Success Strategies with Zhana: Do Black Lives Really Matter?

Joy Gardner

On my most recent show (see link below), we discussed the fact that Sarah Everard, a young white woman, was murdered by a serving police officer, a member of the Metropolitan Police.  His killer was recently sentenced to life imprisonment, which is an increase of his original 20-year sentence.  

Earlier this year, a vigil for Sarah was broken up by the police in a very heavy-handed way.  People, particularly women, are justifiably angered and appalled and Harriet Harmon MP has called for Cressida Dick's resignation. 

It's 28 years since Joy Gardner died in the custody of police and immigration officers.  But those involved in her death have never been prosecuted.  And nobody has held a vigil for Joy.  The documentary-maker Ken Fero called for Cressida Dick's resignation over the death of Joy Gardner.  Go here for my conversation with Ken. 

One rule for us, another rule for them. We discussed this on my recent show, Success Strategies with Zhana:  Do Black Lives Really Matter?  

PLUS:  

Go here for Black history blogs.  

Go here for African history blogs.  

This month marks the 10th anniversary of Black Cinema Club and they are showing loads of films to celebrate.  Go here for a list of the  film screenings this month.  

Do you believe Black lives really matter?  Please comment below and please share this blog with your networks.  Thanks.  

10 Years of Black Cinema Club

October 2021 marks ten years of the Black Cinema Club (BCC 10).  In honour of the tenth anniversary of their screening of Black films from Africa, the Caribbean, the United States, Britain and Europe, they are showing a whole programme of Black films.  

All of these screenings are being held online, so you can join us and enjoy them wherever you are in the world.  See you there!  BCC 10 presents:  

Friday 1st October:  Finding Fela. 

Filmmaker Alex Gibney uses period interviews and performances plus highlights of the Broadway production of `Fela!' to tell the story of Afrobeat music pioneer Fela Kuti.

Saturday 2nd October:  The Wood.   

Three old friends -- Mike (Omar Epps), Roland (Taye Diggs) and Slim (Richard T. Jones) -- recount memories of their shared childhood in Inglewood, Calif., as they prepare for Roland's wedding to his fiancée, Lisa (LisaRaye). When the groom goes missing without a word, Mike and Slim struggle to find their nervous friend and return him to his impatient bride before the wedding begins. Along the way, they continue to swap stories about lessons learned during their awkward teenage years. 

Sunday 3rd October:  1804:  The Hidden History of Haiti. 

This documentary film about the untold history of the Haitian Revolution was produced by the creator of the best-selling Hidden Colors film series.  1804 goes in-depth about the four principal players who were instrumental in Haiti's independence: Makandal, Dutty Bookman, Toussaint Louvature, and Jean-Jacques Dessalines. This documentary gives a compelling look into the strategies, the motivation and the mindset that led to Haiti being the only enslaved  population who successfully overthrew their oppressors.

Tuesday 5th October:  I Ain't Scared of You, a Tribute to Bernie Mac.  

Friday 8th October:   Summer of Soul, or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised. 

Saw this one a few weeks ago, and it is definitely worth watching again.  In the summer of 1965, a whole lot of talented Black people performed for FREE in NYC.  The lineup included Stevie Wonder (on drums!), Gladys Knight and the Pips, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone and many more.  Be there!  

Sunday 10th October:  Sankofa.  

A model (Oyafunmike Ogunlano) on a photo shoot in Ghana encounters an old mystic (Kofi Ghanaba) who transports her into the past, where she becomes a slave.

Saturday 16th October:  Really Love.  

Isiah is an up-and-coming painter under the tutelage of Yusef Davis, hoping to impress Chenai Hungwe to potentially launch his career. However, upon meeting Stevie Richmond, a friend of his boy Nick’s girlfriend Mecca, he gets a little distracted. Yet, as Yusef told him, you have to live to find your muse, and with Stevie, Isaiah does live. But with Stevie being a prominent up-and-coming lawyer, soon to finish school, and getting offers across the United States, while both have made time for each other in DC, will their relationship survive when distance adds an additional strain to it?  

Sunday 17th October:  Hidden Colors.  

Hidden Colors is a documentary about the real and untold history of people of color around the globe. This film discusses some of the reasons the contributions of African and aboriginal people have been left out of the pages of history. Traveling around the country, the film features scholars, historians, and social commentators who uncovered such amazing facts about things such as: The original image of Christ; The true story about the Moors; The original people of Asia; The great west African empires; The presence of Africans in America before Columbus; The real reason slavery was ended And much more.  

Monday 18th October: The Banker.  

Samuel L. Jackson stars in this true story about two men who decided to open a bank in Georgia in the 1950s, when Black people were not even allowed to set foot inside a bank. 

Revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) devise an audacious and risky plan to take on the racist establishment of the 1960s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream. Along with Garrett's wife Eunice (Nia Long), they train a working class white man, Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire - while Garrett and Morris pose as a janitor and a chauffeur. 

Tuesday 19th October:  Rue Cases Negres  

It's been so many years since I've seen this charming, delightful film from Euzhan Palcy.  

In the French colony of Martinique in the 1930s, rambunctious teenager Jose (Garry Cadenat) lives in a rundown shack in a small farm village with his doting grandmother, M'Man Tine (Darling Legitimus). While studying diligently at the local school, Jose also learns at the side of wise village elder Medouze (Douta Seck), who tells him first-hand of the lives of African slaves. When Jose wins a scholarship to a prestigious high school in the capital, he brings the wisdom of the village with him.  

Thursday 21st October:  Out of Darkness.  

Out of Darkness explores the Nubian/Kushitic origins of Nile Valley Civilization, contact between Africa and the Americas since the times of antiquity, as well as the influence of the Moors in Europe leading to intellectual Renaissance. In addition, the film will analyze the history of modern day racism, the concept of "white supremacy," the impact of Hip Hop as a social movement, and the idea of nationhood.                          

There are more which have not listed here.  Check out BCC 10 for details.  

Go here for lots more Black history blogs.  

What's your favourite Black film?  Or what are your top 10?  Please comment below and please share this with your networks.  

Happy Black History Month/African Heritage Month!  

 

Success Strategies with Zhana: What's on Your Mind?

Kamala Harris

At the time of recording, the result of the U.S. election had just been announced - a few minutes before we went on air, we found out Joe Biden was the new President, with Kamala Harris his new VP.  Listen below for more. 

What do you think about this?  What prospects does a Biden Presidency hold for our communities? 

Did you listen to our Election Day Roundtable?  Or our Post-Election Roundtable? 

Meanwhile, here in the UK, we are back in lockdown due to the coronavirus covid-19.  How do you feel about this?  Will it work to stem the rise of covid-19?  And what will it do to the economy? 

 

This scientist says the pandemic is over in the UK.  I find this fascinating.  What do you think? 

Our caller from Ghana told us the President of Tanzania had tested a papaya - and it had been found covid-positive.  

Plus:  Before Black History Month in the UK, why was there so much Black programming?  What are your thoughts?  

Go here to listen. 

Please share this with your networks and please leave your comments below.  Thanks.  

 

Injustice: The Film the Police Tried to Ban

My guest on the most recent edition of my Success Strategies online radio show was Ken Fero, the director of Injustice.   You have probably heard of, or seen, Injustice, Fero's film about seven UK families that are still fighting for justice after a family member died in police custody.  The police tried to ban this film - every time a cinema was scheduled to screen it, the police would phone them 15 minutes beforehand and tell them not to show it. 

Go here to listen.  

Ken Fero spoke to me about the fact that the police are, in his words, "killing Black people", and that this must stop.  

Some people believe the "Black Lives Matter" movement only pertains to the U.S.  Ken Fero talked with me about filming the experience of Black people and other migrant communities in many places, including the UK, Germany and France.  Go here to listen. 

He also spoke about his new film, Ultraviolence, and the fact that deaths in police custody are just "the tip of the iceberg".  

For more about Ken Fero and Injustice, see Ken Fero on Deaths in Police Custody.  

Go here to listen to our conversation.  

See also:  Protecting Our Communities.  

As I am sure you know, October is Black History Month/African Heritage Month here in the UK.  

And, of course, every month is Black History Month/African Heritage Month.  

Go here for my recent conversation with Brother Tony Warner of London Black History Walks:  Does Black History Really Matter?  As usual, he offered us loads of information about Black British history. 

Go here for more of my Black history blogs.  

Please leave your comments below and please share.  Thanks!  

Go here for more from the Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence 2020.  

Patrick Vernon on the Importance of Black History Month

In this video, a panel including activist and campaigner Patrick Vernon discuss the importance and relevance of Black History Month/African Heritage Month.

If you have seen the documentary More than a Month, you know that this debate continues in the United States, where it was found that the way Black history was taught in schools focused on a few signicant figures.  People such as Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks featured prominently, as so they should.  But Black history did not begin with slavery.

Although this approach to Black history is wholly inadequate, when there was no attempt made to recognise Black History Month, Black history was not acknowledged or taught at all.

Therefore, Black history is still very relevant, and although there is no need to confine it to one single month, Black History Month/African Heritage Month serves as a signpost towards greater knowledge and understanding, both here in Britain and in the United States.  . 

I am keen to share Black history as far and wide as I can.  Therefore, please share this with your networks and please leave your comments below.

Please also share these Black history links.

Please also share my short film about Harriet Jacobs and Harriet Tubman.

Why Black History Matters Part 2

London Black History Walks have been holding events about Black people in WWI for many years.  We have now reached the centenary of the start of the First World War and I have noticed that, over the past few years, more and more documentaries have started to emerge about the Black contribution to, and involvement in, the war.  For example, this one about Togo. 

I can’t help thinking that this is partly due to the example set by Black History Walks. 

I am wondering:  what do you think is the importance of Black history? 

Further to what I said in Part 1, I think there are two main benefits to gaining knowledge about our history. 

1) Understanding and analysis.  I touched on this in Part 1. 

2) Self-esteem and confidence.  The more we know about the Black contribution, the clearer is our sense of ourselves, our identities – individual and collective – and our gifts, talents and strengths. 

This is one reason why I publish the More Black Success ebooks.

My mother taught me about slavery and resistance when I was a young child.  Although she never used the word “resistance”, she taught me about Black heroes and sheroes like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and Toussaint L’Ouverture. 

These stories gave me a sense of pride.  They also meant I had a little bit of knowledge on which I could build.  

It is the responsibility of each and every one of  us to pass on what Black history knowledge we have to the next generations.  

Click here for more opportunities to expand your knowledge. 

There are lots more Black history posts on this blog, so do explore.  Use this as a resource, and share it with your networks.  I welcome your comments below. 

Black History: Break the Silence Congo Week 2014

Mutilated in Congo

In the 19th century, under the rule of King Leopold II, Congolese people were enslaved, forced to work in their own country, which had been turned into the king's private estate, and mutilated when they failed to meet the quotas that had been set for rubber extraction. 

For a fifth year, Black History Studies will take part in the Break the Silence Congo Week for Black History Month. 

The purpose of the Break the Silence Congo Week is to raise consciousness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. 

Click here for details.  

For lots more Black history images, see:  African Images and Black History International on Pinterest. 

Why Focus on History?

It was lovely to see several young people at the Black History Studies event the other night, "Slavery Is Not Our History".   More about this event soon. 

One young man asked the important question (and I am paraphrasing):  given the pressures on young people today, what is the point of focusing on history? 

As you can imagine, there was a lot to say about this. 

Mark Simpson of BHS referred to Sankofa:  in order to move forwards, you have to look backwards.  In order to know where we are going, we need to know where we have been. 

Charmaine Simpson, also of BHS, pointed out that many of the issues we face today originated in the enslavement of our ancestors.

I talked about the importance of identity.  Without knowledge of our history and of who we are, it is easy for us to become confused.  

Click here for more Black history events.  

Click here for even more Black history events, with Black History Studies and London Black History Walks. These events are held year-round. 

It is vital that you share this information with young people and parents. 

And always, always Remember Your Greatness.  

Black Fighter Pilots of WWII

Black Fighter Pilots of WWII was the most recent presentation by London Black History Walks.  Every time I attend one of these events, I am very moved and inspired.  And I always learn something new.  

Those fighter pilots from the United States, the Caribbean and Africa were seriously courageous, and some of them were seriously fine!  

Nightfighters, a 1994 documentary about the Tuskegee Airmen, was screened.  Many of the men talked about their own experiences during the war.  They were reported as being not good enough. 

Click here to read more. 

This coming Sunday's event will be How Black People Won World War 2.  Click here for this and more Black History Month events. 

Black History: Ebony Goddess and Black Fighter Pilots of World War 2

October is Black History Month in the UK, and I am listing some BHM events on Nurture Success.  

Click here for Next Black History Events.  They include Ebony Goddess and Black Fighter Pilots of World War, two  presentations by London Black History Walks.  These presentations are held every month of the year, not just in October.  

Click here for my review of Black Heroes of WWII, a previous presentation by London Black History Walks.  

Black History Studies is also holding a season of Black history events this month - and every month - including, on Monday 8th October, a screening of the film More than a Month.  

For more details, see Next Black History Events.  

And always, always Remember Your Greatness. 

Tribute to Gil Scott Heron - Message to the Messengers

A tribute to Gil Scott Heron, Message to the Messengers: Mi Revalushanary Frenz will be held at The Drum in Birmingham, UK, on 27th October as part of their Black History Month programme.

Gil Scott Heron was one of the most talented and outspoken spoken word artists of ANY generation. His words, with drums or with jazz accompaniment, forecast some of the issues we are facing today. See below for videos of the classic "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".

Click here for more details of this and other BHM UK2 2011 events.



Click here for another hard-hitting version.

See below for a video of Gil Scott Heron talking about this piece.



This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below.

Motherland Film Screenings

The documentary Motherland was described by The Sowetan as "The Best Documentary on Africa". Directed by the makers of 500 Years Later, Motherland will be screened in London tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. Click here for details of these and other BHM events.

Black History Show from Radio Nottingham

I've just been listening online to a very interesting show from Bea Udeh at Radio Nottingham. She asks, is Black History Month still relevant in the UK in 2010? What are the origins of BHM UK? She also has white guests expressing their disapproval of BHM.

Click here to listen.

Click here for lots more BHM UK events. I will keep adding to the list, so please keep coming back.

Celebrating Black History

Happy Black History Month! I prefer to call it African Heritage Month.

Black History Month in the UK was originally set up to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of people of African heritage worldwide.

This month, the What U Need to Know radio show celebrates Black history. Actually, we talk about history, heritage and healing every month.

Click here to listen. The show goes out live at 2 p.m. UK time, 7 p.m. EDT, on Saturday 2nd October. If you miss the show, you can still listen to the recording here.

We will be broadcasting live from the NAACP March on Washington.

Our guests will include Yvonne Archer, author of Life Acccording to Maas Roy

Black Spitfire Pilots

The recent massive media coverage of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain gave the impression that it was an all-white affair. The fact is that not only were there Black and Asian Spitfire and Hurricane pilots but there was an extensive African/Caribbean civilian population resident in Britain throughout the war which is to say before the 1948 arrival of the Windrush.

To read more, see London Black History Walks.

For the Black History Month UK edition of What U Need to Know on Saturday 2nd October, join us for the broadcast at What U Need to Know.

Small Island

As I'm sure you know, tonight, the BBC is screening the first part of A Small Island, the beautiful, lyrical piece based on the novel by Andrea Levy. I was privileged to view this when Brother Tony screened it at the Imperial War Museum during Black History Month. He will be screening it again next year, when the producer will be present. I urge you to watch it either on TV or at the museum, or preferably both.

Click here for the next Black history events with Tony Warner. He holds them every month - not just in October!

Click here for loads of books about Black history and Black achievers.

Black History: Telling Our Stories

October is Black History Month in the UK. For BHM events and resources, see Black History International.

In my recent interview with Loretta N. Green, we talked about the importance of telling our stories. Harriet Jacobs recorded her experiences in her book Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, and I have told her story in my choreopoem, Harriet. A film of Harriet will be shown as part of the BFM London Black Film Festival.

Click here to read more and hear more radio interviews.