6 February 2018 marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 – the act which allowed some women in the UK the right to vote. This was a major landmark in the history of our democracy. Influential consideration Only 58% of the adult male population was eligible to vote before 1918. An influential consideration, in addition to the suffrage movement and the … [Read more...] about #Vote100 – A vote of her own
Events in History
#Vote100 – Women’s suffrage movement
In the nineteenth century women had no place in national politics. They could not stand as candidates for Parliament. They were not even allowed to vote. It was assumed that women did not need the vote because their husbands would take responsibility in political matters. A woman's role was seen to be child-rearing and taking care of the home. Women were not explicitly … [Read more...] about #Vote100 – Women’s suffrage movement
Sandra Bland – Say her name
Sandra Bland is another black life lost under hinky police circumstances. The 28-year-old’s death in a Texas county jail on 13 July, three days after a routine traffic stop turned into a confrontation has attracted scepticism and disbelief from many who have been following the case. Whilst concerned American’s continue to keep a tally of unarmed black people killed by police … [Read more...] about Sandra Bland – Say her name
The burning of Greenwood aka Black Wall Street
It may be hard to imagine today that black people could be unified enough to have a successful all black community but in early 20th Century America that’s exactly what happened. Greenwood is a neighbourhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was once a prosperous, modern, cultured Black community dubbed Negro Wall Street by Booker T Washington during a visit to Tulsa. The area was also … [Read more...] about The burning of Greenwood aka Black Wall Street
History of Jamaica Welfare
Jamaica Welfare was founded by Norman Manley in 1937. It was the first large scale social welfare organisation in the island. It was formed from suggestions Manley made to United Fruit Company President Samuel Zemurray, while acting as lawyer for the Jamaica Banana Producers Association. In the 1930s a plant disease killed off the banana industry in Jamaica. It became … [Read more...] about History of Jamaica Welfare
When is a pun not a pun? – When it’s racially offensive
In 2014 the film 12 Years a Slave, won many awards and was in the spotlight for months after the film launched last 2013. Actors Lupita Nyong’o and Chiwetel Ejiofor where constantly in the news along with director Steve McQueen. In February 2014 the film won Best Motion Picture in the drama category at the Golden Globes. Chiwetel Ejiofor won Best Leading Actor at the BAFTAs … [Read more...] about When is a pun not a pun? – When it’s racially offensive
Lupita Nyong’o shares her story of being dark skinned
Lupita Nyong'o was awarded Best Breakthrough Performance for her work in 12 Years a Slave at February's Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. Her acceptance speech brought a tear to my eye and to Lupita’s by the looks of things. Lupita shares snippets of a letter from a young girl who had been thinking of lightening her skin with cream until Lupita hit the screens and … [Read more...] about Lupita Nyong’o shares her story of being dark skinned
That awkward moment when Samuel L Jackson roasts a reporter
This was the moment when Samuel L Jackson roasted a news anchor on live TV in a case of mistaken identity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okke3XfQXLE Samuel L Jackson was mistaken for Laurence Fishburne by news anchor Sam Rubin of KTLA. This has to be the funniest and most cringe-making interview ever as Samuel tore Sam a new one. Sam Rubin started the interview by asking … [Read more...] about That awkward moment when Samuel L Jackson roasts a reporter
The truth about Fred Hampton’s murder
Fred Hampton was a political activist born August 30, 1948. In Junior college he became active in the civil rights movement. Hampton eventually met Huey P. Newton and started his own chapter for the Black Panther Party in 1968. Fred Hampton was the chairman of the Chicago Black Panther Party and set up the free breakfast for children program in Chicago. Fred Hampton fought for … [Read more...] about The truth about Fred Hampton’s murder
Brixton Riots 1985
The Brixton riot of 1985 started on 28 September in Lambeth in South London. It was the second major riot that the area had witnessed in the space of four years, the last in 1981. It was sparked by the shooting of Dorothy 'Cherry' Groce by police, while they sought her son Michael Groce in relation to a suspected firearms offence; they believed Michael Groce was hiding in his … [Read more...] about Brixton Riots 1985