Shake February 2014 sharing

 Another February half term. Another Shake Intensive.

This Shake was perhaps one of the most free-flowing organic Shakes we’ve had. The discussions were epic with Adam Cooper provoking us to think about policing when we are aware of our rights as citizens, while Mark Fisher’s discussion was a historical journey through social justice with an understanding of how capitalism and equality have evolved and conflicted over time. We were left asking so many questions to help us re-imagine. Esther Stanford’s (PARCOE)  talk on reparations was mind blowing, educational and so enlightening, opening pathways to how we think about the damage done through colonialism in the light of constructive repairing beyond the money. “There are some things money cannot heal.”  said Heritier.

The poetry created by our Shakers was reflective, moving, soul searching and invigorating. Our poets found a lot of voice through music with the help of Marcina. Best to let them speak for themselves. Here is a recording of three of you Shakers – Heritier, Orla and Zareen.

Heritier has a powerful vocal and his poem is translated by Selina Nwulu, one of our Shake participants from 2010 and now a strong poets and activist in her own right.

Orla’s piece, has a timelessness about it asking the listener to put themselves in her shoes how would they feel about the world they live in - 

 “I want to get lost on purpose…”

And Zareen, writes a hit with a great hook and a strong lyrical flow – 

“Hold on and not be broken,

intertwining, diving, rising, trying here

out in the open.”

Well done all. Will be posting more of February 2014 Shake poems soon!

Zena

AMENAH'S POEM - VOICES THAT SHAKE

Amenah gives an unashamed account of a journey discovering her inner power, identity and her voice. It’s an honest and personal account of self definition through her culture, entering womanhood as a young Woman of African descent with a firm spirituality at her core.  She bravely exposes her inner fears. Something many of us are fearful of doing.

HEY STEVIE - A tribute poem for Stephen Lawrence by Rotimi Skyers

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. 

INJUSTICE - A poem written my K.K Johnson

Stephen-Lawrence died before his time.

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

THOU SHALT NOT KILL - Poem by Selina Nwulu

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…

My peace. Your Peace. Our Peace