The on-going under-representation of Black and Minority Ethnics was discussed at by media experts at an event last week on corporate concentration of media ownership and democracy. 

Professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmith Natalie Fenton started with outlining shocking figures showing a developing concentration of publication ownership in the UK and worldwide at the event organised by People`s Parliament and hosted by Labour MP Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby). 

It’s strange watching a play that depicts a life that you know so well, a life and lives that you’ve seen up close and personal, albeit at a distance.

That was my experience last night watching Juliet Gilkes Romero’s moving play; Upper cut, at the Southwark Theatre last night.

OBV launches its General Election campaign this  Saturday 24th Jan at 12 noon at the University of Westminster, 4-12 Little Titchfield St, Central London, W1W 7BY.

To help with that launch we OBV has invited international civil Rights icon Rev Al Sharpton.

Yesterday was Martin Luther King day in the US, a day that celebrates the courage and achievements of this amazing man who galvinised people, black and white, to change American history.

Interestingly, however, a growing number of US activists believe the memory of Martin Luther King has been sanitised and are behind the #ReclaimMLK day hashtag.

To be a conscious African or Muslim and to live in Europe is to inhabit a dual consciousness. That reality is informed by our historical and contemporary experience of European racism and bigotry. That double consciousness defines our reality. If we are told to look up we invariably look down, when we are told ‘he was carrying a gun when shot by the police; or that ‘ the job has already gone’ we look for their lies and are rarely disappointed.

Greetings to you all!

A new review of electoral law has led Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission to say: `The current rules on standing for election are complex, out of date and difficult for candidates to navigate.`

The Electoral Commission issued a report reviewing criteria for candidates including the removal of the `ability to pay` criterion.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2901681/Hero-police-officer-exec...

I met Lorenz in Berlin just before Xmas at a leadership training event which OBV helped found. At every juncture during the training Lorenz was inquisitive and challenging. At one point he said, I’ll be in London soon can I come and volunteer for you Mr Woolley? Yes, I instantly replied, knowing talent when I see it. And here he is, in Bethnal Green writing his first article and assisting with campaigns. Expect much more from this bright young man!

Simon Woolley

You have to be of a certain age to understand why Casius Clay, aka Muhammad Ali, was as close to a God like figure Black boys would ever find. And I was no exception.

Many of us back then were at schools where the first thing you learnt was to fight and be good at sport.  If you could fight you were less likely to be bullied.  And if you were good at sport, you got the respect of your friends and it was something you could be proud of.