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The nation's number one Black newspaper, The Voice - recently proclaimed that Desmond Jaddoo was a ‘Man on the mission.'

It’s true; he is, and you better not get in his way, because the force of Jaddoo is very much like one of those Black activists from the 60s or 70s: driven, selfless, with a moral compass that Westminster politicians can only dream about.

Those who braved the wintry weather yesterday in central London may have witnessed a giant yellow and red, all dancing, squirming 80ft snake, weaving its way through the streets of China Town to the back beat of drums, and cymbals. In London and throughout the country, Britain’s Chinese population and thousands of others were celebrating their New Year: The year of Snake.

Writing exclusively for the Independent OBV's Director writes about the proposed changes to the curriculum.

Reading that Daily Mail headline on the penultimate day of the 2012 filled me with great dismay:

The black Florence Nightingale and the making of the PC myth: One historian explains how Mary Seacole’s story never stood up.’

Thanks to nearly 36,000 signatories, letters to the Secretary of State for education, politicians, unions, writers and activist, today we celebrate the fact that our children and the next generation of children will be taught about the great exploits of both Mary Seacole and Olaudah Equiano. Furthermore, the importance of diversity within our education system, particularly in history will now be greatly valued.

Back in December a leaked document suggested that Equiano and Seacole be scrapped from the Curriculum.

Simon Woolley stated:

Tuesday 5 February was a truly historic day in Parliament as the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of Equal Marriage. After a full day’s debate, MPs voted by 400 to 175, a majority of 225 for the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.

I am writing this piece because I know that Equal Marriage (same sex marriage) is a contentious issue in BME communities, especially amongst people of faith.

Mary Seacole has received unprecedented media coverage due to the phenomenal success of the Operation Black Vote petition to keep her included in the national curriculum. In a period of a month over 35,000 people signed it since going online on Thursday 3rd January 2013. This nationwide and international response has been remarkable. So too the overwhelming display of respect for Mary Seacole, as demonstrated in the comments of thousands who signed the petition. A leaked draft of the proposed new history curriculum was featured in the Mail on 29/12/2012.

Sometimes you have to question the motives behind individuals who seem hell-bent on repeatedly rubbishing celebrated Black historical figures and their supporters.

Two individuals in particular jump to mind. The writer and former editor of radio 4’s the Today programe Rod Liddle, and retired Professor of Sociology, Lynn McDonald, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

The Junior Minister Paul Uppal has a special and symbolic place in the Conservative Party: Not only is he the only Sikh elected MP in the House of Commons, he also represents the constituency of the infamous former MP Enoch 'Rivers of Blood' Powell.

So when Uppal speaks on race, which he doesn’t do that often, his Party avidly listens. And last week he responded when asked a question about how the Conservative Party can attract support from BME communities.

He said,

Asylum seekers: Damning report reveals systemic failures.

"There are moments in politics when what you hear makes you ashamed"