The chip that shatters the whole: Words by Tracey Duodu
Now they say that my people and I walk around like we got a chip on our shoulders. Damn straight. We are pissed! See our fuller lips, darker eyes, and abundance of melanin never seem to give us that head start. It's never that springboard.
But what do we do? I know damn straight we don't fight the system….no, see now we stand outside it.
We don't engage in the real conversations of power, instead, we transform into those menacing problems that the powers-that-be have to solve. See what we actually do is give them more purpose. What with their operation tridents and their ghetto redevelopment schemes...
Salik
The piece was inspired by a short Arabic prayer and is part of a series of Arabic canvases. Salik’s motivation for this range came from a need to show Islamic culture in a beautiful and contemporary light. It came in response to the often negative portrayal of Islamic culture within mainstream media.
Salik studied a BTEC National Diploma in Fine Art at Tower Hamlets College. Since leaving in 2004, he has been working as an Arts teacher and graphic designer for “Streets of Growth”, a Local Community Organisation based in Bromley-by- Bow, East London. His creations range from designing for Exhibitions based in Bow to t- shirt
designs for companies in London’s West End. Salik has come along way; he is living
proof that with a little effort, you canmake it to wherever you want to go, no matter what
your background is.
Each half of this design was created to be used on a separate hoody for Salik and his girlfriend. When worn in unison it shows the bond between them.
Revolution Awaiting Warriors
There is a Revolution Awaiting Warriors / I recognise many righteous soldiers
I will fight with you or alone / like the king I am reclaim my throne
Me nah wait for your recognition / me just fire upon you with my ammunition
Me One I speak for myself / and nobody else
Every one of you has a voice / to speak or not it is your choice
But silence is not golden / silence is the truth stolen
And stealing of the truth / is exactly what them do to the youth
Miseducation relative deprivation / mislead young mind’s motivation
Dealers hustlers living bullet time / their lives could end in the space of a rhyme
They get all the attention / while the good them get no mention
Leaving young boy growing up with no direction / no protection on his erection
Sewing his seeds / but not fulfilling their needs
Young girl left to raise child alone / no job kicked out of home
She’s on the benefit system / where you fill in forms and no one listens
Benefit system / where you fill in forms and no one listens
Please listen up when I speak / how many homeless you seen this week?
Begging for change / I said begging for change
Don’t just be a sympathiser / see through the mist be a realiser
See what has been done / to brother sister daughter son
The revolution a go come / the revolution begins with one
But one is much stronger / if he listens to those who’ve lived longer
Listen to the wisdom of the elders / them want fe tell you if you want to know
When the last time you saw your grandma and grandfather it’s time to go
With an open mind and loving soul / as a community as a whole
There is so much to be told / you think them lost it cos them got old
No they just stopped sharing / cos you done stopped caring
If you’re now prepared to hear / revolution may begin this year
Go forth with what you have been told / tell young girl she’s worth more than gold
Tell young boy what a mans about / the truth nah whisper the truth does shout
We are the revolution / we are the solution
We hold the key / and it begins with unity
We are the revolution / we are the solution
We hold the key / and it begins with you and me
Dean has been writing and performing his poetry for four years. He is a witty, dynamic and diverse performer with a repertoire that showcases vivid visuals, harsh truths and leaves an indelible impression upon his audience. His writing draws inspiration from, "my mother's strengths, my father's failings, my little sister's misfortunes, and the pain of my peers. If I could only perform one piece at a show it would be this one because it covers a common theme that is in all of my work; speaking up for yourself and not waiting for others to fight your battles for you.
20 Rupee Smile
Taken in Sri Lanka, my inspiration here was to uncover hidden emotion. Ravi, on first approach, was a solemn man who traded his lottery tickets in the same spot for over 15 years. I explained for the modest price of a ticket (20 rupees) and a generous smile I would part with my currency. With little persuasion he agreed, but in the end his shrewd business acumen and unforgettable grin roped me in for another 4 tickets!
Growing up in Hackney, born to a Nigerian father and a Sri Lankan mother, amateur photographer Frank Ngonadi has interests ranging from art and music to development and human rights.
For more on Frank hit: myspace.com/soulbrotha2105
Bloody Sea (June 2007)
Bloody Sea (June 2007), Lisa Rahman
On walking past London Bridge late at night I was captivated by this scenes unconventionality, as although I had felt I had jumped right into a London postcard, there was something about the vibrant red sea that was deeply unsettling. For a moment I began imagining what could have happened, and the factual underpinnings of my thoughts began to loosen, even if for a moment, I lost myself in this vision of an empty city surrounded by a pool of red blood, made quiet by the silence of a still night.
Lisa Rahman is a second year BA Graphic Design student at the University of the Arts London. She ‘lives and breathes design’, is inspired by the smallest of things, ask a lot of questions and sees
life as one big 'Kodak moment'.
Contact: lisa.rahman@yahoo.co.uk
Aftermarch
I took this picture at Speakers corner in Hyde Park after an anti-war demonstration that took place on the 24/02/07. I arrived 3 hours late and I could only see the aftermath of the demonstration, as the crowds had moved on. Everywhere I could see was littered with anti-war leaflets and paraphernalia, but was quickly swept away from view within 15 minutes of me being there.
See www.myspace.com/mariamsheikh for more of her work.
