Racism

Curls and Chlorine…

Chlorine and curls do not mix. That is a well-known universal truth. And that is why many Black women won’t go swimming if they can help it. It’s the hair thing. As most Black women use chemical relaxers in their hair, this makes hair susceptible to chlorine damage which can,…

What’s In a Name?

What’s in a name? To most people, not a lot; while for others it means a great deal. Take the name of Kayo Anosike. I think this is an agreeable name to be walking around with. It has a nice ring to it. But if it was your name, do…

The Innocent People on the Deportation Hitlist

It has come to my attention that thousands upon thousands of foreign criminals who should have been deported upon serving their jail sentences are left to roam free in our society. Seven per day, I hear. I wish I could tell you that this news is brand new. Or even…

On Choosing to be Black or White

A few years ago in my column ‘Musings with Lovelock’ (Jamaica Times UK), I wrote about a certain woman, a certain Rachel Dolezal, a certain blue-eyed white woman who claimed she was African-American. She presented herself as African-American and thereby deceived a whole lot of people. Ho-ho-ho! Back in 2015,…

Why is the Archbishop Not a Lord?

Praise the Lord! Or maybe not. Okay. Here is the plot. The most eminent Dr John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu, (let’s be proper) Archbishop of York forever (or so it seemed), first Black person to hold such an esteemed position, second in command of the Church of England hierarchy, has been…

Cultural appropriation – or appreciation?

The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event held over the last weekend in August to celebrate Caribbean culture. The stars of the show are sound systems, parade bands and outrageous and imaginative costumes featuring all the colours of the rainbow, complete with feathers and bells and whistles. The event…

Celebrity Shoplifting

A woman leaves a well-known supermarket with groceries she did not pay for and when the manager caught up with her all he had for her was a big grin! Fancy that! No being man-handled back to the store for questioning? I guess that is an open invitation to all…

This has to stop!

This has to stop! This police harassment and brutality of Black people has to stop. Now. Since the murder of George Floyd, Breoana Taylor and others that led to the Black Lives Matter worldwide protests, I have kept my peace, choosing to reflect on this sorry state of affairs in…

Racism Goes Both Ways

When a Black Oxford University student bragged on Facebook that he had reduced a white waitress to tears when he and his friend refused to tip her after she served them, he thought he was being smart. But he was the one left looking like a dunderhead after sympathisers raised…