Rachel Baptiste: Ireland’s Black Songstress
Bob Marley and Black Britain
Vol. 2 Issue 40, 28th May– 3rd June 2021
Makonnen
SANKOFA r e h p a r g o e d i Author, V in conjunction with
a i b m a G e th in
Credit: code.likeagirl.io
From the
Editor’s desk
Volcano in DRC Continue to pray for the displaced people of the Democratic Republic of Congo as Mount Nyiragongo volcanic continues its activity. India as she continues to battle with Covid. St Vincent & the Grenadines as the island continues to recover from La Soufriere’s eruption last month. Nearer to home, pray for our children as more and more reports of Missing Children emerge, and Sasha Johnson, a 27-yearold black equal rights campaigner, was shot in the head at a party in south London on 23 May 2021. Police have made five arrests. She was one of the leaders of the political Taking The Initiative Party (TTIP) All correspondence to: admin@butterflymagazine.net For Advertising enquiries contact: sales@butterflymagazine.net
At Evan’s inquest Coroner Dr Andrew Walker said his life may have been saved if a blood transfusion had been given when he requested help. As Black donors are ten times more likely to have a blood type needed to treat the 14,000 people in the UK with sickle cell, United by Blood are appealing for more people from Black African and Black Caribbean backgrounds to register and become regular blood donors in Evan’s memory.
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Black History
Library
Credit: Good
Fayida’s Black History in 60 Seconds
Have you heard of Rachel Baptiste? She was a black Irish singer and musician known as ‘the Black Siren’, born in Ireland in the second half of the 18th century. Her first documented stage performance was in 1750, and from then on she appeared in concerts across Ireland and the UK. Hear her incredible story in this video!
Credit: Milestone Films
Rachel Baptiste: Ireland’s Black Songstress
Miriam Makeba
I Come Back, Africa in honor of Nelson Mandela Transform your viewing...
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Cover
Story
Makonnen SANKOFA er
By Beverley Cooper-Chambers
h p a r g o e id V , r o Auth in the Gambia
My dad is from Malawi in Southeast Africa. He’s half black African, half Indian. I was raised with my mum’s family, which is Caribbean (black). Even though I wasn’t raised by my Dad and I had a Caribbean upbringing, I became very Afrocentric as I got into my early twenties. I put this largely down to me becoming a Rastafarian, which is all about people of Caribbean heritage connecting with their African roots. BM: How did you feel arriving in The Gambia?
MS: It was a homecoming after 400 years. I felt a sense of satisfaction, gratitude, and privilege because my ancestors who were forcefully taken away from Africa to Jamaica centuries ago, never had the chance to return to their homeland Africa. I felt like those ancestors of mine were returning home in their spirit through me. It was a very special moment.
BM: Are Gambians friendly people?
MS: Gambian people are the friendliest people I’ve met so far in my travels. They are welcoming and embracing, which has a lot to do with their community spirit. They’re raised in a village culture where everyone shares; everyone eats from the same bowl. You have communities where everyone looks out for each other and is caring. The African saying, it takes a village to raise a child is evident in The Gambia because everyone sticks together. There is also a strong family structure. Generally, they’re taught to welcome people coming as strangers, like family or friends. Tourism is one of the main industries in The Gambia, so when the travel agent Thomas Cook went bankrupt and stopped flying to The Gambia, it had a severe impact on the economy because fewer tourists came into the country. As a result of this, many local Gambian businesses who usually rely on tourist trade had a hard time. 4 Transform your viewing...
Gambians are kind people. I remember in August (2019) during the rainy season, I got a taxi to my apartment. The taxi driver had to drop me off on the other side of the road because of the high volume of water on the ground. The taxi driver offered to carry me across the road through the water. I’m a big guy, six foot three. He was an average man. So, that level of kindness is an example of the warm hospitality you get from Gambians. Hence, why The Gambia is called The Smiling Coast of Africa and I decided to make that the subtitle of my book about Gambia. What I’m going to say now is how Gambians relate to people of African heritage coming home, particularly the descendants of enslaved Africans from the diaspora. In short terms, they don’t see us as African because they don’t understand the history and experience of those of us in the diaspora that are descendants of enslaved Africans. Even though Gambians are born on the African continent and The Gambia has a deep history connected to the transatlantic slave trade, most Gambians haven’t been educated on African history and the impact of the slave trade. One assumes that everyone’s familiar with the TV series Roots and Alex Haley’s novel. Haley traced his family to The Gambia, where millions of Africans were seized. Roots is about the life of Kunta Kinte and his descendants. Kunta Kinte was taken from Juffureh, a village in The Gambia that I visited during my time in the country. After Kunta Kinte was captured, he was taken to a nearby island called James Island (renamed Kunta Kinte
island) where he was held until taken to the USA to forcefully work as a slave on a plantation.
BM: Some Gambians believe that repatriates should not get automatic citizenship.
MS: I think there should be a fasttrack citizenship for descendants of enslaved Africans in the diaspora who chose to settle in Gambia. Citizenship should be granted after 2 years continuous stay in the country. Some Gambians may say it should be a bit longer than 2 years before citizenship can be granted. But everyone is in agreement that the current constitution which states citizenship after 15 years is too long. Most native Gambians don’t have WiFi because they can’t afford it. Internet is costly and a luxury in Gambia. Most of the natives also have a lack of access to libraries, books, and other learning resources. Therefore, most Gambians have a lack of knowledge about what’s going on in other countries. Most of them don’t even know what countries are in other parts of Africa. I went into schools and educated them about Rastafari, black history, and the experience of African heritage people in the diaspora. There is either none or very few books by black authors in Gambian schools. I donated copies of my book The Rise of Rastafari: Resistance, Redemption, and Repatriation to school students at two of the schools delivered lectures in.
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Most Gambian men are very dark-skinned black. There is a bit of colourism in Gambia; this is more because of people’s ignorance rather than malice. Many Gambians see brown skin people like myself as a different ethnicity compared to people with dark black skin. I was often perceived by Gambians (on first impression) as coloured and not Black because my skin colour is brown. I was even referred to on a few occasions as a toubab, which means white person in one of the local languages. That was weird and false because neither of my parents are white and anyone looking at me can clearly see that my skin colour is brown. I refer to myself as black because that’s a common term used to describe people of mainly African/Caribbean heritage from light brown to black skin colour. Gambians don’t understand how offensive it is to tell a black person their white, particularly to a conscious black person, like myself. It was like a double whammy for me in terms of being seen as a foreigner in Gambia. 1. Because I’m coming from living in the West. 2. Because my skin colour is brown and lighter than most other Gambian men. Gambians (like many other Africans from the continent) mix up race and nationality. They apply one rule for other ethnicities and another rule for Africans in the diaspora, which is an inconsistent way to identify people. For example, a Gambian will say that an Indian born in Africa is an Asian and a white person born in Africa is white. But a Gambians will regard an African person born and raised in Europe as European not African (even if one of two of their parents were born and raised in Africa).
Return Of The MaK
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Many Africans on the continent don’t know about the diaspora experience. Therefore, they don’t understand how those of us in the diaspora of Caribbean heritage are connected to Africa and why we desire to be in Africa.
BM: Where can people get your book?
MS: The book is available on Amazon - Life in Gambia: The Smiling Coast of Africa. Many people have issues publishing their books. I self-published my book about The Gambia completely myself and I am running a course to show others how they can self-publish their own book
BM: What about marketing?
MS: The publishing is one part. The second issue is that people spend thousands of pounds publishing and have no plan or money left to market because they don’t know about sales and marketing. My background is in sales. I have a lot of experience of selling my book. I deliver lectures. I go to places. I’m always on different platforms talking about my book. People buy into me.
BM: Are you going back to the Gambia?
MS: I want to give it a go in another African country – Zambia is more developed. Gambia is not a country that you’re going to go from rags to riches. If you’re retiring, then I can understand why you’d go there because Gambia is beautiful, the people are nice, it has lovely beaches, good weather, and the environment is relaxed. However, as a young person in a career mode – I didn’t see much opportunities in Gambia within my field of expertise that could provide me a good income to sustain my living costs. Even though Gambia has some business opportunities which I state in my book, it may take you longer to get your money back because the economy is weak.
Black British
No Longer Just the People of
Politics
By Desmond Jaddoo
Entertainment! The purpose of the We Matter Party is to empower people from underrepresented communities. Not just to engage in political representation, but also to participate in their civic duty by opening doors of opportunity.
T Credit: alan j hendry
he We Matter Party is there to open doors and ensure ample representation around decision-making tables. Civic duty plays an integral part in our daily lives that should not be taken for granted. We face numerous inequalities: educational underachievement, health, personal welfare, population, under-representation in local decision-making processes and interaction with the police. Our community gets stereotyped as party-going, carnival loving, dancing, rapping and singing people. However, we represent so much more, and the opportunities are vast.
Suppose you are interested in education train to become a school governor. Again, if your passion is health, train and become a non-executive director of your local NHS trust and apply for some of their paid jobs. There are opportunities to become members of an independent monitoring board of a local prison or become a prison chaplain. Do you want to have a strong community voice? Then, get trained in setting up a local community forum
and holding the local representative into account. Have you considered becoming a custody visitor? Get trained to visit police holding cells to ensure those in custody are treated fairly, and their human rights are upheld. Another essential role in the criminal justice system is the role of the magistrate. You can apply to be a magistrate through our civic engagement scheme. Furthermore, it is often said that jurors in Crown and Coroner Court cases do not reflect the communities that they serve. To be eligible for jury selection, you must be registered to vote as the voting register is used as a tool for selection. I have come across too many people in the past who have tried to get out of jury service. However, juries must reflect the demographic makeup of the city or town. It is there to serve, thus ensuring the pathway to a fairer justice system, as we do need to tackle the ethnic disproportionality from all angles. There are political roles and non-political roles, which we call civic duty, an essential role for us to play in society. For far too long, we have been calling for change. However, we must be the face of the change that we want to see. Furthermore, we must ensure that we no longer allow others to hold us back from meeting our full potential regarding civic engagement and having appropriate representation around decision-making tables. This is the only way to address the inequality that we face, particularly in terms of class, race and gender, by levelling the playing field. Therefore, we must break away from the stereotype of being the people of partying and entertainment as we are leaders, and we all have an important role to play in civic duty. If you want to get involved, then join us at www.wematterparty.org
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Cinema/
Video
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2021 British Academy Television Craft Awards
Celebrating the work of the talented craftspeople behind the best programmes on television. New host Gbemisola Ikumelo takes the helm for ceremony that too place on Monday 24 May 2021 at 7pm. Credit: BAFTA
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Dutch
Credit: Faith Media Distribution
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Waterman – A film by David Oyelowo Credit: Movie Trailers Source
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Bush Tea, Herbs, Plants and Botanical Stories in Barbados - episode 1
In this episode, plant experts Ras Iles, Dr Anthony Richards and Ireka Jelani share collective knowledge about the multiple uses of local botanicals. Bush Tea, Herbs, Plants and Botanical Stories is a five-part video series taking viewers on a journey of discovery into the benefits, traditional uses and even folklore of local herbs, plants and grasses. Credit: NCF Barbados
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Horrible Histories Series - British Black History
Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian’s Wall? Why was a West African diver asked to help salvage Henry VIII’s ship, the Mary Rose? And the actor Ira Aldridge tells us how he came to leave New York to find fame in 19th-century England. Credit: www.bbc.co.uk
The Visual World of Small Axe Credit:Bafta
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Night of the Kings Credit: Trailer Coverage
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Red Table Talk The Invisible Black Women Epidemic
It’s a rarely talked about type of racism. Experts warn everyone is complicit. Meet a pregnant college professor who was treated like an “incompetent black woman” by her doctors, and a physician whose confrontation with a flight attendant went viral. Social justice leader Tamika Mallory reveals how the experience of feeling invisible led to her struggle with addiction. Plus Gammy shares the troubling way she was treated by doctors while pregnant with Jada. Credit: Red Table Talk Transform your viewing...
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Viewer’s Choice
This week from Dennis D. Eltham, UK
Money Explained We spend it, borrow it and save it. Now let’s talk about money and its many minefields, from credit cards to casinos, scammers to student loans. Credit: Netflix
If you want to share a special movie/ TV programme with the Butterfly Magazine viewers submit to: editor@butterflymagazine.net
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Jojo’s Bangkra
‘Sow your Passion’ At Jojo’s Bangkra we create the most stylish fabric tote bags and accessories for all life’s adventures … so you can ‘Sow your Passion’. The idea for Jojo’s Bangkra was born out of a desire to see more handcrafted fabric bags in the leisure market that incorporated some of the traditional craft methods used in the past. We are passionate about our craft and lovers of ‘fabric bags’. We love weaving and mixing different fabric colours, textures, sewing methods, painting techniques and fashioning them into wearable works of art. Our designs are influenced by the beauty and complexity of the islands as we explore picturesque countryside and comb craggy shorelines cataloging their unique elements to then represent them in our products. We believe in sustainable practices and support the preservation of traditional craft methods handed down through the ages. We are happy to be able to offer such a product to you our fellow ‘fabric bag’ lovers to express your passion. Life offers endless possibilities, ‘Sow your Passion’ whatever it may be and soar!
Jojo
The word ‘Bangkra’ in Jamaica refers to a big basket and is synonymous with harvest time, a time of plenty. Email: Jojosbangkra@gmail.com Mobile: (246) 827 4847 Follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/JojosBangkra/ https://www.instagram.com/jojosbangkra/
Dear
Sharon
Should I leave my man Dear Sharon, I have been in a relationship for the past six years and I am now convinced it is not going anywhere. Every time I bring up the subject of marriage, he said the timing is not right as he wants it to be big and one worthy of his love for me. To tell the truth, I am not particular, I just want a commitment in the relationship. If I have two witnesses then I am good. I get the feeling he is just stalling and has no desire to get marriage. I am not getting any younger and I don’t believe in having a child out of wedlock so I don’t want to hang onto a relationship that is going nowhere. Sharon, am I being too impatient or do you think I should just walk away from this relationship? KJ London Dear KJ I think you already know the answer you are seeking. You have said it yourself, your man is stalling and has no real desire to marry you. Usually, women are the ones who are fussy about big weddings and all the trimmings with it…wake up and smell the coffee. There is a saying that my Jamaican grandmother used to say “A man with a cow has no need to buy milk” you are already living with him, giving him all his creature comforts, he is clearly not missing anything. It your decision, you can allow him to continue to string you along or you can have a frank discussion let him know he needs to make up his mind one way or the other or else you will be moving on!
I heard my mother returned to Jamaica and apparently is down on her face. She is back at my grandmother’s house and because of that I didn’t go there. Instead, I sent a vehicle to take my grandmother to visit me. She told me my mother wants to talk to me, but for me it is too late. She called me on Sunday, I am still a bit upset that grandma gave her my number. She is apologizing and asking if we can build a relationship…Sharon how do I respond? I am still mad at her. Upset daughter Kingston, Jamaica Dear Upset Daughter, I honestly feel your pain and I can understand your not wanting anything to do with your mother. Bitterness is a hard thing to carry around in your heart and I do think you need closure. I would encourage you to seek closure. Talk to her and you can respectfully tell her how you felt when she walked out of your life and never look back. I am not making any excuse for her behaviour, before the healing can take place you need to talk at least that way you will get the opportunity to let her know your feelings. I can’t tell you that you will ever be close to her or that you will have a mother/daughter bond…that will be totally up to you and your desire. But I can tell you staying away from her and not having a conversation will allow the anger and bitterness to grow. Sharon
Sharon
I don’t want anything to do with my mother Dear Sharon, On Sunday my mother reached out to me for the first time in about 15 years! The last time I saw her I was about six years old and crying as she was leaving me with my grandmother. She said life was too hard and she could not afford to keep me. She went away to the States and I never saw her again. My grandmother struggled to take care of me and there were very rough days, but my beloved grandmother ensured I always got something to eat. Sometimes I would hear my grandmother asking what she ever did her daughter for her to turn her back on her and her own child. I paid attention to my studies and came out in life. I am now a nurse and trust me there is no one to me like my sweet grandmother.
18 Transform your viewing...
Bob Marley and Black Britain
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Black
Image courtesy of Artist
Arts
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Matt Jackson is a skateboarder, visual artist and fashion designer based in the US. There’s not much known about Jackson but that is also his most alluring quality.
MATT
JACKSON
I
stumbled upon him from a Defected Records video of him smoothly skating down a deserted LA street. It was a crisp night. Accompanied by a thumping soundtrack in the back. The stage was set. He performs a swift kickflip over a construction boulder and almost loses his balance. He then holds his hand up almost as if to say “ yeah I got this” and proceeds to glide into the LA night. After that, I just had to find out more about the enigmatic artist. On his Instagram, his presence is bold yet erratic. His visual style is a pastiche in nature and collage in design as he combines multiple images in one. Jackson brings a new-media aesthetic to his art. Images bleed into video and video bleeds into images. From the inception of new media technologies, black artists have always been at the forefront of creation due to the newfound possibilities. It offered black artists a way to pierce the art world from the outside rather than relying on the closed gallery system. As an artist, Jackson is one who truly embodies both art and persona. His Instagram page appears both personal and professional as the lines blur. It is both a canvas and also an intermittent diary. Jackson is one of the most interesting artists to feature because his art appears unhinged and raw. That is art in its purest form. Completely devoid of corporate influence, gallery meddling and ulterior motives. This is evident in his short film FUGAZY which almost appears as a stream of consciousness in video form.
FUGAZY Transform your viewing...
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IChurch
The
Good Room with Michael Jr.
Here’s the
Evidence Mike Todd 22 Transform your viewing...
Laughter
Most important thing you’ll see today
Duh!
Jamaican Weather Forecast
I Was Just Jogging Comedy Sketch - Michael Jr.
Life Lessons
Sister Charmaine …on Marriage Transform your viewing...
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Last Word
Help Keep Our Children Safe Missing Black People Help us find missing Black people worldwide and bring families and communities back together.