Benjamin Zephaniah "If you didn't have troublemakers, most women wouldn't have the right to vote, a black person wouldn't be talking to a white person and I'd be back in slavery. We need troublemakers to challenge the establishment. I want to be one of those people."
Comments
I don't agree but I suspect that people supporting Trump and Farage believe that they are the disrupters challenging from within
No-one thinks *they* are the bad guys
#education #socialmobility #universalbasicincome (random thoughts of how and why)
There's no inherent merit in treating the vulnerable with cruelty.
He's not doing, or did, a very good job, the countries more fascist and racist now than at any time in history.
1. Why is Labour supporting Braverman's anti-protest legislation?
2. #Brexit is a criminal offence against the citizens of the UK; treason! Why no action?
Also saw BZ ‘deliberately’ twice in 2018 on book tour, where he signed my copy and had a short chat, as well as at WOMAD with his band a few years earlier.
So sad he’s gone but his work lives on. ☺️
https://benjaminzephaniah.com/six-of-benjamin-zephaniahs-heroes/
https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/02/benjamin-zephaniah-admits-to-hitting-a-former-girlfriend
Of course, we know about Zephaniah's failings because of his willingness to learn from them, reflect, and then speak openly and honestly about his regrettable behaviour in context of how it was part of his younger self, was in itself a powerful element of his being an exemplary figure.
He shouldn’t be given a free pass here, just as others eg Dennis Waterman haven’t been. He admitted to hitting Rula Lenska and said he was very, very ashamed of it.
Just don’t do it at all, ever.
Take inspiration from the rest of his life for sure, just don’t emulate THAT bit.
Unfortunately, troublemakers would also include extremely rich 'farmers' (the likes of Clarkson and Dyson), along with agenda driven billionaires.
"The life and rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah"
In his own way he was a disruptor but with values that would make Musk cringe - like treating people with dignity and respect
I miss his voice.
#SOSdemocracy
No.
People seeking equality, justice for ALL humanity - Yes.
It was white Englishman that continued the slave trade after it was banned.
It was white Englishman who were well compensated despite having enslaved other humans for profit.
But tell us how virtuous white Englishman were.