YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Ziggy Marley has called for all of Jamaicaโs beaches to be made accessible to local people.๐๐พ๐ฅ
This comes following months of reports that some local Jamaicans were being denied access to some beaches on the island. ๐ฏ๐ฒ
The lack of media coverage about the volcano erupting in St. Vincent is very telling. Like there aren't people directly affected and terrified for family and friends on the island.
Thank goodness for the Caribbean news outlets & social media, otherwise we would know nothing!
I've seen a few people tweeting about Child Q's features/hair/her school. Please do not share anything that may identify her. She has been granted anonymity for a reason.
Please protect her identity. I know are all angry (and rightly so) but please think before sharing. โคโ๐พ๐๐พ
You told us, you had no money for hungry school children, the homeless, people using food banks, Grenfell survivors or Windrush Scandal survivors still waiting for their compensation!
The Windrush Compensation Scheme was launched in April 2019, it is now July 2021 and 82% of Windrush victims are still waiting for compensation.
So far, 21 people have died waiting for what is rightfully theirs.
This is not good enough!
These tweets I'm seeing about Ngozi Fulani are disgusting. She has every right to wear the clothes she wears, the colours she wears and have her hair the way she has it. She also has a right to change her name if she wants to!!! KMT
EXCL: Sickle Cell 'cure' tested in the UK
I spoke to siblings who underwent a ground breaking transplant which they say has 'cured' their sickle cell disease.
The transplant is currently undergoing trials in the United Kingdom.
Please readโคต๏ธ
Popped into my local library and the amount of parents in there is crazy.
One mum told me itโs cheaper to take her kids to the library for the day, than stay at home because she canโt afford to have the heating and TV on in the day.
Is this really Great Britain in 2023? ๐๐
I can never quite understand racistsโฆyou tell us we are not British and when we say we are from where our parents are from you are upset and want to tell us we are British so we can go to war for you. ๐ฑ
Which one is it? ๐
Leave this little Black boy alone! ๐๐พ
A boy is interviewed about being called up to fight for Britain.
"Why am I fighting for a country I don't like?"
"I come from Jamaica, Africa innit."
I'd sort out your problems in a jiffy, given the chance.
My 11th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute today goes to Norman Beaton
Norman Lugard Beaton was born in 1934 in Guyana ๐ฌ๐พ and was an actor long resident in the United Kingdom.
He became best known for his role as Desmond Ambrose in the Channel Four hit TV series Desmond's.
My 6th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Moira Stuart. ๐บ๐
Her career in radio and television spans FIVE decades.
In 1982, she became the FIRST Black woman to read the news on BBC television.
Ms Stuart was born in London to parents from Dominica & Barbados. ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ง๐ง
Black hair products
Hardoe Bread
Plantain
Yam
Green banana
Pepper sauce
Etc.
Why are we buying them from people who don't look like us?
In every Black area these shops drain money from our community and don't respect us!
But we continue to shop there... for YEARS!!!
Happy
#WindrushDay2021
Their influence is present in EVERY part of modern British society.
I stand proud to be a descendant of these brave, strong and beautiful people.
Today, I will be thinking of the Windrush Generation and my own beloved grandparents & parents
๐๐พ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ป๐จ
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Sizzla demands locals have access to beaches in Jamaica ๐ฏ๐ฒ
The influential Reggae legend has added his voice to growing calls for access to Jamaicaโs beaches to be protected. ๐๐พ
My 3rd
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Darcus Howe.
Darcus Howe โ born Leighton Rhett Radford Howe โ was a broadcaster and racial justice campaigner and activist.
He came to England from Trinidad in 1961. ๐น๐น
I'm so proud of how the community mobilised in
#Peckham
yesterday.โ๐พ
I'm so proud of the abundance of Black-owned hair and beauty businesses across the UK that are operating.โ๐พ
I'm so proud of how so many of us purchased/placed orders from these businesses yesterday. โ๐พ
NEW: The Scandal of Pupil Referral Units
Black parents told me they are being tricked into sending their boys to PRUs.
My investigation is on the front page of this month's issue of
@TheVoiceNews
๐ฐโ๐พ๐ฅ
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
#Grenfell
Tower: Bereaved families, survivors to receive multi-million pound payout
According to reports, more than 900 people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire will share a settlement of ยฃ150 million
๐๐๐
NEW: Grenada's reparations committee tells its government to begin consultations about removing King Charles III as its head of state and transition to a
#Republic
.
#Grenada
#Caribbean
Why are some of you so angry that I said to buy Black hair products from Black owned shops?
Or to buy traditional African and Caribbean food products from African and Caribbean people.
Next Year I need
@NHCarnivalLDN
to put on some workshops teaching the history/traditions of Carnival because too many people (our young people included) think its one big street party!!!
Can we have our Caribbean elders running these workshops too?
Please & tanks! โค๐๐
My 8th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Annie Brewster
Ms Brewster is ONE OF the first known African-Caribbean nurses to work in Britain during the 19th century.
She was born in St Vincent & The Grenadines in 1858 and moved with her family to South London in the 1860s.๐ป๐จ
EXCLUSIVE: The UKโs first Black-owned journalism school for children will open next week ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐บ๐ป
Cocoa School of Journalism and Creative Arts will open on Monday 8 April.
So many people tweet negative stuff about Caribbean music/culture/traditions but can't wait to post their pics that they attend Notting Hill Carnival every August.
This is the problem in the UK, not enough education on Caribbean culture just nice pics, vibes and opinions.
NEW: A blue plaque will be unveiled on Saturday in honour of Jamaican singer Millie Small, who once lived in Shepherd's Bush, west London.๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ฅฐ
Millie Small's 1964 hit single 'My Boy Lollipop' sold over 7 million copies worldwide and went to number 2 on the UK charts.
This is why people are reluctant to speak out about racism in Britain because this is what happens to you.
You are expected to accept it and shut up or else.
Solidarity with Empress Ngozi Fulani. ๐๐พ๐๐
I'm glad to see this beach access issue is finally getting some more attention.
I have spent months of covering the same issues.
Local Jamaicans can't access beaches. ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฒ
My 7th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Daniel Kaluuya
Daniel Kaluuya made history after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2021 Oscars.
He was the FIRST Black British actor to win an acting Oscar in the show's 93-year history.
My 18th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Dr Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah was born and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham.
His parents were part of the Windrush generation and came from Barbados and Jamaica ๐ง๐ง๐ฏ๐ฒ
Happy
#WindrushDay2022
Their influence is present in EVERY part of modern British society.
I stand proud to be a descendant of these brave, strong and beautiful people.
Today, I will be thinking of the Windrush Generation and my own beloved grandparents & parents.
๐๐พ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ป๐จ
My 12th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Diane Abbott
Diane Abbott is BOTH the FIRST Black woman elected into British Parliament and the LONGEST-SERVING Black MP. ๐๐พ๐๐พ
Ms Abbott was born in Paddington, west London, to Jamaican parents. ๐ฏ๐ฒ
(Pic: by Misan Harriman)
To every racist person in my mentions, for every racist comment you send to me, I will be sharing the details of a Black-owned UK business!!! โ๐พ๐ค
Stay mad!
Today is the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of
#Slavery
and Transatlantic Slave Trade.
More than 15 million African people were enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade, and forcibly stolen and taken to the US, The Caribbean and South America.
NEVER FORGET!
Iโve just seen this on Instagram. ๐ฅฐ
I love this.
Diane Abbott makes you want to LOVE all Black women! โ๐พโค๏ธ
Thank you Five Minute Pardna on IG.
Letโs take a look in the UK museums shall we? ๐
Letโs take a look at who was compensated when slavery was abolished and who wasnโt. ๐
I could go on!
In light of this news about the British Museum, let me draw your attention to Ras Seymour Mclean (RIP), who is most famous for his "liberation" of manuscripts from the British museum - including the Kebra Nagast (Glory of Kings) - for which he received a prison sentence.
NEW: The Queen's image will be replaced from the Eastern
#Caribbean
Currency notes, used in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Anguilla and Montserrat.
๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ป๐จ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฑ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฒ๐ธ
Happy
#EmancipationDay
!!!
The 1st of August marks Emancipation Day throughout the
#Caribbean
.
In 1807, trading in slaves was abolished in the British Empire but not slavery itself.
There were SEVERAL revolts across the Caribbean as those enslaved tried to break free!!
My 19th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Jamelia
Jamelia is a successful singer, actress and TV personality, who was born in Handsworth, Birmingham to Jamaican parents. ๐ฏ๐ฒ
@a12funny
You have used the same old racist tropes about West Indian men & recycled them for "jokes" and "likes" with no regard to the damage imagery like this does to real people inna real life!!!
Also, we are not called Caribbeans. It is West Indians.
Or Caribbean people.
Offensive!!
URGENTโฆMy son (15) was meant to start work experience next week but has been badly let down and needs a NEW placement.
Heโs interested in art and is a talented artist already.
Heโs also interested in cartooning/comic books and animation.
Can anyone help?
London based.
Absolutely heartbreaking news.
Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor passed away last night. ๐๐พ๐
My condolences to the rest of his family. ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ
Richardโs family are very sad to make the news public that Richard passed away last night. He had been fighting a long battle with cancer. Sending love and best wishes to all who loved him dearly โฆ
#LegacyOfHope
NEW: A 105-YEAR-old Black British woman says wine, traditional
#Caribbean
Pot Soup and faith in God are the secrets to a long life ๐๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐โค๏ธ
Mavis Wallace who is affectionately called Aunt May will be 106 years old in August.
What is sad about these Diaspora Wars, is it shows hardly any of you have taken the time to re-educate yourself on other groups in the diaspora. You are simply generalising and repeating the same old stereotypes that our parents were taught, to keep us apart.
EXCLUSIVE: Strawberry Slavery
My investigation into claims of slavery on Strawberry farms in the UK by workers from Barbados.
โ ๏ธTW contains images/discussions of slavery and human waste.
Read my latest report for
@TheVoiceNews
My 5th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to the incredible Professor Gus John.
Augustine John is a Grenadian-born writer and education campaigner, who moved to the UK in 1964. ๐ฌ๐ฉ
He started the FIRST Black Supplementary School in Birmingham with a group of colleagues in 1968.
My 24th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Linton Kwesi Johnson
Linton Kwesi Johnson sometimes known as LKJ, is a Jamaica-born, ๐ฏ๐ฒ British-based dub poet and activist.
My 9th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse is a British Roots Reggae band formed in Handsworth, Birmingham, in 1975.
They were the FIRST non-Jamaican act (band members born in UK to Jamaican parents๐ฏ๐ฒ) to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
My 16th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Bernie Grant
Bernie Grant was born in 1944, Georgetown, British Guiana [now Guyana]. ๐ฌ๐พ
He, along with Paul Boateng and Diane Abbott, was one of the FIRST persons of African descent to win election to the House of Commons.โ๐พ๐
GOOD NEWS UPDATE: Jennifer Townsend, 63, has been FOUND!
The Met Police told me she was located on 3 February and their media appeal has been withdrawn.
Thank you to everyone reported on her disappearance & shared posts. ๐ซถ๐พโค๏ธ
More footage of the protest happening right now in Peckham.
The protest follows after video footage emerged yesterday showing a Black woman being strangled inside the hair shop.
Today we remember the
#Haitian
revolution which began on 21st August 1791. The revolution was a revolt by the enslaved Africans in the French colony of Saint Domingue.
The revolution was most successfully lead by commander Toussaint L'Ouverture.๐ญ๐น
#Haiti
#Haitianrevolution
Today, marks the 43rd anniversary of the
#NewCrossFire
๐๐๐พ
Iโm thinking of all the victims and survivors today.
Iโm also resharing an interview I did with some of the survivors
last year.
They want a national memorial. ๐๐พโค๏ธ
St Vincent Update:
Latest donations to arrive in St Vincent, include donations from Rastafari United Front (๐ฑ๐จ), Chor Foundation which is owned by Reggae superstar
@ChronixxMusic
(๐ฏ๐ฒ), Mount Kailash Rejuvenation Center, owned by Rastafari Priest Kailash (๐ฑ๐จ).
@lorrainemking
Why are they so upset? They do know Black families exist in Britain don't they? ๐คฃ
If they are from the All lives matter crew, then surely the lives of Black families matter too and they need to be represented in Xmas ads?
Oh wait, All lives matter is only for...
๐Some News๐
I am so excited to announce that I have officially joined
@TheVoiceNews
as an online News Journalist. โ๐พ๐๐
The Voice have always been an organisation I love and admire. To be part of their incredibly talented team really is a dream come true for me.
NEW: A new fundraiser has been launched to provide Free Extra GCSE Tuition For Black Boys ๐๐พ๐โค๏ธ๐๐พ by
@sethanthonyp
Please share if you can.
My 15th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Stella Thomas
Ms Thomas was of Nigerian-Sierra Leonian heritage ๐ณ๐ฌ๐ธ๐ฑand was the FIRST female lawyer in the whole of west Africa and was also the FIRST African woman called to bar in England and Wales. ๐โ๐พ๐
In October 2021, I wrote an in-depth investigation for
@TheVoiceNews
into how Barbadian ๐ง๐งfarm workers were being exploited on UK-based fruit farms. Fast forward to 2023, I'm so delighted that my article has inspired a new film (HOMEGROWN) by director
@corinneswalker
๐ฌ๐๐พ๐โค
My 22nd
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to the young Caribbean (referred to as West Indian back in the day) men who launched the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
Roy Hackett, Owen Henry, Audley Evans, Prince Brown and Paul Stephenson. โ๐พโ๐พโ๐พโ๐พโ๐พ
"If there weren't race riots in Notting Hill I don't believe that we would have had the Notting Hill Carnival. If it wasn't for the murder of Kelso Cochrane, Carnival wouldn't have happened." - Darcus Howe (the late Political Activist and Broadcaster)
#NottingHillCarnival
My 13th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Menelik Shabazz
Menelik Shabazz was a Barbados-born British film director, producer, educator, and writer. ๐ง๐ง
He is regarded as a PIONEER in the development of independent Black British cinema. ๐ฌ
St Vincent Update: The Caribbean unites for a special virtual concert to assist with raising funds for St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Over 80 artists from around the Caribbean will be taking part.
We need more of this and on a regular basis.
๐๐ป๐จ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฑ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ญ๐น๐ง๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ง๐ธ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฌ๐จ๐บ๐ฌ๐พ๐ฉ๐ด๐ป๐ฌ
One day we will have a honest conversation about Black people and their ideas of what is a โnice noseโ and what is not.
And where those ideas came fromโฆ
NEW: UK's first Black girls' magazine to honour Diane Abbott with prestigious cover ๐ฅฐ๐๐ฟโค๏ธ
I spoke to Serlina Boyd, founder of
@cocoagirlmag
, who told me it was imperative to celebrate Britainโs first Black female MP in the next issue of her magazine.
๐I wasn't expecting this!๐
But, my story about Black Brits leaving the UK, to live in the Caribbean and parts of Africa, made the cover of this month's
@TheVoiceNews
๐๐๐ฐโค
Thank you to the women (Zoe & Sharon ๐๐) who trusted me to tell their stories of relocation.
Happy independence day to Trinidad and Tobago! ๐น๐น๐๐พ
The Caribbean twin-island nation gained its
#independence
from Britain on August 31st, 1962. At midnight on 30 August, 1962, the Union Jack was lowered & the
#TrinidadandTobago
flag was raised for the first time.
Big up TNT!
Just for some perspective for people who may not know, volcanoes are common in the Caribbean. There are currently 19 live volcanoes in the eastern region. The
#LaSoufriere
is one, north of St. Vincent. There are also underwater volcanoes near Grenada, like Kick 'em Jenny. ๐๐พ
Happy
#Windrush75
Their influence is present in EVERY part of modern British society.
I stand proud to be a descendant of these brave, strong and beautiful people. โคโ๐พ
Today, I will be thinking of the
#Windrush
Generation and my own beloved grandparents & parents.
๐๐พ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ป๐จ
NEW: Patients with
#Afro
hair who experience hair loss because of
#alopecia
or during
#cancer
treatment, can get free wigs and scalp treatments at Guyโs and St Thomasโ on referral.๐โ๐พ๐ชฎ๐ฉ๐พโ๐ฆฑ
Everyone loves Caribbean food when they can profit from it. But when we talk about the ownership of restaurants and brands it is a different story. I've never been to Turtle Bay and my stance remains the same, they will never get a penny from me!
My first
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute to the late Von Barrington Adams, better known as Daddy Vego. ๐
Who was a community activist in the Ladbroke Grove /Notting Hill area when the Caribbean community were subjected to racism and violent attacks in the 1960s/70s.
My 27th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salutes goes to Claudia Jones
Claudia Jones was born Trinidad and Tobago ๐น๐นin 1915, and moved to the United States as a child.
She was prominent political activist, Black nationalist and feminist.
She was also a journalist. ๐ฐโ๏ธ๐พ
Can people stop sharing information about Elianne's alleged killer on social media. These pictures, names and details are NOT necessary. But also you run the risk of unfairly influencing a court case (Contempt of Court) which can affect a trial's outcome. Take these pics down.
NEW: Black British mothers are scared to seek help for postnatal depression because they fear their babies will be taken away, our investigation has revealed.
I spoke to Black women who are turning to friends, family & faith institutions for support.
๐ฅฐToday's Black-owned hair and beauty business to support is Au Naturale Beauty ๐
Web:
They are based in Manchester, but ship across the UK.
Owned by Diana Pfukwa โ๐พ
I like the idea of honouring the Windrush Generation with a tube line, statues etc
But there is a part of me that feels so sad that some members of the Windrush generation and their affected descendants are STILL waiting for their compensation after the scandal.
I've been getting quite a few requests lately from people wishing to 'pick my brain'.
Please see below and if you are still interested send me a DM and we can talk.
Many thanks, cost of living crisis and all that! ๐๐๐ฟ
I don't know what is more upsetting, knowing that the
#Jamaica50
plane still went ahead after suicide attempts and with 66 year old who couldn't walk or that I turned on my news channels this morning to see discussions about jellyfish and what cheese is the best. ๐ข๐
The grieving for a parent process is so HARD. One day you are ok, then the next it hits you and you feel like crawling into bed, turning your computer/phone off and going to bed in the middle of the day. I'm six months in and absolutely hate it.
Does it get any better?
Some parents buy uniform at the end of summer because children GROW so much over summer and they want to ensure they buy the right size!
Also, some parents get paid at the end of summer and can only buy it then.
My 2nd
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to Ms Elisabet Coffi Rope, who is an Award-winning Afro-Catalan Primary School Senior Teacher.
In 2022, she encouraged & helped her year 5 pupils to write directly to the Home Secretary demanding justice for the
#Windrush
generation.
Just a gentle reminder to everyone who will be writing about/discussing
#WindrushDay2021
tomorrow. Please ensure you include the fact many of the Windrush generation are STILL waiting for compensation from the Home Office after wrongly being classed as illegal immigrants.
Statement regarding recent media reports:
Frank Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbot in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. The Guardian is right when it quotes Frank saying he abhors racism,
My 14th
#BlackHistoryMonth
salute goes to John La Rose
Mr La Rose was born in Arima, Trinidad ๐น๐น in 1927 and arrived in Britain in 1961.
In 1966 he founded New Beacon Books, the FIRST Caribbean publishing house, bookshop and international book service. โ๐พ๐๐
Happy 50th year of independence
#Grenada
#Carriacou
&
#PetiteMartinique
๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ฉ
On 7th February 1974, the tri-island state in the Caribbean gained independence from Britain. โ๐พโค๏ธ๐๐
Happy 50th year to the Isle of Spice!!!
#GrenadaTurns50
#Grenada
Some of these takes about
#AfricansinUkraine
are weird! Especially from people who are Windrush Generation descendants.๐ณ
Imagine YOU questioning why Black people would travel to a European country? ๐ณ
Go and ask your granny and grandad why they came to England!!!
KMT!!!
The fact that some Black people are on here calling sacred and liberating Caribbean traditions witchcraft is beyond me.
You sound like colonisers!
Anyway, Happy
#NottingHillCarnival
Monday!!!
Have a lovely day.