Going Travelling...

This site will not be updated for the next months as I am going travelling to Aussie,NZ and Asia!.Have a Happy Holiday and see you next year.

40 year old Nigerian claims age as 15 to UKBA for immigration purposes

Most will have seen this video of a fully grown Nigerian man with all the physiological tell tale signs of a 40 year old plus with adult hair sprouting out from every angle of his manly body, claiming to be a 15year old on the run from death threats in his home country of Nigeria. The "15 year old" man-boy known as Benson told the incredulous story after having  being ousted by UKBA officials for travelling with fake documents. The adult-child cooked up a fine tale of being on the run from relatives who wish to have his head on banana leaf served with jollof rice and  moi-moi after having stolen money from his deceased parents'. The story gets more bizarre after Benson firmly declares his age as 15 and with the help of a certain Uncle London,  had managed to escape the deadly clutch of his family with a bogus passport and documents. To further highlight his imminent danger if deported, Benson goes down on his knees pleading not to be sent back to Nigeria as he fears for his safety and tender age. He enacted a perfectly distressed  pseudo scene so postiche even a blind person could see through it's fakery.
Whilst it made for comic TV; the reality is this doofus has pretty much soiled the route of other credible asylum seekers or refugees who face real threats in their homeland. To rub further salt in the wound- after going AWOL from immigration forces, he was pictured on Facebook goofing around in his London surroundings with a flat screen TV,CK briefs, and cooking a large pot of rice and no doubt ogbono soup in his kitchen.

"15 years old" Benson showing all the tell tale signs of a 40 year male

The man-boy pushing 40 yet claiming to be in his mid teens.

Abused and degraded for having an Afro

In a world of continuous Halloween Freak Comedy Shows as perpetuated by women wearing an inexhaustible list of 30 inches fake Brazilian, Venezuelan, Bolivian,Cambodian, etc hair; heavily painted eyebrows about 5cm thick starting from the nasion to the temporal bone sharper than the M4 exit southbound towards Gatwick; caterpillar-like glued on fake eyelashes which at first glance literally look like a row of hairy hunchback caterpillars mating; not forgetting caked foundation faces like an incomplete lowly paid circus clown, being natural and sporting an Afro is a crime. 

African Fashion Journalist of acclaimed African Fashion site Shadders was this week subjected to ridicule and taunts for walking about in her Afro. She was approached by a seller of Brazilian, Peruvian and Cambodian hair who wasted no time in admonishing her for walking about looking so ancient. You will be forgiven for thinking the bestower of such richly packed racist sentiments is a member of the notorious EDL or a crystallised by-product of the BNP . Alack! t'were non of them! 
In a heavily punctuated  Nigerian accent, the  African woman  attacked Shadders  as a “beautiful girl like you should not walk around with an Afro hair as it makes you look very ethnic”

The thing is black people are their own worst enemy. Dim wits slowly pan fried over a blazing heat of foolishness and stupidity. Read about Shadders blackrism (racist treatment from a fellow black to another) here

Image credits: Shadders

Black Iraqis of African descent complain of discrimination in war torn Iraq

Source: AlJazeera
 "Old news" from 2010 but nevertheless we thought this might make for interesting knowledge.
Facts:

• Black Iraqis are mostly descendants of Ethiopian, Sudanese(and some parts of East Africa) sailors or slaves who were brought to Iraq to work on sugar-cane and dates plantations.
• The trade in humans was first started by Arab traders as far back as the 9th century lasting over 1,000 years.
• Reports have circulated of black slaves in Iraq as recent as 2008.

Decision to be made by CPS wether or not to prosecute English Captain Terry, over alleged racist abuse

Source:BBC

Is calling a blackman "black" racist? Read here

The racism row between Terry and Ferdinand has been notched up to another level, as the CPS have now received a file purporting to the incident. The file was handed over on Wednesday by Scotland Yard for the CPS to investigate if there is enough evidence to prosecute Terry.

The wanton English football Captain has already been interviewed by police under caution. He released a statement saying he was "saddened that people will think so" of him.

Er...Terry mate; we are also in utter disbelief that the public can think so lowly of you; especially after the glitzy headlines you have been embroiled with in the past. Terry-fying innit!!

Women with no children have no responsibility and no right to complain...(Apparently)

So this week saw me being pilloried by a friend for daring to have a squeaky moan about "life" since as a woman with no children, there is absolutely nothing for me to groan about. "Why are you whinging when you have no responsibility!" she barked out loud in response to my text sent a few hours before; after a rather gruelling day at work where I had been the honourable recipient of the office bully's snide remarks. Feeling irrepressibly low and dejected, the text sent had a renouncing theme of: "I am simply fed up".
I waited patiently for a reassuring response brimming with obligatory positive quotes such as "Don't worry. You are stronger than you think" or "Ignore the bully and speak to your union" , etc type replies were far fetched it seems.The candy quoted vitriol I received in response was shocking to say the least. For a fleeting moment the work place bully's scathing remarks seemed welcoming.

My friend bellowed from the mountain top about my perfect life with no bills and responsibilities(I had recently moved in with family to help my sick parents. Daddy is recovering from a stroke while I drive Mama to her many hospital appointments on my days off work.). The six page text compared my "free" life as a nullipara to hers as a single mother juggling work, childcare, and other family issues. "Put yourself in my shoes and you will be thankful for your life with  no-one to look after. You have no bills and don't pay rents. I am sure if you scale back on your high standard of life you will do well"; were some of the wise words of advice I got. I tried to remember the last time I went shopping in keeping up with my "high standard of life" and had no recollection as it had been so long...oh wait a second; actually it was January this year when I decided to shop online at House of Fraser. It was kind of like the After Sales Sales shopping were only size 16 dresses and size 3 shoes were left. I turned to look at my straggly mane in the mirror courtesy of some poor Brazilian woman and thanks to my sister who had bought and posted this as a belated birthday gift. It was now two months overdue with my natural curly black  Afro hair roots quite discernible at the temple creating a stark contrast to the long silky extensions.

The phone rings and I instantly recognise the number as T-Mobile Customer services who have been hounding me for a mere £17.61 outstanding phone bill from the last billing cycle just two weeks ago. I promptly ignore their calls which works out to be about two every 60minutes starting from 9.30am to 8pm. As I finished reading the text, I trip over a red briefcase next to the kitchen table overflowing with letters from creditors. My memory is jolted once more to the outstanding tuition fees for my Masters course, credit card bills amassed during my London hey days as the belle of the town who couldn't be seen dead in the same outfit twice and most recently, the outstanding bills from my previous garden flat which I have to still pay off given that the obligatory 12months contracts with certain companies and peoples were not fulfilled as my tenancy was suddenly short lived due to family crises. Try telling that to terms and agreement of contracts drawn.

I proceeded to walk to the living room window still in disbelief at my friend's cruel response wondering how to reply that without provoking a fight. My gaze falls on the only evidence of my seemingly "high standard of Life"...my red Mercedes Benz car with it's equally matching plush red seats. She stood proud and beautiful in the driveway, glistening in the late Autumn sun as it caught on her polished bonnet. The day before I had almost been fleeced dry at the garage where she had had her customary service checks and MOT. For months now I had been contemplating selling her for a more Eco friendly car.
My phone goes off again...this time it's a reminder flashing on my screen "Rents and Family Kitty". I had to do a bank deposit for rents and contribute to the family's rainy day account.
I take out my phone and text " Sorry? I have responsibilities. They may not talk back at me but they are there. Never mind".
I make a mental note of never turning to that friend again for reassurance and decide to contact HR for their policy on work place bullying.

Police lies exposed as it is revealed Mark Duggan WAS NOT carrying a gun.

We all know better than to trust the inherent racist Metropolitan Police, who it appears get a hard on from gunning down defenceless black men in cold blood. The assassination of Duggan by the very people meant to protect us, sparked a four day summer riot in the capital. Throughout the riots we were steadfastly fed lies by The Met and IPCC of how Duggan was carrying a firearm which had been used to shoot a police officer; hence the retaliation by the police to kill Duggan in defense.

Today's issue in The Guardian  reveals what we all knew along; Duggan was not armed when he was fatally shot twice by police on the 4th August 2011. However, a gun which had earlier been in his possession was found about 10 to 14 feet away from his body, on the other side of a fence. It contained one bullet. At the time of print, Duggan's DNA is yet to be found on the weapon. A shoe box strongly suspected to have been used in carrying  the loaded firearm was found at the back of the hired taxi Duggan had been travelling in. His fingerprints were found on this shoe box. Video evidence indeed shows that Duggan may have acquired a gun on the day he was shot and killed.

While admitting Duggan may have been no saint from what we are fed by the media, it is frightening and disturbing to think that people at the helm of the law can shoot when they wrongly judge a situation, then lie about their actions and intent to the public, making the dead person(who of course cannot defend themselves) look like the baddie.

Being a black man in the UK is like walking on broken eggshells. The colour of your skin is already negative alone and a strong deterrent...condemned and guilty before judged. The solution is to thread carefully with great caution and despite all, remain positive.

Meet 8year old entrepreneur - Harli Jordean

Source:DailyMail
With gorgeous brown eyes set against a sweet innocent countenance accompanied by an adorable cutesy smile, this is not your average 8year old boy with a penchant for the latest gadgets or crazy about computer  games. Harli Jordean is a smart money spinning business boy with an Internet company raking in thousands yearly.

Self titled the "Marble King" the eight year old Londoner has successfully turned his passion for marbles into a profitable business venture. His two year old website http://marbleking.co.uk/ stocks a wide variety of marbles including  the £599 Duke of  York solitaire tables limited edition.
The boy with an adult idea runs his company with the help of his mother and two older sibblings, after deciding to take his obsession with marbles a step further by embracing the versatility of e-commerce.

With orders trickling in from as far as America, Harli has no time for kiddies play and  instead busies himself with sourcing suppliers, stocking, packaging and posting his precious marbles to customers. His 51 year old Mother Tina, only gets involved with balancing the books.

With aspirations to becoming Britain's next Alan Sugar, the fiercely ambitious and career driven Harli has plans to one day own a chain of stores like Hamleys. With an equally strong work ethos, the youngster has been known to get his mother drive down to hand deliver packages if he fears any delay in delivery. Talk about customer satisfaction.

"I love marbles and I love having my own marbles company.I like being the boss, but I like to get others to do some of the work so that if something goes wrong it is not all my fault."

Celebrity Chef Lorraine Pascal Receives Racist Tweet

Source: Daily Mail


Celebrity TV Chef Lorraine Pascale  has been the victim of social media exposé after receiving racist rants on her Twitter page.
According to 38 year old Ms Pascale, this isn't the face time she has been verbally and racially abused on the social site. However due to the vitriolic nature of the message, she decided to take it further and filed a complaint with the Metropolitan Police.
We have decided not to publish the explicit message on here.
Pascale did however re-tweet the abuse, tagging her attacker.
Her followers were immediately filled with scorn reprimanding the sender in equally virulent messages.
Pascale tweet-vented her dismay to the rest of the world expressing great disappointment:

"I am hurt, shocked and saddened by the comments this person has made against me. Sadly, this is not the first time racist comments have been directed at me on Twitter. However, it is by far the worst example. I have therefore decided to report it to the police and speak out. I do this for myself and countless others who have to deal with this kind of abuse on a daily basis and are powerless to stop it."

Pascale's BBC shows have been known to attract over two million viewers.

Why is the word "black" seemingly offensive?

Nowadays there exists a myriad of  urban slogans such as  "Black and proud", "Black is beautiful", "Black don't crack", etc which we use in sentences or wear on customised t-shirt clothing. The word black which for many centuries signified degradation, appears to have emerged from racist sobriety to be almost venerated with other words such as white.

Why then does the term black appears to be offensive in conversations (or heated exchanges)? More recently the cases of John Terry who allegedly insulted Anton Ferdinand a "f****** black ****"  during a football match and eccentric X Factor contestant Kitty Brucknell who is alleged to have hurled racial abuse at a fellow contestant when she screamed "You evil black b*****d, f*** you Derry."

Both stories have made gripping newspaper headlines across the country with the police currently conducting an investigation which could see Terry charge with racial harassment. Meanwhile sources say Brucknelll has been quick to issue a grovelling handwritten apology to Derry Mensah as internet forums flooded with calls for her to leave the X Factor.

No doubt verbal abuse took place in both cases but I struggle with the term "racial abuse". The Lantern Project describes racial crime as something committed against a victim solely because of their race. The Race Relations Act 1976 focuses on racial discrimination and harassment. Meanwhile The Met Police focuses more on hate crimes.

What is racist about one calling a black man what he is...a black man? Yes; insultive colourful adjectives where heaped on the description which are of course hurtful and should not be condoned but what part of this is racially abusive? Mensah is black and in Anton's case appears to be mixed race. Perhaps then Terry should have said "f****** mixed race ****"(or maybe he believes in the one drop theory). The derogatory notorious N word or others similar to it was not use in both cases. Now if those had been used, of course there will be no objection it was indeed racial abuse.

Do we get overly sensitive when peoples of different colour use the word black at us?. I get defensive when people comment I do not have an accent  and don't  sound African( Whatever African sounds like and which human hasn't got an accent? The only species of living animals not to have one will be cats, dogs, cows, etc since irrespective of where they come from they all meow, bark, moo, etc alike).

Too often we get caught up with the media frenzy surrounding particular cases such that our views become distorted and slowly merge with what these news sources wish us to think. We should from time to time take a step aside for inner reflection of honest opinion we hold.

Calling a black person names using the word black is not racist. Personally I will take offense if I am called white ***** as that will be the real issue seeing as I am not white but "Black and proud".

BLACK WOMEN SHOULD MARRY OUT OF THEIR RACE

"Part of the reason African Americans marry less, I determined, is that as black  women have moved ahead, black men have fallen behind."

 A Professor of Law at Stanford university has written a book suggesting African American women need to marry more out of their race, to reach the equality in social class strata amongst their white peers.

"The struggles of black men, for reasons not of their own making, creates a predicament for black  women."

Harvard & Stanford graduate, Professor Ralph Richard Banks seems to suggest black women are marrying "down" due to lack of educated black men to match the new wave of educated and highly cultured black women.

"Many women would do well to expand their options in the same way people of other races have, and look beyond black men in their search for a partner."

 Read more about it here

CHINYERE INYAMA- FIRST BLACK BRITISH CORONER

Source: The Voice

“I might be the first black coroner but that’s not something I am going to dwell on. My aim is to be the best coroner full stop. As a black man, you often feel you have to be twice as good to get half the praise, and only half as bad to get twice the criticism.” 

 Fifty year old married father of six and of Nigerian heritage Chinyere Inyama has become The UK's first black coroner. Newly appointed in February to oversee Walthamstow Coroner's Court, Coroner Inyama is not incognizant to the issue of race, stereotypes and prejudice which plagues modern day multicultural Britain when he remarks:

“I went to a meeting of the Coroners’ Society earlier this year and, even in 2011, it was a case of the room hushing when I walked in. I stuck out like a sore thumb, but I'm proud of that and very proud I had my black wife next to me.”

Coroner Inyami with wife and four of their six children earlier this year at his swearing in ceremony.

 A fully qualified solicitor,Coroner Inyami grew up in North West London and attended the Marylebone Grammar School. He obtained a Bsc in Pharmacology and Biochemistry from Leeds University before going on to acquire an Msc in Experimental Pathology.This is in accordance with being a Coroner, where both medical and law qualifications are peremptory.

Somewhat perturbed and dismayed by the lack of black mental health Lawyers, Inyama set up his own practice in 1996 which ultimately pushed him to forge a career as a Coroner where he is able to have the power and autonomy in making live saving potential recommendations to the system.

The issue of black mental health is an open sore. Rates of black men being sectioned are still too high. There is still this ‘big, black and dangerous - lock them up’ mentality. It’s a crying shame. There are more black psychiatrists. Doctors are black. Nurses are black. But these institutions are still filled with black people. If I do things right and pick up where things are going wrong and what people are dying of, I can report it to the Department of Health. It can mean better targeting of health resources.”

According to judiciary.gov.uk, there are approximately 110 separate coroner's jurisdiction in England and Wales. They are barristers, solicitors or medical practitioners who resume their normal legal day to day duties when not in court. There is no doubt Coroner Inyama has joined the clerisy and bon-ton of an elite group.

“However, there's still not enough black people in the judiciary. There are a lot of very good black lawyers who still aren't getting the jobs they deserve. It is time for the black community in this country to finally play a significant role in accordance with their qualities. I don't like people who say ‘I can't’. I like people who say ‘I can’. That just about sums me up."

A relaxed Coroner Inyama in a private family picture

JAIL BIRD ROHAN CLARKE WINS AWARD AT KOESTLER TRUST

Reformed burglar Rohan Clarke has managed to turn over a fresh green leaf after achieving two separate awards for his distinctive art pieces.Clarke managed to pick a Platinum Award for his drawing aptly named "Out of Darkness" and also secured a Bronze Award for "Cry of a Caged Bird".

Cry of a Caged Bird

Former inmate  Rohan Clarke

The annual display of Art by Offenders supported by the Koestler Trust is currently  taking place in The Royal Festival Hall. This year saw a flood of entries from over 7,000 applicants with only 150 picked to be displayed.
For more information and to visit the series of art exhibitions by reformed offenders, visit The Koestler Trust
Clarke exhibits until November 20th. Proceeds from the sale goes to the Payback unit of the  criminal justice system.

SIXTY SECONDS WITH KYLA FRYE

In celebration of Black History Month, our poster girl  is the multi talented award winning black British actress/model/performer Kyla Frye.

Blessed with an infectious megawatt smile which could instantly light up a remote Scottish village; the 24year old black British beauty is one to watch out for. Her radiant positivity beams brilliantly than the scorching hot summer sun, spreading quickly as a wild bush fire in the Australian outback such that anything or anyone Kyla Frye comes in touch with has the golden touch of Midas. Not only is her inner personality enchanting, but so too is her physical beauty. These days it is uncommon to find such a combination of beauty, talent, grace and good manners. It is almost as rare as finding a hen with teeth.

So who is Kyla Frye?

Born in  East London 1987,  Kyla's early brush with success, fame and celebrity came  at the tender age of three when she scooped the crown for TV Toddler of the Year in 1999. Hosted by Eammon Holmes, it signalled the start of Kyla's career in the arts industry. With the support of her parents(Mom Adrienne Fry was a former hair and beauty model while dad John Frye was a professional singer whose career has seen him work with Julios Iglesias, Freddie Starr, etc...and yes she was raised by both parents.), Kyla's acting career continues to go from strength to strength, flourishing like a palm tree with firm roots deeply embedded by the river bank.

She has starred in countless theatre productions, films and TV whilst modelling on the side. Nomination for Best British Actress at the 2009 Black British Filmmakers Award for her role in The Hydra ensued, while winning last year's BEFFTA Award for best model. This year has seen her clinch two nominations for Black Youth Achievement Award 2011 and BEFFTA  Award for Best Actress in Film.

MsEthnicMinorityUK meets up with Kyla Frye:

What challenges are there for you and any other black actresses/actors in 21st century Britain?
 I think the main challenge for Black British actors at the moment is the fact that there are very few Black "Gate Keepers" i.e. writers/directors/producers etc. within the mainstream industry and as a result, we find ourselves playing to the stereotype. Fortunately enough that is slowly changing and what is more, the "Urban" film industry is really taking off at the moment too, meaning we're seeing a lot of new faces and hearing a lot of new voices. The future of the industry and for Black British actors is very exciting and I am so looking forward to being a part of that new dawn.

Why is there a lack of Positive Black British on our screens and in the media as whole? Popular soaps such as EastEnders, etc help fuel this negative stereotype.
I think it goes back to what I was saying before, about a lack of Black British writers/directors/producers etc. who are not able to document the Black British experience accurately thus relying on what they "know" from what's available to them through the images that are already out there. I also think that we, as Black British creatives, have a duty to ourselves to not play up to or further push this negative stereotype, as it would be seem that we "endorse" such images and that it is acceptable for them to be recreated. I do believe like I said earlier, that this is slowly changing and we will see more films like 'Zion', written by Sheila Nortley, that do well to accurately portray the Black British experience.

Are you happy with your career up to date? Do you think race has played a part in where you are today or where you wish to be?
I am very happy with my career to date! Like you say, it's a career and a career takes time to build. I am still young and I have been so fortunate to have received the blessings I have had in my career so far. I don't think that my race has played a huge part in shaping my career as I believe that every role I have had so far, I was meant to have and I believe that going forward, there will be more "colour- blind" casting as this is more representative of society on a whole.

 
Any advice to anyone wishing to pursue acting?
Don't be defined by other people's opinions of you! This is a very tough business where you are judged on your appearance and where you will hear the word "No" A LOT! You have to keep your faith in God, believe in yourself and KNOW that this is the path that has already been laid out for you. It will be difficult but then if it was easy, EVERYBODY would be doing it! Remember... NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE!

Where can we see more of you in theatre?
My next performance will be at the Oval House Theatre on Saturday 1st October, "Give Me A Voice: Not A Label" which will be a creative response to the riots. Following that, I will be performing as Alice in Writer's Avenue's "The Next Stage: Obsidere" at Soho Theatre on Saturday 12th November. Currently, I am in rehearsals for a play called "Bag Ladies" written by Babi Isako and features a fantastic cast. It reminds me of the classic, "Set It Off", except it is young and British. Definitely not to be missed!

Your best quote/words of wisdom?
BELIEVE and ACHIEVE... POSITIVITY breeds POSITIVITY... Darkness always comes before dawn but the dawn ALWAYS comes!

For further information about Kyla Frye and to keep up to date, visit : http://www.kyla-frye.com
To vote for Kyla Frye in 2011 BEFFTA Award, visit: http://www.beffta.com

REFLECTION...

I AM BECAUSE HE IS.

 I am because you are.  

 I exist because you are.

Who has, was and is always there for me.

Borne from your loins, nourished in your soul, grew in your heart, forever with you.

I thank the Most High in the highest of heavens for the gift of your life.

But above all, for choosing you to be mine.

Happy Birthday Daddy.

xox

PILOT TURN BUS DRIVER STILL CLINGS TO FLYING HOPE

Source:The Voice

Is (vertical) social mobility an impossibility for people of African descent? Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge is a great example of upward vertical social mobility.

Courtney Byron won't let anything or anyone thwart his dreams of one day flying. Despite four years of intensive costly training at The Stapleford Flight Center where he gained qualification as a commercial pilot, Byron has found it increasingly difficult to land his dream job since graduating in 2008. Instead, the black British pilot has resorted to being a London bus driver dodging potholes  as opposed to navigating the skies.

The closest Mr Byron has ever been to his dream job.

However, Byron's fellow pilot graduates were all able to land their dreams smoothly with no hitches. Speaking to The Voice newspaper, the optimistic 29year old from North London said:

“I passed all my tests with flying colours and I know that some of the other guys failed and did the tests more than twice, but they got jobs and I didn’t. I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” he said. “If it means that I have to travel to Nigeria I will. It’s a rough area to fly in but it makes you a better pilot when you come out.”

Nevertheless, Byron remains buoyant and confident in the hope that one day he will land his dream job.He credits his mother for being emotionally and financially supportive during periods of despair and frustration. The father of one has passed his zeal and enthusiast of aircraft and flying to his three year old daughter - Cache, who currently loves aeroplanes.