Ligali Newsletter

July 04
www.ligali.org

BBC: MOBO

Robert Blackford:
African threat to Christianity?

Ron Atkinson:
BBC Documentary - Am I Racist?

Joseph Harker and the New Nation:
African and Proud

For the very reasons Harker suggests we should call ourselves African… we [at New Nation] no longer use the term 'black'.

Cultural Diversity Network League Table - 2004

The new Cultural Diversity Network website is online, click here to view the 2004 CDN league table on broadcasters diversity targets.

Baroness Scotland:
Home Office Minister of State for the Criminal Justice System

A recent Home Office report has once again revealed African Britons are most likely to be stopped and searched than any other ethnic group in the UK. Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland described the situation as frustrating and said 'We intend to aggressively address this, but I want to know more about why there is that level of disproportionality'. Despite this, Tony Blair, gave related evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee in which he chose to focus predominantly on issues surrounding the ‘stigmatising’ of the Muslim community and totally ignored the fact that African Britons were once again the primary victims of this misuse of police power. The continuing disproportionality of stops and the corresponding low arrest rates with little evidence of crime being reduced or prevented indisputably contradict Police claims that stop and search policing is driven solely by intelligence, nor does it serve as an effective crime preventative method. There is now sufficient evidence for the Commission for Racial Equality to bring legal action against Chief Constables and individual officers who exploit Stop and Search through race relations legislation. Click here to read more about this story.

Sir David Calvert-Smith:
Ex CPS boss leading CRE’s investigation into racism in the police service

The Policemen's Secrets

The CRE has released the interim results of its investigation into racism in the Police initiated by the BBC's The Secret Policeman documentary. The investigation is led by the former Director of Public Prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Sir David Calvert-Smith. It aims to analyse the effectiveness of the race equality schemes drawn up by police authorities. The CPS wants to assess how individual police forces and the service as a whole combats racial discrimination, and meets its race equality duty.

Before the investigation was formally launched in March 2004, CRE Chair Trevor Phillips wrote to all 43 police authorities and forces in England and Wales to request copies of their race equality schemes. Responses were received from all but three police authorities. Only one of the schemes in the sample of 15 selected for detailed examination reached minimum standard for compliance on all counts.

Trevor Philips has issued a letter to police forces and authorities warning them to comply with race relations law. If the CRE is not satisfied with the response, a compliance notice will be issued that can be enforced through a court order. If a police force or authority fails to comply with the order, the relevant individual (e.g. the Chief Constable) will be liable for contempt of court proceedings. Such proceedings can lead to a fine, and sometimes in the last resort imprisonment.

Racial Attacks

Once again, many significant news stories have been ignored or afforded minimal attention by mainstream news outputs over the past month. The following are just some of those stories;

Woman shot in the stomach by racist

A female African British bus driver was shot in the stomach with a nail gun in what police have said was a racially motivated attack. The woman was sat in stationary traffic in Maida Vale when a man on a motorbike pulled alongside her and shot her shouting that he 'hated Somalians'. BBC News Online - 22 June 2004

Penalty for racial abuse: a bunch of flowers

A racist who shouted abuse at 70 year old Annie Aldeson pled guilty to racially aggravated breach of the peace. As punishment (and we use that word loosely), the judge fined him a bunch of flowers. Drunken Robert McQuillian also 70, had shouted "black", "there goes the black", and "golliwog", at Mrs Addison, as she walked near her home last December. Mrs Addison said: "I don't want them [the flowers], it's an insult. I'm sorry, I'm just not accepting them. To me it's a slap in the ear. I was very hurt by what he said to me. I was stressed out for months . . . Will a bunch of flowers stop him doing it again next time he gets drunk? I don't think so." The Herald - 18 June 2004

The Conservative BNP Party?
Conservative leaders in West Yorkshire have appointed BNP member, Adrian Marsden to Calderdale councils race equality committee. Marsden reportedly stated that he has 'a clear idea of how we can bring an end to all the racists stuff there is in Halifax', a concerning statement given the 'ideas' about population control cited in the recent BBC expose 'The Secret Agent' which included shooting 'Pakis'. Guardian Online - 10 July 2004 Thankfully, the Council saw sense and have since disbanded the committee. BBC News Online - 15 July 2004

Further evidence of the ideological link between the Conservative and BNP was provided courtesy of Conservative Councillor Geoff Demack who represents Leyland St Mary's ward. Demack recently stated that 'people should not be treated equally' and that 'we should look after the Christians and our own people first'. He has also refused to sign the South Ribble equality statement rejecting racism and religious prejudice and yet declared that he is not a racist.

In his own defence, Councillor Demack said 'I declined to sign it because as a Christian there are certain situations where you cannot treat everybody equally... It's got to the stage where Christian organisations are being forced to employ non-Christians and I don't agree with it. I think this is a Christian country, or was, and Christians should still get priority'. He added: 'I don't think that people who have come into our country in the last few years should be treated equally with people who have fought for the country, it's wrong to treat them equally'. Leyland Today - 7 July 2004

Hackney Museum:
Paid to Slave?

Education and Hackney

We are looking for several young brothers from Hackney aged between 18 – 29 to take part in an evening of chillin’ and chattin’ about opportunity and access to the education system in Hackney. The event will take place in Nando’s – Stoke Newington. Food and drink will be provided free of charge. Places are limited, so please register your details via email to: register@ligali.org by Friday 30th July 2004. We value your opinions so please take this opportunity to share them with us

London Schools 2004:
Reaching for the stars

'This year's conference will ensure that inequalities in educational attainment stays on the agenda. It will also offer the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those working in education to address this issue and seek to inspire others to make their own personal contribution.' Mayor of London website

Oxford University Teams Up With the National Black Boys Can Association

African British boys from across the country, with the potential for achieving high academic credentials, will be given the opportunity to apply and participate in a new initiative between the University of Oxford and the National Black Boys Can Association, designed to realise their academic potential. The programme will consist of training, information and guidance for boys and their parents. Sessions will commence on 17th August with a two-day residential programme at the University of Oxford and follow-up training days will be held during the course of the year. A one-day programme will be held for their parents on 18th August.

Schools and parents are encouraged to identify and support the admission of applications for African British boys in years 9, 10 and 11 who are likely to benefit from the programme, irrespective of whether they are bright and high achievers, or bright but underachieving. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 30th July 2004. For more information, visit the National Black Boys Can Association website.

African British History in Curriculum

We believe that history should be a mandatory subject in all schools for all pupils. The study and learning of African history is vital to redressing adverse representation of our community and to tackling all racism informed by ignorance and lack of awareness of the contribution made to Britain by millions of forcibly enslaved African people.

Click here to read our letter to David Miliband, Minister of State for School Standards

Click here to read the DfES Response

African Enslavement Remembrance
National Slavery Memorial Day

Support for Early Day Motion 1010 which calls on the Government to acknowledge the leading role Britain played in Transatlantic enslavement and to make the teaching of the ‘slave trade’ and plantation enslavement a mandatory part of the National Curriculum is growing. Signatories have more than doubled from 47 on 6 May 2004, prior to our coverage of the issue, to 114 on 19 June 2004. Ligali acknowledges Dianne Abbott MP written support of the EDM and the work of David Lammy MP in researching the issue on our behalf. David Miliband, the Minister of State for School Standards suggested that there is already ample opportunity within the National Curriculum to study the enslavement of Africans. He also states 11-14 year old pupils look at the culture, beliefs and achievements of African societies in the past.

Has your local MP signed the EDM? Click here to view responses so far.

Hearts to Africa

Hearts to Africa is very much a 'hands on' charity hence the reason we have mentioned them in this month's newsletter. Like Ligali, Hearts to Africa embody the principle of less talk and more action through their excellent work in supporting our brothers and sisters in Africa:

We are community funded and really do what we say we do on the tin. We advertise the need for clothes, educational equipment, medical equipment, toys, shoes, food, kitchen utensils and the like, and once we get word that 'you' the people have these items, we head down to where you're at with a big van and load up bound for the storage depot. Once we get all of the 'gifts' to the storage, we arrange for a team to sort through the items and bag and barrel them accordingly. Then they are shipped.

The container costs are a staggering £2,000 and this is paid for out of the money raised that particular year. The deficit is paid for out of members pockets. We then pay for our own flight and accommodation and travel to The Gambia ready for a fun, hard working week [or two] of distribution. Hands On! All items that you kindly donate reach the people directly. And if you wish to see this to believe this, then the choice is yours and the opportunity is open to all to be a traveller along with the Hearts to Africa team. Or you could also become a member which is even better.

To find out more about Hearts to Africa, visit their website

Stereohype 5

Wednesday 30 June 2004 marked the Mellow Campaign’s fifth successful Stereohype event. This innovative project publicly and honestly discussed the issues of Mental Health and stereotyping within the African British community. Spoken word performer shortMAN opened with an inspiring performance. 'Stepping into our potential' was the theme discussed by the panel and delved into the topics of employment and education. The event closed with a very positive open mic session.

Organisers and Facilitators: Alison Evelyn , Sandra Griffiths, Marcus Joseph
Panel: Robert Jones, Folusho Oshoko, Abdi Aboker, Toyin Agbetu.

Emancipation Day

PurehArt has launched a campaign to recognise and celebrate Emancipation Day in the UK. Merrick Hart, founder of PurehArt Heritage Education Services is calling for Sunday 31st July 2005 to be recognised nationally as Emancipation Night and Monday 1st August 2005 as Emancipation Day.

For more details contact:
PurehArt Services, c/o: 2 Priors Croft, London, England, E17 5NJ
Tel: 020 8531 1773 ans
Email: purehArt@easynet.co.uk

A Rising Star

Spoken Word performer Tuggstar - an understated but incredibly talented African British artist - has released his eagerly awaited debut CD the 'Africa E.P: From here to there and home again'. Tuggstar's CD is thankfully devoid of the usual commercialised cliches that glorify misogyny and materialism and instead offers thought-provoking material that we all need to take time to hear! The content of his forthcoming EP is best described by the man himself;

“THE AFRICA E.P: FROM HERE TO THERE AND HOME AGAIN” was an attempt to tell part of a story of African migration and settlement. It is a period in history that has not had a lot of exploration, and I love to bring untold stories to light. I was able to draw on my own family’s story as inspiration to elements in each poem.

After going home to Ghana in December 03. I realised a lot of my material for the LP concerned my relationship with hip-hop. I didn’t have anything that could strongly connect with my people back home. I always believe that it is important to be true to the foundation that made you. I am aware “The Africa E.P…” won’t obviously attract people outside politics, Africa or poetry. It is heavy in subject matter and delivery, at times humorous but overall very intense. However I am a politicised Ewe, Ghanaian, African and Pan-African from the conscious community in London whose favourite form of expression is poetry, who loves fusing history in my subject matter. For those looking into African thought and want to become acquainted with a true commentary and heartbeat of Africans in Britain, then this will satisfy that thirst. I don’t purport to be the voice, though only one of many voices with an opinion and perspective that usually isn’t heard outside the home.

These words weren’t designed to please anyone but to tell the truth of words from my heart. I feel most commercial black music eg hip-hop and R&B is designed to be pleasing with irrelevant subject matter to the lives of Africans worldwide. Poetry unbars us and gives us back our voice.
Tuggstar

You can purchase Tuggstar's CD by emailing tuggstar@allhiphop.com, calling 07939 989 471 or visiting x-bout.com/xo

Tuggstar's website

This month's ABC Award goes to the team behind the New Nation newspaper for their continuing commitment to national and international issues that are often ignored by the mainstream media, not to mention the high quality journalism. New Nation has clearly emerged as the undisputed champion of weekly newspapers for the African British community. The paper continues to cover a wide variety of issues relevant to our community but often ignored by the mainstream media.

Following its recent revamp, New Nation has introduced a weekly feature on African history and regularly focuses on up and coming African British artists with a useful advice column focused on the entertainment industries. Amongst the most outstanding aspects of the paper are the extensive features that have covered a wide range of issues including the mass extermination by Germany of African people, how 'debt' to the West continues to cripple developing countries and the fight of African British men to gain access to their children.

We would also like to applaud the newspapers move away from the label 'black' towards a more cultural, historical and politically appropriate name. We look forward to the day when the tagline on the front of the paper reads: New Nation: Britain's best African British newspaper!

Media Guidelines 2004

In 1810 the Encyclopaedia Britannica described the 'black (N*gro)' as an ' unhappy race ... they are strangers to every sentiment of compassion, and are an awful example of the corruption of man left to himself.'

Black mail, black sheep, black list, black deed, black spot, black Friday, black people. N*gro people. N***ers. Negative words repeated frequently are very effective in reinforcing derogatory stereotypes. Ashamed of our identity, unaware of our culture and heritage, many of us were taught to hate and despise Africans, whilst others subconsciously replace the word African with the label ‘black’ whenever we read or hear it.

In the meanwhile we have added our media guidelines for 2004 to the terminology section on the Ligali website. We acknowledge not everyone will agree with the entries, just as Ligali disagrees with noted African American Professor Booker T. Washington when he 'reclaimed' the offensive racial slur n*gro in a public statement June 2, 1906. In an attempt to make a 'bad' word 'good' he said that it has long been his own practice to write and speak of members of his race as ‘n*groes’, and when using the term 'n*gro' as a race designation to employ the capital 'N' . Time changes, so does attitudes and beliefs. in 2004 there are many of us still trying to make 'bad' words 'good'. We shouldn't try to reclaim 'n***er' and we shouldn't try to reclaim 'black'. We are Africans and we at Ligali believe its time to ditch the 'group think' and use modern language to reflect that truth.

Click here to read our Media Guidelines 2004

Fair Trade:
Negative victim-type connotations?

Fair Trade:
No Space for regions

FAIRTRADE - Guarantees a better deal for Third World Producers.

FAIRTRADE - Guarantees a better deal for disadvantaged Nations.

African Britons and Equal Treatment Bench Book

On May 12 2004 Lord Woolf, the Lord Chief Justice launched the latest edition of the Equal Treatment Bench Book. The book has been extended to incorporate‘people who are of different race [as this] is all part of the fact that we live in a very diverse society and the justice system has got to be able to cope with that diverse society'. The book is the work of the Equal Treatment Advisory Committee (ETAC) who describe their remit as one that ‘increasingly embraces broader concepts of equality, diversity, fairness and general ‘judgecraft’, striving to achieve best practice in administering justice for all’. Whilst we believe the ambition of the publication to be laudable, it unfortunately maintains several inaccurate and offensive comments with regards to African Britons.

http://www.jsboard.co.uk/etad/index.htm

Urban Culture:
Where Bling is King

Urban Awareness

An Observer article earlier this year documented the process of cultural homogenization in British society. The phrase 'ethnically ambiguous’ was used to signify a new ‘urban’ world where ‘blended’ African, Asians and Europeans forget their individual ‘ethnic’ identities. In contrast, Vanessa Walters made the case for rejecting the new euphemism ‘urban’ in the Guardian.

In a recent speech to teachers, Prince Charles warned that a generation of young people were becoming 'culturally disinherited' because they failed to understand their place in history as the result of an inadequate curriculum. He also mocked 'modish fads' which could be 'potentially expensive and disastrous experiment[s] with people's lives'. Ironically, the Prince’s Trust organised the Urban Music Festival in May headlined by Jay-Z who has written some of the most offensive anti-social misogynistic lyrics in the industry.

G*llyw*g Town:
Replaced with Monkey Town

Rupert Bear:
With 'KoKo' the C**n

Back in the Days..

Rupert on 'C**n' Island: Racial stereotyping for children

Did you know...
...that popular children’s books and comics were frequently used to perpetuate derogatory images, language and stereotypes about Africans. Noddy, Rupert Bear and many other famous children heroes spoke about their adventures with sambos, w*gs, n***ers and c**ns.

The popular Enid Blyton ‘Noddy’ books used to feature a character called ‘G*llyw*g’. As with our portrayal in today's media this character was famous for getting into trouble and was branded both a troublemaker and a bad influence. When the publishers finally recognised that ‘Golly’ the ‘w*g’ was actually deeply offensive they reprinted the books substituting ‘Golly’ with ‘Monkeys’. Many of these offensive books, including the black sambo, were read to children in British schools until the 1970s. Today, the adventures of Sambo and his friends 'black mumbo' and 'black jumbo' are still available for sale from Amazon while a revisionist study of Enid Blyton's books attempts to suggest that g*lliw*gs were not intended as racially offensive icons.

GTA:
Murder Africans for fun

Gangsta:
Urban Couple

"I even pretended years ago to be an African, a half-caste African of course. With my light eyes I didn't get away with it...I dyed my hair black and I travelled on an African bus. I wanted to be a writer, I wanted the experience ... from Cape Town right up to northern Mozambique. I had adventures with these absolutely adorable, special people.

To call me a racist is ... it's a knife in my heart, because I really love these people and have done so much, I think probably more than most people I know, for Africans.

I was unaware, and probably should have been aware, that 'colonies' is a pejorative term in America".

Mike Gayle:
Half Blacks?

The fact of the matter is that right now, in terms of ethnicity, I have approximately two black friends. I say approximately because, of that number, there are actually three people: one of Afro-Caribbean origin, and two Asian friends of mixed race (making one whole Asian between them) and only one of them is a practising Muslim. All the rest of my friends are white.

Pan African Women's Day
Sisters Uniting to stop the destruction of the African (Black) Family

Date: 7 August, 2 to 6PM
Venue: The University of East London, Duncan House, High Street,
Stratford, London E15 (junction of Lett Road)
Free Entry - Donations Welcome

A day for our Sisters and Brothers, Cultural Entertainment

• Youth Programme
• Cultural Market
• Refreshments
• Workshops
• Exhibitors
• Speakers

Contact: 07821 118 657 / 020 8523 7381
Email: panafrica@which.net
Web: www.aaprp.org.uk

Vodou Nation
Hackney Empire
27th - 31st July 2004.

Hot from the fires of Haiti to Hackney Empire comes landmark multi media production Vodou Nation between 27th 3 1st July 2004.

Staged to coincide with the bicentenary of Haiti's independence, Vodou Nation celebrates the rich history, spiritual wonder and artistic beauty of a people born of the only successful African enslavement revolt, which led to Haiti becoming the world's first African republic.

This spectacular musical event features a seventeen strong cast of Haitian musicians, dancers and singers. Integral to the show is a backdrop of sublime futuristic animation, coupled with gritty video images of contemporary life in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

The first all Haitian Vodou Rock opera, Vodou Nation celebrates the dazzling artistic heritage and evocative Vodou religion that flourishes in Haiti despite the political unrest, instability and failing environment.

Vodou Nation is the allegorical story of two brothers, one representing the material path, the other more spiritual. With contemporary references, the downfall of a dictator is told, when the brother who chooses the material path is consumed by greed and power, oblivious to the suffering of his people.

The story is told through the exuberant music and lyrics of Haiti's foremost Vodou Rock composer, RAM, who performs throughout with his eponymous band.

The music of RAM is an infectious. blend of a western musical background with the pulsing rhythms of Haitian folkloric traditions. The music is celebratory and the unique sound, which has been embellished and put into modern day context with electrical guitars and keyboards, has helped younger generations of Haitians discover their roots.

Vodou Nation's London premiere on 27th July is also a benefit for Haiti. Money raised will support Plan International's work in Haiti and the Haiti Support Group in their efforts to introduce trade unions.

With spectacular imagery, fantastical costume, euphoric music and enticing dance, Vodou Nation is a wild, whirlwind trip into the heart of Haiti. Come take your seats and fasten your seatbelts it may be a bumpy ride!

For further information on Vodou Nation, go to the website www.vodounation.co.uk.

To book tickets, contact Hackney Empire on 0208 985 2424. Ticket prices are between £12.50 to £21.50 across the run.

Sickle Cell Society:
Fundraising Events

Noble Friends Charity:
Fundraising Events

Cycle for Sickle 2004
Raising funds for Sickle Cell Society

We hope that you will come and join in the fun on the Sickle Cell Society Jeff Johnson Memorial London Bike Ride 2004. This is a fantastic day out for family and friends and a wonderful way of raising much needed funds for The Sickle Cell Society.

There are two routes: a 30-mile route for the casual and junior riders as well as a 60-mile route for the ardent cyclists who prefer a tougher challenge.

Both routes begin at the Wandle Leisure Centre in Wandsworth, South London before heading directly south into the leafy lanes of Surrey. All riders will travel to Chipstead where those on the 30- mile route will be directed back to Wandsworth through Epsom and Richmond Park. Those on the 60-mile challenge will head off via Redhill and Warlingham before making their way back through Richmond Park and back to Wandsworth.

The route is well marked and there will be free refreshments at various pit stops along the way. Event marshals will be available throughout the route to guide you and a team of first aiders; bike mechanics and support vehicles will be on hand should you have any difficulties.

This is a fun ride and not a race or competition … so take your time … enjoy the scenery … and look forward to a warm welcome back at Wandle Park where there will be a Family Fun Day to keep you entertained.

How to Register
Call now on 0208 961 7795 for a registration form and the terms and conditions for entering the ride. You should read these carefully before filling in your registration form. Or log on to www.sicklecellsociety.org and follow the links to the on-line registration page.

The entry fee for the ride is £20 (adults), £10 (13-16 year olds) or £80 if you are entering a team of four riders.

We will acknowledge your registration within 10 working day and will send you an event pack giving you detailed arrangements for the day of the ride, a complimentary tee shirt (subject to availability) and some handy hints for raising your sponsorship money.

You will need to pledge to raise at least £50 in sponsorship in order to be able to take part in the ride (£25 for 13-16 year olds and £200 for teams of four riders).

All registration forms must be received by Friday 27th August 2004. After this date you are still very welcome to turn up and ride. You will still be asked to pledge to raise £50 in sponsorship.

British Black Music (BBM) are taking a break from putting on the debates at City University and will be organising events at Tavistock Hall, 25 High Street in de