Culture | The Legacy of Michael Jackson

Like most geniuses, a gifted but tortured soul. A legacy of powerful entertainment and inspirational music.

Filed under: Arts & Music, Culture , king of pop, michael jackson

Culture | I Hate Political Correctness

Try as I might I am not very good at not being opinionated.  Not only on subjects that are passionate to me but also ones that provoke debate. One of the ones that sticks in my craw is political correctness. I also have a bug bear about the “diversity” (not the dance group) but that’s for another post.

OK let me set the tone. I love to network. Even though I am a fan of social media nothing beats the face to face of meeting people and making connections, and even if not for yourself for others. I love it so much I speak on the subject because I find so many people find the whole experience rather awkward. Anyhoo…I remember being at an event and over hearing a woman trying to describe me to a colleague. At the time I wasn’t wearing any of my trademark red items of clothing so she was trying to describe me as tall and…..I gently interrupted the conversation and said “the tall black guy”. Poor thing blushed to death and I apologised afterwards as I realised that I had made her feel even more uncomfortable. On reflection I realise that there are those who are scared of describing me and including my colour for fear offending. Simply put it is deemed politically incorrect.

What is it?
Political correctness is a perjorative term used to refer to language or themes that may cause offence.  So essentially when taken to it’s nth degree people cannot use certain terms. For example I grew up being known as coloured, then progressed to black to Afro Caribbean and now I describe myself as Afro Saxon. (Note to self: Must get tongue removed from cheek. Book appointment) I have noted that many songs, inanimate objects (chalkboard) and even job titles are now subject to such treatment.  A cursory listen to some of the talk shows on national or internet radio will expose you to the frustration that many have with this.  Surely we can learn how to speak to people without it having to be censored. If you  make a mistake surely there is nothing with being corrected on such words or phrases without a replacment word, which often ends up being euphemistically worse, being forced into your personal vocabulary.

What it is not?
Political correctness however should not be confused with hateful prejudice. Whilst no on should force a new language on you, it is not a stretch to see why a black person will find it unacceptable to be called me a nigger (no matter how much MTV you watch) or someone who is homosexual a queer, or a paki, carpet muncher, honkey or any other terms which the recipient most likely will be offended by.

The Thin Line
Someone once described me as coffee without milk. I found that hilarious but realise that people go through pains to make sure that they say the right thing. Here is where it is for me. We will make mistakes and how we approach language is going to always be an interesting challenge. There are those who will be confused why Bernard Manning is considered racist yet Russell Peters seen as entertaining. Mistakes will be made but surely that is all part of the human experience. Often when we get riled by someone how often have we gone to that person to address what could be their mistake rather than our own hangup and interpretation of their words.

Political correctness is not going to be answer to that where some cross cultural diktat is handed down. Dialogue is where most conflict is nipped in the bud. Conversations where one speaks another listens and if all is not clear you seek clarity.  So let’s talk.

Filed under: Culture , free speech, freedom of speech, hate, politcal correctness, politically correct

Culture | Is Pornography Wrong?

This dialogue is not for the faint hearted or open minded so please if you are easily offended run a mile now.

Is Pornography Wrong?
This is a question I posted up on my Facebook status a couple of weeks ago.  This subject came up after listening to a radio phone in where it was suggested that a possible GCSE course could be rolled out about lad’s mags!

It got me to thinking, is pornography wrong and what is it that makes it wrong for some but ok for others?

The Moral Thing
OK let me start from the get go with my background. Brought up in a strict Christian

Filed under: Culture , intimacy, porn, pornography, Relationships, Sex Education, stereotypes, teen education

Work | (Not So) Innocent Drinks!

I drink Coke sometimes. Yes sometimes with southern comfort. (sorry Mum!)
Apparently it helps with colds.
Thing is I am sure there are whole heap of others who  do so.

That said it is amazing the uproar that has greeted the news of Innocent having an investment of £30m into their company from Coca Cola so that they can expand into Europe. Now let me be honest. I love innocent. I love the guys at Innocent Towers and I am hoping that I am one of the lucky ones to go to their AGM later this year, so if you are reading innocent persons this is also a shameless plug. Am 40 now so done past caring what others think.

Anyhoo, when I first read it I was reminded of how I felt when I first heard that McD’s had bought into Pret’s. “You sell out’s” “How dare you?” “I will never buy your high calorific sandwiches again!” and such delights”. How could you guys sell out at innocent. You guys are the epitome of an ethical drink. You are “a global, natural, healthy food and drinks company – one that makes stuff which is good for people, uses ‘lighter footprint’ ingredients, packaging and production techniques, and which supports charities in the countries where our fruit comes from.”

Filed under: Culture, Work , Coca Cola, ethics, innocent, Innocent Drinks

African American Identity

I wish this was available here in the UK. Great show

Filed under: Africa, Culture

Culture | Golliwogs and Job Security

Well the BBC are having a real field day with contentious issues aren’t they? The latest ’scandal’ to break forth from White City is the sacking from The One Show of Carol Thatcher. The daughter of the former British PM Margaret Thatcher apparently commented in a green room of colleagues that the tennis player Jo Wilfried Tonga reminded her of a golliwog. She found it funny. Apparently her colleagues didn’t. They complained. She was sacked.

Workplace Sensitivity
Many issues jump up here as to whether this is a storm in a teacup or something that should send a message to other people and the language they use at work. Personally if someone called me a golliwog when I used to work in an office I would have strong words because of the history associated with such a caricature and the implication of it. I actually remember once a manager at a company I worked for used the phrase ‘nigger in a wood pile’ to which he soundly apologise for any offence caused. Having worked in the city I have heard worse language, non directed me , and wonder if she was a banker would the reaction have been the same. Personally I don’t think she should have been sacked but then like many things one is not privy to all the facts.

On Being Sensitive
It is important to note that when working in an ever diverse workplace that banter should be something one treads carefully with. I remember working for a property company where my colleague and I constantly joked amongst ourselves with language and phrases but it was quite clear that it was about time and place as to where and when this would be used. If in doubt don’t do it but I think it is silly for people not to engage in banter without fear of retribution.

The Next Generation
Finally I think it important that a new generation of youth entering in the workplace be made aware of how to conduct themselves in terms of what they can say or not say. Working in a lot of inner city schools and colleges, epithets around race, sexuality, gender and even age are constantly flying around without consideration. This kind of banter can be dealt with work experience and good induction. I hope it doesn’t restrict freedom of speech but at the same time it’s important people are aware of the feelings of others and the implications of what they say.

I think the BBC overreacted with Carol Thatcher, but heck after the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand debacle I guess they are trying to cover their backs and limit any damage possible. Be careful out there.

Filed under: Culture , BBC, Carol Thatcher, Golliwog, One Show

The Power List 2008

Last year I first came across a list of the most influential and powerful people of afro descent in the UK. As an international speaker one of the things that gives me most pride is the increasing visibility of such successful people in business and public life who can inspire and give a lot of young people, and indeed their older contemporaries, a source of pride and something to look to. No matter what their background.

This year the PowerList has come out again. The fantastic team down at Powerful Media have yet again compiled a list of those who were selected and recognised for their influence and impact not only within the afro community but beyond. With an array of personalities including filmakers, policemen, entrepreneurs, writers and professors I can’t help but swell up with pride at this celebration of achievements. Somewhat of an antidote to the “bell curve” ideology that tends either to suppress these achievements or pretend they don’t exist and replacing it with more negativity about the afro British experience.

Unfortunately readers I didn’t make it, so please get in gear and vote for me next year!! I jest as it is an awesome list and I could personally think of another 100 before I even made such a list. If you have an opportunity then I recommend you go to the site or request a copy of the magazine from Powerful Media. Kudos to the team!

Filed under: Culture , Powerful Blacks in Britain, Powerful Media, PowerList 2008

I’m Getting Divorced!

Nah not me! Hell no, too loved up for that nonsense. Am talking about a conversation that I heard on the radio this morning.

Apparently divorce lawyers have never had it so good even though we are going trough this time of economic crisis. Many couples are just finding it too hard to cope with financial uncertainty and are unhitching. One commentator even suggested that financial problems are just as prevalent as infidelity for reasons of divorce.

When my wife and I were being counselled (six sessions) before we got married one of the things our Pastor encouraged us to do was to be open and honest about our money. It was never MY money or HER money it was always ours. Of course we were advised to put aside out of the collective a certain amount that we could just play with for special events, personal treats, etc. Of course we have had arguments about money (handbags and shoes anybody??) but because of the emotional, spiritual and practical applications of the effect of money we have always been open and honest about this.

Filed under: Culture , credit crunch, Divorce, Divorce Lawyers, EIA, MyBnk

Credit Crunch | What’s wrong with Renting?

Ok so here’s the deal. In the UK (and frankly all over the world) we are going through a recession, or to use the word of the moment CREDIT CRUNCH (who makes these phrases). Banks are not lending as much, according to the BBC News report last night mortgages are down 71% in the last six months. So what the hell is wrong with renting?

The government have released a package of measures to ease stamp duty for first time buyers. Fearing an implosion in banking, reposessions and the other ideas trotted out by politicians running around in fear of votes (yes I am feeling cynical). But why are we so desperate to get a house at any cost?

Filed under: Culture , credit crunch, mortgages, renting

FaceBook Redesign. Who Cares?

Ok first of all let me start by saying I will publicly eat humble pie (with cream please).
After a big song and dance about time management, weird wall posts and the like and leaving Facebook I returned (the freaky thing is I didnt have to set up a new account!)

Anyway I realised it wasn’t so much about Facebook but about me managing my own time. There I said it.
So no one can write on my wall and I don’t have any more email alerts. Private messages if you need me or post on the few groups I am on. There.

It is funny however how so many people have complained and lobbied about the design changes.
Hello. It ain’t yours. Live with it.

It is amazing however how powerful such a social network is that it can cause such ire, yet people will still stay on there. By the way if you are in my network come and play on Word Twist.

Filed under: Culture , facebook, facebook design, Social Network, winge