Community Conversation: Birmingham

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONSB I R M I N G H A M E D I T I O N

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INDEPENDENCE DAYActivist Desmond Jaddoo talks politics

FOOTLOOSEDancer has chance to shine

END OF AN ERAAnti-racism group calls it a day

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By Elizabeth Pears

DESMOND JADDOO is a manon a mission.

After a long hiatus from com-munity activism owing to poorhealth, the self-professed manof the people is ready to shakeup Birmingham’s politicalscene.

Jaddoo, whose parents areof Jamaican heritage, was hop-ing England’s second citywould vote in favour of adirectly-elected mayor and felt,as an independent, he was theright man for the job.

But 57.8 percent ofBirmingham voters rejected theplans.

The decision, however, wasmade by just 28 percent of theelectorate which, for Jaddoo, ispart of a wider problem: a totallack of interest in politics.

It means that decisions thataffect people’s everyday livesare being made by a selectgroup.

With ethnic minorities tradi-tionally suffering from low voterparticipation, their lack of voicecould be placing them at agreater disadvantage.

This is despite Birminghambeing on track to becomeBritain’s second city, afterCoventry, where so-called eth-nic minorities will become themajority.

“I was ill for ten years andsprung back up on the scenelast year and I was shocked bywhat I saw,” said Jaddoo, whoruns the Birmingham

Empowerment Forum, a politi-cal lobby group that aims to getpeople involved in politics.

“Birmingham was ten yearsbehind in terms of communityactivism and community spirit.Birmingham, in general, hasgone from being a vibrant city toalmost a quiet little hamlet.

“People used to come upfrom London to Birmingham togo clubbing or to join in events. Itmakes me sad that Birminghamis spoken of more as an issuenot as a destination.”

There were protests whenBirmingham City Council leader,Sir Albert Bore, elected his newcabinet and only one was froma black or ethnic minority (BME)background, but by then it wastoo late.

DIFFERENTThe key, says Jaddoo, is to

get involved earlier and explorea different approach to politicsbeyond the party system.

“You can get into politics inthis city without joining a politi-cal party. They are the ones put-ting people off. It is pathetic tosee them arguing in the news-paper along party lines. Beingan independent shows whereyour loyalties are. Mine is withthe people – not a party.”

The BirminghamEmpowerment Forum has nowlaunched the community activa-tion and engagement pro-gramme to ensure this hap-pens.

He explains: “There is chronic

apathy in this city. West Indiandon’t bother to vote or aren’tregistered to vote. We are get-ting left behind as community.Getting involved in politicaldecision-making shouldn’t be achoice anymore, it’s a must.

“We are now facing a situa-tion where one of the mostdiverse cities in England, whereethnic minorities are almost themajority, but the ruling cabinetdoes not reflect that.

“It is so important to have thepeople who live the experiencesto help make the decisions onthings like inequality and dis-crimination. They are best-placed to engage with theircommunities as opposedto observers who go in,try to understand,then go away andnot do anythingabout it.

“Not giving rolesto ethnic minori-ties is a poor useof the resources you’ve got. Youneed that experience if youwant to meaningfully deal withissues. The city council talksabout diversity but it’s just lipservice. It’s the same principlefor the Asian community andthe West Indian community theyeach have their own anxieties,but there are things that unitethem.”

Jaddoo, who cites one ofBirmingham’s first black coun-cillors, Bert Carliss, as one ofhis mentors said from his timevisiting communities he found

that unemployment and com-munity safety were two of thebiggest concerns.

“A big issue is that most peo-ple have no idea who their localMP is – let alone their localcouncillor. Accountability hasdiminished”, he said. “I learnedfrom Bert Carliss that thebiggest lesson in accountabilityis to let people know who youare. He introduced himself byname, not by party, and askedpeople directly what their con-cerns were. People responded

to that.” Jaddoo added: “We need to

use our collective strengths toget people together, get infor-mation out to the community,support our existing councillorsand inspire young people andget them into office.

“We could have had manypeople in important positions,but we can’t be bothered. We sitback, moan and do nothing.Only when it builds up do weget mad about it and then it allblows over again.

“Why doesn’t our communityuse our free right to vote? Wedid not have to fight for it, die forit, face the water cannons or goto prison for it. Americans didhave to fight for it, got mur-dered for it and they now have ablack president – whether youagree with his politics or not.”

To find out more about theBirmingham EmpowermentForum visit www.b-e-f.org.uk orcontact Desmond Jaddoo [email protected]

20 � THE VOICE SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2012

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS www.voice-online.co.ukvoicenewspaper@thevoicenews

‘BIRMINGHAMMUST WAKE UP’Political activist says the black community willbe overlooked unless they start being heard

PROTEST: Demonstrators picket outside Birmingham City Council after only one BME councillor was elected to a cabinet position

INDEPENDENT: Activist Desmond Jaddoo said his loyalties lie with ordinary people not political parties

By Poppy Brady

HIS ROLE at theOlympics was not inany medal category butdancer Rudi Cole has

struck gold following hisappearance in Danny Boyle’smuch-praised opening cere-mony for London 2012.

The 23-year-old beat off thecompetition to win a part in aprominent dance section of theceremony in July created byleading choreographer AkramKhan.

Khan, an iconic figure in theworld of dance, spotted Cole’stalent and invited him to be partof his next production VerticalRoad which will tour Americanext month before moving on toFrance.

It’s the chance of a lifetime forBirmingham-born Cole whowas forced to choose betweena career as a professional waterpolo player or to pursue hispassion for dance.

Luckily for the dance worldCole chose the latter. As headmits he’s been dancing“since I could just about move”there really was no contest.

His three minutes and 45seconds in the spotlight duringthe Olympic opening ceremonywas, he says, pretty unforget-table.

The section featured 50 spe-cially selected dancers accom-

panied by pop star Emeli Sandésinging the famous hymn AbideWith Me.

Khan’s interpretation broughta mesmerising stillness to theceremony – a reminder ofeveryone’s mortality and thetransfer of possibilities andhopes between generations.

“The rehearsals were intensebut an incredible experience,”says Cole, whose family lives inHandsworth.

“I loved the Olympic theme of‘inspiring a generation’. I thinkthe ceremony underlined theimportance of physical activityand showed it is not just aboutsport.”

Cole has learned over theyears that being a dancer is oneof the toughest activities; notonly do you have to be physi-cally fit, but it must be com-bined with suppleness andstamina.

“I think if I wasn’t a profes-sional dancer I would like to bean osteopath – the study of per-formers’ bodies is fascinatingas they are so fragile, yet sostrong at the same time,” addsCole who, at 6 feet 4 inches tall,cuts a striking figure in any per-formance.

His first foray into the danceworld took him to Birmingham’sDance Xchange and ACE – theAfrican Cultural Exchange –where its talented artistic direc-tor and choreographer GailParmel left a lasting impression

on him.“Gail taught me the ‘H’

word - stay humble andkeep your head down,” saysCole, who went to HolyheadSchool. He followed in Parmel’ssteps and studied for a degreeat the Northern School ofContemporary Dance at

Chapeltown,in Leeds.

Since finishing his degree in2009 he has never been out of

work, touring all over Europe onvarious projects with interna-tional dance troupes.

Cole can barely contain hisexcitement at the prospect oftaking part in the American 25-day tour Vertical Road, which heknows will be “full on”. It startsin Los Angeles, finishing at theLincoln Centre, New York.

When he’s not on tour, Cole isback at the family home chillingout with his brothers Azizi andXhosa, who are both accom-plished musicians in their ownright.

His parents both started outas social workers, where hismother still remains, and hisdad, Clive, switched careers tobecome an accomplished sto-ryteller and musician.

“We all have a tremendousrespect for my mum since she’sthe only female in the house,”adds Cole. “And she’s up goingswimming before she goes towork and cycling everywhere –she has great stamina.”

It sounds like his mum is a fit-ness role model too.

DANCE OF ALIFETIME Birmingham

dancer’s star is onthe rise after a stunning

performance at theOlympic opening

ceremony

BORN TO DO IT: 23-year-old Rudi said he has been dancing since hewas first able to move

STRENGTH: Rudi shows off his skills in a recent production he starred in

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONSwww.voice-online.co.ukvoicenewspaper@thevoicenews

SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2012 THE VOICE � 21

ON THE MOVE: Rudi starred in a stunning dance segment choreographed by legend Akram Khan for the Olympic opening ceremony

22 � THE VOICE SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2012

By Elizabeth Pears

AGROUP of experts froma range of professionshave come together tohelp forge new links

between Birmingham’sJamaican community and thepolice.

The reference group was setup in anticipation of the influx ofJamaicans to the city ahead ofthe Olympic games and theCaribbean nation’s 50th inde-pendence celebrations, inAugust.

Its purpose is to act as a go-between for residents or visitorsof Jamaican heritage and WestMidlands Police.

The two sides will meet regu-larly to share concerns andinformation, with the referencegroup able to influence keydecisions.

It is hoped the initiative willfurther increase awareness andunderstanding of policing withinthe Jamaican community.Birmingham has the one of thelargest Jamaican populations inthe country.

Chairman Everton Burkesaid: “This is an opportunity todiscuss a number things relat-ing to community safety andcommunity cohesion, but alsowider issues about theJamaican community andwhere we are now and wherewe want to get to in the future.

STOP-AND-SEARCH“One of the things we want to

see is stop-and-search figuresfor those of Jamaican heritagedropping to a level that onewould consider to be propor-tionate. We also want to seestronger links between the

police and community, and weare working really hard on thereference group to make thathappen.”

Though the Olympics is nowover, the group will continue towork together to achieve theirobjectives.

“We are in a period of calm inBirmingham right now betweenthe community and the police -things are going relatively well.

“But we really need to start dis-cussing strategies, making con-tacts and moving the communityforward so that we are making astrong contribution to the runningof this city,” said Burke.

“Jamaicans have brought arich sense of culture. There aremany who are doing really goodthings but are invisible to thegreater public and also to our-selves in the community. Weneed to make sure that goodstories are coming out.

“I have been talking to otherpeople in the community posi-tions of influence and the gen-eral consensus is that we needto get ourselves organised edu-cationally, politically and eco-nomically. But the most impor-tant thing is to do it publicly. Ifthey are not known about, thenessentially they don’t exist. Ourcolleagues of different culturesare singing about their achieve-ments and being heard. As aresult, they are getting further

ahead.”Burke said he believed that

Jamaicans were still not under-stood as a community.

He added: “There is definitelysome misreading of culturalbehaviours on the part of thepolice. We are loud and make alot of noise. We are passionateabout our beliefs and what isunderstood to be a friendlyargument on the inside, lookslike ‘what’s going on here, eh?’on the part of the police.”

Burke, however, said it was apositive sign that the policewanted to have the conversa-tion and should be applauded:

“There will be those, however,who will say we don’t need moredialogue and will want to knowexactly what will happen as aresult of this group. I ask them togive us time.

“It is also important toremember that the police areregular people – there will bethose who embrace the cultureof moving forward and somewho want to continue policingas they always have done.”

He added: “Our membersare committed - and we are verystrict about that – and have a lotof experience working in proba-tion, police authorities, the com-munity, within the church andwe are confident things aregoing to take off.”

BUILDING BRIDGES A new group is hoping to forge new links between the community and West Midlands Police

BUSINESS TIME: Everton Burke is determined to make the Jamaican reference group a a success

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS www.voice-online.co.ukvoicenewspaper@thevoicenews

By Poppy Brady

MAXIE HAYLES, an embat-tled warhorse of countless cam-paigns against racism, is finallycalling it a day by closing thegroup he founded 23 years ago.

In a poignant and extraordi-nary meeting, volunteers andsupporters watched as groupchairman Hayles and two boardmembers signed papers takingBirmingham Racial Attacks

Monitoring Unit (BRAMU) off theregister of companies atCompanies House.

It marks the end of an era forordinary people of any ethnicorigin who found themselvesthe victims of racist attacks.Those who didn’t know who to

turn to found support, guidanceand friendship at BRAMU.

Over the decades Haylesand his team have dealt withmore than 30,00 inquiries andworked on more than 6,000live cases from suspecteddeaths in custody to hate

crimes. He’s survived deaththreats and attacks from theBNP, but bounced backdenouncing the latest injusticeever more passionately.

Perhaps thehardest bat-

tle of all has

been the financial one. In 2010Birmingham City Council with-drew its £60,000 funding com-mitment as the recession beganto bite.

ENOUGH “There comes a time when

you have to say ‘enough isenough’ and I have to gothrough this procedure of offi-cially winding up BRAMU,” saidHayles, who is in his mid-60s.

“BRAMU has given me somesleepless nights and now it’sreally time I retired. I cannot goon indefinitely and it is not fairon my family.

“I will always be known as aformer chairman and be morethan happy to give strategicsupport, but I will no longer beleading BRAMU. As of tonight,BRAMU is dead.”

He paid tribute to all the vol-unteers and in particular his col-league Doreen Osborne, say-ing: “Doreen is the reasonBRAMU has survived this longand I don’t know what I wouldhave done without her.”

During the meeting, led by DrFrank Reeves, some were keenfor a voluntary group to be setup immediately in the wake ofBRAMU’s closure, but BishopDr Joe Aldred advised a periodof reflection like any time ofmourning “to soak up the grav-ity of the situation”.

But he warned that anypotential new group should be

self-sustainable to avoid beingdependant on the very organi-sations it is supposed to beholding to account.

Sonia Webster, fromEdgbaston, whose son Juliandied in a Manchester bar afterbeing restrained by securitystaff, spoke of Hayles’ unstint-ing support during the mosttraumatic time of her life.

This was echoed by InderbirKaur, an ex-West MidlandsProbation service employeewho found herself at the heart ofa racism case.

“Seeking justice is muchharder than being the victim ofracism, but Maxie supportedme throughout,” she said.

Over the decades Hayles,who was presented with aLifetime Achievement Awardfrom Reverend Jesse Jacksonin 2008 for his outstanding workdefending human rights andrace equality, and who alsoreceived an award from TonyBlair, has taken BRAMU’s cam-paigns across the globe toGeneva and South Africa.

But now it’s time for someoneelse to take up the cudgels.Community activist DesmondJaddoo, who joined everyone inan official vote of thanks toHayles, said: “Maxie has donethe right thing and I am pre-pared to pick up where Maxiehas left off.

“But we live in a hostile soci-ety – the rest of the communityneeds to step up politically andtake up the civic duty expectedof us – there needs to be lesstalk and more action.”

Activist retires after 23 years of fighting for equality END OF AN ERA FOR ANTI-RACISM GROUP

DONE DEAL: Maxie Hayles signs papers with fellow board members Gordon Lyew (centre) and Ferlando Pennant

LEGEND: Maxie Hayles atthe centre of a protest inthe early days of BRAMU



CLASSIFIED| THE VOICE SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2012 28

www.jamaica-gleaner.com THE WEEKLY GLEANER • JULY 12-18, 201218

This hardcover coffee-table book of just under 200 pages opens with the visit of a member of the royal family, Princess Margaret, for

Independence celebrations in 1962 and closes with the visit of Prince Harry in 2012. The production of the book is a joint venture between The Gleaner Company and Kingston-based Ian Randle Publishers.

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between The Gleaner Company and Kingston-based

This hardcover coffee-table book of just under 200 pages opens

50 Golden Moments

1962-2012 commemorates

Jamaica’s achievements over

the last 50 years since gaining

Independence in 1962.

Using black and white/colour

photographs, as well as images

of newspaper pages, the book

chronicles fi ve decades

of life in Jamaica.

50 Golden Moments 50 Golden Moments 50 Golden Moments 50 Golden Moments Jamaica:

This hardcover coffee-table book of just under 200 pages opens with the visit of a member of the royal family, Princess Margaret, for

Independence celebrations in 1962 and closes with the visit of Prince Harry in 2012. The production of the book is a joint venture between The Gleaner Company and Kingston-based Ian Randle Publishers.

For just £25 plus p&p you can order your copy now by calling Marlene at 020 7510 0340


Our Proud To Be Jamaican commemorative tee-shirts which have the now iconic front page of August 6 1962 can also be purchased for £15 or £12 plus p&p. Sizes range from XXL – S. Colours available are yellow or white. Order now while stocks last.To place your orders call us at 020 7510 0340 email [email protected]


of life in Jamaica.


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INSPIRATION:Dawson saidthe teachings ofJamaica nationalhero Marcus Garveyspurred him on to geteducated



IN 1980 a group of approxi-mately a dozen activistsfounded what is now theAfro-Caribbean Millennium

Centre (ACMC), in DudleyRoad. It was a safe havenwhere members ofBirmingham’s thrivingCaribbean community couldget together and socialise.Three decades later it is stillgoing strong, growing from afour derelict shops to animpressive three-storey buildingthat opened in 2004. It housescommunity radio station NewStyle, offers exercise classes forpensioners and is an educationresource. ELIZABETHPEARS talks to direc-tor JonathanDawson who hasbeen at thecentre of the

action from the beginning. He iscurrently working on his mem-oirs.

What led to the founding ofthe ACMC?

There was a growing popula-tion of Caribbean migrantscoming to Birmingham whoneeded help adjusting to theirnew life. We understood them abit more [than the council] sowe set up somewhere theycould go. We were a voice;someone to speak for them. Westarted in

a few ramshackle shops thatwe rented from the city coun-cil and did some repairs onit. There were quite a few ofus – most have passed awayor moved to Canada, theUSA or have gone back toJamaica.

How does it feel that theorganisation has beenaround for so long?

It makes me feel proudwhen I think of all the peoplethat came here and used thisplace to start their education.

We have genuinelyhelped people

whether it ishistory les-

sons orI T

training. I have so many goodmemories here. My favouritetime is when the guys gottogether and had a few drinks…

What do you do whenyou’re not at the centre?

I’m at home on my computerdoing a bit of writing or I go tothe library. I love the internet! Itis great for research and for

finding out about history. I wason it the other day readingabout the history of bananaand where it originated.Very interesting.

What made you wantto write a book?

I would like to leave it as alegacy for other people. Iwant people to see that aperson is not just one thing,but many things. I am morethan what you see here andnow. I am going to writeabout my childhood inJamaica, and then what I didwhen I move here.

What was Jamaica like? Jamaica was hard work.

We all had to work hard. Youdon’t just sit around and wait

for things to come to you. Iftoday’s generation had thatmentality, they would not haveany problems. Life is easiernow. If you want it, you can getit. There are so many opportuni-ties to educate yourself andpick up skills. Our parentsalways talked about the value ofhaving a skill. If you’re no goodat academic work, nothing isstopping you from getting avaluable skill. With that underyour belt, you can get a job any-where in the world; you willnever go hungry.

What are your skills?I trained as a tailor in Jamaica

and that was what I did until I left

at the age of 23. I came straightto Birmingham because mybrother was here. It wasn’t thatwelcoming. Thank you verymuch, Enoch Powell.

You couldn’t get a room torent. You had to depend onfriends. If a black person had aplace there were people every-where. Everybody was there. Ifthere was a chair to sit on,someone would sleep on it.

It sounds like there was agreat community spirit backthen?

There was. When it came toSundays, that was letter day. Iwas in a group that were myfather’s age and I was theyoungest. Some of them had lit-tle or no education, so I wouldwrite their letters for them orread a letter to them.

What kept you motivatedthrough the hard times?

I am passionate about edu-cation. I started reading aboutMarcus Garvey – he is one ofmy favourites – and he said youmust get education whereveryou can get it from. Educateyourself. Improve yourself.That’s what spurred me on.

You don’t just sitaround and wait forthings to come to

you. If today’sgeneration had

that mentality, theywould not have any

problems ”

“LEGEND: Jonathan Dawson is one of the founding members of the ACMC

LIFEANDSOUL

CLASSIFIED| THE VOICE SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2012 30

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Community Conversation: Birmingham