Things aren't always what they seem

The other day, we went to see the play “Seize The Day” by Kwame Kwei-Armah, at the Tricycle Theatre in north London. The play, one of a trilogy evoking the black experience in the UK, used the idea of a black candidate running for the office of Mayor of London to explore the contradictions facing black people, especially black youth, trying to find space in a generally unsympathetic environment.
The protagonist, Jeremy Charles, is a black TV presenter, who, while filming for an ad on a street corner, is caught on camera breaking up a potential mugging involving a gang of black youths. And of course, Charles was subsequently hailed as a hero, which afforded opportunists in the black community a pretext to conscript him as a candidate in an upcoming mayoral election. But Charles, like the rest of us, is weighed down by his own ambiguities. Trapped in a loveless, childless marriage to a white woman, he is two-timing with a younger black one. For his apparent crime, Lavelle, a highly intelligent youth and leader of the gang, is put on probation on the proviso that he attends mentoring sessions at Jeremy’s home. Those who would recruit Jeremy Charles have their own skeletons rattling away in the background, which ultimately exposed their true purpose in drafting him. Thus, everything is not always as it seems, explaining the trilogy’s tag of “Not Black & White.”
The play, directed by the playwright, is finely balanced between the main characters, all of whom bring a leavening touch of humour to the serious matters under interrogation. The set is minimalist, but that in no way detracts from the gripping sense of expectation as the scenes change and the play drives on. This is a play that has something for everyone, regardless of where on the racial divide you sit. It is not unlikely that it will come to a theatre near you, as the Tricycle has proved a remarkable springboard from which numerous productions have stormed the West End and beyond. The playwright, of Afro-Caribbean descent, has also made his mark not only across the UK, but also on the other side of the Atlantic as well. So look out for this un-missable theatrical event, wherever you are.

Tell Fren Tru

The Sour Taste of Peace-Nobel Palaver

America has once again dominated the Nobels. Of the 10 names announced so far, 7 are American. I suppose this reflects the enabling atmosphere America provides for its scientists, whether native-born or foreign-born. However, I hesitate to populate the same universe with birthplace and the name Obama, because of the temptation it offers the lunatic fringe. Not that it really needs any temptation. It generates it own dynamic all by its own unlovely self. However, this Peace award will remain controversial anyway, as happens with Peace awards in general, although you would think that when an award for peace is given, peace, goodwill and restraint will flow all around. But no. This is why the sciences are so appealing. They are rock solid, by and large. And, by and large, they improve the lot of man. But “peace” is another matter. On the face of it a good thing, it never works out to be the zero sum game that is expected of it. Someone, somewhere, feels that he or she has been shortchanged and, in consequence, retires into a sulk. It leaves nations and communities sour. Never mind the smiles and the hand shakes. They’re only done for the cameras. But deep down, there is seething resentment. So, what to do? Should we not make peace or attempt to do so? It’s better than war by a long mile. So, those who think that America is losing ground because of a President that loves to make peace, they ought to think about the alternative.
Tell Fren Tru

Outdoing the BNP

One thing that always amazes me is the fuss that the so-called white working-class make about the imagined threat posed by immigrants. Every now and again, especially when the economy takes a downturn or undergoes some other kind of shift, this group angrily emerges from its self-created ghetto to complain about how they are being displaced by newcomers, a code for people of colour. They direct their anger not only at the immigrant worker, but also at the political class who, they claim, ignores their predicament.

What I don’t get is how it is possible for newcomers to waltz in, take jobs, secure housing and access other social amenities which the WWC think belong to them by right. Yet, if you talk to the newcomers the overwhelming response is that they are the ones who suffer the scourge of discrimination, and that if they take anything at all, it is almost always the scraps that they are grudgingly handed out: The worst jobs, regardless of qualifications – frequently of high value -- and at minimum wage or worse; shoddy housing and grudging access to other social services. The jobs that they are forced to take are disdained by the WWC, whose sense of entitlement prevents them from condescending to dirtying their hands or bending their backs.

Meanwhile, the white middle class forge ahead and grab every opportunity that comes their way and, in consequence, are forever upwardly mobile. Many immigrants aspire to get a foot on this ladder and when they do, they too, leave a resentful white working class behind seething in their bitter laager. This anger is directed not only at the immigrant, but also at the political elite, many of whom were once part of that same working class but who had the grit to bootstrap themselves up and thereby get a juicier slice of the cake.

Enter the extreme right wing parties, whose only political philosophy is xenophobia. They swagger about in the hoods, (no, not those hoods; too sophisticated for that kind of dressing up) bearing messages of hate and intimidating law-abiding citizens, including many in the mainstream political parties. These latter, feeling out-maneuvered, are compelled to dip a toe into the murky waters of bigotry and in no time at all, the political climate changes and social cohesion is in jeopardy. The contest then becomes, in Britain, for example, who is going to outdo the BNP? The ruling Labour Party or Her Majesty’s loyal Conservative Party opposition?

Someone needs to tell the WWC to get off their duff and acquire the skills necessary for survival in a free trade world, relentlessly serving up new challenges-- and opportunities. This should be the job of the mainstream political parties, but somehow, I doubt that they have the guts to do it.

Tell Fren Tru