Is Russell T. Davies Woke?

Freema Agyeman

In this article, Russell T. Davies states that what others call diversity he calls an open door. 

The term "woke" originated from African American communities.  The meaning of "woke" is to treat groups of people and members of those groups - including African Americans - who have been oppressed, marginalised, exploited and disrespected with respect and equality of opportunity.  It is closely related to diversity and inclusion. 

I agree with Storm Huntley and Dr. Who actress Varada Sethu about this - woke can only be a good thing.  Why should wokeness be a problem?  It's only a problem for those who have a problem with diversity and inclusion.  

Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address, described the U.S. as a nation "conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal".  The fact that he said this in the middle of a war which was essentially about slavery and abolition is a stark contrast to those words.  

 

 

Ncuti Gatwa

However, and I've said this before in various forums, anybody who is anti-woke is anti-Black, anti-women, anti-gay, anti-Latino and anti-any oppressed and/or marginalised group.  

So, is Russell T. Davies woke?  Let's look at his record.  

He wrote two brilliant dramas about gay life - Queer as Folk and, more recently, It's a Sin.  He, again brilliantly, revived Dr. Who and created two new spinoffs, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.  

According to my (fading) memory, in Dr. Who, he put Black people in Dickensian London (they were there, but we very rarely see them), on the moon, in Victorian Scotland, and many other places including distant planets.  Lots of these episodes and series included Black/African Caribbean, Asian and gay characters.  Plus he gave us great storylines and great acting, which have not always been on offer from Dr. Who. 

David Tennant's Doctor had, at one time, a Black companion, Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones.  And, of course, we now have Ncuti Gatwa as a Black Doctor.  

Davies also gave us a Christmas episode featuring Kylie Minogue which was not woke, just fun.  

When Jodie Whittaker hit the headlines as the first female Doctor, this attracted a huge amount of disapproval and even outrage.  Why?  I understand the same thing happened when the brilliant (there's that word again) re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica featured a female pilot, Katee Sackhoff as Starbuck.  

That reaction is what is called "misogyny".  

Jodie Whittaker's previous role as a nurse impersonating a doctor in Trust Me was much more far-fetched.  

In case you were wondering, I am a huge sci-fi buff.  Always have been.  Deal with it.  

Woke is a good thing.  And yes, Russell T. Davies is woke.  

 

Activity Report on the Training Workshop in at Mtima Village (Malawi) on Gender-Based Violence

Workshop on Gender Violence in Malawi

When the Week of Nonviolence (now the Month of Nonviolence) first started, it was very focused on activities and events in the U.S.A.  I had to keep reminding us that violence happens everywhere, and that Black Women for Positive Change is a global movement. 

I am delighted that we are now receiving reports on activities during the Month of Nonviolence from further afield, including Nigeria and this one from Malawi.  Sisters, we stand united with our brothers in our commitment to nonviolence and peace.  

You may also be interested in this interview with Mercy Mekinde, a Nigerian woman who helps women escape from domestic violence.  

Harmony for Families and Communities have held a workshop in Malawi on gender-based violence.  

I will not reproduce the entire report here, but I have focused on some of the highlights.  You can request a copy of the full report from harmonyforfamiliesandcommuniti@gmail.com 

Brief Background

Harmony for Families and Communities (HFC) is a local Malawian organization based in Zomba and started operating in March 2021.

Harmony for Families and Communities supports various women, girls and child focused initiatives through a holistic approach that makes it able to cover different challenges that affect their development in the community. This approach identifies and addresses both mental and physical needs that are essential for a healthy future generation.

All projects and programs that HFC initiate are designed in a way that the direct beneficiaries are women, girls and children.  This is what is needed to bring about positive change.  

41 participants attended the workshop.  It was led by local officials.  

Event Key Highlights

Participants demonstrated increased understanding of the distinction between gender and sex, gender-based violence forms (physical, emotional, economic, negligence and psychological). 

Facilitators provided information on reporting procedures and mechanism such as the toll free numbers (116), support services like the One Stop Centre and legal recourse like the Protection Order, Whistle Blowing

Participants discussed cultural practices and societal attitudes that perpetuate gender-based violence such as women shielding their husbands, the silence culture and beliefs that men are the ones that are breadwinners. 

Participants discussed the dangers, implications and the legal framework of gender-based violence such as the Constitution of Malawi (Chapter 4), The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, The 50, 50 Campaign, The Child Protection Act, and The Penal Code among others.  

Community members identified local gender-based violence hotspots and pledged to establish a community watchdog committee.

Challenges and Lessons Learnt 

 Limited time for in depth discussions 

• Need for sustained follow up and support 

•  Importance of involving local leaders and traditional authority

For a copy of the full report, please contact Harmony for Families and Communities at harmonyforfamiliesandcommuniti@gmail.com 

 

Well done, sistas and brothas!  You should be very proud of the work you have done.  Keep up the good work!  

Go here for more from the Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence 2024. 

 

 

How the Holocaust Began

Shark Island Death Camp

I have just watched a BBC documentary called How the Holocaust Began, written and presented by James Bulgin, an historian at the Imperial War Museum.  Unfortunately, the link may not be live for much longer, so check it out while you can. 

The details of the killings of Jews and others in Eastern Europe, and the true extent of those killings, is only just beginning to emerge.  Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of people were shot, their bodies thrown into trenches, after the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union.  This method of murdering peple ultimately proved unsustainable, as the people doing the killing started to experience mental health issues due to the stress involved.  The Nazis' goal was to wipe out all Jews in Europe. 

The work of those researching this history is vital.  Having said that, in the documentary, there was no mention of the fact that the first German death camp, known as "Shark Island", began operations around 1906 in Namibia, South West Africa.  It has been referred to as the blueprint for what the Nazis did later.  So it could be said that that was how the Holocaust began.. 

When uncovering history that has been buried, it is essential to tell the whole story, not just part of it.  

I learned about Shark Island from presentations at the Imperial War Museum by Tony Warner of London Black History Walks.  Go here to read my review of Brother Tony's first book, Black History Walks in London Volume 1.  

Go here for a report on the Shark Island extermination camp.  

The Holocaust is one huge example of why we must learn ways to get along together harmoniously, why we must learn to communicate nonviolently.  What is at stake is genocide.  What is at stake is the survival, or destruction, of our species. 

Go here for more from the Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence 2024.  

Riots in the UK - The Current Crisis

Rioting at a Hotel in Rotherham

We have been through one crisis after another over the past few years.  

Currently, riots are sweeping the UK.  They are linked with racism, Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment  promoted and spready by far-right groups. Hotels that house refugees and asylum seekers are being attacked and set on fire.  

In some cases, people from anti-racist groups are confronting the rioters. 

I recently posted about global conflict.  However, the violence has come home. This is very frightening for those of us living in the UK.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) has a vital part to play, although I personally think its main impact is more about prevention.  But it has been used effectively in situations of extreme violence.  

Go here for more about NVC.  

And go here for my FREE worksheet for parents.  Parents have a vital role to play in preventing and ending the violence. 

NVC is based on empathy, which is about listening.  

We need to understand the causes of the violence.  People are very angry and have been for years now.  Certain groups and certin politicians are whipping up the anger.  

Why are these people so angry?  Because they think they have not been listened to.  They think they have been ignored by the powers that be, and at last, the violence is exploding.  

We must have meaningful dialogue if we are going to put an end to the violence.  

Go here for The Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence 2024.  

 

 

 

 

What Are Affirmations?

Check out my new video.  What do you think?  Is it clear?  Please leave you comments below, and please share.  Thanks!  

 

Go here for my Self-Love and Body-Love Affirmation Cards. 

 

 

Global Conflict - What Can We Do to Help?

Sudanese Refugees in Chad

It breaks my heart to read of conflicts occurring in African countries such as Burkina Faso, DRC, Nigeria and Sudan, and others, and those among people of African heritage, including in Yemen and Haiti.  Plus the conflicts we hear about every day, such as those in Gaza and Uraine.  Vast numbers of people are being displaced as a result. 

We're in a New Era of Conflict and Crisis - this article focuses on the exploding need for aid amidst dwindling funding resources.  Last year, more than 360 million people worldwide needed humanitarian assistance.

Although aid has a significant role to play, my focus is on preventing and resolving conflicts.  

We need to find solutions, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) can be part of the solution.  

NVC is based on empathy.  

Please help me to spread the word, helping more people to learn and apply NVC skills to prevent and resolve global conflicts.  Please submit a blog post to the Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence 2024.  

Conflict often begins in the home, and children who experience violence in the home are more likely to get involved with conflict outside the home.  Go here to download my NVC Worksheet for Parents.  

What are your thoughts about preventing and resolving global conflicts?  Please comment below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

What Do Women Want?

March was International Women’s Month. So, on my "Success Strategies" show, we asked the question, "What Do Women Want"? 

My two guests were:  

• Sister Empress Chionesu, who was the organiser of the Million Woman March which was held in 1997; and

• Dr. Stephanie Myers, who is one of the founders of Black Women for Positive Change, who hold the annual Month of Nonviolence.  

Go here to listen. ‘

In April, we will be discussing, "What Do Men Want?"  So please join us then.  We are live on the first Saturday of every month.  

Please share this with your networks. Thanks!  

The First Black Child in Her White School

You may have heard of Ruby Bridges.  At the age of six, she single-handedly integrated her all-white school in New Orleans.  Single-handedly, but with help.  On her first day of school, she was met by an angry white mob.  

That was in 1960.  In this NPR piece, Bridges describes the loneliness she experienced because she never saw another child in the school.  She found out later that the white children were being hidden.  She also talks about her white teacher, Mrs. Henry, who advocated for her.  Go here to listen.  

Go here for lots more Black history blogs.  

How much do you know about Ruby Bridges and/or desegregation?  Please leave your comments below.