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- Archive 2019
- 2015 Elections: 11 new BME MP’s make history
- 70th Anniversary of the Partition of India
- Black Church Manifesto Questionnaire
- Brett Bailey: Exhibit B
- Briefing Paper: Ethnic Minorities in Politics and Public Life
- Civil Rights Leader Ratna Lachman dies
- ELLE Magazine: Young, Gifted, and Black
- External Jobs
- FeaturedVideo
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- Gary Younge Book Sale
- George Osborne's budget increases racial disadvantage
- Goldsmiths Students' Union External Trustee
- International Commissioners condemn the appalling murder of Tyre Nichols
- Iqbal Wahhab OBE empowers Togo prisoners
- Job Vacancy: Head of Campaigns and Communications
- Media and Public Relations Officer for Jean Lambert MEP (full-time)
- Number 10 statement - race disparity unit
- Pathway to Success 2022
- Please donate £10 or more
- Rashan Charles had no Illegal Drugs
- Serena Williams: Black women should demand equal pay
- Thank you for your donation
- The Colour of Power 2021
- The Power of Poetry
- The UK election voter registration countdown begins now
- Volunteering roles at Community Alliance Lewisham (CAL)
Lee Jasper's new media: Colourful Radio
OBV’s Mohamed Ali interviewed the former Chief Race Advisor to Ken Livingstone and current Co-Chair of BARAC,Lee Jasper.
Jasper is a race activist who has been working for nearly 30 years to improve the chances, conditions and opportunities for BME people across the UK. His latest venture involves doing a radio show, entitled ‘Breakfast with Lee Jasper’ on Colourful Radio, the first privately owned commercial radio station on FM. Jasper intends to use this platform to prioritise young people and particularly focus on the good work they carry out as opposed to the image often portrayed in the media which he believes, “constantly highlights the negatives”. Jasper plans to showcase the talents of young people and in so doing, hopes his radio programme will inspire young people and quash the negative myths about who or what young people can be.
Jasper is also determined to convey a message of empowerment and the possibility of change as he believes that,
“Black communities have faced and continue to experience profound economic and political crisis since we arrived in the UK.”
Jasper highlights some of the challenges of 2013 such as the dramatic increase in the rate of youth unemployment and an increase in the number of black people being sent to jail. At the same time we have witnessed a reduction in young people going to university and mental health wards overflowing with black youth. Jasper points to the 2013 Stop and Search figures which have soared compared to past years. He said,
“The criminalisation of black communities continues on industrial scale with 1.5 million BME people stopped in England Wales since 2008.”
What this means is we are facing the most profound crisis which we could bequeath to our young people - a lifetime of racism, exclusions and denial of opportunity. However, as we approach the Local, European and 2015 General elections, Jasper hopes all those members of the BME community who have long held opinions that voting does not change anything, now realise that failing to vote is actually a positive vote for racism and discrimination and denial of opportunity.
We asked Jasper what are his political and social plans and projects to gain unification. In his response he listed five things he wants to be able to say ‘I did’ by the end of the 2015 General election.
1. To get a national black agenda prepared for 2015 elections.
2. Celebrate 100 years of the Universal Negro Improvement Assctn & Marcus Garvey
3. Organise national anti racism demonstrations
4. Oppose government rhetoric on immigration
5. Negotiate consensus between national black organisations & institution around a unification/merger.
Although at present, Jasper does not have the organisational capacity to contribute to the national debate as effectively as he would like to, he is undeterred and speaks of his inspiration from the likes of Marcus Garvey. He says,
“Marcus Garvey created a movement of millions with no internet no facebook/twitter or email and yet despite this created a global movement of millions of Africans. Whilst we today are technologically advanced we are politically immature. “
Jasper believes that if we are to obtain success we must unite around a common agenda in pursuit of our agreed goals. He hopes that we can work together in unity as national black organisations to fashion a legacy for all our young people. He believes that,
“We won’t be forgiven, if we don’t do this.”
To continue the debate and to hear more from Lee Jasper, tune in to Colourful Radio for 'Breakfast with Lee Jasper’ Fridays from 7am - 10am.
Mohamed Ali