GREETINGS & NEWS

 

 “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.”

Proverbs 1: verse 5

 

Greetings and welcome to PANTHER NEWSLETTER

VOLUME TWO: ISSUE 15

 

Greetings and welcome to PANTHER NEWSLETTER.  Yet again we are pleased to report that the last issue had the highest number of hits ever.  PANTHER NEWSLETTER grows from strength to strength.  We thank you all for your support and of course logging on and reading.  In this issue we’ve tried to cover the global news in brief and we have our usual suspects.  The ARTIST OF THE MONTH who hails from Jamaica and is based in Philadelphia; the FEATURED STORY, THE MUSICAL COA-COA BASKET, the FEATURED ARTICLE by our guest writer Rastarella Falade, the FEATURED POEM and everybody’s favourite, THE CULTURE CORNER.

So kick back and enjoy PANTHER NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 15.

 

NEWS (UK)

 

RASTAMOUSE: Righteous rodent or rank stereotype?

Not since the Teletubbies said “eh-oh” has a children’s TV show been this talked about.  Rastamouse might have skateboarded onto CBeebies a mere fortnight ago, but the crime-fighting, reggae-playing rodent has already gathered a righteous cult following.  And, of course, a backlash.  Read on…

CAMERON CRITICIZES ‘MULTICULTURALISM’ IN BRITAIN

Prime Minister David Cameron has mounted an attack on the country’s decades-old policy of “multiculturalism,” saying it has encouraged “segregated communities” where Islamic extremism can thrive; continued…

 BLACK COMMUNITY LACKING IN SEX EDUCATION

MANY African and Caribbean communities know less about HIV because they shy away from discussing it, a new survey shows; more…

Birmingham City Win The Carling Cup

Obafemi Martins pounced on a calamitous Arsenal defensive mix-up two minutes from time as Birmingham City claimed their first major silverware since 1963 by winning the Carling Cup at Wembley; more here… and watch the highlights of the game here…

 

AFRICA

 

GADADDAFI BLAMES UNREST ON AL-QAEDA

Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has said in a speech on Libyan state  television that al-Qaeda is responsible for the uprising in Libya; here…

 ZIMBABWE CHARGES 46 WITH TREASON FOR WATCHING VIDEOS OF EGYPT PROTESTS

Forty-six people in Zimbabwe have been charged with treason, and some allegedly beaten by police, after watching videos of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia; here… 

  

ELSEWHERE

 

ISRAEL ACCUSED OF STERILIZING ETHIOPIAN JEWS TO RID THE  COUNTRY OF AFRICAN BLOODLINES

A feminist movement has accused the Israeli government of adopting a racist policy towards the country’s Ethiopian Jews.  Activists have proof that black women are deliberately being given a controversial contraceptive, to bring about a drop in the population – a claim the government denies; watch the report here…

GUILTY: BUJU BANTON FACES AT LEAST 15 YEARS IN JAIL

Grammy-winning reggae star Buju Banton, has been found guilty of three of the four cocaine-related charges brought against him. His sentencing date has not yet been determined, but Buju faces at least 15 years behind bars; more…

THE TROUBLE WITH BLACK BOYS

Pedro A. Noguera, Ph. D: a Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University writes: “All of the most important quality of life indicators suggest that African American males are in deep trouble.  They lead the nation in homicides, both as victims and perpetrators and in what observers regard as an alarming trend; they now have the fastest growing rate for suicide…”  Read it in full here…

ORAL SEX IN OAKLAND CLASSROOM

Teacher placed on leave after stories surface; more… 

 

THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY

 

 THE AMAZING WOMAN AWARDS 2011

Do you know a woman who deserves special recognition?  Has she been encouraging and helping others despite her own situation?  Does she work hard everyday and never thinks about herself?  We would LOVE to hear your stories.  Make it a date and don’t be late for this amazing event organised by an amazing woman Makeda Ubiaro.  The event will take place at THE ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB in Birmingham on Saturday March 5th 2011.  Special Guests for the night will be The Lord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, Joanna Riley, The Apprentice Finalist and Birmingham’s very own up and coming comedienne Annette Fagon.  Star Tan Tanning & Beauty Clinic (14 York Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6TE:  Telephone: 07890 502 744), is offering discounted services for treatments, eyelashes, nail extensions, makeup etc for the event!!  Quote: Amazing Woman Awards!!! or check out their website here…   For more details of this event and all good things positive that Makeda does, check out her website; here… 

 

EGYPTIAN BELLY DANCE CLASSES WITH Chloe Redmond

 Lose that winter weight now and Bellydance your way to fitness!

Chloe has been studying Egyptian Bellydance for 9 years.  From the age of 4 she began Ballet dancing, despite being the plumpest of this group of  “little princesses”, she continued this dance form for 8 years.  Chloe went on to develop techniques in a variety of dance styles from Salsa and Street dance to Brazilian and West African before graduating with a BA in Visual Communication & Film, at Birmingham City University’s Institute of Art & Design Campus.  Chloe lived in Cairo for 3 months training privately with some of Egypt’s most eminent Belly dance instructors.  For more information about her classes, contact Chloe here…

 

CULTURAL VIBRATIONS

My SPECIAL GUEST in July 2010 Leanda Rastarella Falade has launched her first ever Cultural Vibrations blog.  Check it out and show your support. BIG LOVE to her eldest daughter (12 years young) for creating it. The Cultural Vibrations blog link will be continuously listed in the Cool Links section on the main page. View her blog here…

 

  SPOKEN WORD/POETRY

Presents:

Rastarella Falade alongside Michelle ‘The Mother’ Hubbard and Author Caroline Bell Foster are the featured ‘Women of Words’ at the New Art Exchange:  39 – 41 Gregory Boulevard Nottingham NG7 6BE:  Thursday March 3 2011 at 8.00pm:  Admission £3.00.  This event has a special focus on ‘Women’ as part of International Women’s Day.

 

THE RUSTY PEN

Jozette Aaron , author and freelance writer, who lives in Ontario Canada, has also launched her new blog.  Jozette’s newsletter DeSiva’s News was a popular read globally from 1999 to 2010 and received a 5 Star award for being one of the best informative on-line writing journals around.  She’s my sister and my inspiration.  Check her out interviewing me here; and check out her blog The Rusty Pen. 

 

KING OF KINGS: NGUSA NAGAST by CLAUDETTE. E. JOHNSON

King of Kings is an important revelation, presenting breakthrough facts on biblical history and the Rastafarian Movement.  King of Kings offers insight into uncovering the truth regarding boodlines of King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba, King David, Jesus Christ as well as The Ark of the Covenant, proven through geneology and made popular by movies “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” and “THE DA VINCI CODE”.  If you’re searching for a good historical read, why not check out this superb and inspiring book; here…

 

No obituary this month so here’s a likkle treat as I DJ Normski gwine throw yuh a blast from the past for all you lovers of roots rock reggae.  A musical disc from the cat call Pablo Moses singing his classic:  A SONG…

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

She is an accomplished stage performer, songwriter, poet and reggae/rap recording artist.  She has released three musical compositions, including two full length collections, Speak My Calling and Eva Success…featuring her music, which she bills as somewhat conceptual…{incorporating} poetry, hip-hop and reggae with a sweet vibe.

The PANTHER NEWSLETER ARTIST OF THE MONTH this issue from the island of Jamaica via “The Big Apple” New York City is CHERRI POET – ReggaeRapStar…Superstar!  I hooked up with Cherri to reason with her, about her and her works.  Check out her story here…

FEATURED STORY

RESPECT

 (PART ONE)

© 2011 Norman Samuda-Smith

Respect is featured in Britannia’s Children – A Collection of Short Stories by Norman Samuda Smith

Buy your copy @

https://www.feedaread.com/books/Britannias-Children-9781782991656.aspx

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Tony rolls onto his stomach and is spread-eagled across his bed.  It didn’t feel as though he had a good night’s sleep, more like he’d just finished playing two hard fought basketball games in succession and lost.  He rolls onto his back and tries to get up, but fatigue weighs him down and prevents every twisted sinew and all his aching limbs from moving.  What makes things worse is the splitting headache hammering between his eyes and spreading to the back of his head. The heat from the radiator doesn’t help matters; it slowly sucks the oxygen out of his bedroom.

The pirate radio station operating from the flat next door is in full swing, giving it large.  The drum and bass penetrates his bedroom wall as the MC’s verse their concrete jungle psalms, free-styling with anger, joy and passion – wailing – “Wheel and come again selecta!” – Ecstatic when a wicked lyric is thrown down.  Then there is the knocking, banging and stamping from the neighbours above and below him; their way of complaining about the up-tempo rumpus that’s going on.  Tony stretches and grabs the spare pillow and covers his head; trying to smother the noise…

             “I should complain ‘bout dis…” he moans.

The inter-com in the hallway begins to buzz.  It buzzes again, continually for what seems like forever.  Forgetting his aches and pains, Tony springs out of bed drags on his nearby track suit trousers and heads for the receiver to cuss the individual who is causing the disturbance…

             “Hello…HELLO!”  –  No answer, he places the receiver back in its cradle, cussing while doing so.  In the bathroom he gazes into the mirror, the whites of his eyes are red.  He groans when he leans forward to wash his face and brush his teeth.  In the kitchen, he switches on the kettle.  While the water boils, he stares out the window of his high-rise block ten floors down and spots four children repeatedly slide up and down a huge puddle which is frozen solid in the middle of the car park; they’re having big fun.  Around and about them are the frosty residential rooftops, the frosty back and front gardens and the frost-covered parked cars in the surrounding streets, beyond that a clear view of the dual-carriage way.  His eyes follow it north as it spirals to join the motorway.  He sees the landscape of eight districts of Birmingham to the point where the horizon kisses the clear blue sky.  The sun is shining gloriously through the firmament and the frost lay as thick as snow on the rooftop of the tool making factory across the road.  Tony takes a sup from his cup of tea, which internally makes him feel better.

His road and the surrounding streets are almost void of cars on what is usually a bustling part of town.  Tony gives thanks to God and Sunday for this near stillness; cos only on this day does the roaring traffic which leaps out of the dual-carriage way and into his flat every day stop.  There is a knock at the door.  Tony steals a quick glance at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall which reads 10.30am.  Jehovah’s witnesses usually come sniffing around about this time and the idea of reasoning with them right now doesn’t appeal to him.  They bang the door this time and a voice shouts through his letterbox…

             “Yow! Open de door nuh blood!”

            “Definitely not Jehovah’s witnesses.”  Tony is vex when he peers through the spy-hole and scrutinizes seven black youths loafing around, donned in their baseball caps and hoods.  They pound the door again.  Tony hauls the door open…

            “What?”

            “Yeh, sorry t’disturb yuh big man, but me and d’mans dem jus’ come t’do our gig in dah studio – Y’get me?”

            “What?” fury almost chokes Tony.

            “Dah radio station star. We come t’do our gig.”

            “Which door do you usually knock when yuh do yuh radio gig yout’ man?”

The yout’ points to the next-door flat where the music was coming from.

            “So why yuh knockin’ my raas door?”

There is no answer from the yout’, his friends stand around with their hands in their pockets and their shoulders slouched forward, all of them waddling from side to side like restless Penguins…

            “Look, get one ting straight right,” Tony’s eyes convey the fury within him, “…don’t knock me door again, seen? And stop ringin’ de inter-com.  Yuh overstand?”  

            “Cha, no need t’gwaan like dat big man.  Like I said me and d’mans…”

Tony slams the door in the yout’s face.  In the kitchen he prepares the traditional Sunday rice and peas, roast chicken, baked potatoes and vegetables.  When his children come round later, they will eat, drink and be merry, he smiles at the thought of that.  While the kidney beans simmer, he makes his way to the bathroom, to have that long awaited soak in the bath; the phone which suddenly starts ringing diverts his route.

            “Ah shit what now? – Hello.”

            “Hello yuhself.  Where’s Michael?”

            “What yuh mean where’s Michael Marcia?  He’s at your yard enit?”

            “No he’s not.  His bed wasn’t slept in last night.”

            “Well perhaps he stop over at one of him friend yard or suppm.”

            “Just check yuh spare room and see if him in deh please.”

            “A’right, hol’ on…”

Tony drifts down the hallway with the phone in his hand and enters the spare room to see that Michael is curled up and sleeping peacefully on the bunk bed…

            “Yeh, he’s here…” Tony confirms in a whisper rolling his eyes.

            “Yuh see?  And I bet yuh don’t even know what time he come in last night, do you?”

            “Don’t start now Marcia…” Tony’s voice is courteous but patronising.

            “What yuh mean don’t start now Tony?  He’s only fifteen and him out til all hours!  I blame you fe dis!”

            “ME?”

            “Yes you!  Yuh too laid back man.  Yuh don’t phone him and ask him wha gwaan in him life.  Some father you are!” she spits out her words contemptuously.

            “Oh, it’s like dat now is it?”

            “Yeh whatever or however yuh wanna take it bredrin!  When he wake, talk to him right, coz he too facety toward me…”

            “Oh really?”

            “Yes really!  You tell him from me dat he better change him ways and attitude. Him too rude!  If he carry on like dis me gwine t’row him out!”

            “Yuh wouldn’t do dat.  Would you?”

            “Yes I would…and he can live wid you when I do.  So talk to him right, man to man! – Bye!”

 The dialling tone buzzes in Tony’s ear.  He glares at the receiver before placing it on its cradle and then retreats to the bathroom mumbling under his breath…

 Read PART TWO of RESPECT here… 

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*All rights reserved.  No part of this story may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the writer Norman Samuda-Smith.*

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THE MUSICAL COA-COA BASKET

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“One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain.”

Bob Marley (1945 – 1981)

Music has always played an important role in all our lives, especially Reggae, the music genre first developed in Jamaica, strongly influenced by traditional African, American jazz and old-time rhythm and blues.  Reggae owes its direct origins to the progressive development of Ska and Rocksteady in 1960s Jamaica. Each month, THE MUSICAL COA-COA BASKET will salute the legendary artists and recording studios from out of Jamaica that have placed reggae on the musical global map.

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Rock Steady

and

The Original Cool Sounds of Duke Reid’s

Treasure Isle Records

My mom launched her successful hair salon business in March 1962 during the musical era of Blue Beat and Ska. In her glory days of the 60s and 70s, mom’s salon was packed 6 days a week with women of all colours and creeds flocking to her to have their hair cut, styled, permed, and straightened.  Many brides and bridesmaids were coiffed in her boutique. Not only was mom a class act at styling hair, she was a bespoken master tailor and seamstress. She designed and made an abundance of brides’ wedding dresses and the bridesmaid’s outfits too, as well as the bridegroom’s suits. This meant that nearly every other Saturday we were invited to many wedding receptions and house parties. So when mom finished work on a Saturday evening, my brother Bruce and I would help her sweep up and tidy the salon, then we’d put on our party clothes and forward to the wedding receptions and/or parties, where the sound systems would play the Rock Steady beat.  Around that time, Ska had already begun to slow from its early-60’s rush by 1965 and Treasure Isle Records, named after the legendary Duke Reid’s liquor store in Kingston Jamaica, distilled this slower, easier music to perfection.

Stanley ‘Duke’ Reid built his sound system (naming it Duke Reid), when he resigned his post with the police force after ten years of service, and then started playing on the street corner where he lived in down town Kingston Jamaica.  He soon began to attract large crowds and he would often travel to New York to pick up the latest best sounds and so always kept ahead. At this time the top sound systems were: Tom the Great Sebastian, Count Nicks, Cosmic, V-Rocket, Blue Mirror, Edwards and of course, the legendary Sir Coxsone Downbeat. In exciting competitions, sounds would challenge one another to play the best and/or the latest records; and to play the heaviest or simply entertain the public with their blend of taste and technique, selection and style. This ability to swing the crowd to dance and to feel the way they wanted musically would eventually prove to be the link between the sound system and the emerging Jamaican music industry.

Duke Reid was a tough guy. He conducted his negotiations with a gun in his lap and heavy cops at his side just to let everyone know that he meant business. The music of Treasure Isle’s golden era reflects his determination to have nothing but the best from his studio in Bond Street Kingston, which was above his liquor store that bore the same name. He employed Tommy McCook as his musical director, and a cast of musicians known as The Supersonics to carry out McCook’s wishes.  Duke Reid’s Rocksteady ruled the roost.  The Alton Ellis single Rock Steady gave the music its name.  With additional groups groomed in the Treasure Isle camp such as The Paragons, The Melodians, The Sensations, The Techniques with Phyllis Dillon recruited to give the record label some feminine grace, Treasure Isle could hardly fail.  The studio almost always had a record in the Jamaican top five from 1966 to 1968.

Unfortunately the label failed to capitalise on its success and by 1969 was starting to struggle in the face of a blitz by the rougher sounds of a new beat called Reggae. Duke Reid fought back, in 1970 he re-launched his old groove by placing a new kid on the block U Roy on top of his Rock Steady rhythms. U Roy held five top ten hits in the Jamaican charts during that year. His freestyle rhyming laid the ground work for the music that would come to dominate the world in the 1980’s – rap.  There were further hits to come from Treasure Isle, but it was really its last hurrah.  By 1972, the label had again slipped back in the face of dub and it never to regained its status again.

So this is the music I used to skank to with mom at the weddings and house parties in my youth; a long time before my sound system days.  Duke Reid’s music is now played as “revives” in the shebeens and house parties wherever there is a West Indian population and has remained so ever since. Duke Reid’s Rock Steady still makes you feel its effects as soon as you and your partner turn down the lights down low and dance rub-a-dub style.

So as ‘the Teacher’ Daddy U Roy still says:

“Dis station rule the nation with version, so wake the town and tell the people ’bout the musical discs coming your way!”

Kick back and enjoy the original cool sounds of Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle Records

This Station Rule The Nation – U Roy, Perfidia – Phyllis Dillon, The Love That a Woman – Phyllis Dillon, Tonight is the Night – Claudette Miller, Behold – U Roy, Love is Not a Gamble – The Techniques, Every Day Is Just A Holiday – The Sensations, Blackbirds Singing – The Paragons, Ba Ba Boom – The Jamaicans, Stop That Train – Keith & Tex, Cool Breeze – Big Youth, Everybody bawling – U Roy, Tom Drunk – U Roy, Tonight – Keith & Tex

 

‘Til next month – Everyting Bless

FEATURED ARTICLE

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MY VIEW ON RASTA MOUSE AND THE EASY CREW

 © 2011 Rastarella Falade

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New CBEEBIES programme RASTAMOUSE has been making headlines recently, with people for and against this children’s show.  Personally I think the show is showing that as a multi-cultural country, we are moving with the times. The fact that it is being shown on the BBC and not on some obscure channel also says a lot. I have read that people have issues with the characters being mice ‘rodents’ etc and that the cheese they eat is really a cover-up for the ‘ganja’ stereotype attached to the Rastafarian communities.  What a load of hogwash! I read that the characters should be Lions instead, but then they would be meat-eaters and seen as vicious!  Mickey Mouse has made a great impact being the world’s most famous rodent and I hope Rastamouse can reach that status worldwide.

We have had the books in our family for a few years and what I really love is the fact that when they speak it is written in ‘patois’ which as a Trinidadian native, I love that Caribbean Culture is being incorporated into the younger generation. The fact that the ‘crew’ are all easy-going and strive for peace and justice is great! It promotes good behaviour over bad and encourages the young viewers to work together to solve problems working as a team. I love that my middle daughter (4yrs old) is the only Rastafarian in her school which is a Catholic Primary. Now all the children role play Rastamouse at break times and have a lot of fun learning the lingo.

For those who have issues with Rastamouse, I would say to dem ‘tek it easy, nyam some cheese and go play some reggae music.’

 Irie Man!

Click here to visit the Rastamouse website

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*All rights reserved.  No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the writer Leanda Rastarella Falade*

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FEATURED POEM

TO BE WHOLE

 

To be whole, let yourself break.

To be straight, let yourself bend.

To be full, let yourself be empty.

To be new, let yourself wear out.

To have everything, give everything up.

 

Knowing others is a kind of knowledge;

knowing yourself is wisdom.

Conquering others requires strength;

conquering yourself is true power.

To realise that you have enough is true wealth.

Pushing ahead may succeed,

but staying put brings endurance.

Die without perishing, and find the eternal.

 

To know that you do not know is strength.

Not knowing that you do not know is a sickness.

The cure begins with the recognition of the sickness.

 

Knowing what is permanent: enlightenment.

Not knowing what is permanent: disaster.

Knowing what is permanent opens the mind.

Open mind, open heart.

Open heart, magnanimity.

 

From: Laozi’s Tao Te Ching

 

 About The Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching was written in China roughly 2,500 years ago at about the same time when Buddha expounded the Dharma in India and Pythagoras taught in Greece.  The Tao Te Ching is probably the most influential Chinese book of all times.  Its 81 chapters have been translated into English more times than any other Chinese document. The Tao Te Ching provides the basis for the philosophical school of Taoism, which is an important pillar of Chinese thought.  Taoism teaches that there is one undivided truth at the root of all things.  It literally means:

 Tao (the way)

Te (strength/virtue)

Ching (scripture)

 

Want to read more?  Then click here…

 

‘Til next month – Everyting Bless

THE CULTURE CORNER

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“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots.”

Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887 – 1940)

Every year in October we celebrate BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Black history is with us every second, minute, hour, week, month and year. PANTHER NEWSLETTER’S CULTURE CORNER will attempt to enlighten you with what they never told you in your history class. Our story will be told right here – So enjoy the journey of clarification.

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Blacks in Britain (Part Three)

Not widely known – But true…

 

In 1663 The Royal Adventurers became the first English company chartered to take part in the African slave trade. Their prospectus declared the company was formed from economic necessity that: “…that the English plantations in America should have a competent and a constant supply of Negro-servants for their main use of Planting, and that at a moderate rate.” The Royal Adventurers reflected the “cream” of English aristocracy – twenty-five percent of the company’s stock was owned by the King and Queen of England, a prince and assorted dukes, earls, lords and knights and other members of the upper-class. The Royal Adventurers soon collapsed and were replaced by The Royal African Company.

In 1668 Oroonoko, Aphra Behn’s popular story of the life of an enslaved African Prince, was published.

In the 1700’s the “black presence” in England had become a reality. Slavery, “the trade in black people and the fruits of their labour” became a lucrative trade, and its fruits were widespread and easily visible especially in London and in the port cities. Read more here…

In September 1700, the Liverpool Merchant sailed from its namesake port to Barbados, delivered 220 slaves and began Liverpool’s participation in Britain’s slave trade. One month later, the Blessing duplicated the process. Prior to this discovery, 1700 may not be Liverpool’s first date of entry in the slave trade, since merchants would falsify records to avoid paying export duties. 1709 was believed to have been Liverpool’s first venture into slave-trading, followed by non-activity until 1730. But in 1718 the owners of the Imploy sued its ship’s doctor when 64 of the 123 Africans onboard died in the middle passage (which cost the owners £1900). Slave ships also departed from Liverpool in 1720 (the Farlton and Filsby), in 1724 (the Elizabeth), and with a probable fifteen sailings in 1726.

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TRIBUTE TO OUR S/HEROES

 

Baroness Howells of St David, OBE was the first black woman to sit on the Greater London Council’s Training Board; the first female member of the Court of Governors of the University of Greenwich and was the Vice Chair at the London Voluntary Services Council. Baroness Rosalind Patricia-Anne Howells was born in 1931 and was raised to the peerage as Baroness Howells of St David, of Charlton in the London Borough of Greenwich in 1999.  Read more…

Cleo Laine has gone on to achieve international fame by continually expanding her talents in a career which spans some four decades. From her modest beginnings as a singer in English dance halls, she is one of the most celebrated singers of our time. Cleo commands a dazzling array of vocal styles and is the only singer ever to receive Grammy nominations in the Female Jazz, Popular, and Classical categories.  More here…

Moira Stewart has presented virtually every news bulletin devised since 1981. These include News Afternoon, the 5.40 News, the Six o’clock News, and the Nine o’clock News.  Moira has also presented a variety of other programmes on both TV and radio, including the Quincy Jones Story, The Best of Jazz, Open Forum and the Holiday Programme.  More…

Mohandas K Gandhi (1869 – 1948): This small frail gentleman inspired the Indian people to fight for independence.  He grew up believing in non-violence and respect for all living things.  He believed in fasting for peace. India was a colony under Britain for 300 years, but it Gandhi who forced Britain to give up this rich colony through his peaceful, social and political action. Ghandi, later known as Mahatma (Saint), was shot and killed in 1948 by a Hindu fanatic.

Ernest Davis (December 14 1939 – May 18 1963) was an American football running back and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Wearing number 44, Davis competed collegiately for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins, and then almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns in December 1961. However, he would never play a professional game, as he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962. He is the subject of the 2008 Universal Pictures movie biography The Express, based on the non-fiction book Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, by Robert C. Gallagher.

Paul Reaney (born 22 October 1944 in Fulham, London) was a long-serving full back with the Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s.  Reaney wore the No.2 shirt for Leeds and in a team renowned for its hard approach to the game, he more than held his own.  Reaney moved to West Yorkshire from London as a child and left school at 15. He was briefly a car mechanic before signing for Leeds as an apprentice, making his debut shortly before his 18th birthday. He impressed quickly and made 35 League appearances in his first season, and was part of the team which won the Second Division in 1964.

Here ends your history lesson for this month.

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Log on for more CULTURE CORNER next month and remember…

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

Ella Fitzgerald

(April 25 1917 – June 15 1996)

 

“Til next month – Everyting Bless.”