With grandstanding the order of the day for politicians, news outlets and scientists alike; it remains doubtful whether the most brilliant people oversee the strategy. The Far Eastern nations Japan, South Korea and Taiwan all avoided lock-downs and their people have been spared death and illness.
The media and armchair warriors deny there is any debate to have. Any discussion of opening economies has been met with accusations of mass murder.
The Swedish model has received a lot of criticism, primarily for risking its vulnerable populations; but secondly because it was selfish on the global level. Nation states like Sweden operating in isolation, refusing to shutdown their economic activity, risked ruining other countries’ stricter, more destructive, dystopian efforts.
Boris held off locking down the UK for fear of inciting protest and ‘isolation fatigue’ // alamy
The UK government did not lockdown until the end of March. Our Southern European neighbours, who had been under harsh quarantine for 4 weeks already were aghast. How could zee English be so selfish? When really our domestic policy was based on a vague notion of timing the lockdown to prevent “isolation fatigue”. A phenomenon only unruly English people suffered from. It was feared people would stop following the rules and the lockdowns would become ineffective.
Social distancing works, but only if you do it. China’s authoritarian regime has absolute compliance or else. It can and did force over a billion to stay home, disinfect everything and forced its people to put the collective good above their own wants and desires – for all its infringement on personal liberties.
Swedish authorities thought they would reach herd immunity by April. This became May and that became August. Tests in May showed 20% had been infected in Stockholm and under 10% elsewhere. Sweden’s policy was formulated around a basic error in accurately gauging the dynamics of spread, leading to overestimating cases, and thereby the success of their herd immunity approach. Policymakers underestimated their citizens partaking in prophylactic behaviour (voluntary reduction in social contact).
Will the Vaccine Work?
Comparing Covid-19 with seasonal flu, the influenza virus has multiple strains and mutates rapidly. This is why we need a different flu vaccination every year to deal with the most prevalent strains. Fortunately, SARS-Cov-2 does not appear to be mutating to become Flu 2.0.
Sweden’s policymakers thought the transmission rate would be fixed once herd immunity brought it under control. They failed to account for increasing cases in the Winter months where Covid would see a resurgence like the seasonal flu. The virulence of Covid-19 remained constant, but neighbouring countries opened up from their lockdowns and Sweden, keeping everything open, became a top travel destination.
The narrative that Covid swept through Sweden and created widespread herd immunity is now upended. They are a more rule-adhering society that simply followed guidance better – cutting down public transport, not travelling and practicing adequate social distancing.
What really happened was Sweden remained open and warm weather and sunshine came along, reducing Covid and the low levels were assisted by other nations stuck in quarantine reducing virus migration.
Hindsight is 20:20, meaning we will not know what the best course of action was until later. But measured social distancing, mask-wearing and waiting for the vaccine seems like the most palatable option in more caring, freer Western societies until the vaccines roll out – for all its costs, hidden and revealed.
Thanks to COVID-19 players only had a six-weeks to rest after the 19/20 season.
We’ve seen the shortest break between seasons in history, and now find ourselves in the midst of the biggest injury crisis in the Premier League era.
This doesn’t look like it’s letting up either, especially for clubs with a plethora of international players (like most Premier League clubs) out injured.
We have seen close to twenty fewer matches played in comparison to this time in previous years.
Managers’ frustration at competition & TV scheduling management continues
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp is the latest in the line of Premier League managers who have expressed their disapproval at the fixture schedule.
For Klopp and others games are being played at a furious pace, making it a managerial nightmare, compiled by the impact of the pandemic.
“If someone tells me again about contracts I will go really nuts because the contracts were not made for a Covid season.” Argued Klopp during a post match interview with Sky Sports.
“You stand here with the facemask, we adapt. Everything changed but the contract with the broadcasters is still ‘nope, we have this so we keep this’. What? Everything changed. The whole world changed.”
Like many other managers, Klopp gave an impassioned interview in the wake of yet another injury vs. Brighton, increasing the total number of injured senior players which was already in double figures.
The Premier League is now the only English professional league and the only major top tier league to have not implemented the five substitution rule for the current season.
It is getting clearer and clearer that it is not the Premier League running the league, but the sport broadcasters. and the Premier League are sitting there in an implicit collusion because of the pay package coming in despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
A fascinating interview between Jurgen Klopp and @TheDesKelly discussing Liverpool's draw with Brighton, the Reds' injuries and fixture schedule. pic.twitter.com/s0BhahlUsP
For the second league game in a row, the Liverpool manager has aired his frustrations about scheduling
The people who are going to lose out the most, will be the managers and the players. Inexplicably some pundits (namely Match of the Day pundits) think otherwise.
After an day of frustration for Jurgen Klopp, Micah Richards and Danny Murphy had an alternative perspective to present
Knock-on effects for next summer
The major five European leagues conclude on the weekend of Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd May, the delayed Euros are due to start less than three weeks later, one week short of what was afforded to players for the previous edition of the tournament.
This is making what has ultimately been a full season condensed into thirty days less, now being compounded by the Euros in 2021, followed by the World Cup in 2022 (currently still due to take place in Qatar).
Another form of boxing entertainment? Celebrity and retired heads go at each other.
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr got back into the ring at the ripe old ages of 54 and 51.
Tyson who’s a former world heavyweight champion, came out of retirement to take on Jones Jr in a high-profile exhibition match.
Some could have called it a money grab like the Mayweather vs McGregor fight. But Tyson’s poetic pre-fight musings about feeding his inner beast made his intentions clear.
While Jones Jr’s blatant admiration and respect for Tyson showed that this was a man ticking off his bucket list. It was a big shock to the public as Tyson and Jones Jr were initially announced to fight. Both in their 50’s, there were serious health concerns as to what this match could do to them both.
With training videos coming out on both sides, people were expectant but the results of the actual fight left fans a bit disappointed.
Mike Tyson facing off against Roy Jones Jr – Source//: Getty Images
The match ended in a draw with some saying Tyson should have flat out won. Tyson himself was happy with a draw, he did say he would be happy to fight Jones Jr again which created memes of fans claiming Jones didn’t want another fight.
The most entertaining aspect of the night was from the rapper Snoop Dogg who was commentating on the fight and claimed it was like watching ‘two of your uncle’s fight at a barbecue’. A real spectacle.
I had fun 2nite yall 🥊🥊🥊
Snoop Dogg emerged as the winner of the Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr fight for many viewers https://t.co/bsNC15srYX
That fight ended in a convincing win for Jake Paul who viciously KO’d Nate Robinson shocking (disappointing) the world and social media. Paul gave Robinson a right hook that knocked him unconscious in the second round. It even caused Snoop Dogg to sing spiritual hymns.
Robinson was already knocked down prior in the first round, from there it looked like an uphill battle. Before the fight, Jake Paul had jested that Robinson’s kids shouldn’t watch the fight because of what he was going to do to him. He followed through with his statement.
Jake Paul savagely KO’s Nate Robinson int the second round – Source :// Joe Scarnici
Robinson needed lengthy treatment after going down.
Having made his professional boxing debut in this match, Nate had no experience boxing and was banking on his physique and athletic acumen to carry him through.
However, facing against an energised, arrogant and opportunistic opponent 13 years younger than him proved to be his downfall.
In a tweet Robinson claimed he was doing this for his NBA family and that he was going to shock the world, he certainly didn’t lie as this manner of loss was shocking.
Jake Paul is now looking to fight British Youtuber KSI who defeated his older brother Logan Paul last year.
These fights are most likely going to bring other celebrities into the fold to make the sport of boxing more entertaining to the general public.
Since Sadiq Khan was elected mayor of London, its citizens have suffered. Under his reign, knife crime has reached a ten-year high, with the Met Police reporting 149 homicides as of 2019. His comments on terrorism has also left a bad taste in the mouths of Londoners, with him saying that the threat of living with terrorist attacks are “part and parcel” of living in a big city like London.
Despite the quality of life decreasing and becoming more dangerous in London, Khan manages to get into personal arguments on Twitter with Donald Trump, erect gender-neutral traffic lights in central London and wasted an estimated £13 million on a failed attempt to ban junk food adverts on the Tube. If we want London to improve we must vote Khan out, or risk an extension of his fraudulent behaviour.
Who is Sadiq Khan?
Sadiq Khan is the current Mayor of London. The Mayoral elections were due to take place this year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been postponed until May 2021. Khan served as a Councillor for the London Borough of Wandsworth between 1994 and 2006.
He then served as MP for Tooting between 2005 and 2016. A member of the Labour Party, Khan was elected Mayor of London in 2016, defeating Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmiths.
Khan introduced the ‘Hopper’ scheme in London, which grants unlimited journeys on the bus and tram network within 1 hour for £1.50, aimed at lower-income people. He stood in solidarity with the LGBT community, following the Orlando nightclub shooting, and marched in the 2016 Pride parade.
He backed the proposed expansion of London City Airport, and urged then-Prime Minister Theresa May to support expansion at Gatwick Airport also (instead of Heathrow), saying that it would bring “substantial economic benefits” to London.
Every time there is a terrorist incident involving evil fanatics who abuse the name of Islam, ordinary, law-abiding Muslims pay a heavy price.
Sadiq Khan
Khan has also criticised foreign investors for treating homes in London as “gold bricks for investment”, and wishes to invest in affordable housing.
Khan is a practising Muslim. In 2016 he used the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as an opportunity to “break down the mystique and suspicion” surrounding Islam in Britain. He said he wanted to “get out there and build bridges” between communities, and condemned criminals who “do bad things and use the name of Islam to justify what they do”. He openly supports religious freedom.
Piers Morgan challenges Sadiq Khan on knife crime on GMB. Video credit: Good Morning Britain
London is a war-zone
Two of Khan’s biggest issues have been the significant rise in violent crime in the capital (particularly knife crime), and his misplaced priorities towards issues that affect people. Starting with the former, under his reign the streets of London have turned into war-zones.
The Met Police reported up to 149 homicides as of 2019. According to a report by Statista, the number of recorded knife crimes has been steadily increasing since Khan’s election as Mayor, reaching a record ten-year high of approximately 15,600 as of August 2020.
Few dare say it but knife crime is a fashion.
Matthew Parris, The Times
It’s interesting – and quite worrying – to notice that this significant rise in knife crime reversed the previous positive trend of decreasing knife crime, with numbers of reported cases falling steadily from approximately 14,000 in 2012 to just under 10,000 in 2016.
In fact, there was an immediate spike in knife crime in the first year of Khan’s reign, jumping from just under 10,000 in 2016 to just over 12,000 in 2017.
The same report also shows that acid attacks and moped crime have also grown steadily. In 2017, 465 acid attacks were reported by the Met Police, compared to just 77 in 2012. Moped crimes are even worse, rising from just over 9,000 offences in 2016 to almost 24,000 in 2017.
One could argue that police cuts are partly responsible for the spike, however the operative word here is partly; it certainly couldn’t be wholly. The significance of the spike cannot be wholly down to policing, so it’s no coincidence that Khan’s tenure is seen as the catalyst for the epidemic.
Police cuts happened under Boris Johnson’s reign, yet knife crime marginally increased. Under Sadiq Khan, it spiked. It cannot be wholly his fault, but he is partly responsible.
The BBC News team spends time in Royal London Hospital, with victims of knife crime. Video credit: BBC News
‘Part and Parcel’
The other issue that Sadiq Khan has is his casual – and somewhat defeatist – attitude towards issues that affect the day-to-day life of Londoners. There have been comments that he has made that certainly does not fill Londoners with confidence, and his somewhat seemingly misplaced priorities have angered Londoners to the point where even some of his supporters have questioned his suitability for the job.
One of his most infamous comments came in 2017, in relation to the New York bombings. Sadiq Khan, in response to this, said that attacks such as this were ‘part and parcel of living in a big city’. He told the Evening Standard, “It is a reality I’m afraid that London, New York, other major cities around the world have got to be prepared for these sorts of things.”
Of course, it’s understandable that the Mayor would encourage Londoners to be vigilant, as terror attacks have been on the rise in cities across the West. There is a hint of truth in his words, and it’s arguable that it would be irresponsible to give Londoners a false sense of security in the context of terrorism.
Nigel Farage discusses Sadiq Khan’s ‘part and parcel’ comments on FOX News. Video credit: FOX News
The indifference [of terrorist attacks] is having a numbing effect upon our society and will have a profound effect upon generations to come.
Asa Don Brown Ph.D., Psychology Today
However, it does not make a person feel safer when their Mayor seems to openly accept the current situation. Citizens want to hear strong words from their elected leaders, not defeatist ones. The kind of barbarianism that terrorists commit has no place on London’s streets.
To have a Mayor that casually seems to accept these current conditions is to embolden potential terrorists, and to give them license to continue to commit atrocities in the capital.
To simply (and openly) accept this is to create an environment where people have to worry about potential suicide bombings and beheadings. Add this to the knife crime epidemic and you’re left with a city that’s in constant fear.
This kind of climate should not be ‘part and parcel’ of living in a metropolis like London; people have the right to feel safe and protected, not betrayed and endangered.
Misplaced priorities
Despite the aforementioned issues, Khan seems to be more interested in other things that have relatively insignificant importance when compared to them. It does not inspire the hearts of Londoners as a population to see these things come to fruition.
One example of his misplaced priorities was the erection of gender-neutral and LGBT traffic lights in Trafalgar Square. To celebrate Pride 2016 (the same year when the knife crime rate spiked), the traditional green man was replaced with two male, two female or a transgender symbol. It was ‘to show solidarity’ to the LGBT community.
The issue here is that, aside from the LGBT community, nobody asked or campaigned for these lights to be erected. One could argue that Khan’s priorities were misplaced, as the very real threat of being stabbed supersedes the unnecessary gesture.
‘Gay Pride’ traffic lights. Photo credit: On Demand News
Khan has also found himself engaged in an ongoing Twitter feud with US President Donald Trump. The Guardian has documented all the major talking points between Khan and Trump, beginning from as late as 2015. The longevity of their feud cannot be understated, as many feel as if Khan’s time could have been better spent combating knife crime and terrorism.
Indeed Khan, in November 2020, said in a tweet aimed at Trump, “The choice my American friends have is a continuation of a hate-fuelled President who believes in division, politics of hatred, divided communities or a new feature for America.” He received significant backlash for this. In 2019, he referred to Trump as a “six-foot-three child.”
One must ask themselves; what is he doing? Where does he find the time to argue with the US President when there are more urgent priorities at hand? What issues does he prioritise above others?
Of course, not everything can be blamed solely on Khan. Ultimately people are responsible for their own actions and not politicians. Khan cannot be blamed for individual actions, and communities simply must take action to improve themselves and their quality of life. It’s arguable that the terrorist threat and knife epidemic is simply a symptom of a wider, cultural issue.
Even so, the man does not fill many Londoners with confidence. It seems as if he cares more about pandering to individual communities rather than dealing with issues that are clearly more important. As the quality of life in London decreases, Khan exacerbates it with his spineless attitude and careless comments.
From his infamous ‘part and parcel’ comment to his clear failure of handling the knife crime issue, to his public spats with the leader of the free world, one thing is certain; Khan is not the man for the job. His reign of fraudulence simply must end.
We’ve already seen enough of that from the government with no real change behind it. What the FA needs to be doing is innate changes, strategic evolution and systematically dismantling all appearances of racism and discrimination.
The last fortnight has seen the resignation of Greg Clarke after the untimely referral to non-white footballers as “coloured” which sparked virtual outrage and numerous conversations in the week of internationals.
In an era of perceived wokeness, progressivism and diversity, the most influential governing bodies have come under serious scrutiny due to the lack of real change in diversity at governance and management level.
What are the current generation saying?
“Appointing a black man or woman as the next Football Association chairman would be a huge step forward”
The words of England international Tyrone Mings, followed by “There’s no point placing someone there, them failing and then saying, ‘Oh, we tried’. It’s about how can we improve the process.”
With these words Tyrone showed what an ideal would look like, whilst acknowledging the distance there is between the ideal and reality.
Former England defender Joleon Lescott also added his voice, echoing the same sentiments. What is unfortunate is, this is a situation where it will take more than a few words from contemporary voices to impact change.
It’s something that has been all talk and a lot of cosmetic actions such as “No Room for Racism” and “Show Racism The Red Card” but nothing from the FA, who should be at the forefront along with the various entities within.
Fortunately, in the past month, there is the Football Leadership Diversity Code that was launched, heavily driven by the head of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, Paul Elliott.
Paul Elliott has been touted for the FA’s top job, other candidates are yet to be determined
Systematic change, not a symbolic gesture
In a nation whose leaders have shown themselves to favour symbolic gestures over systematic change, the governing body of the national football team cannot afford to follow in the same haphazard footsteps of their political counterparts.
Institutions where symbolism is prioritised over strategic, systemic change will fail to evolve and as such, become inapposite entities in ever-changing surroundings. The FA is one cosmetic move away from that, in what is a critical moment
Approximately a third of all professional players in England are of African, Caribbean descent (along with other minorities) with less than a third of all Premier League minutes being played by players from English shores (a number which has been on the decline for the last 15 years).
However, the FA Board currently comprising 9 people (four women and one non-white). Herein lies the problem, a governing body that does not reflect the individuals, teams, clubs and fans they are serving.
The Government has officially released their website that will allow you to check the tier your area is in. Head to gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions to find out your alert level and the exact rules and restrictions.
There is also a handy website and app, www.lockdownapi.com, has been created called the lockdown checker where you can simply enter in your postcode, and you’ll be able to find out the lockdown restrictions in place.
Not only will the website confirm your area name, but it will also let you know your area’s status, whether non-essential shops are open and the latest guidelines around pubs, restaurants and gyms.
It will also outline your social distancing guidelines, including the rule of six and mixing households both indoors and outdoors.
You can also head over to your local council’s website who will also let you know the restrictions in your area and what rules are in place.
Which areas are in Tier 1 restrictions?
South East
– Isle of Wight
South West
– Cornwall
– Isles of Scilly
Which areas are in Tier 2 restrictions?
North West
– Cumbria
– Liverpool City Region
– Warrington and Cheshire
Yorkshire
– York
– North Yorkshire
West Midlands
– Worcestershire
– Herefordshire
– Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin
East Midlands
– Rutland
– Northamptonshire
East of England
– Suffolk
– Hertfordshire
– Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
– Norfolk
– Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
– Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes
London
– all 32 boroughs plus the City of London
South East
– East Sussex
– West Sussex
– Brighton and Hove
– Surrey
– Reading
– Wokingham
– Bracknell Forest
– Windsor and Maidenhead
– West Berkshire
– Hampshire (except the Isle of Wight)
– Portsmouth and Southampton
– Buckinghamshire
– Oxfordshire
South West
– South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
– Bath and North East Somerset
– Dorset
– Bournemouth
– Christchurch
– Poole
– Gloucestershire
– Wiltshire and SwindonDevon
Which areas are in Tier 3 restrictions?
North East
– Tees Valley Combined Authority:
– Hartlepool
– Middlesbrough
– Stockton-on-Tees
– Redcar and Cleveland
– Darlington
North East Combined Authority:
– Sunderland
– South Tyneside
– Gateshead
– Newcastle upon Tyne
– North Tyneside
– County Durham
– Northumberland
North West
– Greater Manchester
– Lancashire
– Blackpool
– Blackburn with Darwen
Yorkshire and The Humber
– The Humber
– West Yorkshire
– South Yorkshire
West Midlands
– Birmingham and Black Country
– Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
– Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
East Midlands
– Derby and Derbyshire
– Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
– Leicester and Leicestershire
– Lincolnshire
South East
– Slough (remainder of Berkshire is tier 2: High alert)
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will be awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s honours list according to reports.
Hamilton won the Turkish Grand Prix, sealing the championship and his seventh title. What Hamilton achieved was often regarded as impossible. He has achieved a coveted feat and matched Michael Schumacher’s record tally resulting in him becoming the most successful F1 driver of all time.
Hamilton remains the only black F1 driver and has spoken openly about diversifying Formula One driving describing it as a “white only environment”.
Don’t bite the hand that fed you (the empire)
The British honours system rewards individuals with Honours, Decorations and Medals in public recognition of their merit, service or bravery. Honours are announced and awarded twice a year by Her Majesty The Queen. Different awards are received depending on an individual’s achievements.
OBE, MBE and knighthoods are some the biggest honours an individual can receive. Lewis Hamilton’s proposed knighthood will mean he will be given the title ‘Sir’, this award recognizes exceptional achievement in any activity.
The honour of knighthood comes from medieval times, as does the way used to award the knighthood – the touch of a sword by the King or Queen.
Source:bbc.co.uk This picture shows Queen Elizabeth I knighting Sir Francis Drake on board the Golden Hind at Deptford in London on 4 April 1581
Many believe individuals who receive rewards should be grateful, as the state recognises their achievements, representing a significant step in a person’s career. Adding ‘Sir’ to your name adds a certain ‘x-factor’ to a person’s profile and career. It is beyond ‘the monarchy’, it’s the country itself saying ‘well done’.
It’s a slap in the face to turn it down. An assault on British values, principles and its history.Take the knighthood and use what it comes with to spread a message that fights the colonial outdated aspects of British society.
Reject the knighthood Hamilton
Hamiltons successes are parallel to none, he deserves to be rewarded for his achievements on the racing tracks, but a knighthood, is it not an outdated form of empire? Empire is a dirty word to many, and whatever comes out of it. It can be argued by accepting it he is reappropriating the knighthood, what it means and will use it to create a positive change.
In accordance with Audre Lorde’s quote “For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change.”
I argue it is a transgressive act accept any honour from the Queen, it remains a symbol of the pain of our ancestors and our fellow people, who still experience today at the hand of the British empire. In 2008, Hamilton was awarded an MBE for winning his first race in Formula 1. After he publicly endorsed Black Lives Matter accepting a knighthood on top of his MBE he will demonstrate he is in fact ‘asleep’ not ‘WOKE’.
If Hamilton rejected the knighthood he would not be the first to turn down an award. Author Benjamin Zephaniah rejected the OBE in 2003, he said:
Author Benjamin Zephaniah rejected the MBE in 2003
In 2016 Ex Liverpool player Howard Gayle also turned down the MBE, he said:
“I had to decline the nomination for the reason that my ancestors would be turning in their graves after how Empire and Colonialism had enslaved them. It would be a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives, or who have suffered as a result of Empire.”
Ex professional Liverpool Player Howard Gayle declined the MBE in 2016
Rarely do many individuals who have been British figures or icons publicly criticize the empire. Zephaniah and Gayle are regarded as outcasts and should be thankful for the establishments recognising their contributions to British society. Instead, too many people, they bit the British hand that fed them. There is no one way to be black or to fight against the empire, change happens on all fronts, all angles, and all directions.
“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” Malcolm X
At the end of the day, penultimately Hamilton has his own decision to make, by receiving his knighthood he sets an example to millions of people. Irrespective what he does or doesn’t do, he will be scrutinized. Every OBE, MBE, and knighthood valorises the British Empire. We do not need ‘Sir’ at the beginning of our name or an MBE or OBE to be recognised or feel valued by British society. Stand by the decolonising practices happening throughout society otherwise reject the knighthood otherwise, we fall for the master’s recognition still. Hamilton has to fall on his woke sword, otherwise, he can be seen as a plastic activist, who criticises British society, then in a turnaround benefits from it.
Sainsbury’s aim to “represent a modern Britain” received backlash after it was criticised for releasing a Christmas advert featuring a black family.
On Saturday 14th, the supermarket shared the first of three Christmas adverts on Twitter.
The one-minute-long clip, titled Gravy Song, features a heartwarming phone call between a father and daughter as they share their excitement for Christmas and their hopes of spending the day together amid the coronavirus crisis.
Just the thought of home-cooked gravy, poured over a piping hot Christmas lunch, is enough to get us excited 🍴🏠🌟
Tesco has allegedly since dropped the black family they were intending to feature in fear of backlash. Actress and Model, Vanessa Vanderpuye, called out Tesco for cutting her and fellow model, Ezekiel Ewulo, out of a Tesco advert, allegedly shot back in September! ‘Below is her video explaining the events.
Britain predicates itself on the staunch idea it is a post-racial society, a society where race is irrelevant. The reaction to the advert is a marketed indicator that this is not the case. Black people want to be judged for their talent, not skin colour, whilst recognising the difference we have in the world from being black.
London is a bubble, and as a result, people who live there often have a myopic view of the UK, forgetting there is more than London. London has a lion share of the black population, whereas the outskirts are much smaller. This advert will reach black families all across the UK in the most remote areas, letting them know you matter, you are not alone, we see you.
A black family is incredibly striking why? Black families are rarely on television and its promotion signifies a powerful black love. In a world where black women are underlooked, underrepresented and underappreciated, seeing a black man love a black woman is simply poignant.
Some of the responses were reminiscent of when David Vance asked Rashford “there is a disproportionate problem within the (UK) Afro-Caribbean [sic] community of black men abandoning their pregnant girlfriends.. can you confirm whether you have met your father?”.
This is a callous stereotype and diversion, as both detract from the positivity imagery Sainsbury’s created and the work Marcus Rashford did for families in poverty.
David Vance has since been removed from Twitter.
What make money makes sense
Remember when Colin Kapernick, Raheem Sterling, and Caster Semenya featured for Nike? Colin Kaepernick kneeling at an American football game, Raheem Sterling facing the racist tirade at Chelsea’s home ground. Caster Semenya was discriminated for being intersex.
Nike featured each individual, not because Nike cared, it’s because jumping on the bandwagon of social issues increases brand awareness, firms profits and increases customers under the false pretence that these companies care. Companies gauge the customer’s sentiment thus using this to forge new corporate social opportunities. Its called ‘woke washing’, flirting with politics under the false pretence that they are in love with social justice. Furthermore, they are commodifying the social movements reducing their political value and integrity trying to “out purpose” the competition, without really carrying the values and morals of the movements.
My criticism does not take away from the instrumental changes and paths these athletes paved. I question the companies intentions. Woke washing is the new corporate normal, consumers have fallen head over heels for their disingenuous ways. I argue Sainsbury’s have done the same.
In a world proliferated by various social movements, companies that do not swim the current tide are left behind. They are left between a rock and a hard place.
The backlash was in fact upon first glance “whitelash”. Racism is cancer because it envelopes the human existence. The reaction to the Sainsburys advert showed us this, but it’s not the first time. I do not confuse companies representing black people as an altogether positive. If companies did this before it made money they would hold my respect a lot more. Do not fall prey to the corporate pandering of our emotions. Real change must happen, beginning with us where we control our narrative and represent ourselves.
Society seems to be bizarrely obsessed with holding public figures to a higher standard than ‘regular’ people. It seems that in order for one to be in the public eye, you have to be practically ‘whiter than white’ in order to be accepted. Even stranger, people seem to be shocked – and angry, even – when those public figures that they idolise make mistakes and bad decisions, as humans do. We must learn not to impose our values on public figures, and stop being obsessed with every decision they make, or risk being disappointed when we discover that public figures are people first.
Boris and His Multiple Baby Mothers
In late April 2020, Business Insider released an article about Boris Johnson and his children, after his fiancée Carrie Symonds gave birth to his son. It was reported that this was his seventh child, and went on to list the names of all his other children and who their parents were. The article mentioned that Johnson has historically refused to answer questions about his private life, and delves deep into his entire history with women, even going so far as to mention that he “fathered a child outside of his marriage.”
The British public seem to be obsessed with the number of children that Boris has, with Insider calling it “a topic of fascination among London’s political media.” Boris Johnson himself has come under fire for suggesting that single mothers were “producing a generation of ill-raised, ignorant, aggressive and illegitimate children”; with a implication of hypocrisy on his part due to one of his own children being as a result of an affair and the child being raised by their mother who is now a single parent herself.
Reading this article, one cannot help but feel as if the article is loaded; a carefully written piece to imply a stain or flaw in Johnson’s character. Whilst it’s understandable that the British public would like to know more about our Prime Minister – and he’ll always get extra scrutiny due to him being a public figure – there is a distinct suggestion that he is not a ‘good’ person due to the number of children he has through marriage and affairs, and therefore is not fit to be Prime Minister.
LBC’s Nick Ferrari grills Boris Johnson on his comments about single mothers. Video credit: LBC
Even The Best Of Us Can Fall
Of course, Boris Johnson is not the only public figure to have been caught with his pants down (pun not intended). Years ago, golf legend Tiger Woods admitted to multiple affairs and infidelities, which led to a messy and uncomfortable divorce and a decline in his career. Of course, we know that he made a remarkable comeback and achieved redemption in many people’s eyes, but at the time it seemed as if all was lost.
The fallout was terrible. At the time, he was on course to be one of the world’s highest-paid athletes. Forbes reported that he was the world’s first professional athlete to earn US$1 billion in a career. After the affair, things changed. Sponsors dropped him. In 2017, Woods was arrested near his home in Florida for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The man essentially imploded and, for a period of time, was a shadow of his former self. The deterioration was uncomfortable to watch, with many believing that his career was over. Things looked bleak.
No human being is so bad as to be beyond redemption.
Mahatma Gandhi
Is Tiger Woods the first person to have an affair? No. Is Tiger Woods the first person to turn to alcohol and drugs to cure his depression and sadness? No. He is a human being just like all of us, susceptible to the same issues that some of us may face. This is not to condone his actions in any way shape or form, but there does need to be a reality check surrounding the idea or concept of ‘hero worship’.
There is nothing that we can do that public figures can’t. They have the same flaws as we do. It is illogical, inaccurate and unhealthy to hold them to a seemingly higher standard. They aren’t deities; they’re humans. We should treat them as such, instead of holding them to a standard that we couldn’t live up to ourselves.
Tiger Woods awarded Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump. Video credit: NBC News
It’s Dangerous To Idolise People
Let’s be clear about this. There is no suggestion whatsoever that people should not have a basic moral standard. As a society, it’s important that we do have a standard by which to judge what is right and wrong. This is even more true for politicians and elected officials, whom the public have every right to hold to account. If we had no moral standard, we would have moral relativism, which would be catastrophic.
Having said this, it’s dangerous to idolise people. We, as people, tend to hold public figures to a higher (and somewhat unrealistic) standard than ‘normal’ people. We have a way of imposing our personal set of values and morals onto them, fooling ourselves into believing that they are faultless and incapable of wrongdoing. The idea is that it’s bad for normal person to do something wrong, but somehow worse when a public figure does it.
It is therefore confusing and counter-productive for us to be disappointed and devastated when public figures make bad choices. By expecting someone to be incapable of doing any wrong, we basically make them untouchable. We somehow have our worlds destroyed by public figures for the crime of being human.
Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolised.
Albert Einstein
We see this especially with politicians. Certain elected officials who represent a certain party have been shown to be hypocrites, shattering any false illusions that a person may have about them. An example of this is Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
Abbott had previously praised the standards of state schools in London, yet decided to send her own children to private schools. She said she did so, so “her son wouldn’t end up in a gang.” The Independent reported that people had labelled her “a sellout” for doing so, as it reeked of hypocrisy and classism.
Diane Abbott on sending her son to a private school moments before her party agrees to scrap them pic.twitter.com/kuvAWELaKV
Diane Abbott challenged on sending her kids to private school on Sky News.
Whether we believe that Abbott was a hypocrite or not, should we really expect more from a person? Should we really be surprised by this? Do we really think that highly of our politicians that we’ve deluded ourselves into thinking that they are above hypocrisy? Do we honestly believe that, if faced with a choice, they wouldn’t look after their own interests before anybody else’s? This mindset will lead to disappointment.
The harsh reality is that public figures are as human as ‘normal’ people. It’s dangerous and pointless to see them as otherwise or more. By seeing them as ‘more than’ human, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. We cannot think so highly of them that we think they’re ‘better’ than us. They aren’t.
Let’s Treat People As People Instead Of Gods
Bill Clinton’s infamous lie about his sexual affair with Monica Lewinsky. Video credit: AP Archive
They say ‘never meet your heroes’, and that’s sound advice. The image that public figures give out in the media are often nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion; a manufactured and fake persona that we as a public are more than happy to lap up. When we find out that this person has been lying, or at least find themselves in a sticky situation, we’re surprised. We shouldn’t be.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong at all with having role models or being inspired by a particular individual, especially when they overcome challenges, adversity and low points in their lives. In fact, those kinds of stories are often the most motivating for a person, and makes us recognise our fundamentally flawed characters as human beings.
Society’s obsession with perfection won’t end well. By trying to impose perfection on public figures (not the same as moral relativism), we set ourselves up for failure. Being a politician, celebrity or otherwise in the public eye does not, should not and cannot separate them from their basic humanity. Do not expect the world from them, otherwise you’ll be disappointed by who they really are.
The 2020 US election will go down in history not least because the first Black female VP was elected but also because Biden received the highest number of votes in US history. However, the election of Biden and Harris was not an endorsement of their platform or policies, it was a rejection of the divisive politics of Trumpism. Yet, Biden’s campaign shines as a beacon of hope to progressives around the world, that populism can be defeated when there is unity on the left.
In 2019, Boris Johnson’s landslide victory was the result of a divided left and a united right. Johnson’s ability to unite the right under the slogan ‘get Brexit done’, combined with the endorsement of Nigel Farage sealed the Labour Party’s fate, condemning them to 5 more years of opposition. Indeed, if the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats had worked together the Tory Party’s path to power would have been blocked. Instead, the Liberal Democrats adopted an untenable strategy, of revoking article 50 without a referendum. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn was unable to say whether he would campaign for leave or remain if a second referendum was held. All the while both the Liberal Democrats and Labour were at each other throats when they should have been fighting the Conservative Party.
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home in Islington, north London, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (Isabel Infantes/PA via AP)
In British politics, the saying ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ has never been truer. The nature of the First-past-the-post electoral system, means coalitions have to be forged before elections. As we head into the 11th year of a Tory government, this reality cannot be denied by the left for much longer. If progressives are serious about winning power in 2024, an electoral pack between the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party is needed. Under such a pack, Labour candidates would stand down in constituencies that the Liberal Democrats have a chance of winning, and the Liberal Democrats would do the same. If this had been done in the last general election the Tory Party would have been denied a majority, leaving them unable to pursue a hard Brexit.
Understanding that an electoral pack could damage the reputation of the Liberal democrats, as it previously did when they went into coalition with the conservative party, the Labour Party could compromise on a number of issues to make the pack more attractive. Electoral reform could be this compromise. The Liberal Democrats have long sought to reform the broken FPTP system, knowing full well how much they stand to gain from the adoption of AV or STV. Reform of Britain’s political process is long overdue and would gander great public support. Thus, electoral reform as the price attached to an electoral pack between the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party is a bargain by all measures.
This year has been difficult for many groups, especially people of colour when global protests erupted over George Floyd’s death in America, Black people looked at their screens and knew that it would have real world ramifications, especially at work. Already dealing with the mental trauma from COVID-19, the worldwide exposure of racism has had a particular sting.
Not only did it remind us of the broken system we live in, but it also reminded Black people up and down the country about their wounds. Many young Black males could empathise with police brutality and excessive police force. Hate crime rates have more than doubled since 2013. Stop-and-search became more common against all ethnic minority groups apart from white and Chinese people between 2014 and 2019, and Black individuals are almost ten times more likely to be searched than white individuals. This is the country where, in the last 10 years, the Windrush scandal, the Grenfell fire have created hostile environments. They are symptoms of very deep-set racism.
As well as these fresh reminders, witnessing the heart-wrenching images of the final moments of George Floyd’s life has led to an endless number of conversations, panel discussions, meetings, surveys, one-to-one chats, webinars, texts exchanges, interviews, workshops, blogs and social media postings. Front and centre in all of these discussions are Black employees who are called on by their bosses to be the spokespeople for the black plight and struggle. Many have had to talk about their personal experiences, explain the differences between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, break down microaggressions, ally-ship, all this whilst staying professional and working hard to not be perceived as a ‘moaner’ or a ‘bad sport.’ This creates another layer of trauma and fatigue for Black professionals. Some bosses may be well-meaning however, Black people are tired.
Trump at the Presidential Debate. photo cred: NY Magazine
It’s safe to say that everybody on planet Earth knows Joseph Biden will be the 46th President of the United States.
While some may be heartbroken that Joe Biden is the president-elect, it’s not entirely shocking that he won.
Here is a look at some events that have transpired over the last four years to make this moment possible.
Return to Normalcy
Trump during a press conference photo cred: washingtonpost
President Trump is unlike any other President or politician America has seen in modern times. With the outspoken tweets, lies, rambunctious boasts, rants, and outlandish baiting. He made a spectacle of American democracy.
Being a political outsider helped get him in the White House in 2016, but it did not help him in 2020.
Joe Biden’s poised himself as the man to return some sort of normalcy in America and most Americans agreed with that sentiment.
Race Relations
BLM protest Photo cred: Nytimes
Americans and the rest of the world knew early on that President Trump would have a hard time bringing the country together.
Trump’s failed attempt at outright condemn white supremacists involved in the violence in Charlottesville set the precedent early on.
Racial tensions boiled over with the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others in 2020 and instead of speaking of calling for peace and galvanising the nation, Trump took to Twitter on multiple occasions to berate national leaders and threaten the deployment of the National Guard on American citizens.
Over 45% of Americans strongly disapproved of Trump’s handling of race relations it may have not been the main reason for some Americans to choose Joe Biden, but the racial turmoil aided in Trump’s demise.
Coronavirus
President Donald Trump with members of theCoronavirus Task Force speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Trump administration did not really face any major crisis (except for Hurricane Maria), until 2020. Even his impeachment did not deter many against the President.
However, Trump’s dismissal of COVID-19 did not sit well with most Americans. The coronavirus made many Americans fear their health and jobs, and the President did not give Americans much confidence during this global pandemic.
Trump’s dismissal of COVID-19 squandered his advantage on the beloved economy. Trump’s tax plan did help drive up the stock market during his first three years, but COVID-19 drove the country into a recession. President Trump and Republican senators have not been able to deliver more relief since the $1,200 stimulus check in March.
If Trumped handled the coronavirus better, the results might have been different considering the close margins.
Historic Voter Turnout
Voters at the polls photo cred: pewresearch
Regardless if one voted for Trump or Biden, one thing that is certain: voter turnout has hit record breaking numbers. Minorities and young people helped flip states that Trump won in 2016 and there were many reasons for some of these states to flip.
Georgia resident, Kymira Jacobs said: “The protests in Atlanta and his tensions with the Mayor of Atlanta fuelled Trump losing. He said some inappropriate things to convince young voters and black folks to vote.”
Other millennial voters such as Illinois resident, Erica Austin explained: “I believe Trumps stance on Black Lives Matter and trying to get rid of diversity training contributed to him losing. When you are tearing down the hands that built this country but praising those who have caused discord, it gets frustrating.”
The last four years have been a rollercoaster with Donald Trump as America’s leader. Biden was not everybody’s first choice as President. However, one thing is certain: neither was Trump.
For most of the team members a major tournament isn’t strange to them thanks to their success at club level but a major international tournament is something else.
Going into the game Serbia were heavily favoured to win due to the quality in the team. After a nervous game with plenty of chances on both sides, Scotland went one goal up with a beautiful goal from Ryan Christie and it all looked assured for Steve Clarke’s men.
Mens Scotland team celebrate penalty shootout win – Source:// BBC Sports
However, a last-minute goal from the prolific Serbian striker Jović meant the game went to Extra-time. Both teams held out valiantly to make it reach penalties where Scotland amazingly put all of their penalties in the back of the net.
A bad miss from Fulham man Aleksander Mitrovic was the deciding kick for Scotland.
There is quality in Scotland’s side and they won’t be at the Euro’s just to take part.
Current Captain Andy Robertson will want to emulate his club career success and take his home country all the way.
With the help of Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, Arsenal’s Kiran Tierney and other Premier League stalwarts in Stuart Armstrong and John McGinn among others they certainly have the tools to create more magical moments.
Scotland joins the competition with their rivals England in a group alongside the Czech Republic and Croatia. It certainly isn’t an easy group. Ranked 4th in the FIFA World rankings, England see themselves as favourites to top the group, and Croatia still boast a the recent World Cup success as runners up.
It will require a miracle for Scotland to make it out of the group, but with football, anything can happen, this might be Scotland’s golden chance.
Euro2020 was set to take place in a number of locations across Europe rather than one country hosting the whole event. However, that has been thrown into disrepute thanks to Covid-19.
The Euro2020 is delayed till 2021 due to Covid but the men’s Scotland team will be sure to prepare themselves for 11 June when it all kicks off.
Festival UK 2022 launched in September of this year. It is a “celebration of the UK’s creativity and innovation, backed by £120million of new investment.” Jacob Rees-Mog, back in 2019, named this celebration a Festival of Brexit after Theresa May had put a substantial amount of money aside to celebrate the UK in the wake of Brexit. The name, Brexit Festival has since stuck.
Ok twitter, let's play a game: what ISN'T technically a piece of hard right nationalistic propaganda in the clothes of a liberal arts festival, but DEFINITELY FEELS like a piece of hard right nationalistic propaganda in the clothes of a liberal arts festival
The backlash towards this festival stems not only from its association with Brexit but reminds many of the similar backlash the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony faced. It should be noted that Martin Green, who delivered the London Olympics Opening Ceremony is also heading up work on Festival UK 2022.
The £120Million that has been put aside for this festival will only really reach the thirty projects in the Research and Development phase (R&D) and ten of those will see some further funding to help them bring their projects to fruition.
The Festival leaves a sour taste in our mouths. The continuous cuts to the arts over the past decade, the current government’s lack of support for arts freelancers during the Covid emergency as well as the recent call to artists to ‘retrain’ (Fatima’s next job should be cyber advert) all points to how little the current government cares about arts and culture. For them to then invest £120Million into a festival celebrating just that, is a slap in the face.
Since its announcement, a lot of people have taken to social media to voice their concern and annoyance at the festival. Some of the artists and advisors involved with the festival responded. One such organisation was The White Pube, a reviewing duo who were bought on to be advisors for the festival.
A Statement From The White Pube
Underneath one of their Instagram posts on the 9th of September, arts reviewer The White Pube responded to criticism from the public about their invitation to become advisors for the Festival UK 2022:
“… We’re not like, pure staff, we’re about for 12 days during the beginning of all this to help select and also develop the ideas with whoever gets picked – but again, please apply. We can be your cheerleaders on the inside. We are gonna rally to make sure money goes to the right people especially given the origins of the cursed tory money AND the current circumstances between the economy, the sh*tty behaviour of this government, and the old guard society that simps for it. For us as well, it’s a good chance to be critical while things can still be moulded instead of shouting from the sidelines or after the fact which is all we ever get to do – so if you’ve got grievances, let us know so we can let the producers know…”
The Artists Facing Backlash
I caught up with artist Keisha Thompson, who is part of one of the thirty R&D teams.
Artist Keisha Thompson, part of one of the thirty R&D teams
Keisha Thompson is a Manchester based writer, performance artist and producer who was approached to be part of a team who applied for the £100,000 R&D fund. “I think divisiveness doesn’t aid divisiveness.” Thompson said, “I was uncomfortable upon being approached to be in a cohort but I want to embrace the discomfort and interrogate the process as best as possible.”
“I’m happy with the team I am working with and I am under no illusion about how the project is being funded and what that means during this time.”
Thompson is currently working with commissioners Eclipse Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Pilot Theatre to stage new play, The Bell Curves; a performance piece featuring an all-female cast which will explore the human implications of CRISPR-Cas 9 gene-hacking technology. She is no stranger to working on the intersections of arts and science, something this festival aims to celebrate.
Another artist that has faced some backlash online was comedian Josie Long. Upon realising what the festival was (rebranded Brexit Festival), she decided to pull out from Festival UK 2022.
after an online interaction, Josie Long decided to pull out of the festival
Some have also pointed out the hypocrisy of arts organisations such as Manchester International Festival receiving funding from the former Brexit Festival while simultaneously “…ALSO hosting the grand finale of a project where a 3.5 meter puppet of a refugee child literally WALKS 8,000km from Turkey to the UK. The teams behind these two projects should maybe… talk… to each other.”(@PennyBabakhani on Twitter)
A Lack of Arts Funding
Whatever the origins and intentions of #FUK22 the thing that bothers me most is the large amount of money accessible really only to big organisations, in a timescale that precludes meaningful engagement with communities in the authoring of the work …
It could be said that it is artists who have been hit the hardest with the restrictions and lockdowns. Employees and self-employed people are able to claim some money back through the government furlough schemes and have been able to survive whereas artists have been persuaded to retrain. With freedom of movement to other European countries being restricted, it leaves many artists trying to find work in the UK alone.
Earlier this year Arts Council England came into some criticism as it announced that all of the Arts Project Grants Fund – the fund available for artists to apply to for any arts project – was being redistributed into the Arts Emergency Fund. The impact this has had on the arts industry will be seen for years to come. Will it recover in time forthe Festival UK 2022?
While criticising the artists involved in Festival UK 2022 is a little harsh, perhaps we should turn our attention towards the government and campaign for more money for arts projects.
