Proud to be British? Or not so?

Leave a comment

Hi Gang,

My last blog about the ‘Windrush Generation’ draw a few raised eyebrows from certain quarters, this blog is going to require a diaper for some!! Hold tight!

I woke this morning to see Nigel Farage, and some young black guy debating St Georges day, which it happens to be today.  For those of you who do not know who Saint George is well I will give you a quick run down.. First he was Turkish, and their were no dragons, and your going to have to trust me on that one! So he is about as English, as St Patrick was Irish? (He wasn’t Irish?).  Nigel Farage was saying we should celebrate today, and the English flag!

zq123a

Now some in the UK, will be slightly confused by the above image, some will note that it doesn’t have the words ‘ENGLAND’ or bear ‘THREE LIONS’

Now it’s the patron saint of England’s day, so why would there be a debate about this day, and the flag.  I key reason is why Nigel Farage, who has some very radical views, on immigration, and we can say very Pro-Brexit!  Also Parties, like his former party BNP have used this flag in a very right-wing context.  The defunct ‘National Front’ made this flag a symbol for their party, and for those who shared their beliefs, and parties, of the same ilk have used the flag also in a similar fashion.  So it was logical, and more-so this week when we again learn more from the Government with regards the ‘Windrush’ debacle.  I shall say this, and end the ‘Windrush’ debate! Our current Government, can try to pass the buck, and say that they are not at fault.. Bullshit! Regardless, of lost/destroyed Landing cards, or anything else…

In the last 40 plus years, there have been at least 5 Census’s, at which stage everyone gives details which, will have been more than sufficient to clarify any status, or the fact of Citizenship? Or is that too easy… So Mrs May, you can no longer dodge the bullet.. Just fix it, and compensate the people involved.

Back to the Flag and the Turk! As I explained above, there has been very little for ethnic minorities to see today, that they should be flying this flag, from the top of their homes.  Now people around the world, may find this whole situation a little odd.. So I shall explain for those of you who live in a normal country with one flag..

Wales, Scotland, England.. Make up the UK
How the Union Jack is made up!

 

Great Britain is made up of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales.  No the dragon on the Welsh Flag has nothing to do with George’s Dragon.. I did point this out earlier! never the less.  A black Scotsman (yeah, there are black ones there). Can wear his flag with pride! As could a Welshman, and yes indeed, there are Black Paddy’s whom can also fly their National flag with pride! Now picture this.. Me walking down Brixton High Street waving an English Flag. I am not too sure, who would give me a beating first.. But rest assured the ‘Brothers’ Wouldn’t be best pleased!!

I want to make it very clear, I was born in England, and within the sound of Bow Belles. which makes me more of a Londoner than ‘Jim Davison’ and more to the point, more of an Englishman than Nigel Farage! But much as I would like to celebrate this flag, and what it should stand for in my country, unfortunately I cannot celebrate the day!  Much as I am grateful for all the dragon slaying! It doesn’t take away from the fact that I am British, and until the people of England, take back their flag, so that all creeds, colours, and races, can pick up the flag, and wave it in celebration of being English regardless of Colour.  Being British is the best we can hope for! My passport say’s British Citizen, Not English National, and my pride for my country isn’t based on a flag! But a belief that being British means something around the World, Being English, is a statement!

british-flag

Now, I know some are going to say that I am letting the racist win, far from it.. I have had to deal with people who see this flag as a racist symbol, for most of my life. And I see it in different connotations, every Saturday at West Ham’s Stadium? I have also be in the old stadium, when the flag was used as a warning that although we would suffer Black players, Black fans where a step too far.. Unless you could punch a skinhead or too!  Those days thankfully are over (ish).  But the memories are still fresh for some, I remember this same flag being burned by people, who saw it as a symbol of the National Front!

I am proud to be British, and it’s not a status I would give up lightly.  Am I am happy to fly the Union Jack from my flag pole! But when it comes to celebrating my English Heritage, I am going to have to pass on that one.  And many of my community feel the same way, and if you ask the question the reason will be the same? Try it? You don’t need too!! You know I am right, and that’s the shame.

St George’s day, should be a national holiday, but until you we take back our flag 60% of England, won’t be able to celebrate the day.

Comments below…

You know what to do..

HOLLA AT ME!!

 

JJ.

Shame on you, Theresa May!!

Leave a comment

Hi Gang,

I have taken a few days, before I wrote this weeks blog, and I hoped that i would have time to gather the fact, and in that time, I further hoped that I would calm down… Not much chance for the latter I afraid, So this blog may not be for the faint of heart!

Never has there been a more controversial Home Secretary, than Theresa May.  Some will remember ‘Short, Sharp, Shock’ Willie Whitelaw.  However Mrs May took the crown, on all fronts.  A post that she held for many years, and through many a controversy.  As head of the prisons, and immigration, as well as the police, she managed to be hated by them all! the lady was not for turning, and was pleased each reshuffle when she found herself keeping the post.

Any politician with half a brain, would have worked out that she was not keeping her job, it was just that no one wanted the job, after she had made a hash of the whole department.  In the end they broke up the department, so that it was palatable, to a potential successor!  That never really happen, as she volunteered for another job, which no one at the time wanted, within her party.. Prime Minister!

So let’s get to it… Most leaders, are in a position, to blame others for what happened in the past, Trump blames Obama, Cameron blamed Blair, the list goes on.. Always someone else, but not in this case. Theresa May, was Home Secretary, and she created the bills concerned, the fact that she is now Prime Minister, she has to face this issue head on.. Yes I am talking ‘Windrush’ and the fallout.

windrush

For those of you who do not know, I will give a little background.  After the second world war, Britain faced a shortage of labour, as the country was in need of rebuilding after the blitz, and sort help from its commonwealth counterparts.  Namely the West Indies, and offered Caribbean members the opportunity to come to Britain for work, and a new life, in the land of their queen.  Promises were made, the key one being, not just commonwealth citizenship, but British Citizenship, for them and their families.

Although, thousands of miles away from any warfare, apart from recruits being sort from these same Caribbean islands, for the British services. Britain had very little use for these islands in the Caribbean, apart from a holiday destination for the wealthy.

Poverty therefore on these islands were high, and the chance to earn, and live elsewhere, on streets, paved of gold, was an opportunity, many could not refuse.  Further, their citizenship being ratified by the Queen, was far too much an offer to turn down.  Although the Empire Windrush, was not the only ship bringing West Indians to the UK, right up to the early 1960’s, the so-called ‘Windrush Generation‘ continued to arrive in the UK, Same promises, and the demand for workers just as high.

Many will know that children under a certain age, were able to travel on a Parents Passport? I myself never had a passport until I was in my teens, and that was only because I was no longer on my Mothers passport, but I remember the hoops I had to jump through to get it, as I didn’t in theory exist? I will get back to that! So many arrived here, from the Caribbean as children, without any documentation.  Anything from the West Indies, became useless on arrival in the UK, and it would take years to build a history in a new land.

A Passport is not only a form of ID, the wording inside (I see you reaching for yours).  Is a declaration backed by the sovereign (Government), that the person bearing this document is not only the true person, and has been verified as such, and should be given freedom of passage as a sovereign citizen.  In lay-mans terms ‘I’m British and should be treated as a British and if anyone has a problem with that… Ask the queen, she will vouch for me!! no other document does that.. No, not your birth certificate!

In the early 70’s Britain, stated that those who had arrived from Commonwealth Countries would be given the right to citizenship, and those would be afforded the rights as anyone Britain, and with that came ‘indefinite leave to remain’ in the UK. Naively some of these people from the Caribbean, did not realise that this meant you had to affirm that right! HOW? The easiest way? Apply for a British passport!  Why? The checks made to apply for a British passport, someone to confirm that they know you, and that the photo you are using is a true likeness, that person must have known you for a number of years, you need a birth certificate, NHS number, etc! Years of background information which they kind of have anyway, and its all cross checked! then if you are who you say you are, Bingo! British passport official British citizen!

th (2)

What if you came here, in the 50’s, worked (as little proof was needed to get a job), worked for 30 years, never took a holiday? Paid taxes, National insurance, bought a home! Retired, and thought I will treat myself to a holiday of a lifetime, and return to the Caribbean, and visit what is left of my family.  You have no birth certificate! As your mother has long passed! So has the hospital you were born in! (hurricane in 1980). But you’ve paid tax, NI, have your marriage certificate from Hackney Town Hall. So you gather what papers you have, go into a travel agents, book your flights, and head off to London to apply for your passport. You have filled out the form as best you can, and produce what you have as documentation! your told to return the next day, as it will take time to process, in excitement you arrive at the passport office bright and early, and await for your name to be called.

‘Mr Johnson’ that’s me.. Come with us, Mr Johnson never saw his home in Tottenham again. Those two gentlemen at the passport office took him into a back room, where he was informed that, he was illegally in the UK, and was to be taken into detention, and possibly deported, to Jamaica. Fact or Fiction?

In 2009, So Mrs May has tried to slip out of this one… It was not on my watch! Well sorry love, laws don’t come in over night? you may of left office, but it was your brainchild! The Brexit debate had brought immigration to the forefront, and in an attempt to stop Europeans from coming to the UK, to burden our NHS, and our Benefits, our Theresa panicked and came up with a law, with the effects of we are now debating.  Now let’s be very clear! There was more to this law! It was also a way of quickly deporting anyone Britain felt unsuitable. The law is long-winded, and basically states, that unless you can produce 4 bits of ID, you’re not eligible, for Work, Benefits, NHS, and will be subject to deportation.

Now I was Born in Ilford, Essex. in 1966. I do not have 4 bits of official ID? I do however have a passport? Which I mentioned earlier? I was previously on my Mothers passport, have travelled back to the Caribbean in the 70’s. At which time my mother applied for her first British passport (yep, my mum’s safe…). When I went to apply for my first passport, I took Birth Certificate, photo, NHS card, etc. Now we know that one of the questions is? Have you had a passport before? Yes I had technically, as I had travelled, But it wasn’t in my name? how do you put that down on a form? Long story short, I had to go to court, and get a signed affidavit signed by a judge, to confirm who I am? I shit you not!

Now how many of you, have 4 bits of ID? If you don’t have a passport which, I may add is the only document excepted a proof of who you are in the UK? Because you will need those documents to get a passport! But don’t got with just 3 bits to the passport office, as you may find yourself on a plane!

windrush

As I write, there have been apology’s, and yet we have no idea of the numbers who have fallen foul of Ms May’s Dickensian law, How many have been returned to a country, that they know in name only! How many have been sacked, and become unemployable! How many have been denied NHS treatment? How many have died due to the stress of such a situation?  Theresa May, you can shove your apology up that well-heeled arse of yours! As I for one am not listening.  And as I don’t think the police, will be beating on my door over this comment, as they know what your really all about.

Ms May, I implore you to not waste time apologising, as without the about figures, you apology is merely lip service, at which I know you are proficient. You need to stand up in parliament, and say, everyone involved will be compensated, those deported? returned, and those who have been denied treatment, given access immediately. with access to all services…. Today!!

Failure to do so will lead to not only more people falling foul of this stupid law, which was put in place to reduce the number of Polish entering the UK? Who I don’t see being asked for 4 bits of ID? And are not in detention centres, having been a law-abiding, Tax paying, national insurance contributing, British Citizens, for all of their Lives.

They have done their bit for this country, Now Theresa, do what you paid to do.. and put it right… NOW!

HOLLA AT ME! (You too Theresa)

 

JJ.

Sometimes it’s best to say nothing? Or is it!

Leave a comment

Hi Gang,

It’s that time again… This could take some time.. So hit the link, and put the coffee on! BBR

Have you ever been part of a conversation where the person talking, is talk total rubbish? But you know to put the person straight, will either cause conflict, or will be a complete waste of saliva!  Being married, you would think I encounter a lot of this… She’ll kill me for saying that, but never the less, it’s not the case.  Don’t get me wrong, my wife will commentate on a football match along with ‘Wrighty’, but the Wife gets a pass on this one.

Let me explain.. Have you ever tried explaining to someone who voted to leave the EU, that it’s costing a fortune, and companies are going to the wall, left right and centre. and it’s costing us a fortune? Or how although what is going on in Syria, Britain can’t afford to spend money on either sending troop’s or dropping bombs, and if Trump is happy to do it.. Let him get on with it? or how all of a sudden, the Head of the Metropolitan Police, finally found out where some of these gangs live, and went on a raid?

I am going to lay my cards on the table here, and tackle a couple of these topics, and give them my perspective.  I am just a Guy remember! but I have earned an opinion, I don’t want to ram that opinion down anyones throat, but just hear me out, and write a comment below, everything is up for debate.

Anyone who still thinks that leaving the EU is a good idea, must be having a serious rethink now? I did the math on it some time ago, in another blog, but basically we were looking to save in theory £50 billion a year! We have spent £150 Billion getting out, and we are not there yet?  70% of our trade is done through Europe, which we will now have to pay a tariff, which was previously tariff free! But in years to come we can negotiate with other countries! Who? These countries have always been there to do business with? We didn’t because Europe was cheaper? So why do we think that, its going to be any cheaper doing business with Australia? Do you know how long it take for a ship to arrive from Australia? And whats the Tariff, as they will have us by the short and curlies? As where else can we go?

Do we not think that the EU is thinking… We are going to loose £50 Billion a year, let get some of that back in Tariff’s from the UK, we already get £100 Billion in the divorce bill?  And Consider this… Railways! European owned, Buses! European made, partly owned.  I could go on.. But lets talk Boarders… Not Ireland! I am not going to upset my Celtic brothers, as they shared the same fate as my parents, on arrival to this country, which I was born, and raised. ‘No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish!’

Back to boarders.. The other one? Currently our boarder is in Calais, under a rocky treaty with France.  Has anyone been across to Calais lately? The camps are back, and there are still hundreds a day trying to hop in the back of a lorry, to make their way to the motherland!  These being some of the people we have been trying to enter into our country, and nick our precious jobs in McDonalds!  The Minute the French say the boarder starts in Dover, you will see an influx into this country, like you haven’t seen since the ‘Windrush’ arrived from the Caribbean.  There will not be a thing that we can do about it, apart from build a wall… Sound familiar?

Now, I admit, I am a remain voter, and I have no other political motive than ‘Better the Devil, you know’ principle. If we had a stronger government, we could of negotiated what we wanted on just the threat of leaving, never having to go through with it.. Surely, thats politics? Not bullshitting the people who voted for you?

Onwards

255londonmurderstribute

I wrote last week, about the gang kids murders on the streets of London.  Although we have had a few murders, and one I will touch on shortly.  The head of the Metropolitan police, made a series of raids, and mopped up some guns, drugs, and couple of machine guns, with a few of the brothers finding themselves in custody in the process. I am not clairvoyant, but I predicted a couple of weeks ago that there would be major arrests, and most of these murders would be quickly solved.  Why? Because these are not gangsters, not master criminals, they are kids, no they are idiots!  You killed for fame, props, kudos, to get some form of respect from your gang elders, you dickhead! Why do you think they sent you? Now your in a cell, eating noodles… Whose the dickhead now!

mileend0504a

There is an adage ‘don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time!’ Trust me, no one thinks about that at the time? But these kids go to jail, and have no idea what they are going to deal with.  Prisons in the UK, are places of containment, to keep these people away from the public! Rehabilitation has long since been sacrificed, lock em up, and protect the public. Thats fine, but at some stage, these people have to come out, and walk the streets! There is nothing within the current prison system which will help prisoners address their behaviour..  Oh! there is a course, or two.. Which your unlikely fail? I haven’t met anyone who has? The point… These people are idiots, and you need to sit them down, and show them better! Some of these kids are out earning there parents, how you going to be able to show them a different way? What you have achieved thus far.. Promoted a new set of kids, to a higher rank of Gangland idiot.

Last Week and 70 year old man, awoke to find 2 guys burgling his home, he reached for a screw driver, and stabbed and killer one, and the other, as I write, is still on the run.  Now, after a night in custody the homeowner was released, without charge. Clear case of self-defence.  No uproar there! and rightly so, ‘A man and his castle, and all that!’.  The relative of the Murdered man, chose to use a site across the road, to lay flowers in honour of the dead Burglar! Uproar ensued when locals took it among themselves to remove the flowers as they felt it was inappropriate.  Now I refer you to the title of this blog… Are you kidding me!! Surly someone in the murdered guy’s family, must of said ‘thats a bit rich’ Do you think that was the best place to lay flowers? Are you an idiot?

I have been burgled, and it’s a shit feeling, and had I caught them, who knows.. But I double dare you to lay flowers outside my house.. I triple dare you! Some people, and I saw the family on the television trying to justify it.  He was a father, etc, and deserves to be morned, agreed! but not outside the house he tried to burgle, and ended his life.. I am sure his children will look forward to visiting the scene every year, on his anniversary? Some people!

Finally,

Spring is in the air, I haven’t really smelt it, but we are heading to BBQ season, and I am in the process of watching the wife plan our annual soiree.  Which as usual includes a buffet that could feed all the passengers of the ‘Windrush’ and get the crew suitably bladdered in the process! Alongside a host of DJ’s, We tend to turn our village into party central.  With past BBQ’s having guests such as ‘New Jersey Connection’ Ronnie Canada (Drifters) & Tom Glide to name a few.  We have to limit the invites, so this year.. We are going to put it on the Radio! So everyone can join in the fun, we are flying in my good friend David Manso, to spin some tunes.

Before I go.. I haven’t mentioned West Ham? I got a text from them.. James Renew your season ticket, prices frozen for yet another year.  I again mentioned this a few weeks ago, and that it was unlikely that the board would dare put up prices.  Although, some are having to deal with the ‘horns of a dilemma’ I am not so torn.  Yes, it’s still the cost of two weeks 1st Class, in the Caribbean with the wife.  It is also one afternoon, which win, or lose, the wife and I spend some quality time together. It’s something that I enjoy, and takes me away from my working week, the fact that I can’t hear the wife for 90 minutes is just a bonus, I will have to learn to live with..

You know what to do…

HOLLA AT ME!!

 

JJ. 

 

Did I not say, Enough?

Leave a comment

Hi Gang,

Those of you who read my blog yesterday? Will be none too surprised, that I would find myself, writing yet again, after waking to this mornings news!

IMG_1183.PNG

It was like someone was giving me the finger! After my rant yesterday, I received a few comments, but mainly some very positive feedback.  Which in turn made me look into this matter a little further.  I mentioned yesterday, that I am from these streets, and in this world, I am deemed an O.G, (Original Gangster) trust me it’s not a title I relish, and one that I add to my CV, however I have knowledge of what the inside of a prison cell looks like.  So I found as a reliable source in the matters!! I was informed earlier in the day, before I wrote my blog, that these incidents, are wait for it! Part of a GAME!

I originally ignored any suggestion that this played any part in not only 4 deaths, but the randomness of these acts.  But wherever I went, this game was mentioned!  My brain still doesn’t find any comprehension that such a thing could be true! And I am happy to continue to believe that this is some sort of urban myth, and that a bloke call ‘Kaiser’ is behind this all?  I heard talk of points being awarded, and prizes given, are you really trying to tell me, that this is what is going on? on the streets on London! Within the Black Community? No you don’t believe it either??

Well, let me say this… If it were true, how stupid are our ‘kids’? In fact how stupid are these gang leaders who are condoning this behaviour from your troops! These gangs must have a code? An honour system, after all your modelled on gangs of old? Crip’s & Bloods, Scarface, The Mafia, Ronnie & Reggie, Escobar!! Whoever, it is this week! Well let’s take a look at that… Each of the above were feared!, but respected (in a fashion)! Because the killed, and maimed their own! Other villains, who understood the risks of living that lifestyle! They never involved innocent people, and gave back to the community, which protected them for years! The Code, meant that the innocent could walk the streets in safety, and it was about making your ‘turf’ safe, and a better place to live.. I know some are going to poo-poo this argument! But few can deny the truth of the theory of gang life!  Protect your turf, not make it a no go area.

mileend0504a

I am smiling to myself as I write, as I know that whatever I write here is going to make very little difference to tomorrows breakfast headlines! As rest assured, this isn’t over yet.  As however, this all started, there is still a fair amount of tit-for-tat to take place as yet.  Which will no doubt will result in more loss of life, and the amount of pain it will bring to the ‘Turf’ will take an age to recover from.

I heard a range of solutions, and I still haven’t found a worthwhile community group, which I feel is looking at short-term solutions?  I mentioned ‘Scarface’ and I hope most of you realise that although based on a real person, is a work of fiction.  But let me discuss another famous cult gang movie… ‘Warriors’!! The premise of which, was to bring all the gang leaders of New York together for meeting! Crip’s & Bloods did similar..   Granted on both accounts, there was a bit of bloodshed in both examples, but each led to a peace!

As I said in the beginning of this blog, I have reached OG status. I have a responsibility to the person that I used to be, and to the guy I am now.  To make myself available should someone decide that some form of mediation is possible, or a realist forum for a debate on the issues that bring us to where we are today.  I say that this currently an issue within the black community, however this can not help, but spill into the wider community of London.  Unfortunately, we live in a world where sometimes, the innocent suffer, for the guilty! Innocent people can not help being caught up in the crossfire, while going about their day-to-day lives.  In 2018 that surely cannot be right.

Before I close, I am going to address a few comments from those who feel the solution is tougher sentences, and the possibility of bring back capital punishment as a deterrent.  I hear you loud and clear, and I feel why some would see this as a solution.  To discuss both things in the same topic, is very counter productive on any level.  So let’s try to deal with some facts on this issue.  Capital Punishment doesn’t stop Murder! Fact.. Innocent people have been wrongfully executed? Fact.. Prison doesn’t stop Murders! Fact.. Prison doesn’t reduce crime! Fact.. Locking people up 23 hours a day, does not do anything to rehabilitate prisoners, and therefore they are likely to commit further crimes! Fact.. And for the flog em brigade! Why is flogging in a prison in the Uk, any different from a public flogging in the middle east, which we all find unpalatable!

Before someone jumps up and screams Liberal… I believe that there are people who should be locked up, and never considered for release.  In principle I believe in the 3 strike system. Not so liberal now.. I don’t believe that in the eye for an eye theory, it doesn’t stack up in a humane society.  How can you crave a peaceful solution to a problem if your answer if violence? I hear people saying, what if it was one of yours?

My eldest brother was Murdered a decade ago, in the Caribbean, where they still have capital punishment.  The views of the family, are considered in matters of this kind! So not only have I been asked the question, but life has thrown it squarely in my lap.

My answer then, was different from some members of my family? And as far as I was concerned, the only one who had any voice in this instant, was the woman who gave my brother life.. Our Mum.  I will say this… My Brothers Murder, breaths life today.

We live on a small island, where both families know each other.  So there must be a ‘Cold light of day’ moment when you realise.  The innocent (the murders’ family), should not suffer for the Guilty.  I sleep well at night, as I know my Mother does too.

tottenham0304a

I am going to make the most of my weekend, and I am going to do my best to have a drink with friends, to celebrate a shared birthday.  I don’t want to even think about the goings on in my home town..

I hope that your weekend is full of fun, and smiles… After this week, we all need a boost! But can we take a moment to reflect on those families that suffered losses this week, and pray that this will bring the community closer together, and the debate that needs to be had, is one step nearer.

HOLLA AT ME!!

 

JJ 

Enough is enough.. This Must Stop!!

Leave a comment

Hi Gang,

As you can see from the title of this blog? I am not a happy bunny today, in fact I can’t really put into words how I am feeling!  In my 50 plus years on this planet, I have witnessed many things, and I have witnessed people at their very worst..

But for the last two morning’s I have woken up to the news of 2 Murders in the capital, 4 in 2 days!! That’s 50 in London this year, now I am going to say it… These are mainly within the Black Community.  And perpetrated by members of the same community!! Now, I come from that same community, and I come from those same streets.  In fact, as many of you know, and I never make secret of it.  I have been where those perpetrators are likely to find themselves.  But for the life of me, I just can not fathom it out, and I can’t put into words, how these incidents have effected me.  I have no personal involvement in any of the families involved, but my heart, and deepest thoughts go out to them, and for the families of those who carried out these mindless crimes.

As I said, I come from this community, and those very same streets.  I understand that there will be disputes, and these can inevitably end in violence.  That’s the code of the streets! Understand that, and the code, that can lead to that kind of behaviour.  I don’t condone such behaviour! but can understand that mentality.. But the mindless nature of these acts, and the short time scale, not only made me feel concern, but I soon realised that this may not be as random, as first seemed on the surface.  Shortly into todays news reports, I realised, that this could be a case of tit, for tat! Which make the whole situation even more concerning!

Houston, We have a Problem!! Hell yeah! We have taken our eye off the ball, we have been so caught up, with Russia trying to wipe out their own, and how much is Brexit really gonna cost us! We have been so wrapped up with day-to-day stuff, which the man on the street has very little control over, other than vote every 5 years.  We have a war going on, right here in London!  In fact, it’s going on across the country, but you can’t hide what is going on our streets.

Anyone who read some of my earlier blog’s will know that, I have discussed these issues before, and I can only see a short-term solution of locking a lot of people up! This is nothing new for the Black community, and I don’t want to make light of any other Nationality behind bars, but statistic’s don’t lie.  I said a long time ago, that no government is going to effectively solve the issues of crime on our streets, and solve the problems we have in society, and time soon… UNLESS!! They are prepared to borrow hugely!! And that is highly unlikely, as it’s not a vote winner! But I think they are wrong?

If a politician came to me and said, we are going to borrow Billions, and build the houses we need, and fund the NHS, and put more police on the streets, give a better choice of education for our children… But your great grand children will have to pay extra in tax for that to happen… JJ the 4th, better get a good job! It’s a no brainer, there is so much wrong with how we are currently living in this country, that believe me, I love!   There is no quick fix, and no cheap solution, so stop looking for it! And until we realise that the reason why our Police forces are fucked, is because they are under funded! CCTV only catches a person after the crime? A Bobby on the street prevents it!  I grew up with a Local Bobby, and he was never the enemy, if fact he prevented more crime than any CCTV.  But he cost’s, and we are frittering money on stuff, which from what I can see, is plunging us deeper in the shit!

255londonmurderstribute

We have spent a lot of time looking to apportion blame, parents, society, Uncle Tom, and Joe Cobbly, whoever they are… Well, Stop the blame bit… Let’s start looking for solutions!  I have already said, solutions are not cheap and therefore the question is? Can we get our government to find, and more to the point, make them spend the money needed.  Cut’s cannot be a solution to any problem, and I don’t care how much we will save, by not being part of the EU, we need to be spending the money now!

Now, I have no idea how we begin to do this, I have over the last few weeks spoken to many group, and community programs, and I have been willing to put the full weight, of the Radio Station, and whatever backing is needed to do something to something to stop me from waking, to yet another 2 murders, tomorrow morning.  In my quest for a group, and project, which would in some way forge a solution to the problems, that I see the youth of today having to deal with… Trust me, there seem to be many! But… And I don’t want to be political, none seem to want to confront the real problem as I see it..

Our children currently seem to be bound for a prison cell, or the Cemetery! Unfortunately, Living in London, those are the facts for a young black male! Under 27.. But do any of these kids, and I will call them kids, understand what either LIFE Imprisonment, or LIFE underground really means!! It’s not gangster, it’s not a joke!  But without any hope of a future, how can we offer them, an option to a life of crime!

Crime is fun, it’s a rush, its real life TV, it’s an earner! All Bullshit! Trust me, there is not a guy, or girl, that doesn’t sit in a police cell, and have a moment of regret! That’s not gangster! As for Prison, It’s not fun, It’s more dangerous than any street, or Postcode that you’re trying to protect! And as a wise man once told me ‘When push comes to shove, there will only ever be one of you, and if your lucky your cell mate to have your back!! Against 900 other, and 100 uniforms!’ How are you ever going to win!  Gangsters NEVER go to prison? And if they do? They go to a prison, that you will never in your whole sentence get to see? And for why? Real Gangsters are the CEO’s of major corporations, or are running the country, they have to really fuck up to see the inside of a cell, so don’t talk to me about Gangster.

You think you’re not going to get caught? If you spent more time in your homes, with your families.  You would probably know that much of TV these day’s is crime based, and from CSI, to Police, Camera, Action! Means not only are you going to get caught, but your going to get 100 thousand hit’s on YouTube in the process! So that no matter what prison you go to, your ensured to be the butt of everyone’s jokes! which in turn will insure that you will be walking around with a ‘kick me’ sign on your back for the rest of your long sentence!

While we are on the subject.. You ‘Kids’ need to know this.. I have mentioned the drop in Bobby’s on our street’s and I for one miss them.. But what we have not seen a drop in, is Armed response units! We can thank our neighbouring Community for that! And thank Allah for that. Know this, Sooner or later the police policy will become ‘shoot first’ ask questions later! This currently isn’t the policy, but be in no doubt! That at those ‘Cobra’ meeting Teresa has, it hasn’t come up in conversation.  My point, you ‘Kids’ very rarely shoot, your intended target! you always hit the bloke coming home from work, the child coming home from school… Or the guy standing next to the person you came to kill, with your bad self! And from 12 foot, from the safety of your car you let rip… And because not only are you a dickhead, you realise it’s not like ‘Scarface’ and by the time, you fired the first shot, the fart from your drivers backside, has sent the car speeding off down the Road, in full view of CCTV, which at some later date will see you not only get those YouTube hits, but a lengthy prison sentence to boot! And rightly so I say..

tottenham0304a

My whole point is this, I am not saying anything that the blind can not see? I am a parent, and a Grand father, and this isn’t what I want for my Grand Children.  I would rather that they have to work harder in the future, if it means that they live longer! I don’t care who wants, and who runs, what turf! Postcode’s for me, are how I get my post each day.  I want to feel safe when I walk the streets, I want my family to feel safe when they walk the streets… I also want YOU to be safe when you walk the streets!

Because if we can’t then you know what… We are not FREE! And in our community, in fact in any community! We are slaves’ and these ‘kids’ are our masters! Until we are prepared to have a serious debate about this issue, and get the right people around that discussion table.. I will be continually be writing blog’s of this type, and my answer will still be the same.  I keep being told about how much debt this country was in during the 70’s, and how borrowing was high! If you’re not old enough to remember, ask your parents.. I am… They were the best years of my life! Think my folks would agree?

I thought, that this rant would make me feel better… It didn’t, and I don’t think that was my plan deep down.. I just need someone to tell me, I’m not crazy!

 

You know what to do?

HOLLA AT ME!!

 

JJ

 

 

 

Welcome to My World