Why Do You Look Away When I Speak About Poverty?

Picture - Kibera Slum, Kenya, home to 1.4 million of Kenyans poorest people.

It has dawned on me. As hard as I seem to find it to write about poverty and development, mainly because its so deep that I only ever want to do it justice, it's probably spurred on by the fact that it's one of those things people don't like to talk about too much.

People don't want to be made to feel guilty about something that is in many ways out of their control. People don't want to take responsibilty for what they fail to know. And people don't want to take the time to truly think about the possibility...the tiny but massive possibilty that we could actually do something to end poverty. For good.

Where to start?

It's a tricky one poverty and development. There is such a huge need that its normal for one not to be able to fathum the possibilty of change but let me just shed some light on why there needs to be change...how better then a few hard hitting statistics ay!

1.4 Billion people live in extreme poverty right now. That's not including the millions who live in poverty. When I say extreme poverty I mean they live off less than 85p a day - according to the World Bank. And this figure is adjusted to buying power so dont think ooh 85p into naira is like 170 naira which can buy enough food for a day...coz the equiivilent I mean is not.

884 million people don't have access to safe drinking water and around a Billion people don't have a toilet. May seem hard to believe but I have used a pit latrine and if there is no water around they are highly unhygienic and extremely unpleasant. The result of this is that 2.2 million people die from diarrhoea related diseases EVERY YEAR!!! Here in the UK people make jokes about diarrhoea because its nothing to us. Get a pill and its cleared. Completely different story over there.

EVERY DAY 22,000 people die from hunger and diseases we easily cure here. Die from hunger? Seriously. We see it in the news and in adverts but can you really imagine being so hungry you die? I can't, that makes me shudder. That is one child every 3.9 seconds people. SubhanAllah.

72 million children are missing out on an education and there are still 759 million adults who never went to school. So where are their prospects of making a living? There are a not enough jobs so these uneducated people will do menial labour for menial pay - probably not even amounting to that 85p.

These are just a few reasons why we must act. We all talk about Peace, Love and Unity but if we don't do what I see as one of the clearest and most needed acts of love to the people who need us most, what are we doing?

I always think, if I were in their shoes, sitting in my village trying to figure out what I'm going to feed my family today knowing there were people thousands of miles away with money they use to splash out on gucci, prada and versace (not that I'd know or care what that was), I'd be praying that they would help. Especially if my own country were not doing or could not do enough.

The world is unjust. It just is. God made it that way. He also gave us free will. Most of that is abused because the worst things in the world have happened through mans desire to use free will for bad rather than good. But we, as God feering slaves and children of God, whether your Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh or Rastafarian, know what love is. And love is kind. It is caring and giving and it is unconditional. If not for any other reason we should be pushing for the end of suffering for these reasons alone.

But also, and this is a lesson I took from Kenya and will always apply to my life. We have the ability to live in balance. So when you splash out on that bag or coat, spa weekend or holiday in the bahamas give a little more that month. Sponsor another child. Volunteer during that holiday. We should always strive to make the world better.

Why?

Because we can...it is possible and it has been done!

South Korea (I learnt at the 1.4 Billion presentation held by MADE) is an example of an aid recipient country becoming a aid donor today. The country has been transformed from developing to developed. From struggling to surviving. It is so possible.

In Ghana, 'following a landmark democratic election in 1992, Ghana's government helped implement policies that promoted economic growth and poverty alleviation by investing in things like health, education and infrastructure. Extreme poverty in Ghana has dropped from 49% to 30%'. Alamdullillah (Praise be to God)!!! While they still have a long way to go...that's a huge achievement and proof of what can be done internally.

And finally, for this post anyway...we must work towards and get involved in alleviating poverty because once upon a time the world thought slavery was normal. That it was something the economy couldn't live without. That it was the natural order of things. And that it couldn't ever really end. But it did. And while there is a huge difference in the two, how amazing would it be to wake up and know that no one was going to die from poverty related issues again?


Anyway, that's all for this post. Will delve a little deeper in my next one.

Just remember...

We can - see the UN Millenium Development Goals come to pass.
We should - show love, peace and unity in the greatest way.
We will - MAKE POVERTY HISTORY.

Still smiling.

Black History Month: Black's Got Talent!!!

I am meant to be posting about poverty and development which I will but I just wanted to write a quick one about the event I went to on Sunday!

It was a BHM event - basically a showcase of talent! I hadn't been to an event like that in ages and it was so nice to be in a venue with good vibes, great entertainment and all for the celebration this great month!

There was a dance group that took me back to my school days of going to talent shows and my year of practicing a dance for the Southwark show that we never actually did perform! Would have been a fail if we did tho! Lol!

The poet, who initially I was reluctant about because she has that American style of reciting which I am starting to find defeats the meaning of some poetry performances, was amazing. The content of her poems were deep and meaningful and spoke to me on many levels. I have written alot on the things she spoke about. I appreciate the poetic art form - I may just add that one of my poems 'Open Your Eyes' is being published in the Platform 2 poetry book!!! :)

The fashion too was note worthy. I am really loving the fact that everyone seems to have some kind of fashion line out these days! I even did/do! (Liallah Vintage will return sometime soon!) The first was a African line (funnily enough I had just sketched and given designs to my tailor to make ankara dresses for me that very day!) which was on point! It's beautiful to see the commercial world appreciate our traditional cloth. And while I love the traditional ways of wearing lace and ankara I am loving the modern twists! The second line was more street fashion - very imageting! I can't say I didn't like it coz I did!

There were two acts I weren't to excited about...a singer who could really saaang but his lyrical content was too explicit for me! And then the comedian...hmmm...black comedians love to pick on 3 people if there in the crowd...white people, Somalians and Muslims if there are any!! And there's me in my bright blazer sitting at the front...I was pretty much asking for it-and he did go there! I won't repeat what he said! Silly man!

And my friend Remel who hosted the event was excellent! Its wonderful to see people you know who are going down the media route, do big things! I am a big supporter of urban talent. I have to big up my girl Abimaro on that one. She is one of the most inspirational singer/songwriters I know and the wings attached to her music continue to extend! I could list more...

Black people, through our struggles, stories, rich culture and traditions have so much to offer in the entertainment world. We are appreciated in this area but not as much as we should be. Every time I go to one of these shows, hear some original music or see some deep lined African dance I raise my fist a lil higher!

...I just think it's important we as a community continue to back eachother in anything we are trying to do. Whether that be academic, in fashion, music...whatever. We need to lift eachother up! It's only once we unite fully and support eachother that other communities will believe in us and support us too! One day it won't be classed 'urban'...it'll just be part of the mainstream!

Anyway...that's all from me!

P.S...I watched the MOBOs this year - loving where Tinie Tempah has got himself too,two awards n all -naija boy and all! And Tinchy has had my backing from day so I was happy to see his performance tho i know there were no awards there! Might aswell big up Ruff Squad...I'm like their most unlikely supporter but I listen to their tunes r'day!! Luv grime tbh...maybe it's because I'm a Londoner! ;)

Look at me biggin people up like it really counts lol!

Still smiling!

Black History Month Thoughts: 1.4 Billion Reasons...

I feel annoyed with myself!

Since returning from Kenya I have been active. I have done a lot of volunteering etc and I have given many pro development rant speeches to friends and family who have listened or read my lengthy emails but I have not really spread the word about development anywhere as much as I need to or want to.

Everytime I plan on writing a blog on development issues I never know where to start coz my blogs are longth enough as it is, one on such a broad area would never end! And its an area I amso passionate about I guess I feel like my writing won't do it due justice.

Yesturday I went to an event hosted by a charity called MADE. It was a screening of a documentary film called 1.4 Billion Reasons.

1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty...so that's 1.4 billion reasons to respond immediately.

The film reminded me of the passion I have for helping in any way I can, the UN Millenuium Development Goals to come to pass. It reminded me of the love I long for for humanity and it reminded me of the life of balance I vowed to live when I returned from Kenya.

Moreso, seeing the clips of children in their tattered school uniforms reminded me of the kenyan children who greeted us so warmly on our travels and the farmers digging up the earth reminded me of the earth I once dug up and the sounds of african drums reminded me of all the smiles and the sunshine and the oh so beautiful Kenyan land!

I miss Kenya.

But really I miss my passion to see us MAKE POVERTY HISTORY.

So...since its BHM and I haven't found time to write many racial pieces I will TRY and write a blog every couple of days on different aspects of development. And I hope some of you who see things the way I do will read and sahre your thoughts with me.

But for now have a peek at the Millenuim Development Goals if you care enough - go on DFID's website --- http://www.dfid.gov.uk/
While your at it have a browse round...http://www.globalpovertyproject.com/pages/about_us

If only there were more hours in the day...I could just write endlessly.

Still smiling.

BHM Reflections: No Corruption in Lagos? Really?

As the child of parents who both grew up in Lagos and as a person who identifies with tales of area boys and corruption the BBC2 documentary on Law and Disorder was really interesting!

Yes it was hella funny and I could just blog a bunch of quotes from that documentary...Nigerians have got to be the funniest people in Africa!!The things they say-classic!!! Anywho...it did, I think, warrant a serious reflective moment. I love being Nigerian and though I have only been there once (2008) I see myself as Nigerian because let’s face it-my part of south London is swarming with us so it’s not hard to stay connected with our culture. And my parents have serenaded me with all things Nigerian - from the kid’s parties every Saturday to the put your hands up and face the wall punishments!! But as much as I love the culture, I can’t stand the mentality of many Nigerians.

I remember when we went...and we were walking through my mum’s old area-really urban part. I tried to blend in with some old clothes but my brother had to come with his fresh everything and anyway we just stood out. A bunch of boys said, as we walked passed with my aunt...’We will show dem’...he said it in English (with his kink accent) I guess so we’d know exactly what he was saying!! My aunt scorned him and said...’Kilo fe fi wo’ (what will you show them?) followed by ‘olodo’ (cuss word)...I did laugh at the time, tho I was slyly a bit nervous!!

Anywho...as we all know poverty breeds crime. It’s as simple as that. When I was in Kenya, as we looked over the Kibera slum I remember the headmaster of the school tell us about the reciprocal cycle of the slum children. The few who are lucky enough to go to primary school will go, but once they finish, because they cannot afford high school they enter into or re-enter (many of them start school after a life of crime) the life of crime many see as the only option. In many places I think a kind of Robin Hood principle prevails. They are poor and no one is helping them through educating or employing them so they steal and commit crimes against those that perhaps should be helping or simply those more fortunate. And that was why the bobo said that to us, he looked at us and saw money and so felt as though he should be entitled to some too. That’s how poverty breeds crime.

We all need to eat? That’s what criminals like that say. That’s what man dem pushing in Brixton will say. And I do understand very much that one of the fundamental causes of crime is inequality. Clearly the link between black people in Britain being over represented in crime figures is not just due to victimisation, it’s simply down to higher levels of crime caused by the cycle of ‘poverty’ breeding criminals.

The ‘Cross and Die’ dude in the documentary (I think I was the only person who didn’t find that funny-ode) made a valid enough point. He said ‘We want job, we don’t want to fight’...he said they really wanted peace. And while I don’t like the idea of justifying violence or crime for any reason, I can understand where he is coming from. If you’re hungry and your kids are hungry and no one is trying to offer you an out when you’re ready and willing to work for your p, what will you do? The problems lies within the internal factions of government who are failing their people, in turn causing their people to fail themselves and each other.

Now that bre...MC’s vice or voice you might say was funny! I liked the fact that he was rather well spoken. But I found his delusional attitude to the illegality of MC’s empire really annoying. In places like Nigeria there really isn’t much law and order-I guess that was what the doc was aiming to reveal. It’s every man for themselves. Survival of the fittest. So rather than relying on being employed by legal means, these area boys are hired by dudes like MC. Who simply breathe air into their criminality. His attitude annoyed me...silly brother. The law does not work in the country. As a person studying the law I can appreciate that. It simply doesn’t work because it fails to produce what the fundamental aim of law is-order and justice. Crucial fail results in crucial failings in the ways of the people.

These people watch their governments steal and swindle millions so to them it’s just the way it is-if the leaders of the country don’t obey the law why should the citizens? And their officers of the law are all in on the criminal dealings too!SMH...

To make matters worse they blatantly don’t want to hear any voice of reason. The way that officer boyed off Louis’s questions with –‘you’re just recycling one issue’! As much as I laughed it’s so annoying how they don’t want to hear anyone. Surely a country so hard headed and stuck in their ways won’t ever change.

But I suppose its not all bad. Environmental day looked promising. I read something about that in the news a while ago. It is Nigeria’s attempt to be greener I suppose. The only thing is you just know that’s going to be used as another tool to get money out of people who are in the wrong place on a Sunday!

To end...I don’t think we are really in much of a position to judge in many ways. While we make jokes of the man dem in London who are bringing 419 to our streets we don’t truly understand the struggles of the people there. Not that it is reason for their behaviour but it really is such a whole different life out there that until we live there, all we can do is laugh without really understanding who is to blame. To me it’s all of them. Even us.

Black History Month is about reflecting on the past, analysing the present and planning for the future. I for one am very proud to be Nigerian because with all its problems, the wealth of culture it brings truly warms my heart. So when I make it big and become senior partner at my law firm and I’m making mainstream money, best believe I’m gonna lay some foundations out back home!!! InshaAllah. Actions speak louder than words after all.

Anywho...here’s to another failed short blog...gosh I talk too much!!!

Big up all my flygerians!!!Flygerian blog soon come!!!

Still smiling.

P.S If you can be bothered after reading this have a listen to Wande Coal - Se Na Like This...the lyrics are really deep and I'm sure most people haven't noticed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qVzXiWJj-o

Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud!!!

28th September 2010

I was listening to Styles P Featuring Floetry ‘I’m Black’ the other day (study music) and I feel a weird sense of pride when I listen to the lyrics, even though I don’t agree with all he says (very un-PC if u get me!!) I love the chorus...”So proud to be just who I am...I’m black”. How often is it that people sing things like that anymore?

I have written quite a few blogs on race issues as I see myself as somewhat ‘afrocentric’...not because all I see is race but because I feel it vital as a black British woman trying to be more than a woman in what is still a largely white man’s world to be aware of the race issues that still affect us. So while I don’t walk around with a chip on my shoulder I’m not blind.

When I think of my patriotism to Britain I think of Black Britain. It’s very different to white Britain. My 3 years at a typically white middle class university and my time at various law firms taught me that. The things I witnessed and experienced and heard about while at the predominately ethnic school in Peckham I went to and the ‘black’ college I went to are so different o the stories exchanged with the students I interned with and people I travelled with. And while I won’t act like I am proud of all the things I have seen through association and surroundings, it has contributed to shaping the woman I am becoming. And that woman is one who does not and will not (when I’m a high flying lawyer) underestimate the relevance of coming up from the tales of Peckham!

Presiding over Leeds uni’s ACS and leading it to success (we seriously did a heavy job that year) is seriously one of my biggest achievements alongside attaining a 2.1 at uni. Seeing black people prevail is one of my biggest dreams because all through my life I have watched our community struggle and I have read of the history of struggle which is so deeply sad. I wrote my final year dissertation on institutional racism and deaths in custody and the things I read about and concluded on still make me shudder today.

My ambition to be successful is not just because I want to live a comfortable life and have a big family. It’s more so because I want to be another ambassador for what hard work can do. I want to prove that you don’t have to be a certain way to attain a certain level of success. Not that we don’t have several of such examples, but we don’t have enough. Especially Black, African, Female, Muslim-hijabi examples-get me!!

At an interview with a magic circle firm I interned with last Easter the managing partner of the firm said to me, upon reading my application again, ‘Do you feel you want to be a lawyer not just because your interested in law but because you have something to prove?’. I remember thinking – that was bold!! But I also thought ‘ye damn straight’. But what a shame that that is/was the case. It spoke volumes to me though that he actually knew that there would naturally be an element of that in my pursuit. That was blatantly a racial/religious inspired question-it still happens in 2009!

This is why I think Black History Month is important. Some people don’t see the point in it but I see a huge point. Until the west stop stripping Africa naked, until the city really let blacks in, until the police stop victimising our men, until our men stop victimising themselves, until the cycle of hatred and crime ceases, there will always be a need for this month.

To me it’s purpose is fundamentally to remind us of how our ancestors, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters have struggled to elevate our position so that we take our rightful stance in society. Slavery is still the greatest crime against humanity. Fact. Surely if we were more aware of what they went through we would push ourselves further today?

So...till I see true equality I will continue to raise my fist. Till colour is no longer a barrier in even the slightest way I will raise my fist. And till I see the west accept black beauty I will continue to be pro natural and anti bleach/weave while I raise my fist!! (I joke)

Black history wasn’t in the curriculum when I was at school, but I had to learn about WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Russian Revolution, the Holocaust and so on...you might even say none of that is even our history!!! So if they won’t teach us, we must teach ourselves!!! Until we can learn to celebrate our history-struggles and successes-they won’t.

I will end with a quote taken from my A level English coursework which is a quote from my man Malcolm! I hope I didn’t make it up!!

“I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I do not believe in brotherhood with someone who does not want brotherhood with me”. Interpret as you will.

It’s all about peace, love and unity.

Happy BHM to everyone!
Still smiling...