At A Close #BHM

This is a preview of my life 

It's a sneak peek of some of the people that I've been more than lucky to meet and acknowledge them as more than friends

This is the future generation set apart from the ..... generation

So many different races to show how far the world has come 

Let's not go back because of ignorant people

The generation after this deserves to know greatness and heroism of those that fought and that lost during the struggle 

Those that were sacrificed or were blamed in the struggle

This is my life

The life that I'm so grateful

The life that people endured pain for at all costs, so that we could get equality for all

Bring on OCTOBER for more BHM in the UK

February Aims

1. Read, read, read, read - Seeing as I'm doing English, GovPols and History a levels, I think reading would be a good idea. I've been so concentrated on reading subjects recommended books than my own that I've lost the love of being a book worm. Time to find it again starting with "You get so alone at time it just makes sense" by Charles Bukowski
2. Learn how to save up - Independence is an aspiration of mine. I don't like asking my mumma for everything but I have so many things I want to do and see that I've got to stop spending money on stupid things and earn for all those adventures. 
3. Avoid gossip.
4. Drink a lot of water.
5. Think long and hard about what interests and captivates me. There's bound to be a book about it. 
6. Say thank you.
7. Breathe. Go for walks every week, look at the stars whenever they're out, take bubble baths. Find a space and don't let anyone take it away. Live in the moment and love every second of it.
8. Display good sportsmanship.
9.  Take an interest in others.
10. Stay calm and don’t react with arguments.

'Comedy as a weapon against hate. Very funny' - Russell Brand #BHM

A group of West Ham supporters have responded to racist Chelsea fans with a parody video of a black man being welcomed on a train.

This follows footage that was filmed showing Chelsea fans repeatedly blocking a black man from getting on a train in Paris whilst they chanted "we are racist, we are racist and that's the way we like." Utter pricks...aren't they?

The footage promoted a public outcry demonstrating how far the world is from conquering racism. However, a video such as this from West Ham fans goes a long way. So thank you! 

Several people have several commented on the video. Such as:

Daniel Cook tweeted: 'This is priceless. Way to stand up to racism in football. 

Andrew Ellis tweeted: 'You've made my day.' 

Marcus Wilkinson said: 'Hilarious. How to let a black man on a train. Stand up to racism.'

The video was posted by Arron Thomas with caption 'claret and blue is all that matters.' It's not been re-tweeted more than 1,400 times.

Overall Chelsea isn't a bad team. There are just some people who are repping the team in a negative light.

Glory #BHM

I bet when they performed this at the Grammys and again, at the Oscars; there was not one 

dry eye in the audience.

Oprah and David Oyelowo who appeared in the film, David as Dr MLK

The song composed by none other than two of music's greatest John Legend and Common for the Civil Rights movie, Selma nabbed an Oscar for Best Original Song. 

During their performance at the Oscars, the two artists recreated a scene from the movie with the Edmund Pettus Bridge  featuring as their backdrop.

It was a truly mesmerizing performance as it spared no victims. Ever star that was in the room felt the strengthen of the message delivered by the song. My favourite part was when a large of African-American background actors emerged walking across the stage conveying the similarity of the 600 people that trekked from Selma to Montgomery almost 50 years ago in 1965 as a part of the 1960 Civil Rights Movement.

Chris Pine was definitely emotional

The Oscars become politics for the night and it was tremendous, to be honest! To add on to the greatness that filled the room was Harry Belafonte, who had taken part in the original march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965.

Harry with Dr. MLK. 

Common and Legend's riveting speeches were definitely tearjerkers completed with definite rawness. This has got to be my all-time favorite Oscar show...it truly was one for the books.

Remember the past and never forget what it was


Witness first the best live performance ever that speaks of voting rights and the heroes that led them and the problems that we face today. 

Then speeches that are about the mass incarceration of black men, struggle for justice for all and the voting rights.

Common and Legend with Oyelowo and Oprah

Congratulations Common and Legend for achieving your first Oscar nomination and win. Also congratulations for taking home Best Original Song at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and the African American Film Critics Association. 

You wrote a heartwarming, truth and gut-wrenching song for the generations that will come after us.  

Why I Hate School But Love Education #BHM

It's cyclical and never ending debate about education that will continue to rage on for many years to come. Ironically it tends to pose more questions than it answers. However, what is the actual value in 'mainstream' studying? Why is our society so fixated that the only way we can get to where we want to be is through education? BUT why is it that some of the most successful figures in the world have openly admitted to never completing any form of education? 

Writers' Respect #BHM

I'm a bookworm. I'm on a journey of self-discovery. I yearn for knowledge. These can be found in books. Maybe not so much self-discovery but the knowledge part is a definite.

I've taken this time to recommend some of my all time favourite books written by black authors.

1. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
2. The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
3. Waiting to Exhale by Terri McMillian
4. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 
5. The Rose That Grew From The Concrete by Tupac Shakur
6. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange 
7. Dreams From My Father: A Story Of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama (America's first black president. Won office twice becoming the 44th and 45th President of the United States)
8. The Autobiography Of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
9. Roots by Alex Haley
10. Native Son by Richard Wright
11. Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
12. Half  of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
13. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
14. The Autobiography Of Martin Luther King Jr by Martin Luther King Jr

Ignorant People Still Exist SMH #BHM

 I am not ashamed of my skin colour. I am not ashamed of the assholes that think it's 'okay' to deny someone passage onto the tram. I think they are pricks. Mere idiots. 

I still think that this world is far from achieving equality. What's worse is that it's 2015 and we are still one this single issue of 'race'. People need to fucking get over themselves. 

NEWSFLASH! You're not better than anyone. As far as I'm concerned you're one insignificant piece of crap if you still think that you are superior to someone just because of their skin colour. 

I am not ashamed to be BLACK. I am proud of my skin colour. I hope that the victim is too. He shouldn't let some apprehensive asses get to him. 

#ALLBLACKEVERYTHING #REVOLTTV

As Black History Month carries on, on today's Day of Love, it's important that we lovingly honor the legacies of some of the most important black men and women in history, from across all professions and eras. 

We know innovative entertainers to groundbreaking athletes to progressive thinkers to passionate activists to landscape-shifting politicians, and it is why we offer our respect and appreciation to all the people of color who have impacted our nation and planet greatly. 

To watch the video honoring great black souls, click the link below:

http://revolt.tv/video/revolt-honoring-black-history-month/3EE4BC5B-A1A4-4D2B-BD0E-2803B72950C3

SELMA

I just had to talk about this as IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. Especially right now at this very moment; with everything that going on in the world. 

Race being the hardest and suppressed issue in the society of today after all that happened in 2014 and still occurring. Throughout 2014, we lost a lot of people and justice wasn't served as it's "usually" promised. This is my OWN opinion. This is what I BELIEVE as it's what I saw and read. 

FUCK YOU JUSTICE SYSTEM for promising false things. Was it anything to do with colour or the fact that if the cases were brought to court; you'd realise that your "people" were in the wrong therefore they'd have to do their time and that would reflect badly on you... Know that it was difficult enough for those before us to risk their lives for us to be where we are today but where are we today, actually? What has changed since MLK and Malcolm X, if this stupid race issue still determines who gets a free pass whilst a whole community moans the loss of their sons, brother, father and friend?

The cinema has often failed to address the issue surrounding race but then how are future generations meant to know about the past, our survival of it and why it's wrong if we aren't taught. First, a month...just a month dedicated to my history is UTTER bull! Why can't it be every day for the rest of life? But it is...I'm always learning new things about my history and this is why I'm trying so hard to write about it so that we don't go back to the past.

We've been fucked over so many times. I have no problem with people saying 'nigger' but when it's said offensive towards me or anyone else; then yeah, I will have a problem. Nevertheless, it shouldn't be coming out of anyone's mouth as you know its history...

So SELMA looks like an AWESOME film. It's unfortunate that Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and the rest of our brothers won't be here to watch one of history's and most importantly the Black community's greatest influence but they're with him now. 

After being turned down by all male directors, Selma was directed by Ava DuVernay and executive producer Oprah Winfrey. These two incredible women deliver a truthful and astounding film with David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King. 

Nominated for several awards including Best Picture, Best Actor for Oyelowo and DuVernay being the first black woman to be nominated for best director; this is a film that I can't watch. It's already made to my favourite film list by me just watching the trailer.

This was the PERFECT moment to this movie to be filmed and released... to remind us of what we fought for so that we don't lose sight of it.

Ms Houston

It ain't the same without you, Ms Houston.
We love and miss you.

Dedication For The Musicians

From Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Hendrix, James Brown to Tupac, Kanye West and Beyonce. I feel like it wouldn't feel like BHM without honouring some of the greatest BLACK musicians the world has ever seen.

These artists' innovations have definitely reverberated across the music industry and just because some of them are gone doesn't mean we should stop listening to them. Here I am highlighting some of my favourite musicians of all time but also giving them the spotlight that they so kindly deserve. 

Get ready to plug in as everyone and then across the month of Feb, I'll introduce a few more artists who have made history in this world due to not only their skin colour but their beliefs, the way they present themselves.

Week 1 of February: Use Spotify's top streamed tracks of these artists

Aretha Franklin

Jimi Hendrix

Diana Ross

James Brown