NNN March 2011

News

NNN

Issue No. 7 • March 2011 In this issue... Prostate Cancer Month • Young Designers Show • Buju Wins A Grammy • Nia Nubian • Egypts Epiphany • Carol John • Time To Tell, The Grenada Massacre and so much more! www.issuu.com/nationalnubiannews • nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com • 1

Contents

Contributors 09 Franklyn Edwards Welcome to our seventh issue of NNN. I must say this is becoming quite a journey, one which has seen us forge links and patnerships with some influential people and organisations.

Over the next few months we will be introducing some new concepts to the NNN machinery making us more interactive and closer to you the community.

Whilst on this path of development, I have been giving thoughts to how we as a community can also grow, especially in the current economic climate.

Next month, NNN will be introducing a new campaign urging members of the diaspora to support their own and more importantly ‘Buy Black’. We believe that by supporting our own, we can build a tangible platform from which we can gain some ownership on the future for the generations to come.

Until then, enjoy your reading experience.

Editor Alison Hewitt

IS NETWORKING FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR BUSINESS OR CAREER DEVELOPMENT? In a previous article Positive out of Adversity I wrote, “Networking is crucial to winning business as people will usually employ people they know and trust.” Similarly, it could be argued that networking can also be vital to career development. So let’s examine these statements by discussing some obvious benefits of networking.

16 Jennifer Bogle

EGYPTS EPIPHANY Late last summer I was given the 411, that is, the tourist version of Egypt from a friend who had taken their family there for a short holiday. They reported that the food was delicious and the people were very friendly not once were they made to feel unwelcome throughout the whole trip. The Egyptians that they met were an extremely gracious and humble people.

Articles 03 MARCH IS PROSTATE CANCER MONTH

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. It is not yet clear why, but men of African origins of all ages are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer – they may have around three times greater risk of developing prostate cancer than White men.

07 SOUTH AFRICA 2011 YEAR OF JOB

CREATION South African President Jacob Zuma declared that 2011 is “a year of job creation” in his

Contributors Franklyn Edwards Gus John Jennifer Bogle Artwork Trevor Muckett

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annual state of the nation address early last month, announcing a R9 billion jobs fund and R200bn in tax breaks to try and cut the chronic jobless rate in the country.

14 RUSH TO RECOGNISE SOUTH SUDAN

Headed by the US and (north) Sudan, there is an international rush to announce that South Sudan will be recognised as an independent state as soon as independence is declared in July.

19 TIME TO TELL

‘Time to Tell - the Grenada Massacre and After’ calls upon the seventeen prisoners now all released from Richmond Hill Prison in Grenada to answer some key questions and tell the people of Grenada and the world the part they played, directly or indirectly, in the massacre on Fort Rupert on 19 October 1983.

Features 10 NIA NUBIAN

Nia Queen confronts todays R and B mould with a collection of songs that speaks to the social conscience of today’s materialist and self-centred world.

10 CAROL JOHN

A daughter of the Caribbean, Artist Carol John was born in Kinston, Jamaica. Her early childhood was spent with her grandmother in the countryside of St Ann’s. Like many other children of her time, in 1968 she relocated to the UK, England where she joined her parents.

Carol still lives in the U.K with her husband and four children.

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. It is not yet clear why, but men of African origins of all ages are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer – they may have around three times greater risk of developing prostate cancer than White men.

You may have heard all sorts of stories about prostate cancer.

Chances are none of them were nice. As men we’re notoriously poor at looking after our health. Are we scared or just disinterested? Maybe we can improve our generally disgraceful record by linking our health to things that we do like.

Car Manuals: If men only looked after their bodies the way that they care for their cars. Good, old, dependable Haynes, the leading publisher of car manuals, now produces three that are very relevant to men’s health. “The Man Manual”, “The Cancer Manual” and “Men’s Cooking Manual”. All three could be relevant to protecting us, or helping us recover from, prostate cancer.

Food: time to be a bit more selective about what we eat, but this doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy it. Try to add tomatoes, oily fish, unsalted nuts and pomegranate juice to your diet. Research suggests that all of these contain substances that can benefit men with prostate cancer.

Sex: even after surgery men can still enjoy a healthy sex life. The majority of men recover their ability to have an erection given enough time and patience. Testosterone, the main male sex hormone is likely to be a long-term cause of prostate cancer. A lot of older men in their 80s have at least some cancer cells in this uniquely male gland, even if they never go on to cause any trouble. If you’re worried however it’s best to get it checked by your GP. This hormone is the proverbial two-edged sword: it fuels the desire for sex but can also over-stimulate hard-working prostate cells.

Bespoke tailoring: Treatment for prostate cancer isn’t done on a “one-size-fits-all” basis. Specialists will prepare an individual plan

for each man’s treatment and recovery. What often frightens men is a feeling that they’re being swept along by events beyond their control. Nowadays the trend is to make you a partner in deciding on treatment.

Robots: boys love their toys, as women always tell us. The Da Vinci robot performs surgery with better results than the techniques used in the past. New approaches to treatment and testing are moving forward all the time.

Football: and any other form of moderate exercise has been shown to help speed up recovery after treatment for most forms of cancer. Testosterone undoubtedly plays a part in giving us a competitive edge so you can use it constructively to lose weight and feel better mentally and physically!

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Bill Carlin, Macmillan nurse and expert in prostate cancer will be in the chat room on Tuesday, 01 March from 1.00pm to 2.00pm to answer your questions about prostate cancer, including signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, treatments you might have and how to get further support. Put this date in your diaries now! Bill has been working in the field of cancer for 25 years and this is an amazing opportunity for you to ask Bill any question about prostate cancer. It’s free to sign up to take part in the chat all you need to do is register and join our online community. For more details, please visit www. macmillan.org.uk/prostatechat For cancer support at home, over the phone, call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm) or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/prostate

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BME TALENT IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TO BERECOGNISED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NATIONAL AWARDS The unrecognised contribution of BME communities, staff and future leaders to health and social care in Britain will be honoured for the first time at The Afiya Awards 2011, launched Thursday 3rd February 2011.

With 11 award categories such as Health and Social Care Leadership, Service User Leadership, Carer Leadership, BME-Led Organisation of the Year, Fundraiser of the Year and Celebrity Champion, The Afiya Awards will act as a catalyst to encourage the next generation of BME leaders in health and social care and to help reduce healthinequalities.

Hosted by national charity The Afiya Trust, the awards will also recognise the achievements of academics, clinicians, social care staff, the voluntary and community sector, and service users and carers who have played an important part in the creation and development of the NHS and social care over the past 50 years.

The Afiya Trust 27-29 Vauxhall Grove London SW8 1SY Tel: 020 7582 0400 Fax: 020 7582 2552

Patrick Vernon, Chief Executive of The Afiya Trust, said: ‘These awards acknowledge the contribution of BME staff, community organisations, service users and carers who’ve made a difference in making health and social care a much better place, not just for BME communities, but for everyone. Unfortunately we are also launching theawards as there is no national recognition of the contribution made by BME communities to the health and wellbeing of local communities nationally.’

For further information or any queries, please contact:

The awards couldn’t be more timely amid the radical restructuring of health and social care, in the wake of the government’s comprehensive spending review and the launch yesterday of a new mental health strategy. The awards have attracted high profile endorsement and highlight the need to promote more equitable health and social care services for BME communities.

AfiyaAwards@afiya-trust.org

bajaicanblessings for the best in cultural & carnival paraphernalia

Dame Jo Williams, Chair, the Care Quality Commission, said: ‘This is an excellent initiative to recognise people who help others have a voice in their health and care and contribute to improving life in communities. The Afiya Trust has once again shown leadership in the field of equality and diversity by celebrating the skills and contributions made by those working within BME health and social care.’

Stephen Thornton, Chief Executive, The Health Foundation, said: ‘People from BME backgrounds contribute significantly to the NHS, and to improving the health and wellbeing of local communities across the country. The Health Foundation sees these awards, which are being held by The Afiya Trust, as an important move to recognise outstanding contributions. This is also an opportunity to celebrate success, share learning and raise national awareness of the importance of reducing inequalities in health and social care.’

Lord Herman Ouseley said: “It is a truly magnificent way to acknowledge the achievements and contributions of sisters and brothers working for equality, fair treatment and justice, especially in the areas of mental health and social care. The Afiya Awards provide a unique way of according such distinction and deserve our support to succeed.”

Tel: 07717 218 104

The six award judges include Joan Saddler, National Director for Patient and PublicAffairs, Department of Health, Professor Helen Hally, National Director, Race for Health,NHS Evidence, and Shazia Butt, Commissioning Manager, Health and Community Services, Hertfordshire County Council. The deadline for nominations is Friday 18thFebruary 2011. Confirmation of celebrity guest presenters will be announced at the endof February, and the awards will take place at City Hall on Thursday 31st March 2011.

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ENGLAND V GHANA England will play host to Ghana in the first ever meeting between the two nations in March.

Three days after the first Euro 2012 qualifier of the year, away to Wales, Fabio Capello’s side will face the Black Stars at Wembley.

Ghana achieved the highest place of all African teams at the World Cup in South Africa last year, and were a penalty shoot out away from the semi-finals.

There will be a number of familiar faces on show with the likes of Michael Essien, John Pantsil, Asamoah Gyan, Richard Kingston and John Mensah all currently plying their trade in the Premier League.

There have been a handful of meetings at youth level, Ghana beat England convincingly 4-0 at the FIFA U20s World Cup two years ago, while England U18s emerged the victors in 2007 in a friendly at the Priestfield Stadium. The meeting on Tuesday 29 March will however be the first meeting at Senior level.

It has also been confirmed that England will not face Thailand in June. Although an informal agreement had been reached for a friendly match following the qualifier with Switzerland, no formal details in terms of match date or venue had ever been established and following discussions by The FA Board it was decided not to go ahead with the fixture.

The details for how you get your ticket to see England take on Ghana is available from the following: General Hotline: 0844 826 2010 Disabled supporters: Hotline: 0845 458 1966 Website: www.TheFA.com/tickets

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Tuesday 1st March - Saturday 19th March 2011

LLEWELLA GIDEON

THE UK’S BEST KEPT COMEDY SECRET!

Oval House Theatre 52-54 Kennington

Oval, London, SE11 5SW Comedy actress and writer Llewella Gideon is one of the few Black British female comediennes to have gained television recognition throughout her 20 year career. Her professional career began in 1989 as an original cast member and writer/performer in The Real McCoy. More recently, she is best known for roles in Nighty Night,TLC,Murder Most Horrid,the Lenny Henry Show,Comic Relief’s Scary Spice(with French and Saunders)and Absolutely Fabulous:Jennifer Saunders is such a fan, Lllewella played three different characters in three episodes. Despite all of this Llewella is one of the UK’s best kept comedy secret.

There is now a chance to catch this hidden comedy gem in south London.

Llewella, a born and bred Peckhamite returns to her roots in Lambeth, playing at the Oval House Theatre - the home of her very first play - with her own fulllength show: The Best of The Little Big Woman.

Forty, fat and single, Cynthia Cynical, the Little Big Woman, going through a mid life crisis, is forced into temping hell and embarks on a hilarious guided tour of her personal, professional and office lives and the characters that inhabit them, including the Office Bitch, Amma (the Ghanaian Canteen Lady with an aversion to customer service), Mrs Henry (the Office Cleaner and political pundit) and Hortense Pretentious, Chairwoman of the Black Coloureds Conservative Royal National Party and Head of Human Resources, who all share their indomitable views on the meaning of life as only they know it.

TUESDAY 8TH MARCH 2011

WALK GOOD: A TRIBUTE TO MISS LOU British Library Conference Centre Main Auditorium 96 Euston Road, London, From 18.30 - 20.30 Louise Bennett Coverley (1919-2006), or simply Miss Lou, as she was known to many, still has legendary status in Jamaica, the nation whose stories, poems, songs and folklore she tirelessly celebrated. Through her writing, the vitality of her performances, and the much loved Ring Ding television shows, she almost single-handedly raised the Jamaican patois dialect to the status of an artform.

Storyteller Jan Blake and poet and novelist Valerie Bloom have put together a rich evening of words, sounds and memories of Miss Lou, with contributions by a distinguished group of other writers and performers who knew, or were greatly inspired by her including Amina Blackwood Meeks and Jean Binta Breeze.

Friday 25th March 2011

AN EVENING WITH LEROY LOGAN MBE Space 2, Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2SF. From 18.30 - 20.30pm We will be discussing ways of overcoming obstacles, discipline, achieving, parenting etc. over a meal.

There will be a networking session from 18.00 to 19.00, during which awareness will be raised about Fairtrade.

Plus sampling Fairtrade items, and the performance of the BTWSC/ Music4Causes Fairtrade promotion single ‘It Takes Two’.

For more information contact: btwsc@hotmail.com, 0208 450 5987.

SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 2011

CULTURAL FUSION

Concessions are available for under 18s, over 60s, students, unwaged (ES40), BL staff and Friends of the British Library.

The Creative Venue 20a Paddenswick Road, Hammermith, London, W6 OUB From 14.00 - 21.00

For all concession tickets booked, appropriate ID will be requested at collection.

An evening of culinary delights, Caribbean style!!!! A celebration of Creativity, The Spoken word, Soulful singing, Drumming,Dancers, Fashion Show and Inspirational Speakers.

For groups of 10 and over, please call 01937 546 546 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/ event116394.html

OLIVER SAMUELS MIDNIGHT AT PUSS CREEK

A Hilariously Scary Who-Done-It Starring Oliver Samuels, Glen Campbell, Camille Davis, Courtney Wilson and Sharee McDonald-Russell Directed by Trevor Nairne and Patrick Brown 4-5 JUNE: CATFORD BROADWAY 11-12 JUNE: HACKNEY EMPIRE 18 JUNE: MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

Tickets include a two course dinner and live entertainment. Vegetarian/Vegan menu available.

Artiste’s lined up for the event are: Lenea Honeybee - Singer/Songwriter/ artist Miriam-Drumming Dr Bird Ensemble, Female singing quartet Neutral- Conscious reggae artist Paris and Suriyan - Acoustic guitarist And many more. A truly magical evening of lyrical healing.

Tickets are available from: New Beacon Bookshop N4, Contact: Janice 0207 272 4889 2Sixteen Restaurant N8, Contact: Yvette 0208 348 2572 Mada Becks, Caribbean Cuisine W5, Contact: Marcia 0208 998 2758

19 JUNE: BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDER

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PRESIDENT ZUMA: “2011 IS YEAR OF JOB CREATION” South African President Jacob Zuma declared that 2011 is “a year of job creation” in his annual state of the nation address early last month, announcing a R9 billion jobs fund and R200bn in tax breaks to try and cut the chronic jobless rate in the country.

An amount of R10bn will also be set aside by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) over the next five years for investment in projects with high job creation potential.

With almost one in five South Africans without a job, Zuma expressed concerns that despite a decade of economic growth, unemployment and poverty continued to be major problems in the country.

Zuma said the tax breaks would be available to investments of over R200m and R30m for expansions and upgrades in the manufacturing sector “The programme will provide an allowance of up to R900 million in tax deductible allowances rand for new investors and R550 million for upgrades and expansions,” Zuma stated.

“We urge every sector and every business entity, regardless of size, to focus on job creation. Every contribution counts in this national effort.”

Key areas for job creation The President also said that research had indicated there were six key areas that where jobs could be created infrastructure development, agriculture, mining and beneficiation, manufacturing, the green economy and tourism.

“To address these concerns, we have declared 2011 a year of job creation through meaningful economic transformation and inclusive growth,” he stated in Cape Town.

“Our goal is clear.We want to have a country where millions more South Africans have decent employment opportunities, which has a modern infrastructure and a vibrant economy, and where the quality of life is high.

“We all have a responsibility to work hard to make this a reality.”

The speech elaborated on plans announced late last year about the development of a New Growth Path which aims to create five million jobs by 2020 and bring South Africa’s unemployment rate down to 15 percent.

Zuma assured that Ministers would announce specific sector details and targets in their Budget Vote speeches later this year.

“All government departments will align their programmes with the job creation imperative. The provincial and local government spheres have also been requested to do the same,” he said.

For related stories, take a look at South Africa’s economy recovering as jobless rate falls and South African government unveils HIV testing for schoolchildren.

Sickle Cell Society

Information, Counselling and caring for those with Sickle Cell Disorders and their families. www.issuu.com/nationalnubiannews • nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com • 7

Thursday 10 March 2011

IN THE LAND OF THE FREE At the George Padmore Institute 76 Stroud Green Road, London N4 3EN. From 6.30pm for 7pm start In the Land of the Free, examines the case of the ‘Angola 3’ in the USA.

YOUNG DESIGNER SHOW 2011 Presents the Crème of New Young Fresh Fashion Talent.

The show will be hosted by Annaliese Dayes (from Britain’s next top model) on Saturday 26th March 2011 from 4 pm – 9 pm at the Nobel Suite, Novotel London Hotel St. Pancras 100 -110 Euston Road London NW1 2AJ. We will be showcasing at least 25 Fashion designers at the show. The Young Designer Show is a show of inspiration, motivation and networking which aims raise the profile of exceptionally gifted young fashion designers aged 9-25years from multi-cultural backgrounds in the fashion industry, this uplifting showcase features some of fashion’s hottest new faces.

We are looking for individuals who would like to support this project and empathise with our vision: The visionary and inspirational designers: Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent are some of the fashion icons that our young designers have chosen as their inspiration. Our vision is to see the day when our young designers are as well known as the fashion leaders we know today.

Individual and companies who wish to support this project can contact Joanna Marcella on Mobile: 07940 647 102 or Telephone: 020 8986 8411.

Email: joanna_marcella@hotmail. com or youngdesignerawards@ hotmail.com Website: http:// youngdesignerawards.weebly.com

The “Angola 3” – political prisoners and Black Panther comrades Robert King, Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox – have spent almost a century between them in solitary confinement in Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

Herman and Albert are, after 30 years, still in prison and still held in solitary confinement.

Following the screening, the audience will be given the opportunity to join a discussion with Robert King, the only freed member of the Angola 3.

Robert King was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment for a crime he did not commit in 1970. In 2001 the state finally acknowledged his innocence and set him free. From the moment of his release, Robert has been working to spread the word about the innocence of his two comrades. He is coming to the UK to continue this work. Robert’s own stunning account of his story From the Bottom of the Heap will also be available on the night.

For more information, telephone: 020 7272 4889 email: info@georgepadmoreinstitute.org website: www.georgepadmoreinstitute.org

FRIDAY 25 March 2011

WOM@TT OPENS THE 2011 SEASON WITH MAMA AFRICA. @ The TABERNACLE, POWIS SQUARE, LONDON W11 2AY Named for Miriam Makeba, remembering Doreen Thobekile, Mama Africa is one of WOM@ TT’s signature events: with a brilliant array of female artists - celebrating African women’s musical creativity across the Diaspora.

Featuring rising Afro Acoustic Jazz star Bumi Thomas & Amaziah previewing her new classic reggae/jazz/funk album. More news is available from www.womaatt.blogspot.com and www.carnivalvillage.org. uk 8 • nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com • www.issuu.com/nationalnubiannews

Franklyn Edwards IS NETWORKING FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR BUSINESS OR CAREER DEVELOPMENT? In a previous article Positive out of Adversity I wrote, “Networking is crucial to winning business as people will usually employ people they know and trust.” Similarly, it could be argued that networking can also be vital to career development.

So let’s examine these statements by discussing some obvious benefits of networking.

Have you ever asked yourself if networking is worth the effort?

The hours spent travelling to and from events, listening to and reciting your elevator pitch, asking about careers, voicing your aspirations and looking for business or developmental opportunities. What about the hours spent travelling, researching your market and rehearsing your responses? And there’s also the associated cost.

Like many I’m sure you’ve ask questions about the benefits of networking. Is it worth the effort? Will you reap the benefits? Can it really help your career or business? Well my answer to you is yes, I believe it most certainly will.

Indeed, I would argue that the more networking you do, the more progression you’re likely to make in your careers or business ventures. Skill and knowledge alone will not always be enough, we need to be able to develop and maintain meaningful contacts in both our business and in personal lives.

You would have probably heard networking referred to as being a gathering of the old boy’s network or a place where project or business opportunities are discussed. This could make a crucial difference to your career or business, not attending could mean missing out.

Well it’s time for you to recognise networking as the useful tool it can be. Plainly put, networking if used well could unlock the door to numerous opportunities. Don’t get me wrong, networking is not the ‘be all and end all,’ but used correctly is a key component to developing our careers or businesses.

Believing that the benefits of networking far outweigh the drawbacks, I give an example of how not attending a networking event worked against me at interview.

Despite being the ideal candidate with the right mix of experience, knowledge and skill for a job I applied for, I wonder if things would have turned out differently had I attended a particular networking event.

Asked what seemed an ambiguous question during interview and being unable to answer with confidence; I later learn this subject had been discussed at the networking event I mentioned but failed to attend. Now there is no guarantee I would have been successful, but at least my response could have been more convincing.

In that earlier article, I also expressed the belief that being successful in winning work is a direct result of who you know.

Nevertheless, the client would still have to be convinced you/your company possessed the expertise to successfully deliver.

I am convinced that the relationships developed and nurtured, were the deciding factor in securing those contracts. Without cultivating those relationships, I wouldn’t have been alerted to several contracts I went on to win. With those introductions, I have a 90 per cent conversion rate and our very first contract resulted from an introduction.

In each case we (Accelerated Excellence Consulting Limited), were able to provide evidence of producing work of the highest standard, demonstrating our expertise and a track record showing our ability to meet the client’s brief.

From the contacts developed through networking, I have built up a valuable resource of people I can turn to for advice, information or support on a range of issues. This resource has provided me with useful information, solutions to problems and opportunities for work.

So never mind using the excuse of, ‘I don’t drink so I’m not going to the pub after work to network.’ Ditch the thought of pubs being testosterone-filled environments because they are not, many more women are attending networking events, neutralising testosterone-filled environment with oestrogen.

Forget the old excuse of taking the decision not to be a member of the ‘outside of the nine-to-five group’ because of your childcare responsibilities. Attending these get-togethers once in a while could make a big difference to your development. So go ahead and make the effort to attend at least once in a while, a few of those networking sessions.

Remember, you may get early warning of an opportunity before it becomes public, or learn a new buzz-word that explains a whole process and gives the impression of cutting edge in-depth knowledge. Any of these could make the difference between getting the developmental opportunities offered by being given an exciting project, promotion or pitching for and winning work.

And remember, being aware of the current buzzwords or jargons, could well be of benefit at interview or during negotiations.

OK, having considered some of the benefits of networking, how easy is it for you to network?

GET YOUR EVENT NOTICED email NNN now... nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com

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NiaNubian

‘My voice is my instrument, I sound like Nia-Nubian, but I have to pay great honour and respect to the strong and beautiful singers who came before me’ NIA-NUBIAN SINGER/SONGWRITER: Welcome to a musical opus with substance. Nia Queen confronts todays R and B mould with a collection of songs that speaks to the social conscience of today’s materialist and self-centred world.

Nia draws on an electric repertoire of black music that transcends genres and eras Aretha Franklin, Mary J Blige, Ella and Erica Budu are just a few of the influence’s which helped to shape Nia’s musical presence today.

The themes explored include simplicity of life, justice and the experience of ‘urban life’ in the ‘concrete jungle’. Nia shows us there is more to musical subject content then falling in and out of love, there is a whole range of emotional and political experiences that shape our lives and thankfully Nia documents these with a smooth, passionate, melodic vocal presence.

Nia-Nubian is a woman of substance; she is also a Mother, Sistah, Niece, and Aunt.

Nia’s lyrics allow you to think about what is going in the world around you on a grass roots level. Her music has been called urban, powerful, thought provoking and conscious.

Nia-Nubian, born Denise Blake in the inner city of North West London, or as her nephew from BMD says “Northweeezee”, was bought up into a household full of music, politics, and black consciousness.

Nia has been influenced by many artists, which includes the great Stevie Wonder. Phyllis Hyman, Bobby Womack, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Bob Andy, Miles Davis, Curtis Mayfield and Nas, Barry White, Antony Hamilton, Musiq Soulchild,Terry Callier,Hill St Soulful Kuti, Indie Arie, Nina Simone,Mary J Blige, The Re-birth, Sunshine Anderson, and Lauren Hill, to name but a few. All these people have sung songs with a socially conscious message; this is what has influenced Nia. Nia has had the wonderful opportunity to sing at the Jazz Café in London, with Pop Star Roachford, and again singing in an open Mic with a live band at the popular venue Jazz Café in Camden.

Nia-Nubian travelled to Palm Spring USA, at a resort, where she received a rapturous applause for her song “The Simple Things In Life”.

Nia-Nubian has sung at corporate events, singing a wonderful rendition of “summertime” an all-time favourite, Nia-Nubian style!!!!!!

Nia- meaning “Purpose” wants to inspire and motivate through her songs, Nia is forever searching, she is insightful, honest, and creative, and is able to express this through the words of her songs.

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ROLLING BACK OF DATABASE STATE HERALDS MOVE TO END THE CRIMINALISATION OF BLACK BRITON Black Mental Health UK has welcomed the Government’s commitment to destroy millions of samples of innocent citizens DNA from the national criminal database.

ensure that what this Government has committed to, does result in the restorations of our most basic rights and freedoms.’ Matilda MacAttram director of Black Mental Health UK said.

The provisions set out in The Freedom Bill have dealt a death blow to the database state and heralds moves that campaigners hope will end a regime that effectively criminalised the whole of Black Briton.

‘We welcome this historic step to roll back the database state and encourage everybody whose is affected to input into these proposals to make sure they safeguard their rights and freedoms.

This is a key issue for black Briton because black families and young black men in particular are the people who have been most affected,’ Helen Wallace director of GeneWatch UK said.

‘It’s what we’ve been calling for, for the past three years now and it is good that this new government has recognised that some of the existing stimulations around the DNA database are actually against European legislation. We hope this is the beginning of a new era of the state recognising respecting and valuing civil liberties and human rights. Olu Alake President of 100 Black Men of London said.

‘I think that this is excellent news, it is particularly good for those from our communities who have mental health problems that have been picked up by the police and their only crime is that they have been unwell, then they have ended up on the criminal database. It is good news to know that this will change,’ Alicia Spence services director of the African Caribbean Community Initiative in Wolverhampton said.

DNA samples of innocent people have been taken from every section of the UK’s African Caribbean community including children. BMH UK’s three year campaign calling for the removal of innocent DNA from the criminal database brought to the nation’s attention that 42% of the entire black male population and 77% of all young black men are profiled on the database, even though people from this group are less likely to commit a crime than their white counterparts.

‘The plans set out in this new Freedom Bill are a victory for common sense and they vindicate the hard work that BMH UK has done in terms of championing of this cause. When this goes through parliament is will mean that people are less likely be a victim of injustices by a system that is meant to protect them,’ Bishop Llewellyn Grayahm, Church of God of Prophesy said.

The previous Labour government allowed the DNA samples of innocent people to be stored on the criminal database indefinitely. Those profiled on this database are automatically treated as a suspect in any future crime and can also be turned down for a visa or a job.

This Bill will change that and also benefit mental health service users from the community and volunteer workers wanting to work with them.

The present law has resulted in service users ending up on the database when they were in a crisis and were picked up by the police. People from the community who wanted to volunteer to their support to help this group were often hindered as it required mandatory clearance. These restrictions will be removed and police will be ordered to destroy all samples except for those linked to violent offences.

‘This Bill has effectively brought a halt to practices that have criminalised the whole of Black Briton, we welcome the planned changes but are aware that this Bill is only a start. We need to www.issuu.com/nationalnubiannews • nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com • 11

Alesha Dixon EVERY LITTLE PART OF ME (FT JAY SEAN) OUT 27TH FEB Alesha Dixon teams up with Jay Sean and Culture Shock for an Asian Desi mix of her new single and video (On YouTube)- ‘Every Little Part Of Me’ released February 27th through Asylum Records.

‘Every Little Part Of Me’ is a blisteringly powerful pop track.

The song pairs jagged, can’t-get-out-of-your-head synth lines with thumping house beats, sexy vocals and a killer chorus.

‘Every Little Part Of Me’ was produced by The Fairground and features Jay Sean on guest vocals, one of the most in-demand men in music at the moment fresh from his smash ‘2012’ with Nicki Minaj and the first British urban male solo artist to ever have a Number 1 single in the US with “Down” in October 2009. The song also knocked The Black Eyed Peas off the top spot after their 26 week reign and made Jay Sean the fourth British act to top the US charts overall that decade.

The accompanying video, also featuring Jay, has racked up a staggering 300,000 views in it’s first few days on YouTube.

It was shot in Miami by Nick Frew (Pixie Lott “Gravity”, “Turn it Up”, Lily Allen) during bizarre freezing conditions in the tropical city!

A raft of remixes are gaining plays on Radio 1, Kiss and 1Xtra - including Mike Delinquent, Steve Smart & Westfunk, SelfTaught Beats and Asian beat-masters Culture Shock. Remixes also feature the vocal talents of hotly-tipped rapper Smiler.

The single follows Alesha’s recent singles, the sassy, stomping ‘Drummer Boy’ and the stirring ‘Radio’. In November, the dazzlingly charismatic star collaborated with Roll Deep on their dance floor smash ‘Take Control’, while returning to our screens as a judge on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. She also shone as co-presenter of the prestigious MOBO Awards and presented a moving documentary on domestic abuse, ‘Don’t Hit My Mum’, on BBC1.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19 AT 8:00PM - MARCH 20 AT 2:00AM

MIXED MESSAGES Mekan Restaurant 11-13 Bromley Road London, From 20.00 - 02.00 Cultural Chameleon Press and Mark Andrew Thompson presents a ‘Spoken Word’ event, hosted by poet Mark Mr T Thompson & comedic media personality, Iyare.

The night features London’s best Spoken Word Performers, interspersed with the cool neo-soul vibes of Chris Phillips & culminating in an after party, all in the same sophisticated venue.

Mekan offers delicious contemporary Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices. So whether it is food, Spoken Word, Comedy, Music or all of the above we have the night for you!

Featured artists on the night are; Anthony Anaxagorou HKB FiNN and Zena Edwards If you are wanting to eat please book 0207 998 1598 and arrive before 7.30pm, music will run from 8pm, our pre-show entertainment (including a comedy set from Iyare) and strictly limited open Mic slots kicks off at 8:30 and our feature acts will start promptly at 9pm, if you miss it, you miss out!

For the real late comers you can join us just for the after party, from 10:30 it’s pay what you can into the ACLT bucket (no unaccompanied coppers!) for entry. Like the last one we will sling you out at 2am no mater how much fun you are having!

CAVEAT ACCOMPANIES CAMPAIGNER’S WELCOME OF NEW NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY While welcoming the new national strategy that sets out the plan for the future of mental health care in England, equality groups say, real progress will not be achieved unless the enduring discrimination faced by black patients is properly addressed.

Entitled ‘No Health Without Mental Health’ this cross-government strategy for the first time gives mental health the same importance as physical health, and outlines how an emphasis on early intervention and prevention will help tackle the underlying causes of mental ill-health.

Hailed as both a public mental health and social justice document, this report is underpinned by the coalition’s three main guiding principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility.

Health campaigners have welcomed the pledge to ensure patients are protected from avoidable harm and treated in a caring a safe environment. They see the moves to make the Cabinet subCommittee on Public Health oversee the implementation of this strategy a commitment from the highest levels, to take this issue seriously.

There are many aspects of this new strategy, which if implemented properly will greatly improve the experience of many people who are languishing on secure wards up and down the country, but without a clear commitment to see the numbers of black patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act come down health experts working on the front line say that there is a danger that this new strategy could merely remain another paper exercise.

This document shows that the costs of mental health problems to the economy is a staggering £105 billion, and treatment costs are expected to double in the next 20 years.

‘A significant portion of the is spend in mental health care is on high and medium secure units where large numbers of black patients are locked up, even when they are well enough to be out in the community. The absence of the support services to help patients out of the system needs to be addressed. This is just one of the many of the issues that need to be tackled if this new strategy, which has been hailed as a strategy for social justice is going to work,’ Matilda MacAttram director of Black Mental Health UK said.

NATIONAL NUBIAN NEWS SUPPORTS www.issuu.com/nationalnubiannews • nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com • 13

RUSH TO RECOGNISE SOUTH SUDAN Headed by the US and (north) Sudan, there is an international rush to announce that South Sudan will be recognised as an independent state as soon as independence is declared in July.

US President Barack Obama yesterday congratulated the people of South Sudan “for a successful and inspiring referendum” in which over 98 percent of voters chose independence. “I am therefore pleased to announce the intention of the United States to formally recognise Southern Sudan as a sovereign, independent state in July 2011,” the US President said in a statement.

The White House statement followed yesterday’s immediate positive reaction from Khartoum, the capital of what is becoming North Sudan. There, also Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir congratulated southerners, again promising he would fully respect the outcome of the referendum and that the Khartoum government would recognise the new state of South Sudan immediately after independence.

According to the north-south peace agreement, independence for South Sudan is slated for 18 July this year. Only a possible conflict of the central Sudanese province of Abyei - which has yet to decide whether to join the north or the south - or a conflict over resource and debt partition between north and south could possibly delay South Sudan’s declaration of independence.

Northern President al-Bashir, who has been psychologically prepared for secession for a long time, increasingly has grown to trust and respect autonomous South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, who also remains Sudan’s Vice-President. Lately, President al-Bashir even has been helpful presenting Mr Kiir to African colleagues, of which many still are sceptical about the establishment of a new state on African soil.

South Sudanese President Kiir indeed joined President al-Bashir to the recent African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, wheremany African leaders were able to meet their new counterpart for the first

time.

While the AU, as a guarantor of the north-south peace, was more or less obliged to recognise South Sudan upon independence in July, many African countries - struggling with possible secessionist movements - had expressed doubts. Mr Kiir’s introduction to fellow African leaders was assumed to have eased these reservations on the continent.

congratulations to the new nation, which will be rich on natural resources, including oil.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei today said Beijing “respects the results of South Sudan referendum,” urging both the north and the south to keep on their good work in implementing the peace deal. China’s state oil company, CNPC, will be deeply engaged on both sides of the new border.

Outside Africa, the rush to recognise the new country is unprecedented.

Western countries which more or less openly had supported the “Christian” South against the Muslim North during the long conflict - have been first in line to congratulate the South Sudanese and President Kiir.

British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed “the results of the referendum,” pledging further support to the northsouth peace process.

Norway, together with the UK a key nation in this peace process, equally welcomed the referendum, announcing a quick recognition of South Sudan in July and further development aid.

Catherine Ashton, the “Foreign Minister” of the European Union (EU), praised the referendum, promising the EU would develop “a close and long-term partnership with Southern Sudan, which is set to become a new state.” The German government announced its support for South Sudan, pledging further aid funds for the new state. French President Nicolas Sarkozy today issued a similar statement.

Large Asian economies, including India, Malaysia, Japan and Korea eye large business opportunities in South Sudan, a country that is being constructed from almost nothing and where most of its natural resources still have to be mapped.

In Asia, Japan today went farthest in embracing the new state, with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara welcoming the secession. Tokyo would provide continued support, he promised.

But not only the South’s old Western allies cheered and promised support. Also Asian nations are issuing statements of

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EGYPTS EPIPHANY

By Jennifer Bogle (former journalist, writer and poet author of Words Life Balance on Lulu.com)

Late last summer I was given the 411, that is, the tourist version of Egypt from a friend who had taken their family there for a short holiday. They reported that the food was delicious and the people were very friendly not once were they made to feel unwelcome throughout the whole trip. The Egyptians that they met were an extremely gracious and humble people.

The home of The Great Spinx , the Nile and the Valley of the Kings and the ancient city of Thebes the world’s greatest open air museum it all sounded so fabulous and imbedded in a seemly a harmonic society.

Therefore, when the story broke regarding the Egyptian protests the news seemed incongruous. As the reasons for the uprising weren’t clearly reported, as there was more than one school of thought regarding the catalyst to this insurrection –as disorder does not just occur, for every fire there is a spark.

It was wildly reported on that on 23rd January, Egyptian officials accused the Gaza based group the Army of Islam as being responsible for the bombing of a Christian church in Alexandria on January 1st; which resulted in approximately 100 casualties. It is alleged that the Army of Islam have links to Al-Qaida.

However The Army of Islam strongly deny any association with this act of terrorism. The Army of Islam have a small percentage of support in comparison to other political parties in Egypt, the consensus was that this group did not have the infrastructure to organise a protest riot of such scale.

Tunisia was also cited as a scintilla of thought. President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali had been in power since 1987. The Tunis regime, under the President’s leadership was not noted for their democratic ardour.

The riot in Tunisia reportedly began after Mohamed Bouzizi, a university student set himself on fire, on 17th December 2010, in the town of Sidi Bouzid. Mohamed’s deed was in response to the local police

confiscating fruits and vegetables that Mohamed was selling without a permit. He later died in hospital. It is this one appalling action that ignited the violent insurrection amongst the unemployed and the educated.

It was reported that President, Ben Ali backed the police brutality during the riots. Which began in early January, saying that were protecting public property from a small number of terrorists. The unrest continued until January 13th. On January 14th 2011, Ben Ali fled the country with his family to Saudi Arabia. It was reported that the France rejected his request to land there. It is felt that this uprising was the catalyst to the Egyptian protests.

There are approximately 20 political parties in Egypt today. Therefore Civilian, Nationalists, Military or Islamists could emerge as leaders if the country is engulfed by anarchy. However it is being widely reported that it is at present it is unlikely that fundamentalist Islam will take hold. The US may already be procuring the next leader.

President Hosni Mubarak has currently lead Egypt for over 30 years.

It has also been reported that Egypt is a key ally for the US and is one of the highest recipients of U.S. foreign aid. continued overleaf

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In and interview entitled; Exclusive Biden: Egypt’s Mubarak an Ally, Not a Dictator, But People Have a Right to Protest. (You tube, PBS News, 28 Jan 2011) Vice President Joe Biden does not refer to Mubarak a dictator. The US said to be encouraging the Egyptian Government to act responsibly, However during the interview the Vice President did describe the Egyptian Government as an ‘Autocracy’ The definition of ‘Autocracy’ is a government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism that is, dominance through threat of punishment and violence. Egypt is also a vital arbitrator in the Israel-Palestine peace process However this was not an uprising lead by Islamists it was driven by the poor. Angry, at the lack of opportunity available to them, their inability to buy food, poor education, housing, health facilities. That same disenfranchised group that was willing to risk their lives against arm forces in protest to the world about their plight within Mubarak’s regime.

When the threat of starvation hangs over a man’s head you are only 7 days away from anarchy” What the tourists don’t notice about Egypt; The Bread Queues http://www.reuters. com/article/2008/04/06/us-agflationsubsidies-idUSL0404033220080406 Unemployment rises in Egypt http:// www.reuters.com/article/2009/05/16/ us-wef-egypt-unemploymentidUSTRE54F1AZ20090516 61% of people living in the southern governorate of Assiut are still classified as “poor” The UN defines those living below the poverty line – subsisting on less than US $2 per day – as “poor”. http://www.irinnews. org/report.aspx?reportid=26131 Time line of key events TUESDAY 25TH JANUARY : DAY OF ANGER; Protest began with thousands marching in Cairo on a day selected as a National Police holiday WEDNESDAY 26TH JANUARY: SECOND DAY OF PROTESTS Police used tear-gas and live ammunition to Disperse protestors

THURSDAY 27TH JANUARY: EGYPT SHUTS DOWN THE INTERNET An uneasy news blackout.

FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY: MUBARAK SPEAKS Promises formation of a new Government SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY: ANONYMOUS INTERNET USERS HELP EGYPT TO COMMUNICATE Messages could not be sent from computers or mobile phones or computers; however amateur radio were sending out Morse code amidst the chaos in Egypt.

SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY: AL JAZEERA SHUTS DOWN The English Arabic news network in Cairo shut down Al Jazeera journalist Dan Nolan tweeted that their licences to broadcast were revoked. Six Al Jazeera correspondents were arrested following the decision by authorities to shutdown the broadcaster’s bureau in Cairo SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY: HILLARY CLINTON ADVOCATES Hilary Clinton that Egypt must move towards democracy However the US will still continue to provide aid to Egypt.

(You tube; This week: Hillary Clinton on the Crisis in Egypt 30/1/2011 (ABC News interview with Hillary Clinton) MONDAY 31 JANUARY: EGYPT’S NEW GOVERNMENT IS SWORN IN A new Egyptian cabinet was unveiled.

However the Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Defence Minster General Mohamed Hussein Tantawi remained in post. Also the departure of Habib el Adly, Egypt’s Interior minister was welcomed.

As Adly lead the notorious security forces which are accused of numerous human rights violations.

TUESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY: A MILLION MARCH The young, professionals, and the urban poor demonstrated in Cairo’s Tahrir Square against President Murabak and the right to regime change.

As protests grew, President Mubarak vowed that he would not run for reelection in September 2011 WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY: INTERNET SERVICE RETURNS TO EGYPT The internet was restored to parts of Egypt according to CNN correspondents and internet traffic monitors.

THURSDAY 3RD FEBRUARY: FOREIGN JOURNALISTS ARRESTED It was reported that the following

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journalists were arrested including Washing Post Cairo bureau chief Leila Fadel and photographer Linda Davison as well as journalists working for Al Jazeera. It was alleged that other European journalists were detained and beaten.

ABC compiled a list of journalists threatened and arrested whilst reporting the riot. http://abcworldnews.tumblr. com/post/3089328425/weve-compiled-alist-of-all-the-journalists-who FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY: DAY OF DEPARTURE PROTESTS HELD ACROSS EGYPT Huge crowds occupy Tahrir Square which protesters hope that it will be Presidents Murabak’s “Day of Departure” 4TH – 10TH FEBRUARY Protestors hold a vigil in Tahrir Square and await the President’s resignation SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY: MEMBERS OF THE LEADERSHIP RESIGN Members of the executive committee resigned their posts including Gambal Murabak, the Presidents son.

SUNDAY 6TH FEBRUARY: GOVERNMENT AGREE TO CONCESSIONS The Vice President of Egypt met with the major opposition groups and proposed concessions including; • Freedom of the Press • The release of those detained during the riot • And the relinquishing of the Emergency Laws • Emergency Laws http://www.fidh.org/ THE-EMERGENCY-LAW-IN-EGYPT On February 11th 2011, President Hosini Mubarak resigned, following 18 days of protest, and the people of Egypt took control of their destiny. The final days of President’s governance was brought about with out a shot being fired.

Mr Mubarak has flown to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh with his family.

There are no political parties of promance at present, however there has been much posturing from more radical political groups.

In England right now there are a number of people in debt, unemployed, homeless, disenfranchised – the middle classes have been struck down by taxes. The voices of discord are growing, we have already witnessed mini riots in our capital city, my question is. Could a radical change of Government happen in the UK?

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A MAGISTRATE?

INSPIRED BY LIFE

Following the unprecedented success of the Operation Black Vote & Ministry of Justice Magistrates’ Shadowing Scheme, a series of free one day seminars entitled, ‘A Judiciary for All’ are being organised in regions across the country.

A daughter of the Caribbean, Artist Carol John was born in Kinston, Jamaica. Her early childhood was spent with her grandmother in the countryside of St Ann’s. Like many other children of her time, in 1968 she relocated to the UK, England where she joined her parents. Carol still lives in the U.K with her husband and four children.

Art n Spice Creations’ design and print hand-finished greeting cards and prints from the original artwork of Carol John

It started in Secondary school where she began to draw prolifically. It seemed normal to her and so she did not think anything of it, until her teacher made a point of her style. He stated that she had a natural ability in art. And so not knowing what to do after leaving school, Carol made a decision to pursue art as a career.

The aim of the seminars is to help improve Black and other minority ethnic (BME) representation within the magistracy and increase awareness within BME communities about the work of the courts.

The free seminars will provide individuals considering applying to the magistracy with the knowledge and understanding of the role of MagistrateS and the work of the Criminal Justice System. Led by experienced Magistrates and court officials, the seminars will outline the roles and responsibilities of a Magistrate. Individuals will have an opportunity to deliberate sample cases, discuss the application process and court tours will be available in some areas.

Operation Black Vote is providing this unique learning opportunity to anyone who has a desire to become a Magistrate to play a full and positive role within our public institutions.

The seminars will run from April to June 2011 in the following areas: North-East London North-West London South-East London Further areas and dates will be confirmed shortly.

The booking form is attached and can also be obtained at the Operation Black Vote website: www.obv.org. uk or contact Merlene Carrington by telephone on 0208 983 5430 or email: mag@obv.org.uk quoting ‘Regional Seminars’ in the subject field.

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She attended Reading Art College where she studied a foundation course in Art and Design, before starting a career in the print industry. She went on to various jobs as well as having a family, but continued to paint, sell and exhibit her work during this time.

Even though receiving a MA in Theology, Carol chose to turn back to what she loved best, art, and started her own greeting cards business, ‘Art n Spice Creations’ 2005, because she felt that her ability to paint was given to help, encourage and inspire others. The company began by selling a distinctive collection of hand painted pottery and unique paintings in local craft fairs and in a few local shops. In the later years as the company developed she created a small range of hand-finished cards that were a success. Today the company supply a large range of modern inspired hand-finished and printed ethnic and general greeting cards to and general shops; book shops, galleries and businesses across Britain and abroad, as well as prints and original paintings. Carol as participated in projects such as book illustration, and speaker at events and on the radio, and her art work as been exhibited at events such as “Black history Month’’ in London 2009-10.

The essence of Carol’s style is the vibrant use of colour.

‘The Caribbean culture, community and rural setting from my youth has a strong influence on my work along side with my love of movement, colour and vibrancy of Africa.’

Carol John work can be seen at Brevonart Gallery in Doncaster. She is also one of seven female artists at an exhibition to be held at Putney Library in London, called ‘Inspirations 7’, starting from 7th-26th March 2011.

ART WORKSHOPS Carol will be holding a series of Art Workshops at ECC, at Northfields in London on the 9th and the 19th of March 2011. `The Vibrance of Colour’, learning and enjoying expressing oneself through the use of colour.

The classes are for Beginners and for those who have an understanding of painting and want to gain more knowledge, improve or change their style using vibrant colour. The classes will also offer the opportunity to learn about mixing colour, and working with Acrylic paints.

For information about Carol John, the Art Workshop or ‘Art N Spice Creations’ products please contact Carol John on: 01302 247251, or info@artnspicecreations.com Website: www.artnspicecreations.com www.issuu.com/nationalnubiannews • nationalnubiannews@yahoo.com • 18

Time to tell

‘Time to Tell - the Grenada Massacre and After’ calls upon the seventeen prisoners now all released from Richmond Hill Prison in Grenada to answer some key questions and tell the people of Grenada and the world the part they played, directly or indirectly, in the massacre on Fort Rupert on 19 October 1983. Those questions have been left hanging in the air despite the several trials and the many years of legal wrangling about the legality of the processes that led to the imprisonment of those seventeen people.

The core of the book is the diary I kept over twelve days in December 1983, soon after the end of active combat in the US illegal invasion of Grenada.

Twenty seven years ago, 19 October 1983, Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and members of his government were murdered on Fort Rupert in Grenada when the popular and bloodless Revolution they and the faction that killed them had masterminded four years earlier suddenly imploded. Over one hundred civilians, many of them children, also lost their lives in that massacre. Six days later, 25 October 1983, Ronald Reagan with the active encouragement of his allies in the Caribbean region, Dominica, Barbados and Jamaica in particular, invaded Grenada with over 8,000 land, sea and air forces in Operation Urgent Fury. They battered the island for several days amid fierce resistance from the Grenadian People’s Revolutionary Army and the 1,000 Cubans who had been engaged in building the international airport and other projects.

by Gus John

On 13 October 1983, Maurice Bishop was placed under house arrest by other members of his own Party, including Bernard Coard the deputy prime minister and Hudson Austin, the head of the army, in a leadership struggle they thought had been resolved by Bishop agreeing to lead the Party and the country jointly with Coard. Bishop changed his mind, however, and was accused of undermining ‘democratic centralism’, indulging in ‘one man-ism’ and of being complicit in spreading rumours that the Coard faction wanted him dead.

His house arrest destabilised the country.

The masses who remained steadfastly loyal to the charismatic Bishop and grew increasingly suspicious of the Coard faction mobilised themselves on 19 October and went in their thousands to free Bishop from house arrest. They marched triumphantly to Fort Rupert, the majority of them children and young people, carrying their leader aloft and ‘reclaiming’ their Revolution. Armoured trucks suddenly appeared to the jubilation of many who thought that those in the Army loyal to Bishop were coming to join the people and protect their leader. And then the shooting started and mayhem followed. Bishop and several members of his Cabinet, including his pregnant partner Jacqueline Creft, were made to line up against a wall and were executed by gunshot. Scores of people were gunned down as they tried to flee the scene of those murders. Others fell to their death trying to escape by jumping over the

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Fort’s perimeter walls. In a massacre that was like a rehearsal for what unfolded in Tiananmen Square in Beijing six years later, it is estimated that upwards of two hundred people lost their lives. Their bodies have never been identified and given to their loved ones for burial.

I travelled to Grenada on 14 December 1983 and kept a diary of my visit until I left on 26 December. The diary records the Grenada people’s confusion, pain, dashed hopes, anger and anxieties about the future of their country; it registers their anger with their leaders and their sense of betrayal in the wake of their unprecedented exercise of democratic citizenship and local engagement in the affairs of government.

The seventeen people, including Coard, his wife Phyllis and General Hudson Austin, who were jailed for the Fort Rupert murders have recently been released from prison in Grenada. Bernard and Phyllis Coard are resident in Jamaica. Some of their fellow prisoners, including Hudson Austin, are now employed by the Grenada Government.

Questions remain, however, about their role in the events which led to the Fort Rupert massacre and the not unexpected invasion of Grenada; questions to which the long suffering people of Grenada need answers. contined overleaf

Time to tell continued.

The released prisoners have had twenty seven years to reflect upon those questions and they should not expect to be embraced by civil society in Grenada and be rehabilitated into the polity in the country without answering those questions: How did the People’s Revolutionary Army come to mow down unarmed children and adults on Fort Rupert in St George’s Grenada on 19 October 1983?

Who gave the orders that live ammunition should be used against the people?

Who ordered the execution of Maurice Bishop and the members of his Government who were made to line up against the wall to be shot?

Who gave the orders to deploy armoured trucks to go to the Market Square and to Fort Rupert that morning and with what intent?

Where were the bodies of those killed on Fort Rupert and those who fell to their death trying to escape gunfire taken on 19 October 1983?

What did the Revolutionary Military Council intend to do with them and why were they not given to the public mortuary for relatives to identify, claim and bury?

Where were they when the Americans invaded?

Who has evidence that the invading forces took those bodies and why has that evidence not been presented so that the international community could demand that they be handed over to their loved ones?

As I say in the epilogue to the diary: ‘Countries spare no effort in recovering their dead from conflict zones or at least ensuring that they are identified and given a decent burial even many decades after the particular hostilities ended. The people of Grenada have the same need’.

One former independent Member of the Westminster Parliament, the broadcaster Martin Bell, said recently: Governments can and do disappoint, but they must never BETRAY the people. Those who were in Government on 19 October 1983 and continued to keep the country ‘under manners’ up to the invasion on 25 October 1983 simply compound their betrayal of the people by not revealing how and where the bodies of the Fort Rupert martyrs were disposed of.

BUJU WINS A GRAMMY Buju Banton will be headed to court on14th February 2011 with a new good luck charm, the 2011 Grammy for Best Reggae Album. Facing life in prison, Buju Banton won the award for his 2010 album, ‘Before the Dawn.’

Banton’s Grammy comes the day before he was scheduled to appear in court for the start of his retrial on drug conspiracy allegations. In September of last year, the judge handling the case declared a mistrial when the jury could not come to a verdict, pushing a new trial. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is facing charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a crime. He is claiming he was entrapped.

In prison since Nov. 2009, Buju Banton was finally able to leave prison after the mistrial when his friend Stephen Marley posted bail by placing his home, worth $300,000, as collateral. Upon release, Buju was forced to sign an extradition waiver and wear an electronic monitoring device to ensure he stays in America.

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“Buju is not guilty. The number of charges doesn’t change that,” Banton’s attorney, David Markus, said in an e-mail.

“The prosecution wasn’t happy with the first trial, so now it is trying to throw as many charges against the wall in the hopes something sticks.”

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