Mardi Gras festival and jazz music.
EVOLVING
With everything going on in the world at the moment, Jones said his country was experiencing a moment of evolving. He said: “America is going through some growing pains right now. “There are things that have been swept under the rug for too long and ignored by those who choose to be ignorant. “There are those who simply hate the truth because it makes them uncomfortable, that they may lose some of their free-
voicenews
doms by ensuring everyone has a right to equality. “This ‘uncomfortable’ state of America is not just a domestic issue, it’s now global.”
CONNECTED
He added: “This generation, my generation, and those who are coming right behind us even more organised and connected via social media, are righting the course, drawing a line in the sand and demanding what we are all promised as citizens of America. “Through all the craziness, I see light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a train this time.” Jones’ early musical interests spanned everything: from gospel, pop and R’n’B to the country and hip-hop vibes he embraces within his own music. He wanted to become a country singer since he was a teenager, the turning point coming when he won a school talent show by covering Josh Turner’s Why Don’t We Just Dance. With one foot in country’s historic traditions and another boldly stepping into the future, Jones continues to break boundaries.
www.voice-online.co.uk
JULY 2020
This is Brukout!
THE VOICE | 41
by Seani B
Life’s all about balance Seani B asks himself some pertinent questions – and also shares some of the answers...
T
HIS YEAR will definitely go down as a landmark year in history for a variety of reasons, not least due to the incredible pandemic the whole world has suffered coupled with a social fight for equality and change. The incredible global response to the Black Lives Matters movement has touched everything from the US House of Representatives to the English football Premier League. I have had so many questions that I felt needed answering, and so many statements and comments that I wanted to make and express – but never felt that I had the ears or platform to do it to a degree that was needed.
STRANGE TIMES: Seani B hasn’t hit any clubs or festivals this year; inset left, Rory Stone Love; below, legend Bob Marley
BURDEN
One thing that this current feelings have brought to the fore is the added emphasis to speak up and speak out – get that burden off your chest and verbalise it without being worried about the consequence. As Seani B, people see my character as big and extrovert – the man from dancehall who is loud in the parties and gets them started! However, away from the clubs, the radio and the festivals, my life as Maurice Delauney, the father, son and brother from west London is quite the opposite. I’m a quiet person who is fully focused on the things that matter – family, work and the progression of myself and my people.
BELIEFS
My beliefs and principles are as equally strong as each other and I am aware of who I am and who I want to be, as well as what morals I want my teenage son to understand and the reasons behind them. My responsibilities within society are very clear to me, and I feel as if living by those codes allows me to be the best person I can be. From a professional perspective I have reflected upon the power of the music we love. It’s no coincidence that Bob Marley’s streams have seen a huge jump over this period (they are in the top five increases globally of any genre), and his messages of power, redemption, hope and strength have clearly
bought solace to the world. I have been fortunate enough to have a platform that I can play the songs that not only soothe my soul, but bring light and life to the listening audience.
played? The last decade has seen an upsurge in the conscious side of reggae coming to the fore with the likes of Chronixx, Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid etc all spreading the message
“The last decade has seen an upsurge in the conscious side of reggae” It was incredible to be part of the Welcome To Jamrock stream online recently and have messages coming into the chat room from all corners of the world, evoking feelings of warmth and unity. This is the power of music! So what role do we as “gatekeepers” have to ensure that these tracks get aired and
via the tours and shows they do to accompany their releases. As a broadcaster, producer and DJ I have always said it’s about balance. Balance of what I play and how I play it and also what I record. I would be a hypocrite and liar to say that the darker side of dancehall is not in my setlists and what I enjoy, but I would
hope that is always handled in a responsible way. During these strange times the songs with substance have been the ones that have touched me deep down inside, sometimes bringing tears to my eyes.
CONTROL
That has been the strangest part, knowing that I have no control over my emotions when hearing these songs that I have heard a hundred times before. This has now even made me question myself about that balance. I have had many conversations with Rory Stone L o v e
about the late ‘70s roots movement and how it was the driving force to how a section of the black community looked at themselves during that time. The pain and suffering was very evident in many of those classic recordings. They marked a time in history.
Are we about to see that history repeated as the self-awareness and self-consciousness is at the forefront of many of our lives, or will it be a passing trend or another hashtag moment? I have seen a change in a relot of the songs that I have re ceived over the last few months. And it’s been a lot easier to be Maurice. I’m hoping that it’s not just a trend and that we can see and hear a lot more that showcases what our music can really be. In many ways I see it as the world has weeded its own garden and hit a big fat reset button. Not much has mattered other than life and your loved ones. Could this be the reset that especialwe all needed, especial ly the music to get back to the foundation and rebuild?
42 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Lifestyle
Music
Tarrus has his own remedy
DOING IT HIS OWN WAY: Tarrus Riley teams up with plenty of stars in his new album
Singy Singy brings Healing through his uniquely dulcet tones on latest album BY JESSE SEWER
T
ARRUS RILEY’S Healing is the first Jamaican reggae album written and recorded entirely during the time of Covid-19. Highly topical yet spiritual in tone, Healing takes stock of the world at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, imagining a future for mankind in which we must move forward without the comforts of the past. Produced by noted Jamaican studio wizard Shane Brown and legendary sax man Dean Fraser along with Riley himself, the 12-track LP sees Riley collaborating with a who’s who of today’s top dancehall stars
and maybe what is to be our
“I’m not trying lives.” Healing was made under to be a unique circumstances, as Jamaica instituted daily curfews prophet when of as early as 3pm, adding I ask, ‘What an urgency to the recording process and the recordings will this new themselves. world be like?’ NOTES I’m asking what Writing songs on his acoustic guitar, Riley would send everyone voice notes to Brown who wants to know” would sketch rhythms (Shenseea, Konshens, Dexta Daps, Teejay, Rvssian) on a timely and urgent soundtrack to these turbulent times. “I did a lot of self reflecting, like the world is doing,” Riley says of the inspirations behind the album, his first full-length project since 2014’s Love Situation. Situation “What I had to do to not panic, and keep my sansan ity, is to exex press myself. Not all of it is inspired by Covid. This propro ject is about life itself: A soundtrack for our lives now,
around the lyrics. Riley would then drive over an hour each day from his home on Jamaica’s rural eastern coast to Brown’s Kingston studio to record his vocal tracks before lockdown set in, an experience he likens to “preparing for war”. Fraser and bassist Glen Browne occasionally joined the pair in the studio, while guitarist Mitchum ‘Khan’ Chin and drummer Kirk Bennett sent in parts from home.
IDEA
“When Covid-19 first happened, I called Tarrus and said, ‘Singer, I have an idea for a song,’” Shane Brown says of The Great Equalizer, the first track recorded for the project. “Did you notice whenever something goes wrong, whether it’s natural disasters or public shootings, all of the sudden
we’re on a level playing ground? “He started writing about it and it seemed as if I turned on a lightbulb in Tarrus’ mind, be-
Chronixx shares mantra of positivity in new single CHRONIXX provides a pillar of strength and hope on Same Prayer, a benediction that carries a universal message throughout life’s ups and downs. Fellow Jamaican lyricist Kabaka Pyramid complements the song with a verse echoing his sentiment. Following Dela Move, Same Prayer is the second reveal from Chronixx’s upcoming sophomore album Dela Splash, which is slated for release later this year. The song rings true with today’s tumultuous times: “There’s so much good in the world and still evil a lurk. In the darkness a night, Jah protect I and I from the ones who nuh care about the fact that we share the same air and the blood that we bleed is
alike,” Chronixx laments in the third verse. The powerful message follows in the chorus, “and when I troddin in the streets today, please Jah Jah never leave my side. And everyday the same prayer I say and I’m saying it one more time. Trodding in the streets I pray Jah Jah beg yuh please, never lef I an I, oh never leave I an I.”
REMINDER
Chronixx explains: ”Same Prayer is, in part, a prayer for the younger generation to reflect on internally. It’s also a reminder that there is a greater power directing things in the physical space. Instead of looking for solutions in our material lives, we can both reach out to this higher power and look deep within ourselves.”
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cause Tarrus sent me two other songs right away. “Every day we were coming up with the next song. We were to do four or five and that turned to eight, nine, then 12.” With the typically deep talent pool of Jamaican studio singers mostly unavailable due to social distancing, Riley was forced to get creative in order to create the layered vocal harmonies his music is known for.
VIRTUOSO
Fraser, a sax virtuoso known for his work with Bob Marley and Beres Hammond, among others – and the leader of Riley’s touring band, Blak Soil – sings the hook on Babylon Warfare also featuring breakout dancehall star Teejay (Up Top Boss, Owna Lane. Dancehall’s current hit girl Shenseea (Loodi, Blessed) added harmonies to several songs including the title track, in addi-
voicenews
tion to her featured performance on the duet, Lighter. Other featured guests on the project include Riley’s long-time collaborator Konshens, with whom he reunites on Connect Again, and Dexta Daps, who recorded the politically charged Out My Fire with Riley immediately following a run-in with the law in April. The title track, also the album’s lead single, finds Riley asking the question: What will the new world be like without a simple hug? “I’m not trying to be a prophet when I ask, ‘What will this new world be like?’” Riley says. “I’m asking a question everybody wants to know. We need healing right now – the healing of our health, financial healing. “My father is a singer and my mother is a nurse. I am them together and I make healing music.”
www.voice-online.co.uk
OCTOBER 2019
THE VOICE| 3
OCTOBER 2019
44 | THE VOICE JULY 2020
Lifestyle
THE VOICE| 1
Economy
Buy black, buy with Onyx er one i loo in to ort lac co anie ri ht now t where can o locate the all ne online lat or i wor in on the ol tion A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Onyx looks to launch its directory of black-owned businesses in September as interest soars
BY JOEL CAMPBELL
W
ITH THE wave of support for black owned businesses at an all-time high, business owner Sheryl Myers thought it was prudent to provide a hub which listed every single one. In April 2020, on a mission to create a sturdy, robust online resource that is trusted by both businesses and consumers, Onyx Index was born. Dubbed the ‘black Google’ by the inhouse founding team, Onyx Index offers up free search engine facilities for all UK black businesses and freelancers via its website onyxindex.co.uk. Created amidst the turmoil of lockdown, Onyx Index has already generated some positive interest and has a waiting list for new registrants due to an unexpected high demand.
UNIFIED
This demand has been amplified by the recent push for economic change in how black people spend their money within the UK. Sheryl explains: “You use it to search for black owned businesses. “The Onyx Index website was needed to allow black people to share a unified platform for businesses and professionals. “It’s long overdue and now, more than ever, we need to get it together and unify ourselves by buying black owned products and services at every opportunity even if it costs us a few pounds more. “We have to understand that racism is an economy all on its own and racism is systemic from the very top so when we might think that a black-owned shop owner may sell products
for more money than the white, Asian, Turkish and other shops, some people may not realise that racism even comes via the supply chain. For example, suppliers charging more to black owners then other business owners or suppliers even refusing to sell to black owners
“We must start tidying up our ‘black purse’ – we must understand that the black pound is powerful”
which means the black shop is not even allowed to be or is not in any position to create healthy competition.” She adds: “The system benefits from keeping us down but we can’t have this anymore! “We have to unify as one and make plans and action them as a collective. On Instagram (@onyx_index) Onyx Index talks about the importance of creating generational wealth and interdependence of black people and this starts with how we think, speak and spend with each other.” Onyx Index uses the strapline ‘Unity, Strategy, Success’ and Sheryl says it’s personality and economic values are strengthened with the use of hashtags such as #onyx_economy and #onyx_positivity. The interactive website which is planned for launch by September fills the gap in this overdue market, providing everything that you need at the touch of a button. The founders have said they would like to work with any type of business currently harness-
t o e o the ene t o enefits
• Supporting the black-owned movement by circulating and keeping wealth within the blackowned businesses • Building a stronger UK community network • Discover new black businesses within the UK • New and existing businesses and freelancers welcome • Potentially generate more traffic to your business website/socials • Associate and work much more with like-minded people • Reach your target audiences immediately • Your target audiences find you/your business immediately • Customers will find you much more easily with scaled down results • Some businesses without a website can join
usto
ing a directory of black companies and service providers as “rather than view each other as rivals or competitors, it’s more productive to find ways to work together to the benefit of everyone involved”. Sheryl adds: “Everyone’s got to eat, so why not break bread together?” Businesses and freelancers are being encouraged to sign up as it’s a free service and Sheryl even boasts that their initial registration form is the quickest you’ve ever seen. The fledgling organisation have already made really strong strides within the community forming meaningful and genuine business relations via business associates, video meetings and social media.
CHANGES
Sheryl adds: “Starting with little changes in us all as individuals on a daily basis can make a huge positive generational effect for us all. “I’m confident that in the near future, as we spend more within our community, those same shops will be in a better financial position to lower their prices later on and eventually offer even more products and services. “I think we should start with tidying up our ‘black purse’ – we must understand that the black pound is incredibly powerful. It’s worth billions – just think of the movie Black Panther, when we broke every box office statistic ever! How powerful did we feel when that movie came out? That feeling of togetherness, empowerment and confidence is how we need to go forward as a people.” You can contact Onyx by email at info@onyxindex.co.uk, on Instagram at @onyx_index, Facebook at Onyx Index and at its website, onyxindex.co.uk.
in
n
er enefits
• Quickest Initial registration form ever • Quicker search results that save time – no need to scroll millions of pages for the results that you expect to find • Find the products and services that you want to see • Building a stronger UK community network • Find well-connected, established and successful businesses easily without the drawn out and long winded searching of other search engines • Find local businesses • Support and improve the stimulation of the black economy • Hundreds of businesses across the UK have already joined • User-friendly site
. 1891
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THE VOICE JULY 2020
Sport TOP SPORTS COVERAGE 24/7 VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK/SPORT
OF SPORT NEWSPAPER
A WINNING FORMULA
Rodney Hinds speaks to the successful team behind The Beautiful Game Podcast IF YOU haven’t listened to the increasingly popular The Beautiful Game Podcast (TBGP), where have you been? There are football podcasts and then there is The Beautiful Game Podcast. The young people behind TBGP provide, alongside their various guests, a broadcast that major TV channels should be buying into. It is knowledgeable, incisive and essential listening. Four football-loving friends have kept the sport at the forefront of our minds in their own unique way. So, The Voice of Sport caught up with the quartet that produce and present the show... RODNEY HINDS: Name The Beautiful Game Podcast team members? TBGP: Dotun Abijoh, Tunji Abijoh, Deji Odedina and Justin Cole (Buj). RH: How did you guys meet? TBGP: Dotun and Tunji are brothers. Dot and Dej met in secondary school and have been friends ever since, bonded by their love of Liverpool FC.
Buj later met Dot through a family friend who introduced them to one another towards the end of secondary school/ the beginning of college and later was introduced to Dej around the same time through a few mutual friends. RH: How did the TBGP idea come about and when? TBGP: The podcast initially started as a YouTube series amongst a few friends who just wanted to record and document their regular conversa conversations and debates around football. This was around November 2018. That initial plan came to a natural end and Dot and Dej decided to continue with the venture under the new semblance of The Beautiful Game Podcast, which was in January 2019. They both came to an agreement that they wanted a host for the podcast to help direct the flow of conversation and chair the debates. Buj came to mind right away but the eureka moment came one day when Dot bumped into Buj on the daily commute to work. The rest is history.
SUITED AND BOOTED: The TBGP team, from left, Doton Abijoh, Justin Cole (Buj) and Deji Odedina at last year’s Football Black List awards
RH: What makes your podcast different? TBGP: Our number one objective is to offer a real detailed and intrinsic insight into the game through deep research, analysis and informed opinions. We spend time reading and watching to unearth information, which in turn allows us to
ask questions and allows our guests to offer thought-provoking responses. We want to go deeper than surface level discussions, which we hope comes across in the content of our interviews. Initially, we also wanted to break the mould of football podcasts by providing per-
Pep ‘embarrassed’ by actions of white people By Neil-Monticelli Harley-Rudd
STRONG VIEWS: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says that white people should say sorry for their actions
IN THE wake of his team’s comfortable 3-0 success against Arsenal, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was candid in his views as top flight action returned on June 17. Guardiola explained in his virtual postmatch press conference about his players’ pre-match ‘Take a Knee’ protest: “White people should say sorry for the way we’ve treated black people for 400 years, I’m embarrassed and ashamed of what the white people have done for the black people.” Both sets of players, including some in the stands, took a knee before kick-off in a show of solidarity on a night when ‘Black Lives Matter’ replaced the names
on the back of all their shirts as the Premier League formally joined the international protest campaign sparked by the death of George Floyd in America. Guardiola, considered to be one of the best managers in the sport’s long history, added: “We should send a thousand million messages for the black people. We have to do a lot of things for the black people, which we have not done so far.” Raheem Sterling, who opened the scoring against the Gunners, added: “I see it as a massive step for the Premier League to allow something like that to happen (taking the knee), and it shows we’re going in the right direction. Little by little we’re seeing change. It was natural, it was organic.”
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spectives from multiple angles in the game, which is evidenced by the range of guests we’ve welcomed onto the platform. We don’t discriminate in terms of the guests we welcome on to the platform, from people at the pinnacle of the game right down to grass roots level. We’ve spoken to current players, ex-players, coaches, chairmen, journalists, TV presenters and more to give us an outlook which is as rounded as possible about the beautiful game we love.
RH: What tribute do you pay to your listeners? TBGP: We take absolutely nothing for granted. Every act of support we hold dear to our hearts and there aren’t words to describe just how much we love those who are in our corner. We read every single comment and we appreciate every single pair of eyes and/or ears tuned in to us on a regular basis, and those who are willing to go the extra mile and share our content with their friends, families and loved ones. We certainly do not take it for granted and always try to respond and engage with all our listeners. RH: What does the future hold for TBGP? TBGP: We want to create a safe space for all people within the game to speak openly and honestly about their career experiences (good and bad) and their thoughts and feelings on a range of topics within the game. We’ve seen for far too long very stale, robotic and scripted answers being repeated and regurgitated to the media and we want to break that barrier by earning the trust of the people we have conversations with; and always giving them a voice on our platform. We also want to change the landscape of how certain characters in the media are perceived, but not only that, we want to change the landscape of media as a whole.
TOP TEAM: With the highly respected ‘Sir’ Les Ferdinand
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JULY 2020
THE VOICE | 47
Sport
A 2020 vision
SUPPORT FOR YARDE FROM BOXING RIVALS
POSITIVE: Anthony Yarde says his mindset lays the ground for his success
‘Lion in the Camp’ says sporting fraternity reached out after he lost both father and grandmother in coronavirus outbreak By Rodney Hinds
‘L
ION IN THE CAMP’ Anthony Yarde has revealed how the boxing world played an important part in helping him recover from the tragic personal losses he has suffered at the hands of the coronavirus pandemic. After losing both his father and grandmother in recent months, Yarde has received private messages of support from the boxing fraternity. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions’ Lockdown Lowdown, Anthony said: “I got messages from a lot of people in my weight class… some that want to fight me.” Challenging any assumption boxing might not be the natural breeding ground for compassion, ‘The Beast from the East’ added: “Nine times out of 10, boxers are nice people.” One of those nice people
“Life can make or break you, but what it will do is motivate me” is ‘King Arthur’ Lyndon Arthur, the 28-year-old Manchester light-heavyweight that was scheduled to be Anthony’s next opponent. The pair were originally slated to clash in the co-main event of the Dubois vs Joyce pay-perview that has been postponed due to the current situation. Despite their upcoming bout,
Arthur was quick to offer his personal condolences to his rival. “Lyndon, someone I’m meant to be fighting very soon, sent me condolences and told me to stay strong and all that kind of stuff,” he said.
CONFIDENT
Reflecting on rivalries in boxing, Yarde added: “Even though we’re getting ready to fight each other, there’s no bad blood really. “There might be a bit of bad blood thrown around when we get in the ring, or the build-up, but none of us wish anything traumatic like that to happen to each other.” “We’re not about to punch each other’s heads in,” he laughed. He added: “I’m not one of those people that brags and boasts, but I’m a very confident individual and it ain’t me getting my head punched in. I’ll tell you that.”
That positive mindset is what he believes gives him his ability to ride out tragedy. “Life can make you or break you,
but what life will do to me is motivate me,” he said. “I’m a very strong believer in God so I believe the bad things we go
through are lessons, you have to go through, things that teach you and prepare you for the real world.”
‘Use your voice,’ says tennis star Gauff at Black Lives Matter demo how they can help the movement. Second, we need to take action. It’s in your hands to vote for my future, for my brothers’ future and for your future. That’s one way to make change.
By Karen Palmer
TAKING A STAND: Tennis ace Coco Gauff at the Black Lives Matter protest; right, in action at Wimbledon last year
ONE OF the most vociferous sports stars on the subject of racism after the killing of George Floyd last month was tennis ace Coco Gauff. Widespread protests continue to take place across America after Floyd, an African-American, was killed on May 25 when former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Gauff burst on to the tennis scene having beaten legend Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019 and repeated the feat against her 39-yearold compatriot on day one of the Australian Open in January. After the Floyd killing, Gauff says “tough conversations” must be had
SILENCE in the fight against racism, as she demanded change in an emotional speech at a Black Lives Matter protest. The 16-year-old added: “We must first love each other, no matter what. “We must have the tough conversations with friends. I’ve spent time having tough conversations, trying to educate my non-black friends on
“Third, you need to use your voice. No matter how big or small your platform is, you need to use your voice. “I saw a Doctor (Martin Luther) King quote that said the silence of the good people is worse than the brutality of the bad people, so you need to not be silent because if you are choosing silence, you are choosing the side of the oppressor. “If you listen to black music, if you like black culture and have black friends, then this is your fight, too.”
JULY 2020 | THE VOICE
TOP SPORTS COVERAGE 24/7 VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK/SPORT
OF SPORT NEWSPAPER
DÉJÀ VU
Racism in football is nothing new. But the experiences of modern day players including Raheem Sterling do not compare to the blatant abuse that Ben Odeje, the first black footballer to represent England at any level, faced in the 1970s
TRAILBLAZER: Ben Odeje, pictured main and above, was dropped from the England set up after being hailed as man of the match
By Rodney Hinds
T
HE FIRST black footballer to play for England at any level has told the Voice of Sport that not too much has changed in terms of racism within the game. With recent global events highlighting once again that the issue of race remains a serious issue, Ben Odoje gave a candid interview to this newspaper. “Nothing has changed in terms of how us black people are being treated,” said the man that donned the famous Three Lions on his football jersey prior to such luminaries as Laurie Cunningham and Viv Anderson. “In fact racism has gone up a notch. It’s in your face in a subtle way. When I was playing in the ‘60s and ‘70s
you were blatantly abused.” Odeje, who made his England schoolboys debut at Wembley Stadium against Northern Ireland in March 1971, recalls his early days in England as an impressionable eight-year-old having arrived from Nigeria in 1965. “I saw signs such as ‘no Irish, no dogs, no blacks’ which meant that we were considered lower than dogs.”
VOCAL
The likes of Raheem Sterling, and others, have been vocal in the battle against racism, but what today’s modern player experiences cannot compare to what the African had to suffer. “I experienced it more than anybody, more than the modern footballer. Everywhere I played I was the only black man, including when I was at Plymouth University.”
Things got no better as he grew up in southeast London. “Defenders I came up against would look to put you off your game with racist abuse.”
That tuition was to prove invaluable and led to Odeje making that historic appearance at the national stadium. “I remember waiting in the
“Even my kids doubted me at times – it brought tears to my eyes. I was bitter at the time. Why was history being distorted?” Now an avid West Ham fan, Odeje paid tribute to a primary schoolteacher who assisted his life and playing career. “My teacher Mr Wind was a football fanatic. On a Friday after school at Blackheath playing fields he would teach me the game. “He did as much as anybody to make sure that I played football the English way.”
famous tunnel and the nerves were jangling, the band was playing and the noise from the crowd was deafening. “I think I played well. In fact, the next day, the press said I was man of the match.” His showing didn’t impress everybody, however, and he was dropped from the set up. He was, in the end, able to muster five caps in total. He
admits: “There was no reason given for being dropped.” Thereafter it was then a battle to claim his rightful place in the history books. The aforementioned Cunningham and Anderson were genuine trailblazers but they came after Odeje. Gaining his due recognition was to play on the Nigerian’s emotions.
TRUTH
“I felt very sad. The truth was out there. I was sad because come Black History Month my kids would go to school and try and tell their class about my appearances but nobody took it in. “They told me that the classroom would go silent and they would be accused of being liars which was tough to take. “Even my kids doubted me at times, it brought tears
to my eyes. I was bitter at the time. Why was history being distorted?” What made it even more galling was that Cunningham and Odeje were good friends while they were apprentices at Leyton Orient and Charlton respectively. After four decades, the truth has at last set Odeje free and after beginning his career at Chelsea and seeing that particular avenue stalled by his parents’ insistence that he studied, Ben Odeje can at last hold his head high.