BMH UK LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST BLACK DEATHS IN CUSTODY
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2013
Church leaders and health professionals have thrown their support behind human rights campaigns group Black Mental Health UK new campaign against black deaths in custody in a bid to bring an end to the over use of force and coercive practices that have resulted in a long line of fatalities that continue to hit Briton’s black communities hardest.
Those detained under the Mental Health Act account for 60% of all deaths in state custody, and of all groups, it is people from the UK’s African Caribbean communities that are subject to the most coercive and punitive treatment, often with fatal consequences.
Unlike other custodial settings such as prisons and police custody where a death is referred to an external agency for investigation, all preventable deaths of people detained under the Mental Health Act are investigated by the health provider responsible for running the facility where the fatality has occurred. This raises concerns over the culture of cover-up and lack of accountability in these cases.
Black Mental Health UK’s new campaign is calling for:
1. Independent judicial inquiries into all preventable deaths in psychiatric settings and an end to deaths in custody.
2. A government commitment to outlaw use of control and restraint in mental health settings.
3. An independent public inquiry into black deaths in custody
BMH UK are urging people to support their call for justice by going online and adding their name to this new petition by clicking on this link here.
Matilda MacAttram director of Black Mental Health said: ‘The issue of deaths in custody is one of national concern for Briton’s black communities.
Too many voiceless people from our community have lost their lives while in the care of mental health services, but despite public statements by health providers of a commitment to change it has never resulted in an improvement in the way people are treated.
BMH UK want to see a transformative change in this area so people in need of mental health care from our community are not left fearing for their lives.’
Bishop Llewellyn Grayham Church of God of Prophesy said: ‘It is important to raise the issue BMH UK have the weight of the church behind them and we will stand with them to see visible change in the way people are treated when in custody and mental health care.
We hope that the government will be receptive and give serious consideration these reasonable requests. We have an election coming up in a year’s time and we need to see what this government will say on these areas and we will alert the black community that depending on who backs these request we will vote accordingly so that we will get the change we need to see in this area’.
Archdeacon Deacon Daniel Kajumba chair Archbishops Councils Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns said: ‘Deaths in custody has been going on for a very long time and nothing has really been done. Something has to change, we can’t stand on the sidelines and watch this continue to go on, the government has to take responsibility.
It is important for the church to stand with campaigners at this time and we wholeheartedly support the calls of BMH UK’s campaign and call on people to sign up to this petition. Every person is precious, and if we do not speak out on behalf of those on the margins of society we are failing in our duty. As a church it would be an abdication of our responsibility to do nothing.’
Alicia Spence services director of ACCI (The African Caribbean Community Initiative) said: ‘We wholeheartedly support that Black Mental Health UK’s petition, certainly on a personal level there are people known to our services who have died after they were restrained and died n a local psychiatric services - this kind of thing resonates with us, as we have been on this journey.
This is about services failing to deal with people who are vulnerable in a humane way, that is what led to the death of this individual. One of the hall marks of any civilised society is the care and compassion it shows to its most vulnerable - when people are dying in custody it is not indicative of a caring and compassionate service.’
Lee Jasper chair of London Race and Criminal Justice Consortium said: ‘The current reality is that there is a disproportionate effect on young black men suffering mental health crisis’s dying in suspicious circumstances in the custody of the police or NHS, the case of Jonathan Andel Malia completely underpins the need for laser like scrutiny on this issue.
I would urge that all people of good conscience sign this important petition to help highlight an issue of profound injustice.’
Pastor Desmond Hall chair of Christians Together in Brent said: ‘Deaths in custody is concern at the heart of the church, and we are becoming more and more aware of the treatment of those who are marginalised in society who end up in this system.
There hasn’t been enough of a focus on this issue and we support the call for independent judicial inquiries into all preventable deaths in psychiatric care. There needs to be transparency in every case, too often those on the margins of our society are neglected and ignored and this gives those who have power over them the feeling that there isn’t any need to explain or justify their actions. These needs to change so vulnerable people in mental healthcare are properly looked after and not treated harshly.’
Click here to BMH UK’s e-petition against black deaths in custody
End
For interviews call BMH UK news desk on M: 07947 189 682
Notes to the editor
- Black Mental Health UK is a human rights campaigns group established to address the over representation of African Caribbean’s within secure psychiatric care and raise awareness to address the stigma associated with mental health.
- Detention rates for people from the UK’s African Caribbean community have doubled over the past five years during the period of 2005 – 2010.
- Almost half the deaths of people in police custody are mental health service users.
- Deaths of those detained under the Mental Health Act account for 60% of all deaths in state custody
- A disproportionate number of deaths following contact with the police since 2004 are of black people.
- People from the UK’s African Caribbean communities are over represented among those who lose their lives while in police custody or when detained under the Mental Health Act.
~ SHOCK AT RSM’S MOVE TO AXE BME HEALTH COMMITTEE WITHOUT CONSULTATION
Immediate release
Shock at RSM’s move to axe BME Health Committee without consultation
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2013
News that the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) have axed the Black and Ethnic Minority (BEM) Health Committee without sufficient consultation of its membership and the wishes of the current committee has been met with shock from across the community.
The BEM Health Committee was established by consultant urological surgeon Dr Frank Chinegwundoh MBE, back in 2001. Its role was to provide an academic forum to promote the understanding of topics, which are of special relevance to black and ethnic minority health.
Like all other sections at the RSM, this forum has educated health professionals, raised discussions on current trends in the area of healthcare and acted as an information resource for RSM members and allied health care professionals.
In spite of the successes of this committee over the past 10 years, in February this year, the RSM informed the BEM committee that they would be shut down because they had not held a sufficient number of successful meetings over the past two years. They were told to prove there was an interest in their work and that they were relevant by holding a successful conference in 2013.
Under the leadership of a new president and new Council members, the BEM Health Section put on a successful one day conference on Mental Health last week, but despite the high turnout and success of this event, the RSM decided a day before this conference to axe this Section.
This has left the RSM absent of any academic focus on ethnicity and healthcare, and sparked widespread concerns over the health care implications for ethnic minority communities across the country as a result.
Dr Frank Chinegwundoh MBE founder and current Council member of the BEM Health Section said: ‘We want the dean of the RSM and the Chief Executive Officer and president to reverse their decision which they made without sufficient engagement with the sections members
This BEM Health Section was established 12 years ago because of the recognition of the importance of having a specialist clinical focus on ethnic minorities and health. This need still exists and the success of our mental health conference is evidence of this.
This health section is very important as it is for anyone who is interested in health conditions as they relate to ethnic minority groups. It is not for black people. It is a forum on health issues that affect black and ethnic minority groups. We have had good meetings over the years on many topics such as HIV, maternal mortality, sickle cell and prostate cancer. The cancer tsar spoke at a meeting we held on cancer in ethnic minorities.’
Dr Nelda Elizabeth Frater former president and Council member of BME Health section said:’ we were told if we held a successful meeting that the BME Health section wouldn’t be axed but the decision was made on Thursday ahead of the meeting, even though we had been given this undertaking.
There are issues of universal late presentation where those from within ethnic minority communities present to health services very late when their condition is irreversible. We need an educational forum to look at questions and answers to these issues. This was pointed out by one of the delegates who attended the conference.’
Matilda MacAttram director of Black Mental Health UK said: ‘The RSM is a very respected and old establishment and the response by the community will be to immediately question the commitment of this esteemed institution to tackling ethnic inequalities in health. Local communities will quite rightly be shocked and even angered that the RSM has chosen to make this decision. BMH UK adds its voice to support calls that it is urgently reconsidered.’
Lee Jasper founding member of African Caribbean Mental Health Commission said: ‘In the context of the continuing racial disparities in health it is absolutely vital that the BME Health Section at the RSM is allowed to continue. Doctors and other clinicians need to have a place in such a respected institution to discuss issues around ethnic diversity in health issues and clinical approaches in tackling these issues.
The Royal Society of Medicine should urgently reconsider this decision as it will have a very profound effect on the health of black and ethnic minority people in the UK.’
End
For interviews call BMH UK news desk on M: 07947 189 682
Notes to the editor
- The Black and Ethnic Minority Health Section was established to promote the understanding of topics, which are of special relevance to black and ethnic minority health by providing a forum for academic discussion.
- The BEM Health Section has worked to educate health professionals, act as an information resource, disseminate information and provide a forum to discuss current trends and issues on ethnic minority health to improve the health of these communities.
- The BEM Health Section was set in 2001 and has been running at the RSM for the past 12 years.
- Black Mental Health UK (BMH UK) is a human rights campaigns group established to address the over representation of African Caribbean’s within secure psychiatric care and raise awareness to address the stigma associated with mental health.
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
NOV PROMOS
~ ‘ALBALA’ - Samba Touré [Glitterbeat – Out Now] Samba Touré’s third album, ‘Albala’, means ‘danger’ or ‘risk’, in the Songhai language. Like most musicians hailing from northern Mali the upheavals of the last two years weigh heavily throughout the songs. Even as we wrote this review we heard about the release of four French hostages followed by the killing of two French RFI journalists while in neighbouring Niger over a hundred migrants’ bodies were found in the desert as they starved while trying to make their way to Algeria leading the Nigerien government to vow it would close down all transit camps and houses in a bid to dissuade migrants from across Afrika and the Middle East gravitating towards the area. These are dangerous times indeed for those who come from, cross or have even a passing interest in the Sahel region.
The album kicks off with the celebratory ‘Be Ki Don (Everybody Dance)’ in which Samba Toure announces his arrival in Songhai, Peul, and Bambara – the three main Afrikan languages of Mali. Thus Toure sets out the theme that permeates the whole album: the unity of all Malians and those who seek a peaceful intelligent resolution of differences as can be evidenced on tracks such as ‘We Are All Malians (Awn Be Ye Kelenye)’. Even the Tuaregs who initiated this round of rebellions have realised they were outmanoeuvred by extremists and so on ‘Fondora (Leave Our Road)’ Samba sings: ‘I say, leave our road / All killers leave our road / Thieves leave our road / Looters, leave our road / Rapists, leave our road / Betrayers, leave our road’.
‘Open the Road (Aye Sira Bila)’ is a plea for politicians to fulfil their promises and ensure adequate development. However, the iniquities and vagaries of existence always play a role as Toure reflects on ‘Ago Djamba (Life Betrays Us)’, ‘We do not all have the same opportunities / Here, nobody is born rich but we all have the same value / Life betrays us’. Water, its shortage and random flash floods features on ‘Let’s Thank Heaven (Al Barka)’ and ‘Rain (Bana)’.
NUBIART LIBRARY – NOV MEDIA
We will only review books we have read and DVDs we have seen and that are available at reasonable prices online or in shops or libraries. However, given the nature and current state of Afrikan publishing and film production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘VIRAMUNDO: A MUSICAL JOURNEY WITH GILBERTO GIL’. Dir: Pierre-Yves Borgeaud [Soda Pictures]. This is essential viewing as one of Brazil’s greatest musical icons travels across three continents - Brazil, Australia and South Africa – revealing the links in politics, culture and cosmology of the Afrikans and indigenous peoples he meets. It would have been easy for Gil to go to North America and Europe to make this DVD but by sticking to the southern hemisphere it gives the journey even more potency and whether intentional or not it also hints at the growing power shift away from western ideological and media hegemony.
Gil starts by exploring Brazil’s Afrikan roots and cultural expressions in Bahia and ends in the Amazon among the indigenous Amerindians who are still marginalised and patronised by the metropolitan European-descended elite. In Australia Gil goes to visit Aborigines and after discussions which reflect those you would hear from any Afrikan community influenced by Black Panther ideology he gets to play at a local festival. On the South Africa leg of the trip as soon as we saw him with a soft-spoken Afrikan man the first name that came to mind was Vusi Mahlasela and indeed it turned out be the great man himself. Seeing them both on stage together delivering their musical styles is one of the highlights of the whole film.
~ LONDON CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLICE & STATE VIOLENCE SUPPORT FOR JASON O’CONNOR. The ongoing court case comes up for the full trial on Mon 4-Tues 5 Nov at 9.30am at Camberwell Magistrates Court, D’Eynsford Road, London, SE5. Tel: 07726 298 008.
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES
- Dr Lez Henry’s ‘Media, Race and Representation’ five-week course. Starting Tues 5 Nov at 7pm. E-mail: info@nubeyond.com Web: http://www.drlez.co.uk
- ‘Ancestral Voices 1: Esoteric African Knowledge’. Plus Q&A with the Director Verona Spence-Adofo. On Wed 13 Nov at 7pm. Adm: Free.
All events at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 2LN. Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail: info@blackhistorystudies.com
~ HARROW BHM PROGRAMME
- ‘Claudia Jones & Amy Ashwood Garvey: Sisters In Civil Rights Activism’. On Thurs Nov 7 2013 at 6.30–8.30pm. Speaker: Jurisconsult and community advocate Esther Stanford-Xosei highlight the post-1960s work of the two female activists, followed by Q&A.
- ‘Challenging Narratives of Deaths In Custody’. On Tues 26 Nov at 6.30-8.30pm. Keynote speaker: Human rights activist Matilda MacAttram highlights some of the activism and campaigns surrounding a number of deaths in custody cases, followed by Q&A.
- ‘Does the Conviction of Stephen Lawrence’s Murderers Signal A Turning Point In African British Civil Rights?’ On Tues 10 Dec at 6.30-8.30pm. Community activist Marc Wadsworth examines the legacy of Stephen Lawrence’s death, followed by Q&A, poetry recitation by youths, and the Season’s Evaluation report.
All events at Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. Adm: Free. Light refreshments available. Web: www.harrowBHM.eventbrite.com.
~ IMAGE & REALITY: BLACK AFRICANS IN RENAISSANCE ENGLAND - IRBARE2013
- ‘Africans in Urban Britain, 1500-1640’. With Miranda Kaufmann. On Fri Nov 8 at 2:30pm at University of Leicester, Centre for Urban History, Marc Fitch House, 3-5 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR.
- ‘Africans in Port Towns, 1500-1640: Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) Annual Lecture’. With Miranda Kaufmann. On Tues 3 Dec at University of Portsmouth, Park Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DZ.
~ TAUI NETWORK EUROPE, AFRIKAN HISTORY SEASON ‘ANCESTRAL VIBRATIONS: THE MAAFA & THE ROAD TO AFRICAN REDEMPTION’. The legacy and profound impact of Afrikan enslavement is ignored globally and yet to this day, it overshadows her descendants, at home and abroad, and denies the world a truthful record of the magnitude of African contribution to civilisation and culture. This lecture by Dr Kwasi Damani will open the way to a new understanding of the Maafa. Cultural edutainment from international Reggae DJ Macka B and spoken word by Connie Bell. On Sat 9 Nov at 5.45pm (lecture starts at 6.30pm) at The Avenues, Harrow Road, London, W10. Adm: £15 adv / MOTD. Vegan food on sale. African attire. Non-smoking, non-alcohol event.
~ ROYAL AFRICAN SOCIETY PRESENTS ‘FILM AFRICA 2013’. Ten days of the best Afrikan fiction, documentary films and shorts alongside a programme of events including director Q&As, workshop, live music sessions and free screenings at venues across London. Until Sun 10 Nov. Web: www.filmafrica.org.uk
~ ‘DADDY, I WANT TO BE A BLACK ARTIST’. An exhibition of new works and talks by Kimathi Donkor exploring the suggestion and sense of trepidation and intrigue about the relationship between the politics of race and perceptions of exclusion and mystique in the contemporary art world. Until Sun 24 Nov at 12–6pm (Tue–Fri) and 12–5pm (Sat–Sun) at Peckham Space, Peckham High Street, London, SE15. Tel: 020 7358 9645. E-mail: info@peckhamspace.com
~ ‘SANKOFA - MEET THE CURATORS’. Meet the curators of Hackney Museum’s Sankofa exhibition and explore the themes, topics, debates and questions answered on the road to our Sankofa exhibition. Chaired by Sue McAlpine, Curator and Collections Officer. On Thurs 14 Nov at Hackney Museum, Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Adm: Free. All ages welcome, booking required. Tel: Linda Sydow - 020 8356 2509. E-mail: linda.sydow@hackney.gov.uk. Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/museum
~ STAR OF DESTINY PRESENTS ‘CULTURAL EMPOWERMENT DAY: MAKING IT HAPPEN’. Speakers: Sister Grace, CEO, Grace’s Cakes; Lady Leo, founder, Gold Onyx; Patrick Montague, Ajene Healing; and Malik Muhammad, motivational speaker, broadcaster and author. On Sun 17 Nov at 3-9pm at Chestnut Community Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London, N15 5BN. Adm: £10 adv / £15 OTD. Tel: 07932 088 714 (Stalls).
~ ‘WINNERS AND LOSERS’. Explore who were the winners and losers in the history of Hackney’s people of Afrikan origin, past and present. Steve Martin is an author and researcher specialising in the history of people of African origin in Britain. He is the Learning Manager at the Black Cultural Archives. His latest book is Jupiter Amidships. On Thurs 21 Nov at 6.30-7.30pm at Hackney Museum, Ground Floor, Technology and Learning Centre,1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Adm: Free, booking required. All ages welcome. Tel: Linda Sydow - 020 8356 2509. E-mail: linda.sydow@hackney.gov.uk
~ ‘ENCHANTED TALES 2’ FUNDRAISING FOR THE STORY TRAIL BLAZER. With Griot Chinyere and musical accompaniment by Theo Calliste. With Divine MC Bishop Ngoma. On Sat 23 Nov at 6pm at Arcola Theatre, Ashwin St, Dalston, London, E8 3DL. Tel: 07582 228 967. Web: www.shanti-chi.com
~ SANKOFA: THE TRUTH BEHIND BLACK HISTORY MONTH 1926–2013 EXHIBITION. Sankofa is the Afrikan Adinkra symbol meaning the wisdom of learning from the past to build the future. This exhibition looks back over 75 years of the history of Afrikan and Afrikan Caribbean people in this country and the rise of Black History Month, from its 1926 American origins as Negro History Week to its beginnings and development here 25 years ago. On display will be rarely seen archival material relating to grassroots, national and global campaigns from groups such as the Black Parents Movement, Teachers against Racism and Hackney Black People’s Association. Find out how people came together and rose up against the injustice of discrimination; how individuals set up organisations to educate, empower and inspire a new generation of British youth, especially those of Afrikan heritage.
Alongside this you can see changes in style, fashion, music and technology from Sugar Minott to Ms Dynamite, from Hip Hop to Dubstep, from Afro’s to Locs, from Super Nintendo to I-phone. Come and add to the ‘Tweet’ wall to tell us your thoughts for the next 25 years for Black History Month and how to build a future without racism or discrimination. On Tues-Sat until 4 Jan at Hackney Museum, Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Adm: Free. Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/museum
~ BUNDU DIA KONGO (BDK). Afrikan cultural and spiritual group working towards the spiritual and psychological growth and development of Afrikans all over the world. Let us make a positive change now. Learn about Afrikan prophets, Afrikan history and Afrikan spiritual practices at our weekly Zikua.
- Sun at 1.30–4.30pm at Chestnuts Community & Arts Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London, N15 5BN. Tel: Makaba - 07951 059 853.
- Sun at 12.30–3.15pm at Malika House, 81 George Street, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 1Sl. Tel: Mbuta Mayala – 07404 789 329.
~ THE AUSAR AUSET SOCIETY GI GONG CLASSES. Every Monday at 7.30–9pm at Hazel Road Community Centre, Hazel Road, Kensal Green, London, NW10 5PP. Adm: £5 per class. Tel: 07951- 252-427. E-mail: Tauinetwork.europe@gmail.com
~ ‘AFRO SUPA HERO’. This exhibition of Jon Daniel’s action figures, comic books and games offer an insight into the experience of a boy of Afrikan Caribbean heritage growing up in 1960s and 1970s Britain, in search of his identity. Born in East Sheen in southwest London Jon Daniel found his positive role models in the Caribbean culture of his family and the Afrikan-American culture of the US. In his late twenties, Jon began collecting primarily 1970s action figures, feeling that they most strongly embodied the era of his childhood. In the display Meteor Man, Mr T and Lieutenant Uhura stand alongside real-life icons Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Also on show are games and comics including ‘Black Lightning’, ‘The Falcon’ and ‘Lobo’, one of a two-issue series featuring the first leading Afrikan American character in the genre. Until Sun 9 Feb 2014 at 10am-5.45pm at the Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2. Adm: Free. Web: www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
~ ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH PRESENT YINKA SHONIBARE MBE AT GREENWICH. The series of works include a new site-specific commission and sculptures never before seen in the UK. The works respond to the historic surroundings of the Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich, while also exploring themes of Britishness, trade and empire, commemoration and national identity, which are central to both Shonibare’s work and the Museum’s collections. There will be works referencing the life and death of Admiral Lord Nelson including The Fake Death Pictures series, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, Wind Sculpture and Cheeky Little Astronomer, The exhibition will be supported by a full programme of events including curator’s tours, talks and debates. Until Sun 23 Feb 2014 at 10am-5pm at National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10. Adm: Free (except Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory). Tel: 020 8312 6565. Web: www.rmg.co.uk
~ ‘BEN OKRI ON AYUBA SULEIMAN DIALLO: A DIALOGUE ACROSS TIME’. The eighteenth-century portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo is the earliest known British portrait of a freed enslaved Afrikan. Fascinated with Diallo’s enigmatic story, poet Ben Okri responds to the subject in a new poem, ‘Diallo’s Testament’, as part of his involvement in the portrait’s tour of partner venues around the UK. Until Sun 16 Mar 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2. Adm: Free.
Contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest International, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU. Tel: 07811 494 969. E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
External Links
Afrikan Quest International
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2013
Church leaders and health professionals have thrown their support behind human rights campaigns group Black Mental Health UK new campaign against black deaths in custody in a bid to bring an end to the over use of force and coercive practices that have resulted in a long line of fatalities that continue to hit Briton’s black communities hardest.
Those detained under the Mental Health Act account for 60% of all deaths in state custody, and of all groups, it is people from the UK’s African Caribbean communities that are subject to the most coercive and punitive treatment, often with fatal consequences.
Unlike other custodial settings such as prisons and police custody where a death is referred to an external agency for investigation, all preventable deaths of people detained under the Mental Health Act are investigated by the health provider responsible for running the facility where the fatality has occurred. This raises concerns over the culture of cover-up and lack of accountability in these cases.
Black Mental Health UK’s new campaign is calling for:
1. Independent judicial inquiries into all preventable deaths in psychiatric settings and an end to deaths in custody.
2. A government commitment to outlaw use of control and restraint in mental health settings.
3. An independent public inquiry into black deaths in custody
BMH UK are urging people to support their call for justice by going online and adding their name to this new petition by clicking on this link here.
Matilda MacAttram director of Black Mental Health said: ‘The issue of deaths in custody is one of national concern for Briton’s black communities.
Too many voiceless people from our community have lost their lives while in the care of mental health services, but despite public statements by health providers of a commitment to change it has never resulted in an improvement in the way people are treated.
BMH UK want to see a transformative change in this area so people in need of mental health care from our community are not left fearing for their lives.’
Bishop Llewellyn Grayham Church of God of Prophesy said: ‘It is important to raise the issue BMH UK have the weight of the church behind them and we will stand with them to see visible change in the way people are treated when in custody and mental health care.
We hope that the government will be receptive and give serious consideration these reasonable requests. We have an election coming up in a year’s time and we need to see what this government will say on these areas and we will alert the black community that depending on who backs these request we will vote accordingly so that we will get the change we need to see in this area’.
Archdeacon Deacon Daniel Kajumba chair Archbishops Councils Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns said: ‘Deaths in custody has been going on for a very long time and nothing has really been done. Something has to change, we can’t stand on the sidelines and watch this continue to go on, the government has to take responsibility.
It is important for the church to stand with campaigners at this time and we wholeheartedly support the calls of BMH UK’s campaign and call on people to sign up to this petition. Every person is precious, and if we do not speak out on behalf of those on the margins of society we are failing in our duty. As a church it would be an abdication of our responsibility to do nothing.’
Alicia Spence services director of ACCI (The African Caribbean Community Initiative) said: ‘We wholeheartedly support that Black Mental Health UK’s petition, certainly on a personal level there are people known to our services who have died after they were restrained and died n a local psychiatric services - this kind of thing resonates with us, as we have been on this journey.
This is about services failing to deal with people who are vulnerable in a humane way, that is what led to the death of this individual. One of the hall marks of any civilised society is the care and compassion it shows to its most vulnerable - when people are dying in custody it is not indicative of a caring and compassionate service.’
Lee Jasper chair of London Race and Criminal Justice Consortium said: ‘The current reality is that there is a disproportionate effect on young black men suffering mental health crisis’s dying in suspicious circumstances in the custody of the police or NHS, the case of Jonathan Andel Malia completely underpins the need for laser like scrutiny on this issue.
I would urge that all people of good conscience sign this important petition to help highlight an issue of profound injustice.’
Pastor Desmond Hall chair of Christians Together in Brent said: ‘Deaths in custody is concern at the heart of the church, and we are becoming more and more aware of the treatment of those who are marginalised in society who end up in this system.
There hasn’t been enough of a focus on this issue and we support the call for independent judicial inquiries into all preventable deaths in psychiatric care. There needs to be transparency in every case, too often those on the margins of our society are neglected and ignored and this gives those who have power over them the feeling that there isn’t any need to explain or justify their actions. These needs to change so vulnerable people in mental healthcare are properly looked after and not treated harshly.’
Click here to BMH UK’s e-petition against black deaths in custody
End
For interviews call BMH UK news desk on M: 07947 189 682
Notes to the editor
- Black Mental Health UK is a human rights campaigns group established to address the over representation of African Caribbean’s within secure psychiatric care and raise awareness to address the stigma associated with mental health.
- Detention rates for people from the UK’s African Caribbean community have doubled over the past five years during the period of 2005 – 2010.
- Almost half the deaths of people in police custody are mental health service users.
- Deaths of those detained under the Mental Health Act account for 60% of all deaths in state custody
- A disproportionate number of deaths following contact with the police since 2004 are of black people.
- People from the UK’s African Caribbean communities are over represented among those who lose their lives while in police custody or when detained under the Mental Health Act.
~ SHOCK AT RSM’S MOVE TO AXE BME HEALTH COMMITTEE WITHOUT CONSULTATION
Immediate release
Shock at RSM’s move to axe BME Health Committee without consultation
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2013
News that the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) have axed the Black and Ethnic Minority (BEM) Health Committee without sufficient consultation of its membership and the wishes of the current committee has been met with shock from across the community.
The BEM Health Committee was established by consultant urological surgeon Dr Frank Chinegwundoh MBE, back in 2001. Its role was to provide an academic forum to promote the understanding of topics, which are of special relevance to black and ethnic minority health.
Like all other sections at the RSM, this forum has educated health professionals, raised discussions on current trends in the area of healthcare and acted as an information resource for RSM members and allied health care professionals.
In spite of the successes of this committee over the past 10 years, in February this year, the RSM informed the BEM committee that they would be shut down because they had not held a sufficient number of successful meetings over the past two years. They were told to prove there was an interest in their work and that they were relevant by holding a successful conference in 2013.
Under the leadership of a new president and new Council members, the BEM Health Section put on a successful one day conference on Mental Health last week, but despite the high turnout and success of this event, the RSM decided a day before this conference to axe this Section.
This has left the RSM absent of any academic focus on ethnicity and healthcare, and sparked widespread concerns over the health care implications for ethnic minority communities across the country as a result.
Dr Frank Chinegwundoh MBE founder and current Council member of the BEM Health Section said: ‘We want the dean of the RSM and the Chief Executive Officer and president to reverse their decision which they made without sufficient engagement with the sections members
This BEM Health Section was established 12 years ago because of the recognition of the importance of having a specialist clinical focus on ethnic minorities and health. This need still exists and the success of our mental health conference is evidence of this.
This health section is very important as it is for anyone who is interested in health conditions as they relate to ethnic minority groups. It is not for black people. It is a forum on health issues that affect black and ethnic minority groups. We have had good meetings over the years on many topics such as HIV, maternal mortality, sickle cell and prostate cancer. The cancer tsar spoke at a meeting we held on cancer in ethnic minorities.’
Dr Nelda Elizabeth Frater former president and Council member of BME Health section said:’ we were told if we held a successful meeting that the BME Health section wouldn’t be axed but the decision was made on Thursday ahead of the meeting, even though we had been given this undertaking.
There are issues of universal late presentation where those from within ethnic minority communities present to health services very late when their condition is irreversible. We need an educational forum to look at questions and answers to these issues. This was pointed out by one of the delegates who attended the conference.’
Matilda MacAttram director of Black Mental Health UK said: ‘The RSM is a very respected and old establishment and the response by the community will be to immediately question the commitment of this esteemed institution to tackling ethnic inequalities in health. Local communities will quite rightly be shocked and even angered that the RSM has chosen to make this decision. BMH UK adds its voice to support calls that it is urgently reconsidered.’
Lee Jasper founding member of African Caribbean Mental Health Commission said: ‘In the context of the continuing racial disparities in health it is absolutely vital that the BME Health Section at the RSM is allowed to continue. Doctors and other clinicians need to have a place in such a respected institution to discuss issues around ethnic diversity in health issues and clinical approaches in tackling these issues.
The Royal Society of Medicine should urgently reconsider this decision as it will have a very profound effect on the health of black and ethnic minority people in the UK.’
End
For interviews call BMH UK news desk on M: 07947 189 682
Notes to the editor
- The Black and Ethnic Minority Health Section was established to promote the understanding of topics, which are of special relevance to black and ethnic minority health by providing a forum for academic discussion.
- The BEM Health Section has worked to educate health professionals, act as an information resource, disseminate information and provide a forum to discuss current trends and issues on ethnic minority health to improve the health of these communities.
- The BEM Health Section was set in 2001 and has been running at the RSM for the past 12 years.
- Black Mental Health UK (BMH UK) is a human rights campaigns group established to address the over representation of African Caribbean’s within secure psychiatric care and raise awareness to address the stigma associated with mental health.
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
NOV PROMOS
~ ‘ALBALA’ - Samba Touré [Glitterbeat – Out Now] Samba Touré’s third album, ‘Albala’, means ‘danger’ or ‘risk’, in the Songhai language. Like most musicians hailing from northern Mali the upheavals of the last two years weigh heavily throughout the songs. Even as we wrote this review we heard about the release of four French hostages followed by the killing of two French RFI journalists while in neighbouring Niger over a hundred migrants’ bodies were found in the desert as they starved while trying to make their way to Algeria leading the Nigerien government to vow it would close down all transit camps and houses in a bid to dissuade migrants from across Afrika and the Middle East gravitating towards the area. These are dangerous times indeed for those who come from, cross or have even a passing interest in the Sahel region.
The album kicks off with the celebratory ‘Be Ki Don (Everybody Dance)’ in which Samba Toure announces his arrival in Songhai, Peul, and Bambara – the three main Afrikan languages of Mali. Thus Toure sets out the theme that permeates the whole album: the unity of all Malians and those who seek a peaceful intelligent resolution of differences as can be evidenced on tracks such as ‘We Are All Malians (Awn Be Ye Kelenye)’. Even the Tuaregs who initiated this round of rebellions have realised they were outmanoeuvred by extremists and so on ‘Fondora (Leave Our Road)’ Samba sings: ‘I say, leave our road / All killers leave our road / Thieves leave our road / Looters, leave our road / Rapists, leave our road / Betrayers, leave our road’.
‘Open the Road (Aye Sira Bila)’ is a plea for politicians to fulfil their promises and ensure adequate development. However, the iniquities and vagaries of existence always play a role as Toure reflects on ‘Ago Djamba (Life Betrays Us)’, ‘We do not all have the same opportunities / Here, nobody is born rich but we all have the same value / Life betrays us’. Water, its shortage and random flash floods features on ‘Let’s Thank Heaven (Al Barka)’ and ‘Rain (Bana)’.
NUBIART LIBRARY – NOV MEDIA
We will only review books we have read and DVDs we have seen and that are available at reasonable prices online or in shops or libraries. However, given the nature and current state of Afrikan publishing and film production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘VIRAMUNDO: A MUSICAL JOURNEY WITH GILBERTO GIL’. Dir: Pierre-Yves Borgeaud [Soda Pictures]. This is essential viewing as one of Brazil’s greatest musical icons travels across three continents - Brazil, Australia and South Africa – revealing the links in politics, culture and cosmology of the Afrikans and indigenous peoples he meets. It would have been easy for Gil to go to North America and Europe to make this DVD but by sticking to the southern hemisphere it gives the journey even more potency and whether intentional or not it also hints at the growing power shift away from western ideological and media hegemony.
Gil starts by exploring Brazil’s Afrikan roots and cultural expressions in Bahia and ends in the Amazon among the indigenous Amerindians who are still marginalised and patronised by the metropolitan European-descended elite. In Australia Gil goes to visit Aborigines and after discussions which reflect those you would hear from any Afrikan community influenced by Black Panther ideology he gets to play at a local festival. On the South Africa leg of the trip as soon as we saw him with a soft-spoken Afrikan man the first name that came to mind was Vusi Mahlasela and indeed it turned out be the great man himself. Seeing them both on stage together delivering their musical styles is one of the highlights of the whole film.
Nubiart Diary
~ LONDON CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLICE & STATE VIOLENCE SUPPORT FOR JASON O’CONNOR. The ongoing court case comes up for the full trial on Mon 4-Tues 5 Nov at 9.30am at Camberwell Magistrates Court, D’Eynsford Road, London, SE5. Tel: 07726 298 008. ~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES
- Dr Lez Henry’s ‘Media, Race and Representation’ five-week course. Starting Tues 5 Nov at 7pm. E-mail: info@nubeyond.com Web: http://www.drlez.co.uk
- ‘Ancestral Voices 1: Esoteric African Knowledge’. Plus Q&A with the Director Verona Spence-Adofo. On Wed 13 Nov at 7pm. Adm: Free.
All events at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 2LN. Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail: info@blackhistorystudies.com
~ HARROW BHM PROGRAMME
- ‘Claudia Jones & Amy Ashwood Garvey: Sisters In Civil Rights Activism’. On Thurs Nov 7 2013 at 6.30–8.30pm. Speaker: Jurisconsult and community advocate Esther Stanford-Xosei highlight the post-1960s work of the two female activists, followed by Q&A.
- ‘Challenging Narratives of Deaths In Custody’. On Tues 26 Nov at 6.30-8.30pm. Keynote speaker: Human rights activist Matilda MacAttram highlights some of the activism and campaigns surrounding a number of deaths in custody cases, followed by Q&A.
- ‘Does the Conviction of Stephen Lawrence’s Murderers Signal A Turning Point In African British Civil Rights?’ On Tues 10 Dec at 6.30-8.30pm. Community activist Marc Wadsworth examines the legacy of Stephen Lawrence’s death, followed by Q&A, poetry recitation by youths, and the Season’s Evaluation report.
All events at Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. Adm: Free. Light refreshments available. Web: www.harrowBHM.eventbrite.com.
~ IMAGE & REALITY: BLACK AFRICANS IN RENAISSANCE ENGLAND - IRBARE2013
- ‘Africans in Urban Britain, 1500-1640’. With Miranda Kaufmann. On Fri Nov 8 at 2:30pm at University of Leicester, Centre for Urban History, Marc Fitch House, 3-5 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR.
- ‘Africans in Port Towns, 1500-1640: Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) Annual Lecture’. With Miranda Kaufmann. On Tues 3 Dec at University of Portsmouth, Park Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DZ.
~ TAUI NETWORK EUROPE, AFRIKAN HISTORY SEASON ‘ANCESTRAL VIBRATIONS: THE MAAFA & THE ROAD TO AFRICAN REDEMPTION’. The legacy and profound impact of Afrikan enslavement is ignored globally and yet to this day, it overshadows her descendants, at home and abroad, and denies the world a truthful record of the magnitude of African contribution to civilisation and culture. This lecture by Dr Kwasi Damani will open the way to a new understanding of the Maafa. Cultural edutainment from international Reggae DJ Macka B and spoken word by Connie Bell. On Sat 9 Nov at 5.45pm (lecture starts at 6.30pm) at The Avenues, Harrow Road, London, W10. Adm: £15 adv / MOTD. Vegan food on sale. African attire. Non-smoking, non-alcohol event.
~ ROYAL AFRICAN SOCIETY PRESENTS ‘FILM AFRICA 2013’. Ten days of the best Afrikan fiction, documentary films and shorts alongside a programme of events including director Q&As, workshop, live music sessions and free screenings at venues across London. Until Sun 10 Nov. Web: www.filmafrica.org.uk
~ ‘DADDY, I WANT TO BE A BLACK ARTIST’. An exhibition of new works and talks by Kimathi Donkor exploring the suggestion and sense of trepidation and intrigue about the relationship between the politics of race and perceptions of exclusion and mystique in the contemporary art world. Until Sun 24 Nov at 12–6pm (Tue–Fri) and 12–5pm (Sat–Sun) at Peckham Space, Peckham High Street, London, SE15. Tel: 020 7358 9645. E-mail: info@peckhamspace.com
~ ‘SANKOFA - MEET THE CURATORS’. Meet the curators of Hackney Museum’s Sankofa exhibition and explore the themes, topics, debates and questions answered on the road to our Sankofa exhibition. Chaired by Sue McAlpine, Curator and Collections Officer. On Thurs 14 Nov at Hackney Museum, Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Adm: Free. All ages welcome, booking required. Tel: Linda Sydow - 020 8356 2509. E-mail: linda.sydow@hackney.gov.uk. Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/museum
~ STAR OF DESTINY PRESENTS ‘CULTURAL EMPOWERMENT DAY: MAKING IT HAPPEN’. Speakers: Sister Grace, CEO, Grace’s Cakes; Lady Leo, founder, Gold Onyx; Patrick Montague, Ajene Healing; and Malik Muhammad, motivational speaker, broadcaster and author. On Sun 17 Nov at 3-9pm at Chestnut Community Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London, N15 5BN. Adm: £10 adv / £15 OTD. Tel: 07932 088 714 (Stalls).
~ ‘WINNERS AND LOSERS’. Explore who were the winners and losers in the history of Hackney’s people of Afrikan origin, past and present. Steve Martin is an author and researcher specialising in the history of people of African origin in Britain. He is the Learning Manager at the Black Cultural Archives. His latest book is Jupiter Amidships. On Thurs 21 Nov at 6.30-7.30pm at Hackney Museum, Ground Floor, Technology and Learning Centre,1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Adm: Free, booking required. All ages welcome. Tel: Linda Sydow - 020 8356 2509. E-mail: linda.sydow@hackney.gov.uk
~ ‘ENCHANTED TALES 2’ FUNDRAISING FOR THE STORY TRAIL BLAZER. With Griot Chinyere and musical accompaniment by Theo Calliste. With Divine MC Bishop Ngoma. On Sat 23 Nov at 6pm at Arcola Theatre, Ashwin St, Dalston, London, E8 3DL. Tel: 07582 228 967. Web: www.shanti-chi.com
~ SANKOFA: THE TRUTH BEHIND BLACK HISTORY MONTH 1926–2013 EXHIBITION. Sankofa is the Afrikan Adinkra symbol meaning the wisdom of learning from the past to build the future. This exhibition looks back over 75 years of the history of Afrikan and Afrikan Caribbean people in this country and the rise of Black History Month, from its 1926 American origins as Negro History Week to its beginnings and development here 25 years ago. On display will be rarely seen archival material relating to grassroots, national and global campaigns from groups such as the Black Parents Movement, Teachers against Racism and Hackney Black People’s Association. Find out how people came together and rose up against the injustice of discrimination; how individuals set up organisations to educate, empower and inspire a new generation of British youth, especially those of Afrikan heritage.
Alongside this you can see changes in style, fashion, music and technology from Sugar Minott to Ms Dynamite, from Hip Hop to Dubstep, from Afro’s to Locs, from Super Nintendo to I-phone. Come and add to the ‘Tweet’ wall to tell us your thoughts for the next 25 years for Black History Month and how to build a future without racism or discrimination. On Tues-Sat until 4 Jan at Hackney Museum, Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Adm: Free. Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/museum
~ BUNDU DIA KONGO (BDK). Afrikan cultural and spiritual group working towards the spiritual and psychological growth and development of Afrikans all over the world. Let us make a positive change now. Learn about Afrikan prophets, Afrikan history and Afrikan spiritual practices at our weekly Zikua.
- Sun at 1.30–4.30pm at Chestnuts Community & Arts Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London, N15 5BN. Tel: Makaba - 07951 059 853.
- Sun at 12.30–3.15pm at Malika House, 81 George Street, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 1Sl. Tel: Mbuta Mayala – 07404 789 329.
~ THE AUSAR AUSET SOCIETY GI GONG CLASSES. Every Monday at 7.30–9pm at Hazel Road Community Centre, Hazel Road, Kensal Green, London, NW10 5PP. Adm: £5 per class. Tel: 07951- 252-427. E-mail: Tauinetwork.europe@gmail.com
~ ‘AFRO SUPA HERO’. This exhibition of Jon Daniel’s action figures, comic books and games offer an insight into the experience of a boy of Afrikan Caribbean heritage growing up in 1960s and 1970s Britain, in search of his identity. Born in East Sheen in southwest London Jon Daniel found his positive role models in the Caribbean culture of his family and the Afrikan-American culture of the US. In his late twenties, Jon began collecting primarily 1970s action figures, feeling that they most strongly embodied the era of his childhood. In the display Meteor Man, Mr T and Lieutenant Uhura stand alongside real-life icons Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Also on show are games and comics including ‘Black Lightning’, ‘The Falcon’ and ‘Lobo’, one of a two-issue series featuring the first leading Afrikan American character in the genre. Until Sun 9 Feb 2014 at 10am-5.45pm at the Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2. Adm: Free. Web: www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
~ ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH PRESENT YINKA SHONIBARE MBE AT GREENWICH. The series of works include a new site-specific commission and sculptures never before seen in the UK. The works respond to the historic surroundings of the Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich, while also exploring themes of Britishness, trade and empire, commemoration and national identity, which are central to both Shonibare’s work and the Museum’s collections. There will be works referencing the life and death of Admiral Lord Nelson including The Fake Death Pictures series, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, Wind Sculpture and Cheeky Little Astronomer, The exhibition will be supported by a full programme of events including curator’s tours, talks and debates. Until Sun 23 Feb 2014 at 10am-5pm at National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10. Adm: Free (except Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory). Tel: 020 8312 6565. Web: www.rmg.co.uk
~ ‘BEN OKRI ON AYUBA SULEIMAN DIALLO: A DIALOGUE ACROSS TIME’. The eighteenth-century portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo is the earliest known British portrait of a freed enslaved Afrikan. Fascinated with Diallo’s enigmatic story, poet Ben Okri responds to the subject in a new poem, ‘Diallo’s Testament’, as part of his involvement in the portrait’s tour of partner venues around the UK. Until Sun 16 Mar 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2. Adm: Free.
Contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest International, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU. Tel: 07811 494 969. E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
Afrikan Quest International
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