Butterfly Magazine - Issue 7

My People k Perish for Lac of KNOWLEDGE Vol. 1 Issue 7 5th JUNE 2020

Meghan Markle The only wrong thing to say, is to say NOTHING!

“Big Floyd”

A MAN OF In collaboration with

e c a e P

Transform your viewing...

1

THE ONLY THING NEC ESSARY F OR THE TRIUMPH OF EV IL IS F OR GOOD MEN TO DO NOT HING. - Edmund Burke -

e r a we

2

Transform your viewing...

e n o all O D E W TODAY

!

G N I H SOMET eople- Good P

Transform your viewing...

3

JUSTICE

y...

o B k c a l B A m o r A Simple Plea F

. . . t n a y r B Keedron I Just Want To Live...

age from it r e h a e r a n e r ”Behold, child reward.” a b m o w e h t f ruit o the Lord, the f Psalm 127 v 3

Credit: Faithpot

Keedron Bryant

Kirk Franklin, Gospel Singer 4

Transform your viewing...

Pass The Truth to the Next Generation...

Teach Them Early What We Learn Late

About Us

I

n the midst of COVID-19, overt racism, and a disappointment in global politics there is an opportunity for compassion, for unity, hope, and opportunities.

The special edition of The Disruptor, on page 40, is dedicated to the fallen and highlights some solutions. This week, we have included messages from people who are angry about the racism and injustices still prevalent in our society and their language is,at times, strong.

We apologise, in advance, if anyone is offended.

Contact: communications@butterflymaag.com if you have comments, suggestions, or concerns.

FROM THEIR SIDE

Transform your viewing...

5

THE BUTTERFLY MAAG TEAM Editor-in-Chief Beverley Cooper-Chambers EDITORIAL TEAM Karen Ferrari Simone Scott-Sawyer

Contents COVER - George Floyd Credit: Nijalon Dunn/Courtesy of Resurrection Houston/Christianity Today

4 I Just Want To Live

7

Amazing Grace

8

The Library

10

What’s on the Screen?

19 Freedom is Mine with Fayida

20 Lead Story: “MOM”

24 Rhea’s Watch

26 Bakita:KK Theory in the Flesh

6

29

iChurch You’re The Head And Not The Tail

33 Children’s tv

34 We Learned Looting From You

36 Sancho Reveals: ‘Justice for George Floyd’

37 Blackspectation

38 oping with C Endometriosis Afro Beats

39 A Moment Of Peace

28

40

Mi & Mi Kru

UNITY

Transform your viewing...

Editorial Researcher Tasina J. Lewis Sharrae Newell-Barn MARKETING DIRECTOR Marvin Osemwegie SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYST Michael Brown

ADVISORY BOARD Financial Strategic Advisor Nastassia Hedge-Whyte, MAAT, ACCA,ICAJ Marketing Strategic Advisor Jeremie Alamazani, Principal at Wealth Partners Ltd. Editorial Contributors David Clarke (London) Rhea Delaney (London) Joshua Grant aka Sports Arrow (London) Natalee Grant (Jamaica) Fayida Jailler (UK) Bakita Kasadha (UK & Uganda) Chi-Chi Osemwegie (London) Donna Williams (USA) Manasses Williams (USA) Design Editor Rusdi Saleh Graphics Butterfly logo by Wayne Powell (Jamaica) Thanks to our featured advertisers Benzly Hype (Jamaica & Canada) Hypolink ( The Gambia) Erasmus (Uganda)

Submit a story: communications@butterflymaag.com Advertising enquiries: ads@butterflymaag.com Ad copy should be submitted Friday for the following week’s publication.

Butterfly Magazine published weekly on Fridays.

Butterfly magazine is published weekly by BUTTERFLY MAGAZINE LIMITED, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE, UK. Tel: (44) (0) 203 984 9419 Butterfly ™ 2015 is the registered trademark of THE LION AND THE LAMB MEDIA HOUSE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publishers BUTTERFLY MAGAZINE LIMITED. Address all correspondence to communications@butterflymaag.com No copyright infringement is intended

AMAZING

gRACE

Gratitude

The Story of Amazing Grace

Aretha Franklin

Diana Ross Harlem Gospel Choir

Transform your viewing...

7

THE LIBRARY

My People Perish

for Lack of KNOWLEDGE

Credit: Robin Walker

How did we get here?

General Act of the Berlin Conference West

Dr. Claud Anderson Discusses America’s Race Based Society, PowerNomics + More 8

Transform your viewing...

Culture in an Early African Empire Robin Walker The Black Historian

Why European Erased African from History

What is the Black Community’s Economic Contribution?

T

he UK has a long established Jewish community: the first record of Jewish settlement dates from 1070. There was a continual Jewish presence in the country until King Edward’s Edict of Expulsion, dated 1290. Sadly, therefore, we can also date UK antisemitism from around that period. Following the expulsion, there was no Jewish community apart from those who practised secretly.

Towards the middle of the 17th century, a considerable number of Marrano merchants settled in London and formed a secret congregation. That was until the time of Oliver Cromwell, who never officially re-admitted the Jewish community. However, a small colony was identified in 1656 and allowed to remain.

In 1701, Bevis Marks Synagogue opened in London.

It is the oldest continually used synagogue in London.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the main Jewish representative body, was established in 1760.

In 1837, Queen Victoria knighted Moses Haim Montefiore. Four years later, Isaac Lyon Goldsmid was made a baronet; he was the first Jew to receive a hereditary title. The first Jewish Lord Mayor of London, Sir David Salomons, was elected in 1855. That was followed by the 1858 emancipation of the Jews. On 26 July 1858, Lionel de Rothschild was finally allowed to sit in the British House of Commons when the law restricting the oath of office to Christians was changed.

Pan African Movements in Britain

How Europeans control Historical Commentary and Discourse I am co-chairman of the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Islamic Finance and Diversity in Financial Markets and a patron of the Islamic Finance Council UK. The United Kingdom has the biggest centre for Islamic finance outside the Muslim world. The UK’s Sharia-compliant assets exceed £20 billion. The Islamic finance industry therefore generates considerable revenue for the country and provides employment. It also gives us a high standing in the enormous and growing market for Islamic finance across the world.

I am co-president of the British Curry Catering Industry All-Party Parliamentary Group and a vicechairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh. There are over 12,000 British Bangladeshi restaurants and takeaway places in the United Kingdom. This curry industry, owned mainly by Muslims, employs over 100,000 people and has an annual turnover of nearly £5 billion.

There have been great Muslim dynasties, notably the Umayyad and the Abbasid. Muslims at that time led the world in various fields, including mathematics, science, astronomy and medical knowledge. These attributes are in the DNA of Muslims. There are now a significant number of Muslim doctors who work in the United Kingdom and make a valuable contribution to the health and well-being of the country. Also, many Muslims are successful bankers and accountants.

Lord Sheikh - Debate on Ethnic Minorities.

6th July 2015

Transform your viewing...

9

What’s on the Screen?

The Screeners’

Illustration by Wayne Powell (Jamaica)

TV Choice

Man

Credit IMdb

Undiscovered

Around The World When You Were My Age

A Few Good Men

Akala Deconstructs Race, Class, And Britain’s Modern Myths Unfiltered With James O’brien

Dr Claud Anderson In The Elephant Room Transform your viewing...

11

Credit: Youtubemovies/Lionsgate

woman

The Long Walk Home

Credit: XenonPicture

Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg is Odessa Carter, a quietly dignified woman, who works as a housekeeper for Miriam Thompson (Academy Award winner Sissy Spacek). When Odessa honors the 1955 Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott by walking an exhausting nine miles to and from work, Miriam offers her a ride. Defying both Miriam’s racist husband (Dwight Schultz) and the powerful White Citizen’s Council, Miriam and Odessa put their lives in danger for civil rights. Their shared experiences draw them closer as a deep respect and lasting friendship forms. Together, in a difficult world of black versus white, they manage to discover a common ground.

The Rosa Parks Story 12

Transform your viewing...

Credit: Youtubemovies/Lionsgate

Black Like Me (1964)

Credit: Agantuk

At the time race relations in America were particularly strained and Griffin aimed to explain the difficulties that black people faced in certain areas. Under the care of a doctor, Griffin artificially darkened his skin to pass as a black man.

The Stranger Transform your viewing...

13

Credit: Pixar

small child

Credit: Studio100Films

Soul - Official Trailer

Credit: Geethanjali Kids

Everybody has a soul. Joe Gardner is about to find his. Watch the new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Soul, in theaters June 19.

Ella Bella Bingo

The Gingerbread Man 14

Transform your viewing...

Ella Bella Bingo is organizing a circus for her very best friend, Henry, as he has never been to a circus before. Ella Bella is very excited and looks forward to being the main attraction. She is going to show everyone her fantastic magic trick. She is going to make Henry disappear. But on the very day of the circus cool kid Johnny moves into the neighborhood. He has a splendid idea of showstopper, he wants to do a bicycle stunt together with Henry. Henry is in awe of this new boy, while Ella Bella feels she is losing her best friend. This exasperates even more when Johnny offers Henry a new bike. Ella Bella cannot take it anymore and forces Henry to choose between Johnny and her. Henry does not want to hurt anyone and runs off.

Henry disappears for real. Now Ella Bella has to go on a search with her very enemy, Johnny. Together they have to find Henry. She has to save the circus, but most of all her friendship. The movie is a road trip, where three kids learns the real magic of friendship.

young adult

Brian Banks [film] Freed from prison but trapped in probation, a wrongfully convicted football player tries to clear his name to resume his dream of playing in the NFL.

All About Love [film]

‘All about Love’ is a love triangle story which involves two inseparable love birds (Chris Attoh) and (Katlego Danke) who faces the bitter side of love when cheating and betrayal hits their relationship.

The Young Talent Leading A New Generation Of Black British Filmmakers Transform your viewing...

15

gen z

See You Yesterday [film] Two teenage science prodigies spend every spare minute working on their latest homemade invention: backpacks that enable time travel.

When one of their older brothers is killed, they put their unfinished project to the test to save him.

The First Purge [film] The New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) decides to test a sociological theory that aims at reducing the crime rates but things get out of hand when two rival groups face each other.

Money Heist ( La casa de papel) [series] A criminal mastermind who goes by “The Professor� has a plan to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history -- to print billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain. To help him carry out the ambitious plan, he recruits eight people with certain abilities and who have nothing to lose.

The group of thieves take hostages to aid in their negotiations with the authorities, who strategize to come up with a way to capture The Professor.

As more time elapses, the robbers prepare for a showdown with the police.

16

Transform your viewing...

Akala | Full Address and Q&A | Oxford Union

grandPA

For Us The Living: The Medgar Evers Story (1983)

Credit: JesusWept Movies

Is a brilliant film that features a legendary cast of Howard E. Rollins Jr., Irene Cara, Paul Winfield, Dick Anthony Williams, Roscoe Lee Browne, Margaret Avery, Janet MacLachlan, Thalmus Rasulala, and Laurence Fishburne. Yes, they were all in one movie together.

Originally aired on PBS as part of the American Playhouse Anthology, this movie traces the life of Medgar Evers, the former insurance salesman turned NAACP field secretary, who was instrumental in the desegregation of the University of Mississippi and organizing boycotts against discriminating southern white merchants. Although Evers truly believed that the Constitution included the rights within for each American citizen, no matter what color or class, his battle for equality would shockingly conclude with his assassination at the hands of white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963.

Black Like Me Freedom Song A black father and son struggle to unify in a time of great social upheaval. Based on a true story.

Based on the true story of a white reporter who, at the height of the civil-rights movement, temporarily darkened his skin so that he could experience the realities of a black man’s life in the segregated South.

Transform your viewing...

17

Credit: JaMuzik2

grandma

Credit: MLA SA

Raven-Symone In Alex Haley’s “Queen”

This film relates the story of a tightly connected Afro-American community informally called Colored Town where the inhabitants live and depend on each other in a world where racist oppression is everywhere, as told by a boy called Cliff who spent his childhood there. Despite this, we see the life of the community in all its joys and sorrows, of those that live there while others decide to leave for a better life north. For those remaining, things come to a serious situation when one prominent businessman is being muscled out by a white competitor using racist intimidation. In response, the community must make the decision of whether to submit meekly like they always have, or finally fight for their rights.

18

Transform your viewing...

The Book of Negroes Credit: TVONE

Once Upon A Time...

When We Were Colored (1995, Al Freeman Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Leon)

Rosa Parks Protest Sparks Boycott | Behind The Movement

Freedom is Mine

INDIA

A

by Fayida Jailler

n estimated 25,000 – 60,000 people of African descent live in India today, with the highest concentrations in Karnataka and Gujarat. They are referred to as the Siddi, and though the Siddi are fully assimilated into Indian culture, elements of their African heritage are apparent in their physical appearance as well as their music. When it comes to religion, the Siddi of Gujarat are largely Muslim and those in Karnataka are mostly Christian or Hindu.

They speak a variety of different languages, Afro indian including Urdu, Gujarati and Hindi. slaves 1590 Migration between India and African goes back thousands of years with traders sailing between India and the east coast of Africa from the third military role century B.C.E. Trade included items in India. such as cotton, glass-beads, ivory, gold Unlike in the and human beings. Enslaved Africans trans-Atlantic in India made important economic, trade, enslaved political and cultural contributions, the Africans in India legacy of which remains to this day. were often afforded greater social mobility and From 800A.D. to 1896, an estimated Woman by Pushkar V. sometimes ascended to positions of 4.7 million enslaved Africans were power and leadership. trafficked to territories across the Indian Ocean. Most enslaved African men worked A notable example is Malik Ambar, an in security, construction and mining, as well as Ethiopian slave who in the 1600s rose to more specialised roles, which required military, prominence as a powerful military leader in the administrative and equestrian skills. Africans and their Deccan region of India. He was celebrated for descendants were regarded as exceptional warriors his military prowess, his intellectual abilities and and bodyguards, and historically played an important his acumen in finance and administration.

Enslaved African women were often assigned domestic roles, and taken as concubines. Some even married into Indian royalty such as Yasmin Mahal, a former slave who married Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Oudh in northern India.

Nowadays the Siddi are a fairly poor and marginalised community, ranked near the bottom of India’s complex Caste and tribe system. Poverty, low levels of education, and religious divisions have held the Siddis back from uniting and forming advocacy groups.

However, they are united by a shared African Sidi children by Naga...kuru heritage, very much evident today.

Transform your viewing...

19

lead story

“People be afraid to embrace God”

“MOM” He called out to his Mom .... who died 2 years ago RIP on this same day Handcuffed.

Face Down.

Knee on his neck.

They did nothing.

He called the officer “Sir.” They did nothing.

He begged for his life.

He begged for water.

He begged for mercy.

They did nothing.

His nose bled.

His body trembled.

He lost control of his bladder.

They did nothing.

He cried out, “I can’t breathe.”

They did nothing.

Twelve more times.

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

They did nothing.

One last time, he gasped, “I can’t breathe.”

They did nothing.

He lost consciousness.

They did nothing.

A firefighter demanded they check his pulse.

They did nothing.

20

Transform your viewing...

Off duty medical personnel begged them to stop.

They did nothing.

Deprived of oxygen.

His organs screaming.

His brain frantic.

They did nothing.

They watched George Floyd die.

His life fading.

A slow death.

They did nothing.

A lynching on the ground.

They did nothing.

For eight agonizing minutes.

Four officers watched.

He cried out for his Mom...

A grown man...

Crying out for the woman who gave him life....

As he feared joining her in death.

And still they did nothing.

A black man.

A gentle giant.

Murdered because he was black.

And still, they’ve done nothing..

The officers should be arrested.

And still they’ve done nothing.

Dont be too heartless to type REST IN PEACE Rest In Peace UUUUU May justice be served

George Floyd Left a Gospel Legacy in Houston

“Racism is a Virus” “ I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling ou the ingrained racism and violence toward people of colour in our country. We have had enough. “ Michael Jordan Basketball Hall of Famer Transform your viewing...

21

Coming Together

By Tyler Perry

I

spent the past few days with an extremely heavy heart, having very high level conversations with people who don’t look like me, people who may not believe what I believe, people who don’t know what it’s like to be black in America but were willing to listen...white people who are Republicans and Democrats, with different opinions, different views, and different ideas and strategies on how to stop this!

White people with the power to have this go either way.

I also spoke to George Floyd’s immediate family and tried to speak comfort in this moment. I have to tell you - they are adamant in their call for peaceful protest.

I want you to know that while some of us are protesting out there, others of us have the gift of being able to pick up the phone and go straight to the people who have the power with the stroke of a pen to effect change. AND IT TAKES ALL OF US AS BLACK PEOPLE TO DO OUR PART!! Think about this please. We’re only 12 to 14 percent of the US population. With a number like that, we need allies that don’t look like us. Allies who are not in the 12 to 14 percent but want to be in the number that helps us.

And you gotta know that I wasn’t the only one doing this. There are a lot of high profile black people, Oprah, Jay-Z, Diddy, athletes, politicians business leaders, preachers, community leaders, and on and on who are doing the same thing I was doing to help us all!! There were a lot of white people that are famous that I was talking to who wanted to know how they could help.

One actually said, “teach us what we need to know.”

I must say that it’s a gift to be able to pick up the phone and actually talk to people who can help effect change. THERE IS POWER IN TALKING TO THE OTHER SIDE! THERE IS POWER IN BEING HEARD! That’s where change lives! Change lives in the galvanization of all races not in the division of us.

During the civil rights movement we were not only marching, but there were those of us who were doing exactly what I’m saying here. And in my exhaustion, in my mental distress and heartbroken moments of anger and rage this weekend, through my prayers all day Sunday I woke up to something that left me in tears. I WENT TO WATER WHEN I SAW THIS!!

22

Transform your viewing...

When I saw this story this morning HOPE STOOD UP IN MY SOUL. Thank you Good Morning America for showing us that there are people out there who are trying to listen. Thank you for showing the world that there were peaceful protests. Thank you for showing black people protesting in peace. Thank you for showing white people and white officers taking a knee and showing the world that some of them are outraged too!!

Please remember this my loving black brothers and sisters, if we judge all white people and all police officers as the same, then that is the blanket judgment that we are accusing them of!!

Please repost this story!!

If you want change, repost this story. If you want to see more of this unity, repost this story. If you want Justice for George and all the other souls we’ve lost this way, including Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos, two men that I’ve been fighting to find White protest justice for over many years, then repost this story. PLEASE REPOST THIS STORY IF YOU JUST WANT PEACE IN AMERICA!!!

The way forward is through this path! MORE OF THIS PLEASE AMERICA. This is what I want more of for my son!

Again, we are only 12 to 14 percent of the population. We need people like these people to stand arm and arm with us! So thank you for doing so.

Thank you to every officer, every white person, every black person, every person of color who is bringing this kind of hope to this awful, tragic moment.

THANK YOU!! Floyd family, your loss is too high a price to be just another hashtag.

Thank you TJ, thank you GMA!!

You have moved my soul today. Let’s hope this moves America!

Transform your viewing...

23

RHEA’S WATCH

Highlights achievements of the youth today, showcases people who seek to​ create a brighter future for the youth ​and reveals hidden gems from the past who helped to make the world a Highlights achievements of the youth today, showcases people who seek better place.

Highlights achievements of the youth today, showcases people who seek to​ create a brighter

to create brighter future forgems the from youth andwho hidden future for theayouth ​and reveals hidden the past helped to make thegems world afrom reveals better place. the past who helped to make the world better place.

Alexagot a place in

the UK's Premier Alex got a place in Being in cadets you haveClub to know how to express your opinion Athletics the UK's Premier and if you think somethings right you need to put that point across Birchfield Harriers Athletics always Club get the opportunity to do that because you won’t necessarily Birchfield Harriers if you don’t.atI started as Alex a Cadetgot and then I became a Lance Corporal age 15. at age 15.

Alex and then ainto corporal sergeant.

Now I have all the Youth got finished my cadet journey as I’ll be 18 by the time If you’re at each level with ranks, intoI go allback. the Youth Development teams you are telling people what to do, you’re responsible for a group of Development teams cadets. They looking at you because they are a lower rank than inare 2019 she was inand 2019 and she was you and it taught tocompete faketoit compete till youin make calledmeto called in it, is actually a real thing.

It works! Because if you don’t believe in yourself that you can do this, middle league middle league then how are you going to get 7,9 however many people you have to competitions which which listen to, tocompetitions what you are saying to believe in you? It really taught me are for seniors.

In Army Cadet Force for the about confidence and I would credit are for2018 seniors.

In the and 2019 Alex reason why I became the confident young woman that I am today. It and 2019 Alex represented also taught2018 me how to interact withSouth people from different walks of Birmingham life becauserepresented the people that ISouth met inschools cadets are very different to the people I meet day to day. twice in athletics.

Birmingham schools I would recommend Army She the went onCadet to Force to people. I’m not twice in athletics. gonna say it’s all sunshine and rainbows represent West but you will make some She went friends.

When I on first to started I was Midlands schools at Mason Trophy Inter Countiesamazing Schools Championships in 2019 in very shy so I didn’t really talk to people.

I didn’t have a lot of friends and there were camps Alex got a place inthe the300m UK’s Premier Athletics Club Birchfield Harriers represent West Hurdles. She has competed in ​England Athletics' national championships that I’d go on, and being away from home was very difficult for me. at age 15. Alex got into all the Youth Development teams twice.

Alex Trophy now studies French, RussianSchools and LatinChampionships at A Levels.

Midlands schools at Mason Inter Counties in 2019 in and get me. But it teaches I would call my mum crying to come in 2019 and she was called to compete in middle league the 300m Hurdles. has competed in2019 ​England Athletics'you national resilience championships and discipline because you’re going to bed at around competitions whichShe are for seniors.

In 2018 and Alex 11PM and waking up at 5:30AM. You have to do your bed in a represented South Birmingham schools twice in athletics. twice. Alex now studies French, Russian and Latin at A Levels.

She went on to represent West Midlands schools at Mason Trophy Inter Counties Schools Championships in 2019 in the 300m Hurdles.

She has competed in England Athletics’ national championships twice. Alex now studies French, Russian and Latin at A Levels.

“As soon as I started track I knew I wanted to do it. I’ve tried practically every sport you can think of. I dirowing, gymnastics, football, cross - country, tennis and basketball. I always knew I’d liked sports since I started secondary school. I thought that I wanted to go to the Olympics with rowing, but as soon as I started track, I don’t know how to explain it, but I just know that there was a part of me that knew that was the one. I didn’t need to search anymore. It’s a really nice feeling being on the track. I feel like I’m at home. Being surrounded by runners when I’ve done kit carrying and things like that. It’s like a feeling that whispers to you almost saying... This is where you belong!”

I would credit the Army Cadet Force for the reason why I became the confident young woman that I am today.

24

Transform your viewing...

certain way whilst taking orders from people. So it teaches you resilience. Definitely how to be humble, because they’re people you don’t like. It’s like being at a school, or at a job. You’re gonna come across people who you really can’t stand but they might be a higher rank than you. You have to respect that. It teaches you to respect the rank/ the position that the person holds even if you don’t necessarily respect the person. I think that is something that is so important to learn into life.

Name: Alexandra Akins Nicknames: Alex, Al Age: 17 Born: Birmingham, UK Fav places: Grenada is where my grandparents are from Soo beautiful! South Africa and New York Fav music artist: Taylor Swift Fav colour: Red or black Likes: Spending time with my friends, writing poetry, running, speaking different languages, watching TV, Dislikes: People who walk slowly in front of me on purpose when they know I am trying to get around them.

People who shout to prove a point, loud eaters + loud breathers!

“I think it teaches you appreciation for life and things we take for granted and the world and the job the real army soldiers do.”

We only do a small part of it which lasts a week or a weekend. When it’s finished we come home, we take off our kit and we go back to school. There are some people out there fighting for us so that we don’t have to do that everyday. Some of the places that I have been such as Belgium, France and all across the UK. Some of my favourite memories are the things that people wouldn’t really expect. It’s not going up in a helicopter, running around with rifles shooting at 4AM. It is messing around with the people you have come to trust because they have got your back. Sitting underneath the stars and looking at the sky. Those are memories that I will really miss.

I go to private school. I think I have always been a high achiever from what I have been told. I have always had it instilled in me that education is more important than anything else. In the same way, one of the reasons I really love track is because it’s about learning how far you can push your body. I have always loved learning because it’s like thinking about how far you can push your mind and learn and how much of a sponge you can be and the idea that everyday you get to go to school which is something that some people don’t get to do everyday. Everyday you get to learn more to then help the people around you who broaden your own knowledge.

I think it’s amazing that I get the opportunity to do that here.

In the end I ended up coming out with four 9s, five 8s, and a grade 7.

Which is all A’s and A*’s.

Last year doing my GCSES was definitely a struggle at points. A lot of my friends would be revising at school like my school in particular because they have a lot of external pressure from family, their parents and comparing themselves to each other. They’d quit most of their sports and extra - curriculer activities and we’d be mostly revising for 12 hours per day. I didn’t do that and I was very lucky

really because our school made us do the end of year from year 7. So by the time we got to year 10 we knew what revision techniques were and it worked for us, working out how long we need to revise, etc. I think it was just really important that I learnt to tune out from other people and their stress and not allow that to be put onto me. In the end I ended up coming out with four 9s, five 8s, and a grade 7. Which is all A’s and A*’s. I was really happy with that. I revised a maxim of 6 hours a day I’d say. But most days it was 4 hours. I didn’t revise for more than 45 minutes at a time. I took my time. There’d be days when I’d wake up and I did not feel like revising at all. I revised in my own way.

Even when people would say that’s not the best way to revise that subject”. That’s the best way for me! You have your way and I have mine. I honestly just think falling in love with learning is what keeps me going. I was really happy with my GCSEs and really happy with the work I put in and I feel I got the grades I deserved. But I also made sure that I didn’t burn out. I didn’t quit athletics. I actually probably trained and competed more during my GCSES study then I did for the rest of the year because athletics was my outlet. Exercise is really important to do when you’re revising too!

I think it’s really important to fall in love with the process of training. Because some days you’re gonna have really good sessions and other days you’re gonna have really bad ones.

Training definitely pushes me to the limit. When I first started I got beaten, pretty much every competition because I started so late and everyone had already been doing it for a really long time and people told me to quit and that there was no point in wishing to go to the olympics. I kept training. I ate smart. I did everything that my coaches said and completely trusted my coaches. I think that is a really important part of training. You have to completely trust your coaches. Because if you don’t you’re not gonna get anywhere. In my 2nd year of running (last year) I started to win. I started to get selected for competitions. So next year I aim to get selected for either the world under 20’s or European under 20’s. I may be going to trials I don’t know yet. It’s just through hard work and believing in God to be honest. Believing that he has a plan and that I have this talent for a reason and not using it and pushing myself to my fullest potential and going as far as I can go is a waste of a talent that he has given me.

Training alongside education is really difficult. I had to prioritise, so I had to miss Cadets events, meetings, camps to go to train or go to compete.

That was a decision I made at the beginning of the year based on what I wanted out of Cadets and Track. So next year should be a lot easier.

Transform your viewing...

25

Photo: contributed. Bakita Kasadha

Bakita: KK

SPEAK YOUR

TRUTH Meet Bakita: KK

Overcoming self-stigma to achieve your potential

[

Bakita Kasadha is a writer, researcher, health activist and poet better known as BAKITA:KK.

[

“No one can tell our stories like we can� underpins her why.

26

Transform your viewing...

Click for video

Theory in the Flesh with Bakita Kasadha BUSY BEING BLACK The Busy Being Black Podcast has launched a series called Theory in the Flesh. The series draws attention to the health inequalities and disparities experienced by Black people in the UK. “A theory in the flesh means one where the physical realities of our lives – our skin colour, the land or concrete we grew up on, our sexual longings – all fuse to create a politic born out of necessity.”

Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa

R E T S U B SS STRE

9 1 D I COV

Hemsley Morris aka Benzly Hype is no stranger to the camera. He created and starred in the television drama Mi and Mi Kru, which first aired in Jamaica in 2009.

The sitcom is based around his mother, Beatrice Morris who has sadly passed.

In the show, Benzly moves out of his mother’s home and into his own house with his mother after a big win on the lottery. What transpires is hilarious.

New episode of Mi & Mi Kru 28

Transform your viewing...

Benzly recognised that social distancing, quarantine, economic hardships, and the loss of jobs because of COVID-19 is causing anxiety and stress. So he doing his part to ease the situation he has released all of the episodes of Mi and Mi Kru on YouTube free of cost.

Credit: Hemsley Morris

s ‘ E P Y H BENZLY FOR

faith on tv

iChurch

Churches that already had a strong, online presence raised the bar by preaching to empty pews.

On the upside they gained a new ‘homechurched’ congregation.

Bishop Mark Nicholson

I

n Croydon Bishop Mark is the Senior Pastor of ACTS CHRISTIAN MINISTRY: A church that is empowered by the Boldness of the Holy Ghost.

It is perhaps, the first of its kind in Croydon with two churches coming together as one, intent on Kingdom Building. This new church, as in the book of ACTS, is modelled from ACTS 2: 41-47.

Bishop Mark serves the community of the Borough of Croydon as a Magistrate appointed by the Lord Chancellor. He is determined to use his position to make a positive contribution to the community and encourage more people from ethnic minorities to join him as Justice of the Peace.

God has so blessed Bishop Mark to venture into the avenue of TV Ministry…MANministries as seen on Faith TV. Bishop Mark aspires to effect change globally – empowering people on their daily journey, spiritually and economically giving new hope and encouragement to be all whom God has ordained them to be through his revealed word.

Bishop Mark is passionate and proactive. In response to the easing of the lockdown he and his team have developed a comprehensive plan to help churches prepare to go back to church called Heart of Worship.

It has been well-received by 42 churches in Croydon and he now shares it with the global church through Butterfly Maag.

YOU’RE THE HEAD

AND NOT THE TAIL

— BISHOP MARK NICHOLSON

Transform your viewing...

29

Pastor Michael Todd Is H.O.T. Honest. Open.

Transparent.

Transformation Church

/ / n io t ia il c n o c e R l Racia

s l a o G p i h s n o i t a l Re

The Tulsa Massacre and the Destruction of Black Wall Street

Pastor Michael Todd lead pastor at Transformation Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Lead Pastor at Transformation Church.

My Hope is in

JESUS 30

Transform your viewing...

Advertorial

Hypolink

Village Resort More Than Just A Resort ORIGINAL ART SHOW

convenient self catering ‘home from home’ kitchen spaces.

It offers weekly events like Yoga classes, Vegan cooking classes, Movie nights, Zumba dance and classes, Pool parties and also staged events.

HYPOLINK has a fully equipped stage and outdoor space for performing artists, wedding receptions and workshops.

The resort has a domed restaurant which is a hotspot for fine dining, with a panoramic roof terrace, indoor and outdoor bars, two restaurants, designer swim-up pool bar, live stage, treatment centre for mind, body and spirit. Also Wi-Fi, Yoga, Zumba and Cooking classes, and Movie nights makes HYPOLINK Village – more than just a resort.

Tailor-made Tours are on offer, as are excursions to various tourist attractions - all at affordable costs. The tour guide will be happy to tailor-make activities to fit your holiday requirements.

Special holiday packages are available, which means you can stay at HYPOLINK Village and other locations in Senegal or Guinea with flights, accommodation and transport included, please contact HYPOLINK on the details below.

COMING SOON

The Inside Story

H

ypolink Village Resort, is an exclusive, modern day, African Village which offers you a home-away-fromhome experience in a luxurious, Ecofriendly environment. Its renowned architecture is an exceptionally blessed detail with lots of African flair.

This unique ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’ resort, offers elegant oasis gardens, set in an ideal location, with the beautiful Kololi Beach only a short walk away. HYPOLINK is an exclusive venue for hosting weddings, private events and conferences.

Accommodation at HYPOLINK comprises of 10 fully equipped self catering apartments, with

Transform your viewing...

31

Hypolink Village Resort, is an exclusive, modern day, African Village which offers you a homeaway-from- home experience in a luxurious, Ecofriendly environment. Its renowned architecture is an exceptionally blessed detail with lots of African flair. This unique ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’ resort, offers elegant oasis gardens, set in an ideal location, with the beautiful Kololi Beach only a short walk away. HYPOLINK is an exclusive venue for hosting weddings, private events and conferences. Accommodation at HYPOLINK comprises of 10 fully equipped self catering apartments, with convenient self catering ‘home from home’ kitchen spaces. It offers weekly events like Yoga classes, Vegan cooking classes, Movie nights, Zumba dance and classes, Pool parties and also staged events. HYPOLINK has a fully equipped stage and outdoor space for performing artists, wedding receptions and workshops.

Matthew Hypolite the owner, was born on the cusp of Virgo and Libra, in the Spice Island of Grenada during its worst ever hurricane, hence his nickname Stormy. He came to England in his early years and grew up in SW6 Fulham. He is very creative, with a “just do it” can-do attitude.

His studies and working life have revolved around the arts, music, property and community development. He discovered Gambia in 2005 and purchased what is now HYPOLINK Village, during his first two weeks on holiday.

The resort was fully developed, designed and built by Matthew, alongside local workers, and a learning experience was had by everyone. They all acquired new skills and working techniques, using new materials and building in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way 32

Transform your viewing...

Contact Information HYPOLINK Village Resort, Palma Rima Junction, Bertil Harding Highway, Kololi, The Gambia UK: +44 (0)7444 337 980 Gambia: +220 788 9883 WhatsApp: +447752151551 hypolinkvillage@gmail.com www.hypolinkvillageresort.com Facebook: hypolink village

Credit: Ubongo Kids

Children’s tv

Credit: Ubongo Kids

Credit: 88Brains

Koba!

Credit: Fresberg Cartoon

Character Strengths You Need to Succeed

Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Day

Rosa Parks Biography Transform your viewing...

33

NOT LAUGHING TODAY

WE LEARNED LOOTING FROM YOU

THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

Preserving White Privilege 34

Transform your viewing...

The Trail of Tears

Warning: Strong Language

Ahmaud Arbery and the Trauma of Being a Black Runner

Life as a Black Man

It may be hard to get a conviction VENGEANCE IS MINE says the Lord.

BBC News

John Boyega: Star Wars actor rails against racism after George Floyd death

We shall overcome Transform your viewing...

35

Sports Arrow

Sancho Reveals

‘Justice for George Floyd’ Message As He Hits Dortmund

36

Transform your viewing...

B

n o i t a t c e p s tion k a c a l pect B s n k o c i a t l a B t c e p s k c Bla e

by Donna Mari

Williams

No, I Won’t Shut Up!

We Have Lost Faith In The City

Transform your viewing...

37

Health & Exercise

Coping with

Endometriosis

38

Transform your viewing...

NICOLA’S AFROBEAT RE-RUN

A MOMENT OF PEACE

We’ll Be Forever Loving Jah Transform your viewing...

39

Pixabay.com

In Case You Missed It

UNITY

Click for Website