Just plain stubborn...

There's a reason that London Underground tell us to 'mind that gap between the train and the platform'.

For as long as I have been using the underground network in London, there have been intermittent announcements asking passengers to 'mind the gap between the train and the platform'. I know that as you read this, you can hear the well-spoken taunt of the woman who was paid far too much to tell us how to use our common sense.

But, it seems she was not paid enough: last week, as I was making my way from the Central Line to the Northern Line at Bank station, I noticed a young woman making a mad rush for the ready-to-close-and-beeping-like-mad train doors. It was quite obvious that she had missed the train but none-the-less, she thought she would try her luck.

Her piercing scream as she fell in the gap, was not only heard in 5 boroughs, but was a reminder to all those on the central line platform that there was a reason London Underground have the announcements in the first place. I was shocked and confused. My initial reaction was to rush to the woman's aid, but I noticed that most commuters carried on as if it hadn't happened. Were they so used to those kind of mistakes that they did not bat an eyelid regardless of the consequence? I looked toward the CCTV cameras expecting that any moment, there would be a rush of LU staff attending the scene. Nothing. Perhaps they were also used to the stupidity.

Don't worry, the woman was fine, nothing more than her pride was hurt. But, the situation posed a time-old question to me: why is it that we choose to ignore the subtle messages we are fed, until it's too late? While the woman was not hurt, it reminded me of the many lives that are taken on our roads every year by those that have been drinking heavily but still think that they are capable of controlling a ton of metal at a high speed.

There is no longer an excuse for our ignorance. The woman on the tube could have been seriously hurt or even killed. But what would her demise have achieved? With constant information about the hundreds killed on the roads and injured on the tubes each year, we should have all the incentive we need to be safety-aware.

There is always a chance that 'it might not happen to you'. I guess what makes the difference is whether we are willing to take responsibility for what could happen. After all, it's got to happen to someone; let it not be you.

What It Means To Be Black

The term ‘to be black’, means different things to different people. For some, it means remembering our history as slaves and acknowledging the progress we have made. For others it means that you have rhythm and can shake a leg. But for most, it simply means, the colour of your skin. When I was growing up I knew I was black. I was the only black child in my class, one of only six black children in my year and the only other black person in my school was a teacher, Mr Richards. On my road, there were black families but not so many, that we did not know each other and even then, the families were scattered far and wide. Still, being black had never been an issue for me and I progressed through school and life, without any issues relating to my colour.

As I got older, I realised that there was a whole world out there aimed at black people. There was black literature, black films, black hair shops and even all-black events. These were things that I was aware of, but with exception to the black hair shops, did not part-take in. I was happy being myself, not the black me, just me.

As naive as I wanted to remain, it was not to be and last week, my cousin phoned me asking my opinion of black people that hold all-black events. The question stopped me in my tracks right away. Should black people have black only events? We discussed this for many moments until I realised that I had the perfect article. We said goodbye and I started my research.

I have friends of many ages, races and cultures, so T-Mobile had their work cut out for them as I started calling. They threw all sorts of questions back at me ‘What is black?’; ‘In England or anywhere?’; ‘Do you mean events to which only black people are invited?’ I felt overwhelmed and answered as best I could, but reiterated my question, ‘Do you think that black people should have black-only events?’.

The first person I asked had a strong answer:

‘Yes, we need to understand ourselves. Black people need to meet role models like themselves and have people to look up to in order to see success and know that this is where we come from and what we can aspire to.’ Monika Gittens
Of course, the question of the Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) awards came up and as expected, many were confused as to the context or real purpose of the awards.

‘You could question what music of black origin is. Elvis’ music could be seen as music of black origin. I mean, doesn’t our perception of what black is, have to do with what the slave masters told us it is? Mixed race people are considered black if their hair is curly, but if they have dead straight hair and blue eyes, aren’t they considered more white?’ Paul Boldeau, Black Professional
I realised that the discussion of what black actually was, could blow the context of the article apart, so I stated that black, in this context, meant people of West-Indian or African descent.
My friends were as passionate as I was about the question I posed and before long I had a headache. However, that did not stop my quest for the right answer. Many recalled slavery and civil rights:

‘No, having black events for black people should not happen any more. How can people call themselves civil rights leaders if they only deal with black peoples civil rights? ‘ Jenard Dyer, young black student
Paul and Jenard made valid points, but I knew that I had to get a broad range of answers, so I spoke to others:

‘If black people have black events, it’s being as discriminatory as white people holding white-only events. Equality is not equality if they have the black only events.’ Aaron Sokell, white vocalist
I got to the stage where most people were against the black-only events and I was beginning to think this article may just be too easy. What about the Asians and the Chinese, don’t they have events for their own cultures? Was that wrong too? Were my friends just against black-only events because they assumed the black people we spoke of were English-speaking? Would it have made a difference if I had been asking about Hispanic events instead?

I continued to call. My phone bill was getting higher, but my call list was getting shorter and I was finally getting a range of responses, all different but all perfectly valid.

‘If they want them, black people should be able to have them. There are Asian only clubs in Leicester Square. I was walking down the road with my Chinese friend the other day and someone offered her a flyer but wouldn’t give me one because I am not Chinese. I wasn’t offended...’ Kayleigh Lewis, white student
‘Yes, they should have black only events. They should all be in the same place so that they can be monitored’ Bill, Asian Prison Officer
I wondered whether Kayleigh’s viewpoint would change with age and whether Bill’s opinion was bourn out of experience. How much did our experiences affect our answer to this question?
With all the answers I had acquired, I was no closer to coming up with a definitive answer. I had gotten the perspective of people of all races, colours and cultures.

It then dawned on me, maybe that was my problem. I was looking for an answer. Perhaps there was no answer. Wasn’t it all about perspectives?

I sat at my desk. I had stopped typing. As I read through all of the quotes people had given me, I asked myself, what did I think? I realised that before I started to get the opinions of others, I thought I had the answer. I was sure that there was no way that black-only events should be tolerated, and while my fundamental view had not changed, my eyes had been opened to the perspective of others. How could I possibly judge Bill or Monika for being pro all-black events, when I had not walked in their shoes?

I powered down my laptop. I would sleep on it. Maybe, I would change my mind tomorrow.

Laziness Can Kill

Today, i had the option to take an opportunity or let it pass.

The lazy part of me wanted to 'leave it until next time, there will always be a next time and if not then what the heck...' the more sensible part said 'you may as well, how much do you really want this' - so, I took it and I am so glad that I did. We are shown our true potential and if we are honest, we already know what it is!

We choose what opportunitues to open ourselves up to. The laziness in us can sometimes overrule the hard working, ambitious people that we are, but we have to have an inner fight to come out on top. Our nature is to fall short and to take the easy route but for true satisfaction and quaility of life, realise the potential you have!

Samantha Wiggins x

My Parallel Universe

Do you ever wonder what your life would have been like if 20 years ago things had taken 'the other' turn?

This is what I have been contemplating these last few weeks. What if... But what if.... Then what if... The conclusion I have come to is this: I am here now and actually 'this is what I have achieved, this is where I wanna be, this is where I am going and in order to get there, I need to do I need to be here...'

I, by no means, came to this conclusion by my self, God helped me a little - ok, ok, it was all Him! He keeps on putting me in testing situations and I am finally starting to appreciate the value of them. It doesn't mean that they are easy or even that I like them, all it means is that I am able to recognise the difference and can appreciate the change in me once I have OVERCOME the trial. Yep, you heard me, overcome!

After all I have been through (and am still going through), I am still here! I'm here! I am going to achieve all that I can (quote me on this) and nothing but death can keep me from it! (ok ok, I know this is not the Colour Purple but the words ring true all the same).

Watch this space cos God has cleared my mind and there is much for me to do!

Much love x

Help me to blog...

Hi-de-ho neighbour…

As you know, I have begun a blog site (www.perceivethat.blogspot.com), but that means nothing if I don’t have content…

Do you have any ideas/topics that you might like a view on?

Mail me via the comments box below, with your proposals.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Sammi x