THE NUBIAN TIMES Bad news sells. Good news inspires
October/November 2015
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NEWS
manchester reCLAIM #EnoughisEnough TNT Yasin
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Chinembiri
tephen Lawrence is no new name to most of us, certainly not the black community. Manchester-based youth leadership organisation, RECLAIM has launched a year-long campaign that coincided with the birthday of the late Mr Lawrence who would have been 41 this year. The message – Manchester has not forgotten you Stephen Lawrence #EnoughisEnough.
The Nubian Times
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ST MARGARET’S LAST REUNION
people and their work but also showcases their fight and desire for equality for the working class young people. Funded by philanthropists and wider charitable donors, the youth-led project’s main aim with this project is to have “an amplified voice and ensure that people of Manchester do not forget Stephen Lawrence”, Kwame told TNT.
“There are still people walking free in this country that murdered Stephen. We still have questions that need to be answered in regards to accountability and transparency regarding the case, Thanks to the creativity and drive of and corruption the young within the esteam behind the venture, “There are still people walking free in tablishment”. the campaign this country that murdered Stephen When asked has poignabout the chalant posters lenges RECLAIM faced in bringing on 12 kiosks across Manchester City this campaign from concept to fruition, Centre. In a bid to effect change and Kwame outlined “time and resources” raise wider awareness, the project is however reiterated the drive to mark evesituated in the city centre; purposely ry single anniversary for Stephen as key. for “maximum exposure”, lead activist Kwame Ibegbuna told TNT. Throughout Black History Month, RECLAIM will be hosting seminars on irHaving been inspired by Terry Manresponsible media, Islamophobia, posiyeh’s poem and then led by Samuel tive black history and gender violence. Akinwale (who can be seen on the posters), the project not only focuses on the organisation’s young Continued at thenubiantimes.com
O
n Saturday 12th September the West Indian Sports and Social club on Westwood Street, Moss Side, held what is widely believed to be the last reunion of St Margaret’s School. Westwood Street was the final destination for the reunion dinner which played host to over 100 guests. In 2010 the first reunion was held at Longford Park and due to its huge success, a second reunion was then held at the Manchester Conference Centre in 2012.
Alexander Park One Year On
A C I R F A THE IN RLD WO
S for more information
contact@pac45foundation.com 07984 359894
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Victor Lovelock, an ex-pupil, shared his early memories. “I enjoyed the school and when I first started, there weren’t any black people at the school. I enjoyed getting the strap and a caning and, yes, the wonderful detentions. I’d do it all again” his comments were met with rapturous applause and laughter. St Margaret’s Church of England Secondary Modern School was located at 136 Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester. The school, according to Wilda Grant, has been closed for around 45 years and there is no mention of the local contribution this school made to the community and wider afield in sports, music and so much more. There has also been no mention of the many children who came from the Caribbean and went to school at St Margaret’s and the impact it had on them and their re-settling families.
unday 5th of September saw the recently restored Alexandra Park celebrate its first birthday. One year has passed since the completion of the £5.5 million restoration works commissioned for the historical green space.
Book tickets here: bit.do/bookpac70
The reunion welcomed pupils from the mid to late 60s but mainly 70s and some of the guests hadn’t seen former classmates for almost fifty years. The atmosphere was jovial as ex-pupils reminisced on their school days and the antics they got up to.
£2.2million was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration works, with the remainder match funded by Manchester City Council. Further funding was provided by the English Cricket Board, the Lawn Tennis Association and Sport England. On the anniversary of the reopening, The Tea Hive and Alexandra Park joined forces to celebrate with a barbeque, homemade burgers, ice cream and cake. The event was attended by many families from the neighbouring districts. The event was supported by Youth on Solid Ground, Age Friendly Whalley Range, and the Friends of Alexandra Park to provide arts craft and activities, sports coach-
ing and face painting, whilst music was provided by Dave Taylor’s hit Parade. The numbers were cosy for the 1st years celebration, however, whilst members of the communities surrounding the park are undoubtedly delighted by the investment, many have spoken to TNT News about a recurring issue regarding Alexandra Park celebrations. The areas surrounding the park, namely Moss Side and Whalley Range, are often celebrated for their cosmopolitan atmosphere and the diversity of the local people. Many residents said they would have loved to have seen this diversity reflected during the first birthday celebrations, as it marked a significant milestone in the community’s history. Needless to say the local people hope that future events will be advertised to the wider community, especially those who frequented the park long before the refurbishment, in order to be truly inclusive.
Sonia Foster said, “I attended St Margaret’s for a short time in the mid 60s and I enjoyed what little time I spent there.” There were no sponsors for this event as it was self-financed by six former school friends. The event was supported by local artists such as 15-year-old saxophonist Shamaiah Gordon and singers Gaina Williams and Basil Otis. Wi l d a G r a n t s a i d , “ We w e r e very fortunate that Mrs Lesley Wojakowska our science teacher was able to attend this year’s event. The reunion was attended by over 100 school friends with their families.” The most touching part of the night was when the names of classmates who had passed away were read out:Pamela Duncan, Elaine Williams, David Mantro, Pauline Bailey,
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Band on the Wall Monday 12th October 2015 Tickets £12.00 advance “This lady is the keeper of the cool, cool flow” — Tony Allen “A hip-hop artist with the flow and dexterity of Rakim, the poetic brilliance of Lauryn Hill, and the ability to invoke, through art, the full weight of Black women’s history the way Nina Simone or Toni Morrison does.” — Dr. Mark Naison, Live Unchained.
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NEWS
5
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: what about black future?
T
he issues of black youth violence is one that cuts deep in our community. Many witness the rise in youth violence, and yet appear powerless to do anything about it. Communities become paralysed with fear and become angry when the authorities pay less regard for a black life, then that of white life, even when black people are still losing their lives in alarmingly,violent and tragic circumstances. We demand that the authorities do more in response to youth violence, be sure they do have a role to play and as taxpayers we should expect requisite investment in our communities. But lets be real, the honest fact is, no one devalues black lives more than us and if we don’t value the lives of our own young people, why the hell should anyone else? What white people see is a community who, if its isn’t getting paid, doesn’t show up. We should be marching in our thousands, swamping the areas of violence, demanding that our youth stop slaughtering one another in the streets. Most mothers and young people have no choice but to deal with the trauma of losing a son alone, the ques-
tion I ask is, where are the black men? Were are the fathers? All i see is a mass of single women and children coping with loss largely alone. Only we can solve this problem and our primary focus should be on us, what are we doing? That responsibility starts in the home, first and foremost! On broader level we have failed the youth politically, incessantly arguing among ourselves for the scraps the authorities throw at us, riven with hostile division and personal gripes. The honest truth is we need leadership, but the way I see it right now, We couldn’t lead a dog on a string much less young people. We need to be leaders in our families and our communities. Since 2000 more Black youth have been killed in the UK by other black youths, let me pause here for effect, than combined deaths of all the British soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, including all racist murders and all police deaths in custody over this period. Shocking? Its an absolute disgrace and we should hang our heads in shame! There would be many more deaths were it not for the skill and dedication of the surgeons in our hospitals, add to the death toll the thousands of walking wounded. Kids whose lives are ru-
ined through brutal, wanton, violence enduring acute disabilities, years of hospital treatments carrying colostomy bags, disfigured torn bodies whose future has been ripped from them. I’m all for confronting white racism people but lets clean up our own house first. If racists had killed this many black boys, we’d be marching on the streets demanding justice. That’s why I think its time for Black men to stand up and be counted. In a recent video Gwenton Sloley former gang member and now specialist Violence Interrupter issued a simple challenge to all community leaders ‘ pull your socks up’ So on the last day of Black History Month we will be organising a conference in London that will call together people who want to ‘do for self’. If you’re interested in doing something rather than blaming other people – come along details will be posted on my blog shortly and of course my beloved Nubian Times, a prime example of ‘do for self’, will be supporting this event. But just to be absolutely clear were spending our own money so if you’re looking for grants this is not for you. Lets remember this, the youth are watching and they’re not impressed! Blog
http://leejasper.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter @leeJasper
RIO: No Stone Unturned
S
eeptember 29 seemed bestfitting a date for 29-yearold RIO (Rio Nelson) – south Manchester’s finest rapper – to bring the premiere of his most-anticipated documentary, ‘RIO: No Stone Unturned’ to his fans at Z-Arts Centre in Hulme. From the first right up to the last scene in the documentary, produced exclusively by KTS.TV, there was one word that kept recurring in my mind, which is ‘real’. In the music Industry, you’d be hard pressed to find an artist more real, dedicated, grounded and as talented as RIO – whose focus is strictly on “me and my community”, he later said. As that latter conclusion silently formed in my mind, midway through the film, DJ Stylus appears on screen
and says, “He [RIO] is natural, organic and has stuck to his roots”. Stylus goes on to commend RIO on his work ethic, citing “he works really hard”. Exploring R.I.O’s life; from performing at The Ritz, meeting and opening shows for Hip-Hop legends Nas, Methodman and Redman, to spending time in the studio with his children, the documentary gives an insight to the side of the artist most fans don’t get to see. In true R.I.O fashion, the rapper who grew up in Moss Side, had a Q&A session after the screening of his documentary to which the audience both congratulated him for the production’s insight and questioned him on his inspiration, advice, goals, past tracks, and how to get Manchester MCs on the map.
T
he PAC@70 Youth Question Time has been inspired to celebrate the ground breaking 5th Pan African Congress on MMU All Saints campus - Manchester, 1945. The Youth Conference forms part of a 3 day conference, organised by the PAC45Foundation in partnership with The Union MMU, University of Manchester Student Union, The Nubian Times and The Youth Charter. The PAC@70 Youth Question Time event will give access to meaningful discussion of Pan African issues for young people by young people. Using education, art, creative, digital and historical knowledge, to hear voices that are not heard and to discover what is really in the hearts and minds of this next generation of Pan Africans. The event will be chaired by The Union MMU President – Jordan Stephen - Chair, with panel members: Pan African Historian and renowned author – Prof Hakim Abdi, UMSU General Secretary – Naa Acquah, Pan African
Activist – Dr Umar Johnson, Pan African Psychologist – Rameri Moukam, and official Black History Month anthem artists Scratchylus Empress Reggae Sizzla Kalonji Live performances from award winning Scratchylus Empress Reggae Sizzla Kalonji - official Black History Month 2015 single ‘Our Story’, Burga Boy, DJ for the event is Kemoy Walker. Free refreshment and food will be available from 5:45 pm. Naa Acquah UMSU General Secretary - ‘PAC 70 Youth Question will give young people the space to talk about what they think and feel and how we can spread Pan Africanism’ Professor Hakim Adi, Professor of the History of Africa and the African Diaspora University of Chichester - ‘The 1945 Manchester 5th Pan-African
Congress was one of the most important events to take place in that city in the 20th century and the most famous of all the Pan-African congresses. The Congress forever linked Manchester to the struggle for the liberation of Africa and the global African diaspora.’ Jordan Stephen The Union MMU President -“I think there is no better time to showcase the great contributions that young people, students and Manchester have made and can still make to the global conversation about Africa its history and the diaspora” 16th October 2015, The Union MMU, 21 Higher Cambridge St, Manchester M15 6AD 5:45pm 10pm Reserve your place at http://www. eventbrite.co.uk/o/pac45foundationltd or email contact@pac.org Twitter @PAC70Youth
Complete your family. Adopt with Manchester. manchester.gov.uk/adoption or call 0800 988 8931
CHRISTMAS IS COMING Black Friday 25th Nov 2015
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The Nubian Times
WHAT’S ON
EVENTS
october
Young Identity – Battle of the Minds
Black on Black
17 October
20 June - 9 October
Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, M15 6JA
Manchester Art Gallery,M2 3JL 10am-5pm, Free
Times Vary, £11 Full / £6 Conc. Using spoken word, Young Identity presents their take on current education, sharing their knowledge and teachings on life so far.
The Holy & Horny Farewell Tour 6 November Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Rd, M15 5ZA 7.30pm, £14/12.50 A celebratory, one woman show that follows twenty characters on unforeseen life journeys.
MindOut BAME Wellbeing Workshops 10 & 24 October Community Base, 113 Queens Rd, BN1 3XG Time - 1.30pm-4.30pm, FREE Workshops for LGBTQ people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Soul Legends 29 October, The Lowry, The Quays, M17 1TZ £26.50-£28.50 Time 8.00pm An absorbing revival of everyone’s favourite classic soul tracks including Respect, Soul Man and Beat It.
Music by Le Gateau Chocolate: I ♥ Chocolat 8 October Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, M15 6JA Time - 8:00pm, £15 Full / £10 Conc. One of Time Out London’s Top 10 Cabaret stars. The one-man musical contains jazz, rap and an array of costume changes from the glorious lycra-clad opera Diva.
‘Wheelchairs and Carers’. Saturday 3rdof October The Dancehouse Theatre, 10A Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 5QA Manchester’s People’s Assembly movement has been working with the National Steering Committee organising events.
All Stars Of Comedy 2015-16 UK Tour Karnak Entertainment fresh from their sell-out Will-E Robo 2015 UK tour The hugely successful international comedy clash is back. This season’s all-star line-up features the undisputed pound-for-pound champion of the UK Comedy Circuit, the people’s choice -Slim, the hilarious Bajan dance hall queen - Wayne Dibbi Rollins, rapidly rising star on the UK comedy scene - Axel Blake and the new comedienne on the block, urban comedy sensation Smash -Judi Love. All Stars Of Comedy 2015-16 UK Tour, will perform for one night only in Manchester at Lowry Theatre, Manchester, on Friday 9th October 2015 Competition: Win a pair of tickets for all stars of comedy Q -“What was his previous profession before becoming a comedian?” Competition closing date; 8th October 12 noon
TV Watch List
WANT YOUR EVENT AD HERE CALL 0871 700 2222
Empire, Season 2, Channel 4 Starts 6th of October 9pm
2015 UEC BMX European Cup Rounds 9 & 10
Musical drama about the inner working of Empire Enterprises, a fictional hip-hop music and entertainment company, who’s family are battling for control of the business. Starring Terence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
16 – 18 October, From £12 The National Cycling Centre Stuart Street The best BMX racers from the UK and Europe will be taking on each other…
Parks and Recreation, season 5, Dave, 12th of October, 8pm
World Taekwondo GP 2015 16 – 18 October, From £10 Regional Arena
From Emmy award-winning executive producers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, this ensemble comedy follows mid-level bureaucrat Leslie Knope and her tireless efforts to make her town more amusing and excitable.
Etihad Campus The WTF World Taekwondo Grand Prix will once again bring together the world’s leading 250 athletes across 3 days of exciting competition in Manchester. Dashehra Diwali Mela 17 October 14:00 – 21:00, Free City Centre
Cinema Watch List
Steve Jobs Released on the 22nd October
Albert square A spectacular and contemporary celebration of the festivals of Dashehra and Diwali in the city centre. Peter Hook & The Light 30 October 7 pm, from £23 Manchester Academy Oxford Road In a special concert as part of the 25th Birthday celebrations for Manchester Academy, Peter Hook & The Light are to perform Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” and “Closer” Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzone, Free Friday 9 October 12:00 - 22:30 Saturday 10 October 11:00 - 22:30 Sunday 11 October 11:00 - 22:30 Albert Square
The Walking Dead, Season 6, Fox (UK) Starts 12th of October, 9pm.This drama is based upon the superb black and white comic books by Robert Kirkman, and developed for TV by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile). The drama tells the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes, who awakes from a coma to find a world seemingly in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
This biographical drama sees Steve Jobs take us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, in order to illustrate an intense portrait of the phenomenal man at Apple’s core. Shanghai Released on the 1st of October This mystical drama explores the friction between Japan and America during the Second World War. In the months before the attack on Pearl Harbor an American . Paranormal Activity 5: The Ghost Dimension Released on the 22nd October The new Paranormal Activity film possesses the very formalised structure that most Horror films adhere to. Strange events plague a family within a large stately home, after the family discover a video camera looking louche in the garage.
“Unleash the natural you� Call or E-mail to arrange a consultation
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