Black Lives Don't Matter - The Robert Milligan statue

Greetings,

The applause was premature on the removal of the Robert Milligan statue. Why? The statue of Robert Milligan was not removed to pacify protesters of the Black Lives Matter Movement per se regardless of what statement was released. It was a question of preserving the statue, and to save it from potential damage and/or destruction as seen during events that took place with the Edward Colston statue in Bristol.

In the year of his death, in 1809, Robert Milligan, a Scottish merchant, owned 526 slaves in Jamaica who worked on his sugar plantations at Kellet's, and at Mammee Gully both of which were in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Milligan_(Merchant)

Apart from Robert Milligan being a slave owner in his lifetime, there is much history we can learn of his exploits in the West Indies, but most of all how he played an integral role in the construction of the West India Dock, in London. I am not trying to be a killjoy here, but I tend to look beyond the front page for 'the reasons why' certain happenings took place in the past.

Slavery and British Imperial History is galling to say the least. Yet in the midst of it all, descendants of slaves need to look beyond the surface, and the historical emotional upheaval of the past offences towards our ancestors, to recognise our ancestral connection between events of that period of history, more recent history, and Britain's monuments and statues celebrated within the U.K. Remember, as ethnic minorities we have our heroes/heroines too who were in the U.K, made their contribution, and/or studied in the U.K. while enduring rejection, for example, Mahatma Ghandi (India), Mary Seacole (Jamaica).

There is much history that West Indians in the U.K. and their descendants are not privy to regarding historical documentations of The British Empire. The monuments and statues of statesmen, stateswomen, slaveowners, politicians who may have played a part in Britain's Imperial History, or other aspects of British History which has had an impact in Black Caribbean History, and Black African History, should be researched and connections made to give our history more clarity and depth. Our descendants that follow need to have a clearer understanding of who they are as a people, and will be able to defend their race, history, and cultures with unbridled knowledge, rather that with radical acts which are fleeting and accomplish nothing to move our people forward.

The British born ethnic minority will never be English Anglo Saxons,  or any other indigenous descendant within the United Kingdom. Therefore, it is imperative, that our genealogical ancestry, and historical knowledge is known, and passed on to future generations in order for them to negotiate the race relations obstacles that will continuously be a part of their lives, as well as adaptation to the English way of life. Stability is created by knowing who you are, and where you stand, regardless of the opposition. It is worthy to note that these were the values that The Windrush Generation upheld and lived by. With all of their trials in England, there were many times they were up against it, put down, racially abused, humiliated, made to feel that they were uneducated, lacking in intelligence, and even suffered the loss of some of their compatriots under questionable circumstances. Nevertheless, in the face of overt and covert hostilities, they never allowed neither themselves, nor anyone else, to place them in a 'subject' and 'inferior' position which was always interpreted by the 'wise and prudent' as insubordination, or/and "having a chip on one's shoulder". Holding one's position, with respect, was the forte of The Windrush Generation. They had seen and experienced much nonsense on having the British settlers on their respective islands during Crown Colony, many of whom were of the upper class. So it was somewhat of a surprise on arrival in England to find that Crown Colony was not a true reflection of the Motherland.

Within Jamaica, and other West Indian islands, there are still relics, symbols, burial sites in and outside of churches, and  school names, and even the personal surnames of Caribbean people etc. that remind the West Indies of its strong link with slavery, the imperial, and colonial past of Britain. Nevertheless, out of that abyss, The Caribbean Region has, and is still resurrecting its history, identity, culture, and original relationship with its true Motherland, Africa, to uncover its buried history, not of its own making, and continue to build a new narrative.

The Black British Caribbean Community need to follow-up the history of Robert Milligan and the role he played in the planning, and financing of the West India Dock. It must be remembered that Jamaican, and no doubt, other West Indian produce and resources flooded the British market during that time, of which the West India Dock played a part, and the natural resources of the West Indies in many instances were used to manufacture goods in Britain which were then imported into West Indian islands, which the indigenous West Indian people could not afford, but the British settlers could. My parents remember well this aspect of their homeland's history during their experiences of Crown Colony. Profitable Indigenous entrepreneurship was not encouraged - a polite way of putting it.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_India_Docks

I do not support the wanton destruction of statues within the U.K., representing stalwarts of the past, with a questionable link to slavery. It is counterproductive, and achieves nothing, especially when it brings about a retaliation by destroying statues which are not indigenous to the home nation, for example, the Haile Selassie bust at Cannizaro Park, Wimbledon, London.

What is needed is a change of mindset.

The Black British Caribbean Community need to ensure that they, and their children, and grandchildren, take the opportunity to visit places of public interest which will give them access to British Imperial History, and in general the History of Britain. This research should be in conjunction with research on Britain's colonial history in the West Indies in its entirety and not just focus on slavery. In addition, it is important to read books on all of the above, including works by West Indian writers, academic and non-academic on colonialism and imperialism from a Caribbean perspective, and visit monuments and structures within the U.K. which will help to give a clearer picture of the connection between Britain, its history, and The British Empire.

I invite the indigenous people of the United Kingdom to research their Imperial and colonial history from the West Indian perspective.

I am well aware that this post may engender much consternation on both sides of the racial divide.

That is a minor detail as far as I am concerned.

The greater issue is that a battle cannot be fought continuously with the same mundane strategies, and 'ancient weapons', then expect to achieve a different result.

I headed up this, and previous posts, "Black Lives Don't Matter".

The question is to such a statement - why?

 In my view, this is where the conversation, and  discussion, begins.

What we need is an open understanding of the innate racism that lies within each of us, and why, no matter how minor or dormant.

To achieve that understanding, and to move forward, we need to understand each other, and more importantly, our histories, and how it impacts the present, and how it will affect the way forward.

We all have the opportunity to gain that understanding.


Peace

Grace

Black Lives Don't Matter - The Rhodes Must Fall Campaign

Greetings,

Before I begin this post in earnest, I am well aware of the uproar it may bring. I am not perturbed in the slightest, because I do not believe a 'fight' should be taken on which does not make sense.

The Rhodes Must Fall Campaign by students at the University of Oxford is, no doubt, well intentioned.

Whether the University of Oxford agrees or not to the demands of the Rhodes Must Fall Campaign, I can assure you that the history of Cecil Rhodes will remain entrenched within the annals of Oriel College, and within the University itself.

As for the demands made to the University of Oxford administration by the Campaign to include removal of the offending statue and other articles, to make official, public, and permanent acknowledgements of colonial violence, full apologies for this, commitments to that, the establishment of whatever else with deadlines - I will leave all that right where it is. No matter what the University of Oxford administration says in response to the demands by the Rhodes Must Fall Campaign, the colonial, imperial, and exploitive past of Britain's history is the bedrock upon which the University is built.

Decolonising curriculum at the University ( which is another issue) is equivalent to decolonising the endemic racist and colonial mentality of Britain. Unless the Rhodes Must Fall Campaign is planning to step up its objective to advocate for the rebuilding and re-education of Britain to reflect an evenly balanced history for all, it is my view, the Campaign needs to take a step back to get a clear picture of what it is about. If change does happen in places, it will be for show, ineffective, and will make no difference to what exists now. Britain will not allow a cultural assault, be it educational or otherwise, on its own turf.

With that said, the enormous cultural  and economic assault on the African subcontinent by Britain and Europe, is still not understood, or more so, conveniently ignored by the intelligentsia, and indigenous blinkered citizens within British society. This should not be a forced issue, nor by demand. Both sides know what the issue(s) of contention are, and would be wise to work together to bring about a reconciliation of Imperial history.

The glorification of The British Empire, and reverence held for past British patriots of that era with questionable endeavours, deliberately blanks out African, Caribbean, Indian history respectively, and all placed under the shadow of The British Empire. Its stubborn resistance towards African history, by segregating it, dismissing it as irrelevant and non-existent, is descriptive of how black lives matter only in monetary terms, but not on an intellectual level. Today Black lives still don't matter, unless there is a specific purpose, or some usefulness which is not in the interest of the black man and woman.

The University of Oxford does not want to soil it's hands with Britain's corrupt colonial history. The same will apply to other British universities even if they agree to make gradual changes in specific curriculum, or with whatever else may arise.

Call me what you will. The truth needs to be told. However, I am aware that a person of my ethnic origin making such pronouncements will cause some readers of this post to feel very uncomfortable. So be it.

Furthermore, the Rhodes Must Fall Campaign needs to reconsider it's position.

This Campaign is doing nothing that is in accordance with The Black Lives Matter Movement. In my view it is doing the opposite very successfully. By the Campaign taking its chosen position,  it is, unintentionally, reinforcing the position of the University of Oxford to retain its founders, benefactors, and the cultural heritage of the University which will always take precedence over anything that comes up against it. This is why I have headed this post 'Black Lives Don't Matter' because the Campaign's action on this issue translates to just that.

What about the perpetual disproportionate number of black boys, and black men, who are subjected to Stop and Search? What about the disproportionate number of black men incarcerated in British prisons? What about the disproportionate number of black men who die while in police custody? What about the black men, and black women, who are murdered because of their colour? What about the disproportionate number of black boys, who are excluded from high school and their future blighted?  This is where effective change needs to take place, and where the emphasis of a campaign should be - to bring an end to the presumptuous mission to destroy the lives of our black children, black men, and black women.

Slavery and colonialism could have wiped out the black race, but it failed. However, look at what is happening now, and the Rhodes Must Fall Campaign is wasting time on superfluous nonsense.


I was born and raised in Britain. My parents were immigrants to Britain from Jamaica. I've seen racial conflict in Britain, and my parents have seen and lived the colonial, imperial, and exploitation of their island Jamaica under British colonial rule. However, one thing was, and is still sure. Neither my parents nor I were interested in changing Britain's landscape, nor its institutions. It was more important to us to never allow the imperial, colonial, racial prejudice, and false sense of superiority mindset of some of its indigenous people to psychologically undermine us as black people in any form, or any manner, whatsoever.

The late Cecil Rhodes is a part of British Imperial history. Demanding the removal of his statue will not change the past, neither will it help ethnic minorities overcome any race relations difficulties experienced, nor effectively change any position on The British Empire, slavery, imperialism and Colonalism at the University of Oxford. As regurgitating as it is to face that fact, this is the reality. Nevertheless, we can revisit the history of our people, dig it out and put it on display because the intelligentsia, and the ignorant among us, believe black people have no history. Their position is understandable as our history was swept under the carpet, or in some cases buried,  to give way for the European sanctified version which our people have been subjected to through teaching in the former Crown Colonies, and within Britain. We need to rise above the exploitation, colonialism, and imperialism experienced by our forefathers, and everything else associated with it. Build past it, build our history, be innovative, and move forward for real change.

Leave the University of Oxford to decide its own future. Removing the statue of Cecil Rhodes or any other controversial statue will not effect any constructive change for ethnic minorities at the University of Oxford, and within Britain, now nor in the future. Where there is no will to bring about real, effective, change, the situation will remain the same.

In the meantime, there are more constructive matters to be dealt with.

Peace

Grace

Black lives don't matter - the toppling of the Edward Colston statue

Greetings,

When a country has been built on the proceeds obtained by using human beings for labour without compensation, has never considered them as human beings, only tools to acquire enormous wealth for themselves, then it is believed one has the right to use those humans and their descendants in like manner for perpetuity.

Building a country and accruing wealth based on exploitation of human beings, and raping their women, and their lands, brings with it no conscience on the part of the inheritors of such wealth because they were not around when it all happened, and therefore place the blame on their ancestors. Convenient.

This history is passed on from generation to generation, to rich and poor, forming in the mind of the hearers that the black race, and any other non-white race is inferior, and is regarded as nothing. It is still an entrenched belief today within the U.K.

The toppling of the Edward Colston statue, slave trader, philanthropist, from its position in the Bristol Town Centre, is indicative of the anger felt by the black community towards a past Bristolian figure who profited from the sale of their ancestors of black African or black Caribbean origin.
The decision by the relevant authority to erect the statute, and the controversy that had risen over the years surrounding Edward Colston's involvement in the slave trade, sheds light on the fact that the Bristolian slave trader, philanthropist, is of greater significance than the innocent slaves which brought him profit. Yes, I agree, by his financial support
he brought in to being many wonderful social institutions etc. for the development of Bristol, but at a human price.


However, the contention I have with the toppling of the statue is that it is the malicious destruction of property which does not represent the cry of the Black Lives Matter Movement. It is bad enough to hear of the disproportionate criminal and incarceration rate of black men/women in the U.K., then see bandwagonists use the Movement to defy the law, by pulling down, causing destruction to, and defacing the statue under the pretence it is in the name of Black Lives Matter. It is an insult to the memory of the late George Floyd. Mr. Floyd was not a criminal.

My second bone of contention is, how dare these ignorant bandwagonists parade the statue in the streets like a spoil of conquest, then throw the statue in the harbour to disturb the spirit of my ancestors, and those of my fellow black brothers and sisters. I am glad the police were on spot to see where the statue was thrown into the harbour. I will never support idiotic bandwagonists who use a anti-racism protest, as an excuse, to carry out criminal activity. The criminal action of those idiots, I hope, will not reinforce yet again the view, that black lives don't matter. If it were possible, all of those responsible should be rounded up and persuaded to assist in retrieving the statue from the harbour. I want my ancestors to rest in peace.

I am in full support of The Black Lives Matter Movement, but what concerns me is the distortion of its true meaning, by publicity seeking opportunists with symbolic gesturing, who have not the slightest conviction of how it feels to be a disregarded item in a society due to the fact that one is of a black complexion.

The late Mr. Edward Colston is dead and gone, but his legacy lives on in Bristol, and with those who respect his memory. Within the ambit of the law, what are the black people of Bristol going to do to ensure that the legacy of THEIR ancestors lives on in Bristol too?

Peace

Grace

Once again - black lives don't matter

Greetings,

The way the media and politicians are giving sanctimonious attention to the death of George Floyd, an African-American, in the U.S., a newcomer to the issue of race relations would believe this is a totally new phenomenon, and a first time event.
The untimely deaths of black men, outside of medical reasons, seems to be a distasteful staple in terms of what is expected to happen to black men, and women, in society today. It is yet another black man's life lost needlessly.

'Black Lives Matter' says it all. The reality is though, black lives don't matter, and  have never mattered. Our lives and everything else we do is considered totally expendable. I dare any non-ethnic person to deny it. The painful fact of the matter is, we black folk must shut up, do as we are told, and work to produce profit, but not for ourselves. We should be grateful for the 'scraps' that we get and not complain, and if by perchance success comes our way, it is called in to question. If we protest against injustice we are delusional, trouble makers, and are seeking nothing more than to discombobulate society, white society that is. We are not supposed to be educated, only to achieve the bare minimum. If we are well educated we are regarded as uppity, think we know it all, and need to know our place.

The interesting part is that it's ok to use the black man/woman for what they know, and what is theirs by right for profit, and to benefit everybody else except the black race. The refusal of the black man/woman to accept societies 'expectations' of them is seen as being difficult, and God forbid if they stage a protest, and even worse, if it becomes disruptive, it is interpreted that they do not want to be governed by the rule of law.

History is testament to this form of exploitation.
The British Empire became the British Empire by exploiting the people of those countries which made up the empire, and the resources of their lands. Quite a number of these lands were predominantly of non-white natives. My parents lived the experience of Crown Colony on their Caribbean island home.  The retelling of their observations of Crown Colony were very enlightening. The United States learnt from the example of Britain, but not the covert, indirect, and denial approach. Let's not forget Europe 's
jumping on the bandwagon and each scrambling for their share of Africa.

I do not believe the U.K., the U.S.A., nor Europe, has the intention of creating any true, real, and lasting change on race relations in the true sense of the word. The law(s) on race relations in the U.K., as far as I am concerned, are just a patch over to silence the dissenters. The real movers and shakers of change are those resilient, 'don't matter' black men and women with their never ending persistence and audacity to 'climb over' the obstacles set in their way to stall or erase their progress, and uses it all as motivation to drive themselves on to their eventual success. They have no time to waste with many of the bench warming orators, occupying the seats of power, and who have absolutely no understanding whatsoever of what race relations is all about.

What concerns me, is when all this pretentiousness, sanctimoniousness, self-righteousness by the media, politicians, and whoever else, for the most part, on the death of George Floyd is over - what then?

Change?

Don't hold your breath.

Peace

Grace

Money versus Racism: the hidden agenda in football

Greetings,

For years, racism has been the thorn in the side of football - domestic, and international.

The remedies that are on offer amount to a band-aid to cover a deep lacerated wound which can provide no healing to the injury at all.  The players who experience racial abuse on or off the pitch from other players, or from the supporters in the stands, are presumably supposed to 'take it on the chin' as it is a part of the cut and thrust of the game, and is, in effect, a reflection of society and the world at large. So it is acceptable, as long as, so far, there is no threat to life.

The fact that the racially abused player is offended, and sometimes feels compelled to defend him/herself, as they feel  deeply wounded by offensive remarks, chants, or by objects thrown onto the pitch which symbolize him/her with a particular animal, pales into insignificance because their response is seen as an unnecessary disruption of the game, and therefore they should just shut-up and get on with playing.

If legal action is taken by the player, the court of public opinion has already decided his/her fate. If the football authority takes action with imposed sanctions, it makes no difference to the offender but only creates a small hole in their pocket in terms of a substantial fine. It
inconveniences the team when the offender is banned for several games, or temporarily reduces the income of the club when the supporters are banned from attending a match(s) because of grossly unruly behaviour. Overall, no matter which way you take it, the punitive sanctions laid down by FIFA and Football Associations are an ineffective sham, and does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to reduce, never mind eradicate, racism from the sport of football.

Why you may ask?

MONEY is football, and football is MONEY.

Everything else is secondary. This is why racism in football or any other sport is a sideline issue and will only be patched over, so as not to undermine what is really at stake here - MONEY, LOVELY MONEY.

This is why, people, no real progress will ever be made on the contentious issue of racism in sport.

What I say next will certainly incur the wrath of many a football player, but the fact is footballers are a commodity to be bought and sold - MONEY! They are compensated for their skill - MONEY!  The supporters go to the matches to watch their team play - MONEY! Players are bought for their skill not their skin colour - MONEY!

So in the midst of all this MONEY mindset, the non-white player, to be specific, the mixed race, and black player, is expected to put up with racist remarks, chants, banana throwing, and any other disgraceful act, either by the unenlightened player, or the ignorant supporters in the stands because he is just a commodity, and an easy target because of his/her colour.

What a world, eh?

Can't say that I don't enjoy watching a good game of football. I just hate some of the garbage that comes dished up with it.

I hope that if any non-white professional football players read this post, it will help them to strategize and think how best to deal with this contentious and vexing issue called RACISM in football. Be consoled that you are not the first to experience it, and you will certainly not be the last. By the looks of things it is set to remain in football, forgive me Lord to say this, until HE breaks the cloud and comes with his angels. Get the gist?

Chin up guys and gals!

It's all about the M-O-N-E-Y!!!!!!!

Peace

Grace

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Greetings,

The Black Cultural Archives (BCA) opened its doors to the public in 2014. Four years later, it is facing financial difficulties to remain open.

An institution such as The BCA is crucial to record, and preserve documentation of the history, culture, and development of a people, that has made valuable contributions to the historical, social, cultural, and economic life of British society.

At times, this argument is considered irrelevant. However, it is nonsense to sustain this point of view. No man, or country is an island, figuratively speaking. If this is not a true statement, then the powers that be in a former time would have thought twice before 'inviting strangers'  into their midst who introduced a new and vibrant lifestyle, and brought with them their work ethic, culture, customs, and religious beliefs, to not challenge, but to enhance and support the 'Motherland'.

The BCA is of no less importance than any other national institution that seeks to extend knowledge and understanding of its people. This knowledge and understanding is not only to be shared with those of black ancestry, it invites universal interest to share in the uniqueness of black culture, its adaptability to the British way of life, and its willingness to participate in the advancement of Britain on the world stage.

Finance is always an issue to maintain a cultural institution. The issue becomes more problematic when the institution is not indigenous, and the solution to long term financial support becomes more acute.

As a British expatriate of Jamaican ancestry, I ask the present powers that be in the UK, to seriously consider the educational, sociological,  historical relevance, contribution, and impact, The BCA will have on the cohesiveness of British society, in terms of increasing knowledge and understanding, and to encourage further full participation in the future economic prosperity of Britain for perpetuity.

Peace

Grace

A Stranger Without, a stranger within

Greetings,

Here's the thing.

You go off to a foreign country somewhere, knowing full well you are going to be up against it.

After all, you will be an outsider - right?

You'll have to 'fight' for everything.

Fight to get a job

Fight to stay in the job.

Fight for fair wages.

Fight to keep wages fair.

Fight to raise your family.

Fight to educate your children.
Fight to be accepted.

Fight for justice. Fight for survival.

Fight, fight, fight...and the combat goes on.

Battle worn and weary,  but not defeated, the years roll on. Many an Autumn and Winter has made you shiver. Too quickly Spring and Summer have come and gone. 

Suddenly, that light bulb goes off in your head, and says:

"You know what, it's time to return from whence I came."

So, you make plans, and more plans.

This time it's more than a suitcase you'll be packing, it's your whole life story.

Fast forward - you are home, really home, at last!

The walls, and the guard, comes down. No need for this anymore you say  to yourself.  You meet and greet  -

"Hello"
you dare  to utter, and get a quizzical look.
Who are you?  It says.
The eyes assess you with an up, down motion.
All of a sudden, you feel like a stranger,  an outsider, an alien.
You wonder what's wrong. Is it something I said? Or did?
The look continues. The mouth opens, and a voice is heard and catches you off guard.
"You are from England?"
"No", you say, " I'm from _______".
"Yes", comes the response, "But you were in England?"
"Yes", you reply in exasperation, as it is clear only the 'foreign' aspect of you has sparked interest. So, after being asked a deluge of questions, while trying to 'justify' your presence in your own country, you seek a quick getaway to mull over this mind bending event.
You speak to others like yourself, and find they are in the same predicament, and have a story to tell of their acquired 'foreign status' in their own country. A 'foreign status' acquired by those who proudly walked tall and 'waved' the flag of their homeland while residing overseas, and choosing to be upstanding members of their communities and in society at large, contrary to the negative images so often depicted in the public space.
With all of that dedication to the land that made you all that you are, astonishingly, you have to 'fight' once more, but this time, to prove you 'belong' to the land of your birth,  because you - wait for it! -
Look different, talk different, walk different, act different, dress different, speak with a different accent, and practise unabashed etiquette, decorum, and good manners. All of this enables your own people to distinguish you from them. What a life!
The sad thing about all of this, is that all of the good virtues, values and attitudes you have, you learnt them in your beloved homeland.
At the end of the day though, such views will always pale into insignificance, as it will never change you within, a true son or daughter of the soil of your homeland.
So, when the 'go to foreign' spirit sets in the hearts of 'thine accusers',  I hope they will consider the possible outcome of a decision to live in a foreign land for an extended period.
REMEMBER, a son or daughter of home soil, but a stranger in a foreign land, will NEVER, EVER, be a stranger within the land of their birth.
THINK ABOUT THAT.

Peace

Grace