As I get older in years I recognise many traits and habits of my late father. One of these is my regular routine of gathering news information, via print and T.V. I have always believed that it was important to be aware of the news events happening on a national and international basis. I couldn't understand people who didn't make an effort to be better informed on the major issues of our day. The information I received from my news gathering also helped me to form my political ideals and help me with making decisions in times of local and national elections.
Recently I have noticed a change in the news output in this country. Many have labeled this a dumbing down to the lowest common denominator i.e. celebrity based gossip and trivia. One of the first things to go has been the impartiality of the news production. Recently a BBC correspondent was reprimanded for allowing her personal political viewpoint to affect her reporting of a topical news item (the Israeli Palestinian conflict). Also a recent independent report has found the BBC is not impartial with regard to this same conflict having a pro-Palestinian output.
In the US all pretense of impartiality has been abandoned in some quarters with regard to news output. The Fox News Network now sets the agenda in regard to their news output and freely allows it presenters to express opinions on topical issues of the day.
The other issue that concerns me is who sets the agenda for the news that we read and watch. A current example is the situation regarding a group of Korean Missionaries held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan. They were threatened with death unless the authorities met their demands. Two men were executed and more executions were threatened. I watched the nightly news awaiting more information with regards to this but none was forthcoming. I went on to the website seeking more information and none was readily at hand. It was only while searching on this same news website that I found a small section which told me nothing I didn't already know. Even the fact that when they were eventually released came to me via a third party and not on any news organisation. Now if it had been British or American Nationals this would have been a major news item. But Korean Christians two groups that are not considered sexy enough for news (I have issues with the BBC's output with regard to Christians that maybe for another post). Thus my daily news fix has fallen in the last couple of weeks/months. I am not sure where to go for a reliable news source as any news that is presented on screen or in print will always have a human bias attached to it and an agenda to boot.
I would welcome any suggestions as to any news publications that you admire or would recommend.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
MENTAL ATTITUDE
He was everything I was not. Built like Mike Tyson as quick as Linford Christie and with football skills to match he made playing the game like all great players look easy. Before him I thought I was a good player after him I KNEW he was great!
He was 4 years older than me but in reality he was 10 years older mentally. He introduced me to the lifestyle of a soul boy with his unique dress sense, his love of soul music (he introduced me to Blues and Soul Magazine), in effect he was the big brother I never had.
What do they have in common? Both are now institutionalised with mental illness. Statistics show that a number of black males that are suffering with mental issues are consistently on the rise. With 5 - 7% of ethnic minorities in the UK and with more black males institutionalised than their white counterparts what can we attribute to the rising levels of mental instability within black males?
I would answer with one word 'cannabis' (or weed, ash, black or any number of street names associated with this drug). Recent scientific study has shown a link between constant cannabis abuse and the variety of mental illnesses. The Government in trying to taggle the rising levels of drug dependancy and use have inadvertently sent out the wrong message with regards to the use of this drug. By de-classifying it from a Class A to a Class B drug they have decriminalised any one found with cannabis in their possession and thus to my mind encouraging it's use.
Back in the mid-90's hip hop was inundated with songs glorifying the use of smoking "blunts" by artists like Redman and Method Man. They even made a film called "How High" which glorified this habit. Recently I saw an interview with Redman where the brother could barely keep the flow of a conversation together, now I would admit there are other circumstances like the pressure of life, racism and day to day pressures that could also be responsible but I believe the increased use of cannabis within the black community needs to be addressed primarily by the Government and the black community itself.
He was 4 years older than me but in reality he was 10 years older mentally. He introduced me to the lifestyle of a soul boy with his unique dress sense, his love of soul music (he introduced me to Blues and Soul Magazine), in effect he was the big brother I never had.
What do they have in common? Both are now institutionalised with mental illness. Statistics show that a number of black males that are suffering with mental issues are consistently on the rise. With 5 - 7% of ethnic minorities in the UK and with more black males institutionalised than their white counterparts what can we attribute to the rising levels of mental instability within black males?
I would answer with one word 'cannabis' (or weed, ash, black or any number of street names associated with this drug). Recent scientific study has shown a link between constant cannabis abuse and the variety of mental illnesses. The Government in trying to taggle the rising levels of drug dependancy and use have inadvertently sent out the wrong message with regards to the use of this drug. By de-classifying it from a Class A to a Class B drug they have decriminalised any one found with cannabis in their possession and thus to my mind encouraging it's use.
Back in the mid-90's hip hop was inundated with songs glorifying the use of smoking "blunts" by artists like Redman and Method Man. They even made a film called "How High" which glorified this habit. Recently I saw an interview with Redman where the brother could barely keep the flow of a conversation together, now I would admit there are other circumstances like the pressure of life, racism and day to day pressures that could also be responsible but I believe the increased use of cannabis within the black community needs to be addressed primarily by the Government and the black community itself.
U, Black Maybe!
The latest instalment of Big Brother here in the UK had a first. For the first time in its history here in the UK a person of colour, a young black man actually one the prize of 100,000 pounds. Many had questioned whether this would ever happen (blaming a kind of latent/subtle racism). You would have thought that the black community would embrace such a thing. Alas no. Many a talk show on black radio questioned the 'blackness' of this young man. Apparently Brian had been adopted by a white family from a young age. He also demonstrated attributes that were not common to a black male (from his cockney speaking voice and the pub culture he so loved). This led me to the question what defines 'blackness' (if anything).
When I was young blackness was defined by your musical taste (pop and rock were too white, jazz funk, soul and R&B were okay, the company you kept even the way you walked was also were ways that your blackness was defined. Being a studious pupil was also a crime worthy of judgemental punishment.
Since those days my perspective has changed somewhat blackness to me isn't defined by your musical taste, your choice of clothes, your friends or the way you walk. Blackness is defined by your mindset, thoughts and actions.
Instead of throwing darts at the winner of a reality show why isn't the blackness of drug dealers, pimps any artist that glorifies in negativity (50 cents stand up). Being black in skin tone isn't enough (listen to Night Train by Public Enemy).
In conclusion I would say that defining blackness isn't a straightforward thing and is more a state of mind rather than a code of effects.
When I was young blackness was defined by your musical taste (pop and rock were too white, jazz funk, soul and R&B were okay, the company you kept even the way you walked was also were ways that your blackness was defined. Being a studious pupil was also a crime worthy of judgemental punishment.
Since those days my perspective has changed somewhat blackness to me isn't defined by your musical taste, your choice of clothes, your friends or the way you walk. Blackness is defined by your mindset, thoughts and actions.
Instead of throwing darts at the winner of a reality show why isn't the blackness of drug dealers, pimps any artist that glorifies in negativity (50 cents stand up). Being black in skin tone isn't enough (listen to Night Train by Public Enemy).
In conclusion I would say that defining blackness isn't a straightforward thing and is more a state of mind rather than a code of effects.
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