I hope you all enjoying the snow. If you have a chance please visit the architecture exhibition in Covent Garden at ‘Scott Brownrigg Architects” office - 77 Endell Street London WC2H 9DZ. Open until the end of next week. At the reception space there is feast of design projects by some of the Stephan Lawrence Architecture bursary awards recipients in my project “Urban Tea Orchestra” is featured. Exhibition opens from 9am to 6pm, once you grab the receptionist attention she’ll buzz you in unless she’s gone for a cuppa! Hope you can make it I’d love to hear from you Cheers, Nuha
Tanya shares a chillingly descriptive poem tackling the ecological state of the world. Tanya is brave new writer confronting issues head on with sharp vision. She takes you deep into the world of the poem as you read the words along with her.
Ballad of the Earth
The guns shake the voices beneath the hollow earth
Wailing in agony, protesting in vain
Tortured by the cries that rise above
Possibly are they the voices of the lost
Killed by the Shell from above
The oil that choked the blood ridden earth
The earth juddered in protest
The pain of the above and below unbearable
Scars imprinted on the godforsaken soil telling a story of injustice
The rain that falls into the chasms of the land
The flip-flops squelch against the dark, devouring oil
That washes the soil like a river of death, black and menacing
The woman stands on the ashes of utopia
And looks above at the black hole of sorrow
Her child clings on behind, the oil in the soles of her feet
The crops yearns for air, a fresh breath of freedom
For the land has been cursed with eternity of pain
Dreams lay strewn across the broken earth
The Nubian civilisation fades like the dust
Entering the black hole of endless destruction
Black,
Black,
Black –the only colour seen
Black as the far reaches of the colossal universe
Blackness that envelops the land
Suffocating
Gasping
Still
Dead
The woman and child tread past the pipelines
A track that leads them to a destination of hopelessness
Unable to change direction, they suffer for nothing
Suffering for those who claim to be people
But are barbarians that feast on the pain of others
And feed their hungry spawns
Yet all these Ogoni people crave
Is the tender caress of their sacred motherland
This concise video that give a clear insight into the lives of the people the situation in the Niger Delta and those who are campaigning to raise awareness to their situation.
Hear the words of Ken Saro-Wiwa “I accuse Shell and Chevron of practising racism against the Ogoni people because they do in Ogoni what they do not do in other parts of the world where they prospect for oil. I accuse the oil companies of encouraging genocide against the Ogoni people... The profits from oil come to Britain because it is their technology that is keeping Nigerian oil going. So they have a moral responsibility to intervene... My mission has been to inform the West of the truth of what is happening in Nigeria, which has been hidden from them. I believe if people knew they’d do something about it and stop this robbery and murder that is going on in broad daylight.”
Hey Z, The site is looking wicked. I've just started getting into Facebook, more for networking and raising awareness than anything else. I was wondering if you could send me the pictures from the whole week, so I could make an album and also cut a video for the group and put it on the site. It would be really good to make another video with the group as well more performance based, Jane said platform have a camera so I'm gonna try getting ppl together again.
Also, I thought It would be good to put upcoming events that could be of interest to us, poetry slams, film festivals, guest speaker talks on the site.
Our film group will be with Ana again for editing so if you have anymore ideas let me know. I could also take some pictures of the session or may be Rotimi could come down and take some if he's not busy. Speak soon Kavi
Hello all, lovely to see you last night and here is a forwards I thought worth posting up on our blog its a great media opportunity for anyone wants a career in media
MAMA Youth Projectis a working production company and a registered charity which helps Black, Asian Minority and Ethnic groups (BAME) and deprived young adults between the ages of 16 and 25, get a start in broadcast television.
We are actively promoting diversity within the television industry by giving free hands-on training to diverse young adults under represented within the industry and give young adults the essential work ethics, practical skills and attributes to have a strong chance of finding employment.
No experience is required! Just intensive training supervised by our staff trainers.
Our new ‘What’s Up’ TV Production Training dates are now out and we are currently recruiting.
THE‘WHATS UP’TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR AUTUMN 2010…
Between Monday 11th October – Tuesday 7th December 2010
WHAT'S UP INDUCTION DAY
8th OCTOBER 2010
Role and start dates
8 weeks from 11th October 10 Production Manager/ Video Editors (x2 places) Sound or Camera Ops (x4 places)
7 weeks from 18th October 10 Production Co-ordinator
7 weeks from 19th October 10 Researchers (x12)
Deadline for ALL Applications: Monday 20th September 2010
THE SELECTION PROCESS
A: Email your interest to whatsup@mamayouthproject.org.uk. Please state in email subject the exact position you are applying for.
B: You will be then sent an application from to fill in and return.
C: If selected you will be invited to be interviewed by the main staff that produce the show.
D: If selected you will invited to the induction day and start on selected dates…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is a great opportunity for your young adults to gain real work experience. At the end of their training they will know exactly what it feels like to go out and work on a television programme. Their confidence and self esteem will rise dramatically.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself or my colleague Nilema Begum at our offices.
Best Wishes,
MYP TEAM
Dephna House, 112-114 North Acton Road, London, NW10 6QH
On the second day of SHAKE! we asked the participants to bring to the session something they considered to be a piece art that had Activist connotations. Hannah Brought in the The "Resistance", part of the The Declaration Trilogy by Gemma Malley. Set in the future in a time when human being has found the means to live forever! However, they had not considered the consequences of this, socially, politically or psychologically. We asked Hannah to right a review.
So in Hanna's own words...
THE DECLARATION: BOOK ONE
A guilt trip when you think about it. Our generation quests for eternal life, and we dare not think of the consequences. This book braves this taboo territory and explores the year 2140. The world is, literally, failing to support the immense population. There's little fuel, little food and little countryside. There is also very little crime, very few terrorist threats (unless you count those performed by the 'Underground' and groups vying for cheaper 'Longevity' drugs). What of families? Well, any parents who decided not to take Longevity are... dead. When you take Longevity, you forfeit the right to have children. Any children you may bear may be found and will be forced into either: slave labour or 'consensual' labour', raised to hate you and themselves.
The protagonist is Anna, a stubborn girl who is determined to 'Earn Her Place'. Life is looking up for her: she doesn't know her parents, she's a Prefect, her Work is usually Excellent or Perfect, and she's nearly sixteen which means that she will be a Valuable Asset and will soon be working in a House on the Outside.
Then along comes Peter, a boy who doesn't Know His Place. His mischievousness, cheekiness and Outside Knowledge drive Anna to think differently about her Place and whether or not her parents do actually love her.
It's quite an interesting read, and it challenges you to think about the consequences of our actions now. There's very little mention of race, although it can be assumed that everyone is white because the adult characters appear to be far more nationalistic than we are 'today'. Power is quite obvious- the adults have it all. One man, in particular, has a lot of it: Richard Pincent.
Stars out of five? Four.
THE RESISTANCE : BOOK TWO
The second book of the Declaration trilogy. It's a slow burner, and quite predictable. The protagonist has switched to Peter so that you find out more about him because, in the first book, he was this mysterious character with an aura of wonder. In this book, you just want to cuddle him. He's harder, but he's easily led. We're also introduced to Jude- Peter's half-brother. I like Jude. He doesn't take crap from anyone and is his own man. He's cool like that. We also get to know Richard Pincent, the man with all the power. He owns the company- Pincent Pharma- which produces Longevity drugs. Nice one, Richie! Or so it would seem, because he is really the most 'Selfish' character. He leads Peter to believe everything he says, nearly forces Anna to sign her Declaration, and locks away Jude :'( The Underground are far more active, which is a good sign because Pip was also one of my favourite characters. He reminded me of one of my teachers- if any of you know Mr. Bolton, you'll probably like Pip as well- and I don't know what that says about me, but whatever.
Predictable, gets you where you're going and has a beautiful climax. Almost like going on a business trip to a beautiful island.
Stars out of five? Three and a half.
The Legacy:
The final installment of the Declaration trilogy. Set one year on from The Resistance, the world is rapidly running low on energy, food and water with ridiculous rationing schemes having to be enforced. To make matters worse: a deadly virus is sweeping the country. Richard Pincent, the head of Pincent Pharma we met in The Declaration and got to know in The Resistance, knows this but withholds the information, blaming the Underground for the mounting bodies. Peter- in Scotland with Anna, their daughter Molly and Anna's brother Ben- travels to London after receiving a message that he is needed only to discover that Pip, the lovable leader of the Underground, has turned himself in. In a race against time (and a few grammatical errors along the way, which were annoying and distracting from the story) Peter, Jude, Anna, and newly-free Sheila fight to save the children from riots and attacks on their lives, and make a startling discovery that draws the perfect end to the trilogy.
Stars out of five? Four and a half.
I was inspired to write a poem about Stephen Lawrence through Shake explaining in detail the prejudice and injustice in his death. What touched me most is how the Centre dedicated themselves in respecting and protecting his memory, showing that Stephen Lawrence did not die in vain. He created a centre that helps many people. For me that is true dedication. - Tanya Parthipan
This week has taught me so many new skills. I have learned film-making techniques, how to tell a story on screen, and make it effective for the viewer. I loved that we were capturing moments of inspiration, passion, and emotion from people that cared about life and the world we live in. This experience has made me realise that I can become a filmmaker and raise awareness about injustice and positive people in my local area. Shout out to all the shakers that helped us make a wicked film!
Lets Shake this world to become a better place Peace
I have great news for anyone who's doing the IB Diploma (I know a couple of you are, but I can't remember who)! SHAKE! counts as CAS! You can claim 60 hours for it if you attended for the whole 5 days and can prove what you've done and which group you were a part of.
You get 30 hours for Creativity and 30 for Action, which means nearly HALF of the requisite 150 wiped out in one week!
Reviewed by Zena A hard hitting poem by a young man who had never written poetry before but found his voice in less than a week!! Another piece that successfully communicates the waste of life to race hate as Rotimi almost puts himself in the place of Stephen. He shows respect to UK Hip Hop Artist Sway too, for his contribution of positivity to inspire the black youth, young boys just like Stephen. Click here to listen to some of Sway's music.
Click Podomatic mediaplayer to hear the poem read by Rotimi.
His death brought about the creation of this centre.
A charitable trust created in remembrance of him.
He was an architect in training.
And a brave and intelligent person. - K.K Johnson
Review by Zena - K.K writes with an uncomplicated style that penetrates and provokes thought. Her poetry resonates on many levels.
Click and Listen
Injustice
What could possibly happen to you whilst waiting for a bus?
Should you expect the worst?
Fear of murder because of the color of your skin…
Fear that that day would be your last day?
What could possibly happen to you whilst waiting for a bus?
Should you run when you see people coming?
Should you have a ‘gut feeling’ that something is wrong?
Is there a voice in your head that tells you something isn’t right?
Innocent, young and bright…
What could possibly happen to you whilst waiting for a bus?
Would five other youths murder you?
Would these youths get away with this murder?
Would the police sit back and fail to take the right action?
Would your name be disrespected and disregarded in this way?
Is this the outcome of waiting for a bus
Kavi, Thank you for this eloquent and insightful piece of your mind, as always, this group never cease to amaze me, how interesting the way each participants picked up differents things during the Shake Week.
As you come to know, aint nothing weird about caring for others. I would say its even odd so few actually do in today society...maybe our society has been made to become more individualistic than we truly suppose to be...hence we are no longer at ease seeing inequality, suffering and injustice while being desensitize at the same time, like we have to accept this is the norm...well, SHAKE showed us that we can look at this differently..
In Africa we have a word that is hard to translate in English. A word use in Southern Africa, East Africa and many other region. The word UBUNTU!!! Look it up on google, it will make sense to you am sure.
Take care and keep in touch.
Peas n light
Hannah: Amongst all your skills and accurate world views, I think you are hiding a talent for comedy...your line in my farewell cards was JOKES!! I burst out laughing in the bus by myself...
:-) LOL
Nuha: As Knaan says, you come from the hardest place on earth but your words are the most beautiful...there must be something special in the air of Mogadishu that turns you into such natural, smart and great people....yea must be something in the air lool
Hope all the others are well,
here are a few links to some of the music and artists you ve been discovering during the workshop:
Check it out, absorb the music, try to locate them geographically, appreciate and comment.
Thank you for everyone for making last week an extraordinary experience, fun and motivating to actually never say that 'there is no point because no one cares' because the week was a testimony that people do care and want to create a positive impact and change.
Hi guys wow it was wonderful being a part of this workshop, I hope you guys are well and hope to see you all again.
Here's a link from a woman called Louis Bennet, a poet, an author and activist who me and people proud of our language known as Patwah (jamaican creole).
Hope you guys find this informative and be proud of your culture.
I wrote, Thou Shalt Not Kill, as I was really struck by how despite the fact that Stephen Lawrence was murdered, there is so much of him still alive somehow. And after spending a week in the Stephen Lawrence centre and seeing his pictures in the reception area, I wanted to pay tribute, not only to the people that pushed for Stephen's case to be brought to media attention and to the centre, but also to the strength of the human spirit, that can still reign despite every injustice.
It's so easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged after hearing about injustices such as the murder of Stephen Lawrence, mainly because it often is so overwhelming and discouraging. But I wanted to use this feeling and take inspiration from Stephen Lawrence to create a poem that highlights that together we can be much stronger than any gang, knife or racist crime and the injustices that arise as a consequence. - Selina Nwulu
Thou Shalt Not Kill a poem for Stephen Lawrence who would be 36 on 14th September 2010.
Here is the image of a man-child
Eyes wide,
Future Full
Black and white lines on his shirt
Snapped hope ‘93
Political gangsters
Squat on humanity
As it sinks further, deep
In pain and misery
Swirls in red tape and the queen's democracy
Democracy becomes
Blood drenched
Stabbed, five inches deep
Justice made blind
Moral imposters
Banking on flimsy legislation
Minds behind those black and white lines
Blood on their hands,
Drip drops a trail on the ground
Swirls turn justice monochrome
Stephen Lawrence
You miss the colors
You miss the freedom love can bring
You miss
Everything an 18-year-old saw and you didn't
Impotent fools
Loaded with steel hatred
Unaware that
The pen will forever trump the blade
The power you crave from that
Phallic metallic stick…
We are repelled
Powerless powerless fools
Thou shalt not kill
A battle waiting to be won
Thou shalt not kill
Education.
Words from a mother to a son
Thou shalt not kill
Knowledge.
The wisdom to walk away
Thou shalt not kill…
Monday 16th sees 14 participants aged between 16 and 25 meet with artistsDJ Eric Soul, poets Zena Edwards from cV:iD and Simon Murray from African Writers Abroad, and Ana Tovey from Chocolate Films at the Stephen Lawrence Centre in Deptford, for SHAKE! Ben Amunwa, Jane Trowell and Ed Lewis from Platformare the coordinators of Shake!
Lots of unknowns - we'd registered a big group of participants but who would turn up? Would our collaboration between the artists work? Would we get the balance right between serious politics, art, and hope: our case studies are heavy. We are focusing on the Ogoni struggle for environmental justice in Nigeria through the life and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, and considering it alongside the conditions that led to the murder of Stephen Lawrence at a bus stop in Eltham in 1993, and all the wider ramifications.
So all of us were pretty happy to meet the group and hear from them...quiet-seeming, very switched on and thoughtful participants who know why they were doing the course and what their stake in it is. 9 women and 5 men, the majority describing themselves as of African-Caribbean descent, with some young people of Kurdish, Chinese, Sri Lankan, and white English backgrounds. London in all her glory.
They brought up a range of political concerns coming out of the themes, from sex-trafficking to youth crime to unemployment to racism to capitalism to combatting apathy. There was a lot to take in on day 1 and by the end I hoped we hadn't asked too much.
Day 2... had it been too much? who would return?
But... everyone from day 1 showed up on time and we were off again. The vibe was keen, looser, and good. For this morning session, the group brought examples of something in culture which they found powerful and political. Music from K'Naan, Lowkey, Bashy, Within Temptation, Jill Scott, personal photos, photographs of life in Somalia, Anansi stories, a book by Gemma Malley... This built on what we had done yesterday where the artists had presented some work they had been influenced by, followed by discussion on how it works, why it works, for whom it works (or not)...
Then into artform groups - video documentary, music/DJ, writing/performance poetry. This was the moment we'd all been champing for - an outlet for all the talk, all the politics, and all the feelings that had been aroused... I participated in the first writing workshop. Free-writing which led to an outpouring of responses. Really powerful to be witness to it. Some tears, lots of applause. Cool calm encouraging comment from Zena and Simon and others in the group. Kernals of ideas that would be worked on, worked up. Me, I'd written a splurge about skinheads... got me going...
This post was written by Jane Trowell of PLATFORM Images by Zena Edwards
Peace
