It’s hard to believe that eight years have flown by, eight years of Barack Obama’s presidency. For the same amount of time he has been in office, I have been fighting racism and homophobia within the police. I’ve realised there comes a point in our lives when we have to move on from things that…
On Tuesday gone at Vout-O-Reenee’s, I had the pleasure of moderating a Q&A with Bisi Alimi after his performance of Pwaangulongii Dauod’s ‘Africa’s Future Has No Space for Stupid Black Men‘ in collaboration with Granta Magazine. Afterwards people came up to me to express their thanks for my support of Bisi, with some commenting about how much they thought I genuinely admired him.…
I was speaking with my American friend recently when she said I should take more of an active role in fighting discrimination, especially around the Black Lives Matter movement. She believes as well as my writing and advocacy for change within policing to make it better, I should be out there on the streets protesting along…
Dear Kim, I just read your letter to me you posted. It is one of the most beautiful things I have read in a long time. You are right that people don’t do snail mail anymore, I can’t remember the last time I wrote such a letter. Writing has become a lost art, so it…
I was speaking with my Lithuanian friend who told me that he and his friend read my posts about my mum, and that it was unusual a child has so much love for a parent, expressing it in the way I do. My friend is a good guy, who said my writing brought him warmth…
In the early hours of the morning UK time, I watched Barack Obama speak as President of the United States for the last time at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, in the hope of getting Hillary Clinton into the White House next year. Just a few days ago, I watched as First Lady Michelle Obama…
Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, known to many as ‘The Black Farmer’. I’ve been fortunate to have met lots of interesting people over the years for coffee and a chat, but Wilfred is someone who took me by surprise. The British black farmer is a force to be reckoned with, and an inspiring man. Wilfred…
With one thing and another, I hadn’t visited my hometown of Liverpool for some time. But recently I’d been thinking about it a lot, especially my family and friends there. And added to this was the article I wrote last month for The Independent, about anti-fascists coming to the city. On Sunday however, I found…
Yesterday, a White Man March was due to take place in my hometown of Liverpool by the controversial National Action. At first, I was sceptical about why my city was allowing this to take place especially given its diversity. I’m all for freedom of speech, tolerance and the likes, but this wasn’t about any of these.…
Today, marks yet another milestone in my life. Against all the odds, I’ve reached another birthday. I know many do not reach the age I have, so for this I am truly thankful. The past six years have been bruising for me, personally and professionally. But, I’m slowly learning in my own way how to…
After such a horrible week gone for the world with all that happened in Paris, I like many was hoping for some light relief. However, I didn’t expect this to come from that trusted news source Fox News. Enter Stage RIGHT Steven Emerson, the so-called expert on terrorism. On Fox News, Mr Emerson claimed that…
I always find it difficult remembering 11 November, for lots of reasons which others no doubt share. I was born in Liverpool, am Northern English through and through and have been known to be a passionate Brit at times. But, many people like me and especially those younger don’t always know how to or indeed…
It’s the one day ‘some people’ can be themselves!
Last week, the husband of my friend from my old neighbourhood in Liverpool died. He and I weren’t many years apart. I know no words can comfort my friend at this time, and all people can do is be there for her. Once again though, I’ve been reminded that life is so precious and we need…
Before I was born, I was already an uncle to two. My eldest sister had her first two children, before I came into this world. The year of my birth, one of my sisters gave birth to a nephew – My Mum and sister, being pregnant at the same time. Over a decade ago, I became…
