Natasha Gordon’s sensational depiction of Caribbean culture and how it resides within the UK.
Natasha Gordons’s debut production Nine Night perfectly sums up the key properties of black British culture and generational cohesion despite the differences between the two cultures. The play gives off a similar feel to the 1989 comedy Desmond’s, portraying beauty in the mundane Caribbean lives. It follows the generational and cultural conflicts between a family preceding the death of Gloria, their beloved mother, sister and grandmother during her somewhat traditional Nine Night celebration in England.
On first glance the play may not give away much, convincing the viewer that it will be nothing but an onstage party full of salt fish patties and Wray and Nephews, which is not completely false. However, as the play goes on we are shown a complex intricate story that unfolds beautifully reaching climax after climax to portray the raw rollercoaster of the grief that families face after the death of a loved one. As a second generation black British/Caribbean woman, countless times during the play I was brought to tears due to the similarities and comparisons I could make between the on-stage family and my own, bringing back the nostalgia of my own grandmothers nine night.
Without giving too much of the plot away, while being incredibly funny the play tackles some key issues and aspects of Caribbean culture. A surprising aspect shown is the importance of spirituality within Caribbean culture demonstrated by the characters who believe in the supernatural and religion . This idea of spirituality is manifested through the character Aunt Maggie (Cecilia Noble) who we see burst into gospel during a family disagreement and free the spirit of Gloria in the intense finale.
Cecilia Noble steals the show reflecting pure authenticity in her role with hilarious but true one liners such as “de only decent ting me get from dis teefing government” when regarding the use of her freedom pass (which may or may not be Gordons’s response to the 2018 windrush scandal). Her on stage partnership with Trudy (Michelle Greenidge), Gloria’s oldest daughter and blast from the past gives the play a refreshing tension breaker between some very difficult scenes allowing for a beautiful transition enabling the play to move smoothly.
Alongside the main plot of the play we see the character’s own personal struggles tackling issues such as interracial relationships when in laws disagree (“caffe latte” being used to describe a mixed raced child although funny, had a gaspworthy shock factor coming from a white woman), greed and infidelity which all tie up nicely at the end with a message from Gloria herself no one could have predicted.
Nine Night is what I hope to be the beginning of black theatre on the main stage, it portrays Black British lives in a new positive light moving away from the typical depictions of knife crime and gun violence. Plays with these themes can be a great insight into the lives of black people who do face those issues but it often criminalises black lives as it depicts knife crime and gun violence as our norm which plays into the hand of unhealthy stereotypes. Personally, as a black woman I have never resonated so closely with a play to the point of both happy and sad tears.
Abdelraouf Salhah, a 14-year-old Palestinian protester has died after being shot in the head by Israeli forces, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Abdelraouf Salhah, who is now the third Palestinian to be pronounced dead since Friday’s protest, lost his life from gun shot wounds by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) during protests along the Gaza/Israeli border. His death reflects the growing tensions surrounding the fight for legitimacy between Israel and Palestine.
Since March 2018, there has been increased efforts by the Palestinian population to protest openly against the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel. The protests have been hugely encouraged by Hamas, an organisation listed by the European Courts as a terrorist organisation; although they hold de facto governing power over Gaza.
These efforts have been labelled by the protesters as the “March of return”, originally triggered by the plans of the Trump administration to move the US embassy from Israel into Jerusalem. This was a controversial and politically de-stabilising move, due to the high value of Jerusalem to Palestinians and Israelis, with both states claiming Gaza as their capital.
The death of 14 year old (left), came after protests had become progressively more violent since their initiation in March 2018. This is as a result of the Israeli Defence Force, becoming increasingly more concerned at the proximity of the protest to their borders and crossings, despite the casualties and deaths being overwhelmingly Palestinian – with over 200 Palestinian deaths since the start.
This has encouraged the further use of force by both sides; particularly with rockets being fired across the border into Israel, according to The Times of Israel. The rising death toll adds fuel to the fire, with many Palestinian protestors adamant that the lives of their fellow protesters cannot be taken in vain.
With tensions at the highest seen since the clash in 2014, many people believe the only stop to the deaths of protesters can be achieved by humanitarian intervention or international diplomacy from surrounding powers such as Egypt.
Votes have began for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game hosted in Charlotte, and things are looking very interesting! The 68th annual All-Star Game this year sees fans make up 50% of voting to determine the 10 starters and current NBA players will make up the remaining votes. The NBA All-Star Game is always full of drama and excitement. With a regular season that can sometimes be dull and repetitive due to the same teams dominating, the All-Star break provides relief and entertainment for both dedicated and causal fans alike.
The third wave of votes are in and the Lebron James still leads the way (3,770,807 votes) despite being out with a moderate groin injury picked up in the Lakers Christmas day win over Golden State. The Lakers are currently sitting 8th in the Western Conference and are looking increasingly less likely to make the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, leads the (3,626,909 votes) voting as his rise to stardom in the league is becoming more and more convincing. Giannis is definitely in the MVP title race boasting an average of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists a game, and his team sitting first in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard is second (2,882,227 votes) out of the front-court players in the East. Kawhi is also having an impressive season so far, much to the joy of Toronto fans who are really hoping he’ll make a long term commitment to the city. Kyrie Irving leads the guards overall with (3,187,015 votes) and second overall in the Eastern Conference. Kyrie’s Celtics currently sit 5th in the Eastern Conference; far from the kind of form that birthed preseason predictions that they would challenge the Warriors for the title this year.
Unsurprisingly, the popular vote is led by rookie, Luka Dončić, who sits third overall in voting (3,301,825 votes), and is only eclipsed by Lebron James in the Western Conference voting so far. Dončić is having a sizzling start to his NBA Career. Dončić was the 3rd overall pick in the draft for the Dallas Mavericks after an initial swap deal between him and Atlanta’s Trey Young. The former EuroLeague MVP has settled in nicely in the NBA: scoring game winners, showing a range of shooting ability, ball handling and a high basketball IQ. His level of maturity at age 19 is astounding already. Dončić is averaging 20 points and 5 assists a game so far this season, and gathering an eyebrow-raising collection of highlight reels to go along with those numbers! He is most definitely the front runner for Rookie of the Year! The last time a rookie made the All-Star Game was Blake Griffin in 2011 and Yao Ming in 2003, so this isn’t a common occurrence. The Mavericks certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders but they have definitely found a player that can elevate the organisation to the next level as long as they have a proper structure and vision in place.
Luka Dončić is having a flying start to his NBA career
Steph Curry is unlikely to be Western Conference captain this year as he was for the 2018 All-Star Game. Despite receiving 2,979,08 votes and having another impressive year averaging nearly 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, he still trails behind Luka Dončić and Lebron James in the polls. Many pundits are calling Curry’s position behind Dončić disrespectful; but at the end of the day the All-Star Game fan voting system is practically a popularity contest – the fans get what the fans want! The flaw in the fan voting system is also seen in the absence of both James Harden and Kevin Durant in the running order of starters in this years Game. Without question Durant and James are among the top five players in the game right now, but the voting echoes their popularity (or lack thereof) with basketball fans.
Voting closes on the 21st January 2019 where fans get a 2-for-1 vote, meaning one vote will count as two. The starters will be announced on the 24th January 2019 with the reserves announced on the 31st January 2019 by the coaches.
The draft will be televised unlike last year so we’ll get to see all the drama as it unfolds! What captain will pick who first and who will get picked last. We’re expecting this to make for some very interesting internet comments, headlines and memes across the basketball world. The 7th February 2019 is the date, so save it!
The 2019 All-Star Game will take place in the Spectrum Centre, Charlotte on the 17th February 2019, coverage on TNT from 7PM (ET).
Keep up to date with TCS for the aftermath and more sports related news.
With tax returns due by 31ST January for self-assessment for property income, CGT, Class 2 and 4 NICs , income and interest, are you familiar with the declarations in 2018/19?
Rental income extends to payments by tenants for furniture
use, communal cleaning, hot water, heating and repairs, alongside other
services provided.
From this pre-tax income, you can deduct what you have paid
for buildings insurance, contents insurance, repairs, utility costs (water
bills and council tax), services to clean communal areas, ground rents and
service charges, advertising costs, letting agents’ fees and accountants’ fees.
You can also deduct for part-expenses “If a definite part of
a cost expense incurred wholly and exclusively for the property business”,
according to Gov.uk. If a property is used for private purposes for 3 months
and commercially let for 9 months, then only 9/12 months mortgage interest can
be deducted from the rental income.
Landlords beware – file returns promptly & accurately to avoid HMRC fines
2017-18 tax year allows you to deduct 75% of financing costs from rental income, with the remaining 25% qualifying for basic-rate relief.
This falls to 50% 50% 2018-19, 25% 50% 2019-20 and 0% to
100% from 2020-21.
You cannot deduct capital expenses from your income. This
includes home improvements like an extension built or a new bathroom – these can,
however, be used to cutting the capital-gains tax bill when you come to sell.
Even though the 10% wear-and-tear allowance can no longer be
claimed, you can claim the “replacement of domestic items relief” (RDI) if you
replace moveable furniture, for example, beds, free-standing wardrobes;
furnishings, such as curtains, carpets, linens, floor covers; household appliances
like televisions, fridges, freezers and kitchenware, e.g. crockery and cutlery.
Replacements must be like-for-like, and you can also claim
for disposal costs. Note that this is available in all properties, not just
those that are fully furnished.
Only expenses incurred from 6TH April 2016 can RDI
relief be applied for Income Tax purposes.
Unlike Wear and Tear allowance, RDI relief can apply to
unfurnished, part or fully furnished dwellings. Expenses must be incurred on
purchase on the replacements, not originals, and solely for use of tenants.
The new item must be like-for-like. For instance, changing
the functionality from a sofa to sofa bed means the replacement isn’t substantially
the same. If there is a difference in price, this is then not allowable.
Synthetic to woollen carpets is not substantially the same
as the old item – it is an improvement and not deductible.
Old items can be sold or part-exchanged for the new; with
the allowable deductions the cost of the new item, incidental disposal costs
and amounts received on disposal of the old item.
Rent-a-Room-Relief
Rent-a-room-relief doesn’t require a record of expenses if
you don’t intend to claim them under the scheme. From 6TH April 2016,
if the rent you receive is more than £7500 (£3750 per joint owner) you can opt
to pay tax on your profit in the normal way by deducting your expenses from the
rent received.
Losses arise when allowable expenses exceed rental income. This can only
offset profits arise in the same rental business in future years. Multiple
property expenses and income are collectively assessed, with the exception
overseas property or furnished holiday lettings.
Uncommercial lets to friends or relatives for reduced rents means
expenses can only be deducted up to the amount of the rent received for that
property. Relief for losses is only available if the loss arises from commercial
letting. Profits or losses aren’t made, so excesses cannot be carried forward
to later tax years.
HMRC can charge penalties if records are inaccurate, incomplete, illegible
or missing and for inaccurate tax returns.
Rent books, receipts, invoices, bank statements and mileage logs (for journeys that are solely for your property business purposes).
Theresa May is heading for a crushing defeat on Brexit vote in the Commons today. Despite a series of last-minute appeals to rebel Tory MPs to back her EU withdrawal agreement.
Senior MPs and a number of sources are predicting a defeat for the prime minister of between 100 and 200 votes, which is likely to be followed by Jeremy Corbyn calling a vote of no confidence in the government.
Mrs May’s allies insist that whatever the scale of the defeat, she has no intention of quitting or calling a general election, but she will come under enormous pressure to unveil a Brexit Plan B.
On the eve of the historic vote, the prime minister appealed to MPs during a Commons statement to take a “second look” at her agreement, despite admitting it was not perfect and was a compromise.
In the Commons, she said: “It is not perfect but when the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House and ask, ‘Did we deliver on the country’s vote to leave the EU, did we safeguard our economy, security or union, or did we let the British people down?'”
Then, in an emotional speech to Conservative MPs that was described by her supporters as a “bravura performance”, she urged them to “keep Jeremy Corbyn as far away from No. 10 as possible”.
Theresa May, the Prime Minister CREDIT: LEON NEAL /GETTY IMAGES EUROPE
Winding up day four of the five-day Commons debate on the withdrawal agreement in the early hours of the morning, the chancellor Philip Hammond told MPs: “We as a House now need to move swiftly and decisively to get behind the deal.
“To make the tough choices that are needed to simultaneously deliver the Brexit people voted for, to protect our economy and our national security and to give them the brighter future they were promised.”
Too little too late
Despite delays by the government, the Brexit deal faces a similar parliamentary arithmetic to the one it did before. The prime minister had promised she would secure additional “legal and political assurances” from Brussels when she delayed a vote on her deal and fought off a challenge to her leadership. However, weeks after and nothing changed. Her vote still faces stiff opposition from the labour party and Tory rebels are set to defy whips and vote against the deal today.
What happens next?
If the deal is rejected by MPs, Mrs May has three sitting days to return to Parliament with a “Plan B”.Some have suggested she would head to Brussels on Wednesday to try to get further concessions from the EU, before returning to the Commons to give a statement about her new proposal by Monday. This could then be put to a vote by MPs.
If this also fails, there is a proposal put forward by senior Conservative backbenchers Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan for a “European Union Withdrawal Number 2 Bill”. This would give ministers another three weeks to come up with another plan and get it through Parliament.
Brexit Secretary @SteveBarclay says the PM has spoken to him about what she will say if she loses Tuesday’s #Brexit vote, but he is not sharing the details with Labour MP @JonAshworth on #politicslive
If this doesn’t work either, they propose giving the responsibility of coming up with a compromise deal to the Liaison Committee – which is made up of the chairmen and chairwomen of all the Commons select committees, drawn from opposition parties as well as the Conservatives.
This proposal in turn would have to be voted through by MPs.
Much of 2018 revealed and all too familiar pernicious relationship between the mainstream media and black men. Negative headlines dominated these papers with global reach and readership.
A study in the book Research in Race and Ethnic Relations found that negative portrayals in the news media affect how police treat black men in the United States and beyond, according to a Rutgers School of Public Health study. The study found that public perceptions of male dangerousness are a factor in influencing police action and the public’s willingness to accept an officer’s deadly actions as legitimate. It also noted that black masculinity is often equated with hypermasculinity, criminality and hypersexuality.
“Unarmed black Americans are five times more likely to be shot and killed by police than unarmed white Americans. We believe that media may play a significant role in these disproportionate deaths,” said lead author Pamela Valera, an assistant professor. “The stereotypes held, consciously or unconsciously, about the criminality and ‘dangerousness’ of black men influence the rates at which they are stopped and engaged by the police.”
Police make an arrest during Ferguson protests in New York City. (Andrew Burton/Getty)
What about the UK?
You’d be forgiven for thinking the UK might be different. With successive Firearms Acts through the 60s, 80s and 90s, black men are no longer frequently shot and killed by police. However, there still exists a disproportionately aggressive relationship between the police and black men. What’s worse is that the mainstream media press often exacerbates this.
Consider that Metropolitan Police officers are four times more likely to use force against black people compared with the white population according to the MET Police
The Met used force 62,000 times in 2017-18 with more than a third of incidents involving black people. Techniques such as verbal instructions and using firearms were recorded. The Met Police said: “The proportionate use of force is essential in some circumstances to protect the public and often themselves from violence.” Facing this news, then Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said the “disproportionate use of force was discriminatory”.
56 BLACK MEN
It is for this reason that 56 BLACK MEN is grabbing headlines. Against this backdrop, black men are taking control of their own narrative and documenting it. Cephas Williams, Project Founder explains this project;
“This is a visual campaign documenting 56 black men that are doing something other than what is widely plastered about black men across various forms of media. Championing the idea that “I am Not My Stereotype”, the campaign looks to challenge the general stereotype of ‘the black man’ and the negative connotations and stigma attached to the cliché image of a black man wearing a hoody. The campaign makes a visually bold statement by showing black men wearing a hoody, while it also features text on what these men currently do for work. It features men from the world of finance, the arts, law and business, right through to the medical field and more”.
This is generally the opposite of what society has been conditioned to expect of a black man and in some cases even influences how many black men view themselves and their ability. You see this reflected through representation within the work-place also.
“I Am Not My Stereotype”
The online campaign features individual pictures of 56 black men wearing a hood, an image that has been coloured by the mainstream press. These men aren’t dangerous or threatening, on the other hand, some own businesses, are artists, musicians, lawyers and more. Featuring in the campaign is our Founder and CEO, Mike Omoniyi, who talking about the project told us, “Its about time we start to show people what black men have been doing whilst negative headlines dominated headlines. We have been existing, working hard, excelling and we are not a trend or fad; we are here to stay’
“I want to inspire”
Cephas tells us: “I’m looking to inspire a generation of black men both young and old who can also identify with this image of a black man in a hoody but who also may not see these pathways as realistic or accessible to them. If young black boys continually see themselves represented in the media in a negative way this does not give them much else to look up to, neither does it help to change the trajectory of their life. The last strand of the project is the network we are creating, we look to feature new 56 black men on the campaign every year, but as a network we look to expand beyond this number internally in a bid to put black men at the forefront of the conversations that are being had about black men, while also creating a network of black men that help one another internally in various ways.”
Below are all the black men who featured in this project.
In a time where crime in our capital is at an all-time high, the narrative we often see in the mainstream media is that black men are using violence to channel their pain.
This is only part of the story. There is a growing group of BAME men and women, using their experiences to inform their art.
In our 10 part feature, we meet some of these artists. These artists are swimming against the tide, creating a lane for themselves. They talk to us about the Cost of Artistry
3/10 Meet Samuel Cole
I find it frustrating when reading profiles of artists how little attention is paid to discussion of their practice. I have found there to be a tendency to encourage artists to pontificate on current affairs, sensationalising their experiences of craft and work. I frequently cringe at lengthy descriptions of what an artist is wearing, or how they are sitting.
With this feature, I want to give our readers an insight into those whose work I greatly admire the opportunity to have a serious discussion about poetry/rap, free from the usual angling of “page vs stage” or “new young star brings poetry out of the dusty library”.
We sat down with Samuel Cole and asked him
When did you discover you had a “talent”?
7 years ago I signed up to take part in a filmed project to highlight the positive contribution of young people in my borough. It was meant to be a filmed project but for some reason or another, the filming dates kept getting cancelled. Anyway, the project ended up not happening but I said I’d contribute by sending in an audio copy of a poem. I ended up writing a poem called Young Monarch. I sent it in and the lady who received it was blown away – that’s where it all began.
What have you had to sacrifice to nurture your talent?
Pride and ego. Just because I wrote a poem didn’t make me a poet. Neither did watching Def Jam Poetry regularly or reading Shakespeare. I had to move beyond treating it as a casual diary entry, humbling myself, developing a respect for the craft and sharpening my pen. That meant writing constantly, reading constantly and getting feedback on my work.
In sacrificing pride I learned to be vulnerable. That didn’t necessarily mean exposing my pain, but it did mean being transparent. Prioritising clarity and the content of my message above all else. When I performed, I began to see the stage as a place where ego died and the message was in the limelight. I needed to forget about looking ‘cool’ or ‘impressive’, being loud and an entertainer or seeking finger clicks from the audience and instead say something true that might actually change someone’s life.
Transparency meant talking about how I actually I saw the world. The things that actually bothered me or made me laugh. Ultimately I wrote not only to be understood but to understand – not to be admired. I learned that when I wrote about specific experiences, (rather than vague ideas that are detached from reality), my message resonated more deeply with those who listened. It’s a balance. On the one hand I needed to show more of ‘myself’ in order to be transparent, but not so much of myself such that I ended up blocking the message.
CS Lewis because of his command of the english language and his ability to use words to conjure up an entire world in your head.
Lauryn Hill for her emotional rawness, and rhythm through her music.
Jackie Hill Perry for her straight talking lyrical tenacity.
Banwo The Poet for his genius wordplay.
Jolade, Caleb Femi, Theresa Lola for their ability to tell a story in such a way you feel as though you were in it experiencing it with them.
What is the biggest misconception people have about poets?
That we belong to a class of ‘elites’ in society out of touch with reality. Connected to that there is a misconception that all spoken word poets should recite their poems in a similar style – i.e. long pauses, stretched out words, change in tone for dramatic effect and so on. I think poets share a common desire to document in verse something they think is important, but there is no ‘one’ style.
In an age where digital echo chambers are growing wider, what role do you think poetry can play in this?
I think poetry is a useful channel to initiate a dialogue and invite fresh views on topics. It lends itself well to expressing alternative views in a way that is interesting to read or listen to. My favourite poets identify universal themes and still communicate their truth. They can craft a phrase like ‘Treat your homes like you live in them, even if your minds have mansions in the cosmos’ (Jolade Olusanya, Poem: ‘97) striking a chord with many and yet still maintaining the integrity of their own unique story.
Has a poem ever humbled or frightened you? What was it? When did it happen and what did you do afterwards?
I remember one of the first poems I performed publically called ‘How Long’. It was a message about not being lazy and seeking God. I was so eager to share it. I went to an open mic night and performed it. It lasted about 5 mins, and the crowd looked at me with stone cold faces from beginning to end. I was so confused. Afterwards I was told it was far too loud and far too preachy. I was crushed. In hindsight it probably would have worked better as a sermon than a poem!
Some poets claim that a poem is like a living creature: once it’s out there is not much you can do to ‘correct’ or ‘improve’ it, while others edit meticulously, not leaving much from the original, draft form. What is your take on it?
I think as the poet it’s your work and you can do whatever you please with it. I generally don’t tinker with published poems because I like drawing a line under a piece and letting it speak for itself at the time of its release – whether it’s perfect, imperfect, warts and all. Have I had new ideas for a piece after I release it? Of course! But for me, ultimately each poem is a flag pushed into the ground marking a stage and time in my life. There’s always more that could be done to embellish or improve a piece – simply because as time progresses we develop. Ideas which were true and firm for us before become amorphous and ambiguous, feelings that were intense and heartfelt become less impassioned. We change. It’s unfair then to force our current ideas and values to fit our older works. Almost as odd pouring new wine into old wineskins!
I do recognise that what gets posted online, stays online. I’m sharing my work with the world and let’s face it – not everyone has the energy to consume edit 1, edit 2, edit infinity of a piece. That would be exhausting! Imagine if Michael Jackson had 5 versions of Billie Jean or Lauryn Hill rewrote The Miseducation. There’s a misconception I think, that you must keep updating the poem to keep it alive. A piece is alive as long as someone can pick it up and feel something.
The question does feed into a wider conversation about art though. When is a piece of work really ‘finished’? When you publish it? When you think it’s ‘perfect’? For me it’s when you publish it, because I won’t publish something that I don’t think is finished. If it’s a great piece then why change it! If it sucks, then let it be! It’s a starting point which you progress from.
With all this being said I do adjust my pieces for live performances. The poem at its core doesn’t change, but the way I express it might. I may add a verse relevant to theme of the event, or switch a word that I feel is more potent at the time. I gauge the atmosphere in the room and ‘remix’ the words to suit. Through the remix of poems I’ve sometimes ended up creating a completely separate new piece entirely.
How do you define success?
When my message in my poem is clear and it resonates with the person listening.
Do you ever regret sharing your work publicly? Do you trust the reader in a world of instant gratification and instant communication?
No regrets here. By calling myself a poet I have accepted the mantle not just to be a spokesperson but to die to my ego in order that my message is unobstructed and connects with the audience. In stepping up to the mic or writing a piece I am not necessariIy seeking to put my trust in the audience. The real question is does the reader trust me? Do they believe what I am saying? Does what I am saying connect with them and can they find something of themselves in my message?
Some pleasant news arises from the American political sphere amidst all the Trump-related drama that dominates the mainstream media,
Headlines about a partial government shutdown are eclipsing this good news, but late Friday the president signed an important piece of legislation, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017.
Congress has passed a bill that helps to reduce maternal deaths, titled the “Preventing Maternal Deaths Act 2017, which was led by the Preeclampsia Foundation. The bill was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday 11th December 2018, before going on to be unanimously approved in the Senate on Thursday following.
"We all worked together—consistently and tirelessly—on this bipartisan legislation to ensure that no more mothers die from preventable causes before, during, or after pregnancy…but by no means is it the last step."-ACOG Pres. Dr. Hollier (@TXmommydoc). https://t.co/vtjEl2np1D
According to a report published by National Public Radio, “more women in the U.S. die from complications related to pregnancy than in any other developed country” – this is the overall aim of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act is to enable states to build up or enhance their maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) – interdisciplinary factions of specialists in maternal, child, and general wellbeing – to inspect maternal death instances and distinguish locally-significant approaches to forestall future deaths.
“The bill authorizes an unprecedented $12 million a year for five years to prevent mothers’ deaths during and after childbirth, which happen at alarming rates in America.”
In addition, the bill “authorises $12 million in federal funds a year for states to create committees to investigate and track the deaths of expectant and new mothers, then come up with policy changes to prevent such trends from continuing”, according to preeclampsia.org.
Kira Johnson, 39, died hours after giving birth to her son, Langston, in what her husband, Charles Johnson IV, describes as a death that hospital staff could have prevented. “This was not just a medical tragedy” he said. “This was a medical catastrophe.”Courtesy of Charles Johnson IV
“A tiny band-aid on a broken wall”
Though the bill has received overwhelming support by many congress members, including Republican Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who stated that “preventing maternal mortality is not a partisan issue”, the bill is still not enough to solve the bigger issue at hand – the overall structure of the American healthcare system, as it fails to obligate states to examine whether flawed medical care plays a role in maternal deaths.
In 2015, Yolanda Mention died after giving birth despite several warning signs showing that she was at high risk of a stroke from high blood pressure. Yolanda waited for hours in the emergency room of the hospital where she delivered her child without having received any treatment at all. This case was one of many instances used in an investigation into maternal deaths by USA TODAY.
In a 2007 pregnancy, YoLanda Mention’s preeclampsia was treated without incident
The investigation also uncovered that state maternal death review committees across the nation regularly abstain from investigating medical care days and hours prior to the mothers’ death. Instead, many state reports have concentrated on moms’ way of life decisions or bigger societal issues, for example, smoking and weight.
According to a special report by ProPublica, more than 700 women have died annually from child-birth related issues, “with black women 3-4 times more likely to suffer maternal mortality than white women”, 60% of these deaths being avoidable. It’s facts like these that reveal that the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act 2017, alongside other bills that focus on a small section of the American healthcare system, is merely a tiny band-aid on a broken wall.
Stephen H. Hanson stated: “there is no other nation that relies so heavily on ‘fee-for-service’ payments as the US”, before going on further state that the medical system is more focussed on maximising revenue than maximising outcomes.How effective can these bills truly be in an overall broken healthcare system? It safe to say that as long as American medical care system remains to be faulty, these bills will only be a step in the right direction without getting to the destination.
With only weeks before they control of the House of Representatives, the Democrats planned to launch a multifaceted investigation into Trump’s finances and spending.
The wide raging investigation would focus his tax returns and properties, as well as violations of a constitutional clause stating that president cannot accept gifts from any foreign government unless consented to by Congress.
This investigation of financial corruption and misuse of funds has already resulted in the dissolution of the Trump Foundation. The money is to be distributed to approved New York attorney general’s approved charities.
Trump did not take too kindly to his foundation being shut down, he responded to the dissolution, claiming that he has “done great work and given away lots of money,” calling it a “total double standard of ‘justice.’”
The Trump Foundation has done great work and given away lots of money, both mine and others, to great charities over the years – with me taking NO fees, rent, salaries etc. Now, as usual, I am getting slammed by Cuomo and the Dems in a long running civil lawsuit started by…..
…sleazebag AG Eric Schneiderman, who has since resigned over horrific women abuse, when I wanted to close the Foundation so as not to be in conflict with politics. Shady Eric was head of New Yorkers for Clinton, and refused to even look at the corrupt Clinton Foundation……
….In any event, it goes on and on & the new AG, who is now being replaced by yet another AG (who openly campaigned on a GET TRUMP agenda), does little else but rant, rave & politic against me. Will never be treated fairly by these people – a total double standard of “justice.”
However, it appears that this is not an isolated incident, as Trump has effectively leveraged his political power and publicity to embellish his personal business since announcing his presidential candidacy. Here is a brief overview of some of the interaction between Trump’s political and business finances since 2015.
Spending at Trump-owned Businesses
A report of Federal Election Commission data states that
Trump-owned businesses have gained over $15 million in revenue from
politics-related spending, including political groups, federal agencies and
taxpayer spending. Out of this $15.1 million, $13.2 Million (90%) was sourced
from Trump’s presidential campaign, which was unsurprisingly launched in the
Trump Tower in New York. The second largest contributor was the Republican
National Committee at $717,000, followed by $595,000 from Trump Victory and
$160,000 from conservative political groups and Republican candidates.
Trump has also used taxpayer revenue to fund travel and dining at his own resorts and restaurants. He has been reported to have stayed in or visited a Trump-owned property nearly once every three days since being president. There was also considerable spending at Trump-owned properties by other political members; the Secret Service was estimated to spend around $63,000 at Trump’s Mar a Lago Golf Club and over $137,000 at Trump-owned clubs in other locations. American business officials have also been encouraged to spend money at Trump companies.
Overseas Ties
Trump’s financial ties with Saudi Arabia have also been held in question. Rachel Maddow reported in 2015 that, before becoming president and after announcing his candidacy, “Donald Trump registered eight shell companies that all included the word ‘Jeddah’ in the company name…Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia.” Maddow then went on to say that it “seem[s] to indicate that the president was planning to build a hotel in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.”
The hotel was never built. However, eyebrows were raised
again when, three days after Trump’s inauguration, Saudi Arabian lobbyists made
sure that it was reported in the American press that they had spent $300,000 to
establish a Saudi entourage in Trump’s Washington hotel. This begs to question
whether or not the Trump administration’s foreign policy has been affected by
financial ties with certain countries.
Charlotte Davis is an American who currently lives in London. She has recently graduated with an MA in the Reception of the Classical World. She also writes for an art history website and her interests are in art, art history, culture and politics.
A no-deal Brexit would mean disruption for the economy and citizens, said Commission vice president. The European Commission says it has started to implement its preparations for a no-deal Brexit – in case the UK leaves the EU without a plan.
It has announced minimal temporary measures to try to reduce the impact, but also says it cannot counter all the problems it expects. As May’s proposed exit plan struggled to garner support in Parliament, both sides are preparing for the worst-case situation.
The UK has allocated £2bn ($2.5bn) in funding to government departments.
A no-deal Brexit will be no picnic — especially for Britain’s lucrative financial services industry.
That was the warning from the European Commission Wednesday, laid out in its emergency contingency plans for a no-deal scenario, 100 days before the U.K. is due to leave the EU.
epa07194741 Valdis Dombrovskis, vice president of the European commission for the Euro and Social Dialogue gives a press conference on the progress in risk reduction in the Banking Union and on the Capital Markets Union at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 28 November 2018. The commission calls for faster progress on Capital Markets Union ahead of EU Leaders’ meetings. EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ
The European Commission’s measures are designed to limit disruption in certain key areas, such as finance and transport, if Brexit goes ahead in March without a deal.
“These measures will not – and cannot – mitigate the overall impact of a ‘no-deal’ scenario,” it said in a statement.
“This is an exercise in damage limitation,” added commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in a news conference, saying a contingency plan was necessary “given the continued uncertainty in the UK”.
What is the plan?
The EU’s contingency measures, covering 14 policy areas, illustrate that there are indeed ways to mitigate some of the potentially disastrous effects of the U.K. crashing out without a Withdrawal Treaty on March 29. But Commission officials stressed that they could not prevent all of the negative fallout and they warned against any suggestions — already circulating among some hardline Brexiters — that simply walking away would be better than the deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May.
“We are mitigating against no deal,” Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said at a news conference. “But in terms of disruption to the economy, disruption to the citizens, I think it’s clear what the order of preference is — and clearly remain is better than leave and deal is better than no-deal.”
Dombrovskis also warned that a no-deal scenario could present obstacles to the U.K. achieving the optimum future economic relationship with the EU. “Should it come to no deal, yes there are certain mitigating measures,” he said. “But they are still not allowing the advantages of a proper Brexit with a deal and then, of course, moving to the proper work on our future economic relations.”
Latvian EU Commission vice-president in charge the Euro, Social Dialogue, Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union Valdis Dombrovskis speaks during a press conference at The European Commission headquarters in Brussels, on December 19, 2018. – Latvian EU Commission vice-president in charge the Euro, Social Dialogue, Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union Valdis Dombrovskis (Photo by Aris OIKONOMOU / AFP) (Photo credit should read ARIS OIKONOMOU/AFP/Getty Images)
However, officials who described the no-deal package notably declined to address the politically sensitive question of what would happen along the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Commission punted that question to Dublin, warning that all EU countries would be obligated to reinstate customs regimes with the U.K. in the event of a no-deal departure.
“Ensuring Continuity”
The commission’s 14 measures cover legislation that will aim to ensure some continuity. They address eight sectors, taking in issues such as transport and customs, data protection, animal health and plants, climate policy and key financial products.
Flights from the UK into and overflying the EU to be allowed for 12 months to ensure “basic connectivity”
Hauliers to carry freight by road into the EU for a nine-month period without having to apply for permits
UK financial services regulations – in a limited number of areas such as derivatives trading – to be recognised as equivalent to the EU’s for one or two years.
The commission has also urged its 27 remaining member states to take a “generous” approach to the residency rights of UK citizens in the EU following a no-deal Brexit, “provided that this approach is reciprocated by the UK”. Brussels says the arrangements will be strictly time-limited, and will be ended without any consultation with the UK.
Transport of goods delays because of the need for checks on all UK livestock exports, and the application of customs duties and taxes on goods moving between the UK and EU;
End of the guarantee of the continuation of all existing air transport links under the same terms as they are supplied today;
Financial services operators in the UK lose the right to provide their services in the 27 EU member states under the EU financial services passports scheme;
EU pet passports issued to owners in the UK will no longer be valid
Why could this mean for you?
Visas will not be required for UK citizens to spend short periods in EU countries, the commission said. For stays of over 90 days, a residence permit or a long-stay visa will be required.
Member states have been told to take all necessary legislative and administrative measures so that temporary residence documents can be issued by the withdrawal date. UK citizens who have lived in an EU state for a period of more than five years must be granted, subject to certain conditions, long-term resident status, the commission said.
Stay connected to @tcsnetwork_ on twitter for Brexit Updates
In a time where crime in our capital is at an all-time high, the narrative we often see in the mainstream media is that black men are using violence to channel their pain.
This is only part of the story. There is a growing group of BAME men and women, using their experiences to inform their art.
In our 10 part feature, we meet some of these artists. These artists are swimming against the tide, creating a lane for themselves. They talk to us about the Cost of Artistry
2/10 Meet Michael Personne
I find it frustrating when reading profiles of artists how little attention is paid to discussion of their practice. I have found there is a tendency to encourage artists to pontificate on current affairs, sensationalising their experiences of craft and work. I frequently cringe at lengthy descriptions of what an artist is wearing, or how they are sitting.
With this feature, I want to give our readers an insight into those whose work I greatly admire the opportunity to have a serious discussion about poetry/rap, free from the usual angling of “page vs stage” or “new young star brings poetry out of the dusty library”.
We sat down with Michael Personne and asked him
When did you discover you had a “talent” for music and creativity?
I’d say around the age of 15. I’d been writing bits and pieces for a while but it wasn’t until I heard a mixtape by an artist called Franklyn that I was inspired to put my lyrics to beats. I listened to the way he structured his lyrics, tried it myself and realised ‘hey I can actually do this!’ Thinking back to the stuff I wrote around that time, I now realise that I wasn’t very good haha! But, at the time I believed I was. And that belief pushed me to practice more until the point that I actually did become good. The fact that I wasn’t good at first doesn’t mean that the talent wasn’t there, it just needed to be nurtured over time.
What have you had to sacrifice to nurture your talent?
Although time, money and people pleasing are major ones, I’d say the biggest sacrifice has been my comfort zone. In order to grow as an artist, I’ve often had to write when I don’t feel like it, practice when I don’t feel like it, perform when I don’t feel like it etc. As enjoyable as (some of) these things are, there’s a point where they become inconveniences. But in order to nurture my talent, I’ve had to sacrifice the comfort that comes from doing things based of my feelings or mood. In practice, it’s challenging but the growth produced from it is more than worth it!
Who inspires your artistry?
My relationship with God is the first and foremost inspiration behind my artistry. This is because as much as I’m inspired by people, I’m also inspired by ‘things’ as in objects, sights, experiences etc. My relationship with God forms the lens by which I view and interpret the world and therefore acts as the ultimate source of my inspiration. If we’re talking specifically about people, then I’d say Timothy Brindle for his lyrical content, JGivens for his quirkiness and Sean C Johnson for his relatability.
What is the biggest misconception people have about rappers?
I think the biggest misconception is that our entire artistry is driven and defined by an agenda to ‘blow up’. I think this misconception is related to the ‘Hey listen to my mixtape!’ stereotype that used to be prevalent. Don’t get me wrong, everyone wants their music to be heard by the masses. However, overnight success through a ‘banger’ is not the route that every rapper necessarily takes. For me, there’s something beautiful about an organic emergence that doesn’t necessarily come from one track that blew, but is built on a foundation of a whole catalogue of good music. In the words of one of my favourite rappers, ‘I wanna leave a legacy of classics, not a bunch of wack hits’ – Stephen The Levite
In an age where digital echo chambers are growing wider, what role do you think poetry can play in this?
The beautiful thing about the arts is that there are no rules. In a world where political correctness is restricting the diversity of viewpoints, the arts presents a place where you’re a bit more free to express your beliefs. Although you’re still not 100% free to express your views without the risk of backlash, the fact that art is open to interpretation means it’s easier to spread potentially controversial messages in a more covert fashion than it would be in a non-creative context. In addition to this, the admiration produced by good art can cause those who would otherwise be dismissive of your message to acknowledge and consider your viewpoint even if they disagree with it. In this way, poetry and the arts exist as a ‘safe space’ remaining somewhat un-colonized by the invading forces of political correctness.
Has a song ever humbled or frightened you?
Yes, a song entitled ‘Hell’ by Timothy Brindle had me rethinking my whole life haha! Here’s an excerpt from it:
You’ll experience permanent suffocation, Your eyes will melt and your lungs will suck your face in, It’s breathtaking, cause you’ll never breathe again, But bleed your phlegm and hear screams of evil men
Need I say more?
I was around 16 at the time of first hearing the track and started praying for forgiveness (for the 1000th time) immediately after I listened
Some rappers claim that a song is like a living creature: once it’s out there is not much you can do to ‘correct’ or ‘improve’ it, while others edit meticulously, not leaving much from the original, draft form. What’s your take on it?
Well, once it’s out in the public, there is nothing you can do. But prior to release, I’d say editing is one of the most important aspects of the writing process. Editing is the difference between an average song and a masterpiece. Not all songs/genres require a massive deal of editing but if the main focus of your artistry is on lyricism, as mine is, then editing is a must. It takes up a lot of time but is well worth it in my opinion.
How do you define success?
For me, success looks like completing that which I’ve been sent to do. It sounds cliché but to be more specific, I’ve been sent to pour out every talent that God has put inside of me, executing with excellence with the effect being that people are encouraged, inspired and edified.
Do you ever regret sharing your work publicly?
There’s an old song (I won’t reveal which one haha) that I regretted releasing due to doubts regarding its quality. Nowadays it doesn’t bother me too much.
And no I generally don’t trust the consumer. Many (including myself at times) don’t exercise the patience and analysis that is required to appreciate art in its entirety. In this world of instant communication, we’re constantly being bombarded with new things which makes it difficult to focus on digesting one thing at a time.
As an artist, you have to accept that nobody cares about your music as much as you do. It’s a humbling pill to swallow. The only thing we as artists can do is make good content and do our best to promote it with the hope that someone out there will take the time to listen and appreciate it.
In a time where crime in our capital is at an all-time high, the narrative we often see in the mainstream media is that black men are using violence to channel their pain.
This is only part of the story. There is a growing group of BAME men and women, using their experiences to inform their art.
In our 10 part feature, we meet some of these artists. These artists are swimming against the tide, creating a lane for themselves. They talk to us about the Cost of Artistry
1/10 Meet davecreates
I find it frustrating when reading profiles of artists how little attention is paid to discussion of their practice. I have found there is a tendency to encourage artists to pontificate on current affairs, sensationalising their experiences of craft and work. I frequently cringe at lengthy descriptions of what an artist is wearing, or how they are sitting.
With this feature, I want to give our readers an insight into those whose work I greatly admire the opportunity to have a serious discussion about poetry/rap, free from the usual angling of “page vs stage” or “new young star brings poetry out of the dusty library”.
We sat down with davecreatesand asked him
When did you discover you had a “talent” for music and creativity?
I was introduced to music at an early age. I started playing drums before I hit the age of 10, and then picked up the keys in my teens. I also started writing around then too. It was probably around the year that I started university when I realised I had “talent”. My writing was improving and people around me were taking notice. That’s when I started to take creating music more seriously.
What have you had to sacrifice to nurture your talent?
I’ve had to sacrifice many things, but mainly my fear of what I feel others may think of me. And this is a daily sacrifice! Choosing the creative path hasn’t always been the norm, so in that regard, my comfort zone has been challenged and stretched. To grow requires stepping out. Often that means stepping out of the idea people may hold of you. This can be tough and cause friction, but it’s a necessary part of change and must be handled wisely. I always try to honestly expresses myself as best as I can. So, letting go of ego has been an ongoing learning curve.
Who inspires your artistry?
There are many people! Artists such as Hawk House and Kendrick Lamar because of their high artistic IQ and musicality, but even masters of other crafts such as Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi. Their ability to mesmerise, perform and deliver at the highest level is hugely inspiring for me.
What is the biggest misconception people have about rappers?
That I’ve come across? Probably that you have to have blown up or be famous to be able to have a sustained music career. This is certainly a misconception I myself have believed before. I’m learning that there are many ways to have a successful music career, such as building a strong fan base and having multiple streams of income. Having a hit song is one way but it’s not the only path.
As a Christian who creates, sometimes I also feel there’s a misconception towards honesty and truly expressing what you’re going through. I’ve seen Christian artists receive criticism for things like this, for being open about certain struggles they’re facing. And while wisdom is certainly needed in these situations, I often feel that listeners should show more grace.
In an age where digital echo chambers are getting bigger, what role do you think poetry and music can play in this?
In an interview with NPR, musician Philip Glass was asked about the role of art in society and he replied saying that “when things get out of balance, the arts come in and bring the human side back.” I agree with this in that no matter how much the digital realm evolves, the arts, poetry, music etc, will grow with it, and express what it means to be human in the midst of it all.
Has a song ever humbled or frightened you?
Listening back to my song “Breaking News” recently (several months after I released it) humbled me! I was going through a time of doubt, telling myself I wasn’t really talented and comparing myself to others. I needed to listen back to my work and when I heard the song, it lifted my confidence. It helped me to remember that I’ve come a long way, and more importantly how God is working through me, equipping me with the bars, flow, ideas and cadence to create excellent art. With this mindset I pressed on and continued to create.
Some rappers claim that a song is like a living creature: once it’s out there is not much you can do to ‘correct’ or ‘improve’ it, while others edit meticulously, not leaving much from the original, draft form. What’s your take on it?
We are ever changing beings therefore any piece of art that we create, at times, will also grow and change. Overall it comes down to what the artists’ original purpose for a particular piece was. Live arrangements of songs are typically evolved versions of the recorded track, so in that case, the growth is there. While the essence of the piece may not have changed greatly, it’s expression might.
How do you define success?
Living the life you were called to live, enjoying your journey and becoming someone who emulates the character of Jesus Christ.
Do you ever regret sharing your work publicly?
I haven’t really regretted sharing anything to be honest. I believe that anything I’ve shared in the past was for a reason, and that I shared it with good intentions at the time.
With regards to trusting the listener, over the years I’ve learnt to create and let go, understanding that the listener will experience my art from their own perspective, opinions and preconceptions. The beauty of art is that even with these factors, the artist and listener can still connect to something in a song. And if they don’t connect, perhaps it wasn’t for them at that particular time.
Attention spans do seem to be lessening though, and with this brings temptation to be less of who I am as a lyrical artist and water down my content, but I know that my art is for a specific group of people, so it’s in my best interests, and theirs, to be 100% me. This isn’t easy, but it’s part of the journey.
Today, many Democrats celebrate as it seems the walls may finally be caving in on President of the United States, Donald Trump. An anonymous source told The Common Sense Network “a major chess piece has fallen”
US President Donald Trump’s troubled charity foundation has agreed to close down amid allegations that he and others illegally misused its funds. All of the Foundation’s money will be distributed to charities approved by the New York attorney general’s office after an agreement was made amid corruption claims levied against the president’s personal foundation.
A statement issued by New York attorney general Barbara Underwood said the Trump Foundation had signed a “stipulation agreeing to dissolve under judicial supervision” after a judge ruled in favour of Ms Underwood’s office as a part of an ongoing lawsuit alleging the charity was used by Mr Trump and his three adult children for personal and political gain.
New York on September 26, 2016. / AFP / Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
“Chequebook for business and political interests”
“Our petition detailed a shocking pattern of illegality involving the Trump Foundation – including unlawful coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing, and much more,” Ms Underwood said in a statement. “This amounted to the Trump Foundation functioning as little more than a chequebook to serve Mr Trump’s business and political interests.”
In the agreement, it was agreed that the Trump Foundation will be dissolved with oversight from the judiciary, and that all of the remaining assets will be redistributed to “reputable organisations” approved by Ms Underwood’s office.
The lawsuit against the charity was filed in June, and Ms Underwood’s office is seeking to bar Mr Trump and his three eldest children – Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr, and Eric Trump – from serving on the boards of other New York charities. The attorney general is also seeking $2.8m (£2.2m) in restitution.
Fighting Back
An attorney for the Trump Foundation said in a statement that the attorney general’s characterisation of the agreement, and that it is an attempt to “further politicise this matter”.
Alan Futerfas, an attorney, said that the agreement came two years after the Trump Foundation initially attempted to dissolve and disburse the remaining funds to other charities. The attorney general investigation followed after The Washington Post reported on apparent discrepancies at the charity, including documents that indicated Trump had used charity money to pay bills from his private businesses, buy art for Trump properties, and to make illegal campaign donations.
Trump has repeatedly denied using his foundation for personal or political gains and had indicated in late 2016 that he would like to shut down the entire operation. That attempt to shut down the charity was blocked by the New York attorney general citing the investigation, and the Tuesday agreement represents a rare concession of culpability amid the fervent claims that nothing untoward had been done.
Donald Trump, right, sits with, from left, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump during a ground breaking ceremony for the Trump International Hotel on the site of the Old Post Office, on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo)
Investigations into the charity uncovered frequent use of the foundation – which was set up as an independent entity – by Mr Trump for the benefit of his family. Among those benefits included a $264,231 (£208,000) gift to the Central Park Conservancy in 1989 that went to refurbish a fountain just outside of the Trump Plaza Hotel, and a $7 payment to the Boy Scouts of America that would amount to the enrolment fee to join the group when his son Eric was 11-years-old.
The attorney general’s investigation discovered further that the three adult children Trump had tasked with running the foundation had never held a board meeting, and that the most recent board meeting for the charity occurred in 1999.
The heartbreaking news of Grace Millane being murdered while she was travelling in New Zealand has affected all of us. Those of us who travel alone, particularly so. All she wanted was to travel because she wanted to travel the world by herself, anyone should be entitled to do so.
Grace Millane, from Essex, went missing a day before her 22nd birthday and was last spotted at 9.41pm on December 1st, at the Citylife Hotel, where she was seen with a “male companion”.
A week later, on December 8, police said they were treating the case as a homicide investigation and a day later a body was found in the Waitakere Ranges. After the CCTV footage was reviewed by the police, l a shovel was found “in the central West Auckland area”. A 26-year-old man, who’s identity cannot be revealed has been charged with Miss Millane’s murder. He will appear in court next month.
Whatever happened to teaching people to be responsible!? You don't go traveling alone. You don't go out with someone you don't know, without at the very least, telling somebody else where you will be going. Come on people. It's common sense. #GraceMillane
This case has probed people to talk about their experiences of travelling alone and how they’ve managed to not let negative situations stop them from pursuing their passion of travel.
Winnie M Li has been exploring the world and when she was 19 she backpacked around Germany and wrote about it for a travel guide series. Ten years later at the age of 29 she was hiking in a park near Belfast, she was later approach by a teenage boy and had a brief chat with him. She later found herself in a remote area and the 15-year-old boy had followed her and approached more aggressively. Winnie was completely helpless, she was choked, beaten and raped. She suffered 39 separate injuries.
Her perpetrator was sentenced to eight years in jail but only served four.
At 19, I started backpacking solo. Incredible adventures. At 29, I was followed by a stranger, beaten & raped. I don’t blame myself for traveling solo. I blame my rapist for raping me. 1 year later, I returned to solo travel. #GraceMillane I know you cannot. Thinking of you ?
She said “Yes of course there are dangers if you are a woman travelling alone. But there are also dangers to men travelling alone, and probably just as many dangers to women when they’re in their hometowns, going about their everyday lives. I could have encounters a perpetrator at any given point in my life – in my workplace, at a bar, at university, on my street. In my case I just happened to meet a perpetrator when I was out hiking.”
Winnie suffered from PTSD from the attack and while she is now perfectly comfortable with travelling on her own, she takes more precautions.
In the US quite recently a woman from South Florida, who visited Costa Rica never boarded her flight back to the US. Soon after her family notified the Police that she was missing. Carla Stefaniak went to Costa Rica to celebrate her 36th birthday with her sister-in-law. Carla spent an extra night in Costa Rica before catching her flight the next day, she left messages to her friends saying that the resort she was staying it was “sketchy”. Her body was found half naked and covered in plastic bags near the Airbnb rental she checked into. It’s alleged that she was murdered fending off a sexual assault.
The point is every person who wants to travel should have the freedom to do so without question. However, being extra careful of your surrounding when travelling alone and doing your research goes without saying.
But it seems that women are the subject of abuse and more likely to go missing wherever they are, not just abroad. Is it because women are more vulnerable alone?
We shouldn’t be questioning a woman’s choice when we look at these cases, we shouldn’t be asking ‘should women travel alone’, rather ‘why is it so difficult for women to travel alone’. We should question the people that act heinously against women.
She is never asking for it.
As much as we emphasise that young girls should be safe by learning how to protect themselves, we should also teach young men to not just be aware of themselves, but also what the circumstances around sexual assault are and how to make sure never to coerce or force a woman.
Ms Millane didn’t do anything wrong except have a desire to see the world and travel. Women don’t go looking to be harassed or put themselves in dangerous situations.
Carla, Winnie and Grace aren’t the first and unfortunately won’t be the last. Unfortunately, this is becoming a narrative that’s becoming more common.
At 22 I was raped by my tour guide on a solo backpacking trip in Australia. Two months later I boarded a plane to New Zealand alone and did it all again. What has happened to #GraceMillane is unforgivable and terrifying, but women cannot let fear stand in the way of living ❤️ https://t.co/hbLJltpv7U
Dolline Mukui is a traveller, journalist and blogger who has palate to try new things. She is a very spontaneous person; you might find her skydiving over the Kenyan coast to kayaking in the Lake District. She can be an over thinker who thinks of every outcome but if she doesn’t she welcomes the change that wasn’t planned. However, she is a very simple person who is up for a good laugh or a book and enjoys living the moment. Dolline also writes for her small personal blog called ‘Swatches of Beauty’ and is currently a production journalist trainee at ITV Border.
