R.I.P. Maya Angelou (1928 - 2014)

Dr Maya Angelou has passed away at the age of 86.  Her books, her wisdom have truly been a blessing to all. Her family sums up her life below in a statement:

Thursday, May 28, 2014 

Statement from Dr. Maya Angelou’s Family:

Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love. 

Guy B. Johnson(Source))

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Nelson Mandela has passed away at the age of 95 on 5th December 2013. South Africa's President Zuma made a statement to say he passed peacefully with his family by his side. Mandela was a freedom fighter steeped in the civil rights movements of his country that helped sweep in equality for all. During his life he stressed forgiveness and not looking back on the past but also moving forward to make not only South Africa but the world a better place. 

Nelson Mandela inspired the world and I pray that God will bless South Africa and her people and that his legacy will live on forever. May everyone be united and push forward with the progress South Africa has made.

My condolences to his family. Rest in Peace.

We remember Stephen Lawrence

20 years ago today Stephen Lawrence and his best friend Duwayne Brooks were set upon by a gang of white boys intent on causing harm to anyone based on the colour of their skin. Stephen and Duwayne being black males became their target. Sadly Stephen was unable to get away from the brutal and fatal attack and died. The police were deemed as not treating the case seriously at the time and even treated the surviving victim as a criminal. 

The Macpherson report came out years later after the murder and the first trials and told the UK what the Black community already knew and experienced. There was institutional racism in the police force. However still today some things have not changed. Stop and searches of non-whites have increased. Black people are stopped 1 in 10 times and yet only a small proportion are actually ever charged with a crime. The UK has a long way to go indeed. The comment sections of certain newspapers are filled with folk saying it is time to let it go and move on. However all his murderers are not behind bars. So the fight must continue.

At the time of his untimely passing Stephen was a student with dreams of becoming an architect. His family have set up a charity The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust that raises funds to help young people achieve their dreams in the same industry. 

Today a memorial service was held at St. Martins In the Fields Church in London in remembrance of Stephen. 

R.I.P. Rodney King

Rodney King (1965 - 2012) who became a worldwide known man after suffering an inhumane brutal beating by police officers from the LAPD over in America has passed away. It has been reported that he had been found in the pool at his house by his fiancé at his home.

The police were put on trial but acquitted of all crimes despite the blatant evidence of them beating him up. The acquittal of the police sent people beyond boiling point. To think the police and judiciary were sending a message about who was above the law. Police have to uphold the law and also be bound by that same law otherwise no one will respect their job status.

King went on to win compensation from the LAPD but also suffered from substance abuse and other issues. Some of which may have been as a result of what happened to him. Police brutality is never acceptable regardless of the crime. Police should be able to control themselves and be professional 100% of the time or find another occupation. 

Rodney King I hope you rest in perfect peace. My condolences to your family.

R.I.P. Whitney Houston

Like everybody else I awoke to the news that singer Whitney Houston had passed away. I checked my various notifications on my BB to find many tributes being paid to her. Once reading the confirmed news I was in total shock and somewhat teary eyed. I have grown up most of my life listening to Whitney Houston. Her life has been one of great achievement and celebration as well as some very hard trials and tribulations.

I love all her classic songs but even more so her gospel songs. She praised the Lord during her performances great and small. You can really hear the soul in her voice when she sang. She will always be remembered as a great voice who at 48yrs old has left this world too soon. My prayers go out to her family and friends especially her only child Bobbi Kristina.

Rest In Peace Whitney Houston (1963 - 2012)

Justice for Stephen Lawrence

Today two of the men who took part in the racially motivated attack on Stephen Lawrence which led to his death by stabbing have been found guilty. Gary Dobson and David Norris have been found guilty through DNA evidence from modern scientific techniques. This young man lost his life just because a group of thugs wanted to attack someone based on the colour of their skin. Stephen was trying to get home with his friend Duwayne Brooks when they were set up on. Stephen lost his life. He was 18 years old when he died and the conviction of at least two of his murderers has taken 18 years. Britain has always been in denial of its true race relations. Modern events have proven some people still feel this way. Maybe one day we all will be treated as humans equally and not just a colour. 

Stephen Lawrence Rest In Peace. I pray the  Lawrence family can start to get some closure from these sad events.

Dr Conrad Murray found Guilty

Dr Conrad Murray has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of singer Michael Jackson by administering hospital grade sedative Propofol. In the below clip you can hear a squeal as the verdict is read out. News reports now say that was MJ sis Latoya Jackson reaction. 

Many people rightly believe that MJ was partly to blame for his addictions but so where all his doctors who chose money over good medical practice. Murray acknowledged that he was trying to wean MJ off the sedative which MJ often referred to as milk. Sometimes in life you have to choose whether you are an enabler or a preventer or simply do not partake nor support a person's addiction. Murray was an enabler. Looking at pictures of the doctor before and how he looked in court. I think he is somewhat remorseful and definitely a defeated broken man. His career is gone all because of this lapse which is called medical malpractice.

R.I.P. MJ 

Let's hope the Jackson family can move forward now. 

Quote of the day - Tariq Jahan

Tariq Jahan lost his son last night as he amongst others put themselves forward to defend their communities against the rioters and looters that have been gripping the UK. In is grief he asks for peace and that all races unite for the better of the community. 

"Today we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain calm (and) for our communities to stand united. This is not a race issue.
"Blacks, Asians, whites - we all live in the same community. Why do we have to kill each other?
"I lost my son. Step forward if you want to lose your sons. Otherwise, calm down and go home."
(source)

R.I.P Amy Winehouse

As you all would have heard by now. Amy Winehouse was found dead at her home. The post mortem has not been completed but people are already speculating that it is related to her choices of recreation. I have read that she had a completed third album ready for release but was delayed by her record company due to her health. Just Wednesday she was on stage with her god-daughter Dionne Bromfield. Such a talented soul. May she rest in peace.

R.I.P. Gregory Isaacs

The legendary Reggae singer Gregory Isaacs (19 July 1951- 25 October 2010) has passed away. He had ben battling lung cancer for sometime. During his career he had released 100s of albums. One of his most famous songs was Night Nurse which is still popular today.

Life sentences for murderer of Jamie

So those who read my blog know that I have been following the trial of the 7 men who decided one day to rob a shop. Except the shop well rather store they decided to rob was a Matalan in East London whose manager was Jamie Simpson. During this attempted robbery they stabbed him and left him to die.

My friends world came crashing down. You see, I am a friend of his sisters , Mum, and know who his Dad is. They are a close knit family. It has been so heart breaking to see them go through these events over the last 2yrs.

There is no joy in watching someone be held accountable for killing a loved one, or someone you know. You only have the satisfaction that although the ones you loved are no longer here, those responsible are held accountable for their actions. How disappointed in them, their family and friends must be.

The sentencing day, I can only imagine brought some more pain to their hearts and does not improve with whatever sentences given out. Two years ago today is when Jamie lost his life and today the final parts of justice fell into place.

The young man who dealt the fatal blow Kobina Essel has been given a life sentence and will have to serve a minimum term of 20yrs. Anthony Maino was on bail for another murder and eventually found guilty, his sentence of 14yrs minimum is now an indeterminate sentence. Roy Williams the stores security guard was sentenced to 10yrs, Jamal Chambers given 7yrs, Duane Owusu was given 8yrs for being the driver.

Gone but not forgotten!!

Read more here  and and here.

Finally Justice for Jamie

I can only imagine what the Simpson family are going through right now. The convicted 7 men, whose current ages range from 17 to 31, worked in cahoots in a plan to steal from a Matalan shop which resulted in the murder of the shops manager. Jamie Simpson was killed as the villains made a vain attempt to rob the store in the hope of taking £30k of money they did not work for.

The final verdicts are as follows :

Kobina Essel, 19 was found guilty of murder. Simeon Jumah, Anthony Maina, and a 17-year-old youth, were convicted of manslaughter.

Jamal Chambers, 18, Roy Williams, 31, and Duane Owusu, 20, all from London, were unanimously found guilty on the conspiracy to rob charge. (source 1 … source 2)

My heart goes out to the Simpson family and friends who have been deeply affected by this tragic loss.

Murder of Jamie Simpson trial begins

In March 2008 my good friends brother was stabbed to death as he was working at the Matalan branch in Dalston, East London. He was the store manager in the midst of totalling the daily takings and usual after closure paper work.  His name Jamie Simpson aged 33. His life taking by some common thugs. His sister had alerted me to the trial dates which is taking place now at the Old Bailey.

This trial has an air of betrayal lingering about it. Not only was the 3 young men (if you can call them that) responsible. The in store security guard was in on the whole thing. He along with 6 others are now on trial. The youngest is now 17 and gets to keep his murderous identity secret. Let us hope that changes the moment he turns 18.

So far four of the accused have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob. However all seven defendants(more like rogues) have all denied murder. This is day one of the trial and it already makes me tearful just reading up on it.

Jamie was not just close to his sisters but to his family and to his friends. His death shocked everyone. His funeral was attended by so many people from not just Derby but all over the UK. The cathedral was so packed, that my husband , friends and myself had to stand at the back. There were even more people gathered outside the church who could not fit in, but stayed to pay their respects.

The trial continues at the Old Bailey in London.

Praying for justice for Jamie Simpson!!

This is London coverage of Day one of the trial

Derby Telegraph coverage of Day one of the trial

MJ memorial service

I just got back off my long weekend break to see this. My aunty was impressed and so was I. Its what a funeral / memorial should be about celebrating life of the one who has passed away. The song at the beginning of the service by the choir was just right. Soon and very soon we are going to see the king indeed. It brought it back to God for me.

I loved the way the family hugged the performers and thanked them. Did you see the brother all wearing sparkly white gloves. MJ’s trade mark or rather a signature look. 

Many media are complaining that the kids are being paraded. I do not agree. I know what it is like to lose the parent who has raised you from day dot. When Paris took the mic, she addressed her “daddy” . She did not address anyone else. She expressed her love for the best dad she has ever known. I pray for you Paris and your siblings may the Lord keep you guys together. Race is being brought up too. No matter what he did and did not do. He was an African American and even he never denied that.

AEG and the Jackson family have done a good job. It was sensible too because after all Michael Jackson has some serious hardcore fans.

R.I.P. MJ …….. your musical legacy will live on forever.

R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson 1958 - 2009

I am still in shock about the passing of Michael Joseph Jackson. I was getting ready for my bed when I heard the news on Twitter, Sky and Fox news. He passed away on 25th June 2009 with his brother Jermaine by his side. He is said to have suffered a cardiac arrest and currently an autopsy is being carried out on his body to identify the true cause of death.

He was such a talented soul. The media fell in and out of love with him through various stages of his career. Though one thing is for sure he has the most loyal fans ever in the whole world. His passing and sent shockwaves around the globe. Especially since he was due to start a 50 date tour starting at the O2 arena in London next month.

He is survived by 3 children, his mum, his dad and 8 siblings.

Rest In Peace ……may God bless your soul.

There is loads of information on the web about his passing. It is well worth the search to update yourself on the late MJ.

R.I.P. Jade Goody 1981-2009

Jade passed away in her sleep during the early hours of today. She lost her fight with cervical cancer which spread throughout her body. During her last few months she ensured that she could accumulate as much money as possible to ensure that her precious sons would be ok financially.

She is leaves behind two sons, husband Jack Tweed and her mum Jackie.

Read more about Jade on the following links

MSN news

BBC news

R.I.P. Daniel De Gale

I was watching MTV when this headline caught me off guard. I am in total shock that such a courageous young man has lost his life. For those who may not know who he is. Daniel was a young boy who was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 5.

With the support of his family he lead a huge campaign to encourage and get more African and Caribbean people in the UK to sign up to become bone marrow donors. Many celebrities joined his campaign to promote including Ian Wright and the Duchess of York. Many becoming Patrons of the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust which was formed out of the quest to find not just Daniel a donor but to get more people registered.

After a successful bone marrow transplant from an American donor Daniel was able to live go on and live a normal life. The charitable work continues and to this day ethnic minorities are being made aware and encouraged to get on the register.]

His mum said

"We are very grateful for all the love, support, kindness, generosity, dedications and concern that you all have shown for our beautiful son.

"However, we ask that you please do not send us any flowers but instead continue to support the charity as this is what Daniel would have wanted, so that we can keep helping to give others the gift of life."(source)

The Duchess of York said

We must remember him by helping the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust carry on their invaluable work.(source)

I am actually feeling quite emotional because I thought he had made it through this. I so need to go and get on that register myself and I urge you to do so too. No matter what race you are!

I leave you with encouraging words from ACLT

People of African, African American, African Caribbean, and Mixed Parentage descent between the ages of 18-43 have to face up to the fact… WE are the only one’s who can be potential donors for Black sufferers who require a life saving Bone Marrow match. BUT HOW MANY OF US HAVE ACTUALLY REGISTERED?

Support ACLT if you can. The revamped website is full of information and definitley worth a browse

Rest In Peace Daniel De Gale (14 March 1987 -8 October 2008) .......may your legacy and hard work live on.

Read more on the ACLT website