Aston Hall 1". Antiques Roadshow. Series 44. Episode 4. 7 November 2021. BC Television . Retrieved 11 November 2021. In 2016, Zephaniah curated We Are All Human, an exhibition at the Southbank Centre presented by the Koestler Trust which exhibited art works by prisoners, detainees and ex-offenders. [43]

Benjamin Zephaniah - Facebook Benjamin Zephaniah - Facebook

Futureversity believes all young people have the potential to be extraordinary. They provide free courses and activities for 11-25 year olds to help them develop the skills and self-belief they need to make the most of their lives. Their programmes have been proven to raise aspirations, reduce youth crime, break down racial tensions and get unemployed young people off benefits and into work. They continue run their core activities from Tower Hamlets (most are open to young people from across the capital) and also roll out our summer programme to other London boroughs. However, Zephaniah has ended up the people’s poet. Today he holds a handful of honorary degrees. In 2008 he appeared in The Times list of top 50 post-war writers. The Little Book Of Vegan Poems by Benjamin Zephaniah | Waterstones". www.waterstones.com . Retrieved 29 April 2021. In 2012, Zephaniah joined Amnesty International in speaking out against homophobia in Jamaica, saying: "For many years Jamaica was associated with freedom fighters and liberators, so it hurts when I see that the home of my parents is now associated with the persecution of people because of their sexual orientation." [42] In 2020, he appeared as a panellist on the BBC television show QI, on the episode "Roaming". [25] MusicWe Sang Across the Sea: The Empire Windrush and Me (2022), a biography of Mona Baptiste written by Zephaniah and illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. [65] a b c Gregory, Andy (2002), International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002, Europa, p. 562. ISBN 1-85743-161-8. Zephaniah has spoken in favour of a British Republic and the dis-establishment of the crown. [40] In 2015 he called for Welsh and Cornish to be taught in English schools, saying: "Hindi, Chinese and French are taught [in schools], so why not Welsh? And why not Cornish? They're part of our culture." [41]

Benjamin Zephaniah - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help Benjamin Zephaniah - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

There was one girlfriend that I had, and I actually hit her a couple of times, and as I got older I really regretted it. It burned my conscience so badly. It really ate at me, you know. And I'm a meditator. It got in the way of my meditation." Benjamin Zephaniah (7 August 2012). "Has Snoop Dogg seen the Rastafari light, or is this just a midlife crisis?". The Guardian. Handsworth was where Zephaniah began to make a name for himself. When he wasn’t doing straight poetry you would find him ‘toasting’ on various sound systems in the area. Toasting was an early form of rap, but rap that was related to reggae music rather than Hip Hop music; it was about entertaining the crowd and chanting words of wisdom. Zephaniah did all this, but he also became known for his social commentary. He started performing poetry in the school playground when he was 6 years old, his first real public performance was in church when he was 11 years old, but when he started on the sound systems his ability to comment on the world became apparent. Zephaniah lived for many years in East London; however, in 2008, he began dividing his time between a village near Spalding, Lincolnshire and Beijing in China. [56] He is a keen language learner and has studied Mandarin Chinese for over a decade. [57]He writes that his poetry is strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he calls "street politics". His first performance was in church when he was eleven, and by the age of 15, his poetry was already known among Handsworth's Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities. [8] His journey to reluctant celebrity has been long and hard. A troubled childhood, dealing with a violent father in Handsworth, “the English capital of Jamaica.” Dropping out of school at 13, learning to read and write at night school at 21. “I got my education from travelling, from talking to people, debating and asking questions about their society. That really excites me. All these observations about life make fascinating poetry,” Zephaniah says. In May 2011, Zephaniah accepted a year-long position as poet-in-residence at Keats House in Hampstead, London, his first residency role for more than ten years. Accepting the role, he commented: "I don't do residencies, but Keats is different. He's a one-off, and he has always been one of my favourite poets." [16] [17] Jamaica: Benjamin Zephaniah calls on Jamaicans everywhere to stand up against homophobia". Amnesty International. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012 . Retrieved 12 October 2012.

Face: The Play by Benjamin Zephaniah, Richard Conlon

Zephaniah is a supporter of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and has joined demonstrations calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, describing the activism as the "Anti Apartheid movement". He is also a supporter of the BDS ( Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. [44] [45] Political views Zephaniah was born and raised in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, England, [3] which he has called the "Jamaican capital of Europe". [4] He is the son of a Barbadian postman and a Jamaican nurse. [5] [6] A dyslexic, he attended an approved school but left aged 13 unable to read or write. [6] During his childhood he was given an old, manual typewriter which he says inspired him to become a writer. It is now in the collection of Birmingham Museums Trust. [7] Benjamin Zephaniah - Nelson Mandela | urbanimage.tv". urbanimage.photoshelter.com . Retrieved 29 April 2021.

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I did like his friends from after the accident the Jamaican sisters and Anthony. I thought that they were interesting and unique characters and I would have loved to learn more about them. Honorary Patrons". Vegansociety.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011 . Retrieved 10 May 2011. A far cry from Shakespeare or Shelley, who figure on his icon list, Zephaniah is “an equal opportunities poet.” His working class poetry is attuned to slavery, racism, bigotry, and every possible battle for justice. In 2016, Zephaniah wrote the foreword to Angry White People: Coming face-to-face with the British far right by Hsiao-Hung Pai. [18]

Face - Benjamin Zephaniah - Google Books

In the nineties his book publications, record releases and television appearances increased in Britain, although he has concentrated on performing outside Europe. He feels at home anywhere the oral tradition is still strong and lists South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan and Colombia as some of his most memorable tours. In fact life has been one long tour but this is the only way the oral tradition can live. Over a 22-day period in 1991 he performed on every continent on this planet. Sagir, Ceren (12 May 2019). "Thousands in London call for an end to Israeli occupation of Palestine". Morning Star . Retrieved 14 July 2020. If you are looking for something grounded in reality which manages to perfectly balance issues around discrimination and prejudice towards appearance, race, culture, and personal interest, then this is a MUST read. The Life And Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah. Simon & Schuster. 2 May 2019. ISBN 9781471168956 . Retrieved 12 February 2023. Haven Distribution aims to provide practical support to prisoners within the UK by purchasing educational literature for inmates who are currently attending courses whilst in prison. Providing dictionaries in English and other languages to inmates whose first language is not English, and providing large print dictionaries and books on improving reading and writing skills to inmates with dyslexia. They help prisoners attending educational courses such as NVQ, Open University, A Level, etc., and help in the purchasing specific course literature.a b Maciuca, Andra (29 October 2019). "Benjamin Zephaniah on Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley and race riots". Saffron Walden Reporter . Retrieved 29 April 2021. FACE by Benjamin Zephaniah (The Play) | Teaching Resources". www.tes.com . Retrieved 29 April 2021. Amicus is a small legal charity which helps provide representation for those facing the death penalty in the US. We believe the death penalty is disproportionately imposed on the most vulnerable in society, violating their right to due process and the concept of equal justice before the law. We work to provide better access to justice for those who could not otherwise afford it.