The Trouble with Black Folk, Trans Issues and Intersectionality

[Article originally posted on http://www.subscript.it – 10th March 2017]

As proud as I am to be black during times in which the global black community stands together in the wicked face of struggle, it’s disappointing when black people refuse to acknowledge the evil that goes on in our own communities – especially when it affects those of LGBTQI experience.

We’re only three months into a new year, but there have already been seven reported murders of Trans women in the US alone, all of which have been black. In 2016 more than 21 murders of black Trans women were reported, with around the same figure reported in 2015. It’s important to know that these were only the deaths that were reported and in the US, it’s a global issue that we don’t often acknowledge and it’s about time we woke up.

If you’re viewing this statistically, black people are already killed on a level that’s extremely disproportionate; so when looking at a minority within a minority – we’re seeing a number that is even more disproportionate. However, the aim of this article (or rant, it depends) is not about looking at statistics. We are dealing with real people with a real problem and what’s even more disappointing is the fact that the number of those in support is considerably less than it should be.

#BLACKLIVESMATTER has now become a global organisation that has sought to raise awareness in regards to the senseless, unlawful murders of black people and the blatant racism we face on a daily basis. Further to that, it has now become the hub for the advancement and protection of black people. Before I get into this, it is important to know that this is not in any way an attack on the organisation – #BLM has done amazing work in the community and I will continue to support in any way I can. Two of the co-founders of the organisation identify as queer and the protection of black people who identify as LGBTQI is built into the framework of the organisation and they put every effort into making sure that it affirms those of different experiences. In relation to Trans people, #BLM has stated “We are committed to embracing and making space for Trans brothers and sisters to participate and lead. We are committed to being self-reflexive and doing the work required to dismantle cis-gender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.” It is also important to note that #BLM has spoken out against violence against our black Trans brothers and sisters on numerous occasions.

Considering everything I have just pointed out, can someone tell me why the wider black community still does not want to open their mouths when it comes to the murders of black Trans women? It does not do well to stick our heads in the sand or shun when topics arise that might not necessarily shadow a particular viewpoint. If “white silence is violence” then black silence is violence. These are people who are just like us who are being slain because they are simply living their truths – or does that not sound familiar?

All too often, we forget that our community is made up of a variety of people. Some of us are gay, some of us are Trans, some of us are disabled and some of us choose not to identify within the confines of gender and that’s just the surface. We need to realise that the concept of intersectionality is real and we have an active duty to make sure that everyone is represented and fought for. If you don’t understand what intersectionality entails and its codes, by definition – “Intersectionality is an analytic sensibility, a way of thinking about identity and its relationship to power. Originally articulated on behalf of black women, the term brought to light the invisibility of many constituents within groups that claim them as members, but often fail to represent them.”

We need to affirm and lift up the lives of black Trans women, they are in real danger. According to planettransgender.com, on average, a Trans woman is slain every 29 hours and that the life expectancy of a Trans woman is 35 years old, further to that a huge majority of these deaths are black trans women. They are murdered upon on the premise of their skin colour, their gender identity and the work that some do. They are murdered by their clients, people that are known to them and for reasons that have never been solved. Black Trans women are constantly disadvantaged and it’s tough – they face discrimination from cis-gendered men, both hetero and homosexual; cis-gendered women; it can be painstaking finding work, so many are forced into sex work.

With all of these seemingly unbreakable walls being put up, it really is up to us to help break these down.

For us to continue to be silent, or to even find ‘rational’ reasons pardoning (i.e. because “the Bible”) these murders make us no better than those who violently want to snuff us out because of our colour. We look silly to those who question organisations like #BLM because we cannot seem to get our act together and protect each other as black people. Quite frankly, we as black people should be embarrassed. When it comes to the murders of black people on a whole, we have to be invested.

We need to show our Trans sisters that we will protect them in and out of hard times.

Addison Rose Vincent from The Huffington Post lists a few ways as to how we can better include our Trans sisters and show our support as the wider black community. We need to be rallying together when these horrific occurrences happen.

I’m bored of dialogue, personally, I think we talk too much.

We may mean well when we say “dialogue needs to happen” and whilst that may be the case, sometimes talk is cheap – we need to SHOW that we care, we need to actively include all black people from all experiences in everything that we do.

If the ultimate battle as black people is to dismantle white supremacy and patriarchal constructs, we need to begin to dismantle and decolonise these very constructs that have become embedded within our community. Homophobia and transphobia are two of many pillars within white supremacy; colonisation and patriarchy really have no business lingering in our community. We are a community of inclusion, love

To all my Trans sisters – you are our sisters, mothers, aunties, cousins; you are loved and you are not alone, it may take some time but we are going to do better by you.

AFROFUTURISM: TAKE ME HOME

When I was younger my uncle was afraid of the O2 Arena – which back then was known as the Millennium Dome. “Don’t go in there, Melchi – it looks like an alien mothership and Africans don’t mess with no aliens”.

How wrong my uncle was. Growing up there was always this idea that anything to do with technology or science fiction was un-African, so far removed from our traditional and ancestral backgrounds. However, the idea of sci-fi, technological advances wasn’t so far-fetched and now we have a name to give it – Afrofuturism.

Manzel Bowman – https://www.manzel.biz/

Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic that draws upon the influences of science-fiction, the future and technology merging that with blackness and black people living in Africa and the diaspora. In short, it would be fitting to describe Afrofuturism as a movement. The movement is there to obstruct, ask questions and combat, head on, the past of black people – especially those taken as slaves to America.

Its roots stretch as far back as the late 1950s with American jazz musician Sun Ra and the Arkestra, and sci-fi literature written by W. E. B. Du Bois and George S. Schuyler, however the term itself wasn’t coined until 1993 by American cultural critic Mark Dery in his essay Black to the Future.

Sun Ra was creating music that was not only futurist in sound, but in look, his aesthetic was a fusion of space and ancient Egyptian iconography – something that would become very popular with musicians­ in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s with the Jonzun Crew, Afrika Bambaataa & The Zulu Nation and Parliament-Funkadelic all adopting the ‘space-age’ look mixed with traditional African elements.

It’s found in black music, art, literature and film. What Afrofuturism does is explore the ideas of blackness and black life from an extraordinary angle. It moves away from the tropes of slavery, baby mother/daddy dramas, crime and other stereotypes and places black people in narratives of which we’ve always been left out.

However, Afrofuturism isn’t just black science fiction – it’s about ancient African traditions, ideals and belief systems and placing it in a context that allows it to exist in the future.

For American artist and academic John Jennings, his introduction into Afrofuturism was accidental, “I did these images about stereotypes, and I came up with this idea of black cyborgs and the constructive identity being metallic. A friend of mine saw these and said, “oh these look afrofuturist” so I looked it up and realised that I was that.”

Jennings has been involved with the movement ever since 2008 and has been integral in this new wave of Afrofuturism over the past decade. “I am very proud to be a part of this new form of what is known as Afrofuturism” he says. One of Jennings’ most notable works includes illustrating the graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s novel Kindred in which an African-American woman married to a white man time travels back to slavery against her will, an experience Jennings described as being “very difficult, but very rewarding and proud to have been a part of.”

John Ira Jennings

When looking at music in Afrofuturism, a lot of it has its basis in genres that are widely accepted as ‘black-founding’; hip-hop, R’n’B, neo-soul, jazz and funk have been the domineering sounds of the movement. However, it would be silly not to suggest the pioneering of house music, especially techno, as afrofuturist.

Berlin-based American DJ and cartoonist Alan Oldham got his start in techno after he was asked by childhood friend and pioneering techno producer Derrick May to create illustrations for his label, Transmat. “It kinda introduced me into the world of Detroit techno…back then it was magical, it was really a thing,” he says.

Hip-hop in its very early stages sounded like early house music, and this sound and this idea of house and techno music as black has been lost now. Oldham says, “black people are defined now by hip-hop…we are limited to these kinds of boxes. With a lot of these younger generations discarding these art forms, the former gets picked up by others.”

There is this idea that black people are monolithic, which is most certainly not true. Oldham tells of the time he was at a family gathering when he met one his younger cousins, “I was introduced to my cousin, and my other relative introduced me as a ‘famous techno DJ’ to which she replied, “isn’t that what all those white folks listen to?” … a lot of people don’t get it – through no fault of their own. It’s kinda tough.”

However, Oldham is confident that we will move towards an afrofuturism that will see more experimental techno music.

It is because of Afrofuturism that artists like Janelle Monáe, Kelela, FKA Twigs and films like Black Panther have been allowed to flourish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janelle Monae – I Like That

Kendrick Lamar ft. Sza – All The Stars

Missy Elliott & Da Brat – Sock It 2 Me

Kelela – Frontline

TFL – No Scrubs

Azealia Banks – Chasing Time

With Black Panther, we are shown a narrative that places an African country at the forefront of technological innovation untouched by colonisation and other negative outside influences. The fictional county of Wakanda is the dream of the ancestors.

For decades black scholars and artists alike had imagined a life where blackness wasn’t seen as a bad thing and where black people could flourish in areas they couldn’t in ‘real life’. Black Panther in a sense echoes the writings of authors like Colson Whitehead who imagined places where black nations had unbounded wealth and a sense of real community untouched by racism and systemic oppressions.

Although Black Panther is fictional, both Jennings and Oldham recount the sentiments of unity the film had inspired. “the emotional and cultural gains are far reaching because it means so much for someone to see someone who looks like them or like someone they know – it’s empowering” Jennings said.

Although African American in its approach Afrofuturism has found its way back to the continent of Africa, for Jennings – this is an exciting prospect, “our brothers and sisters from the diaspora – they want in they’re like hey! I got dreams too, what are we going to do together?” he says; however, he knows that there is some sort of push back against that but says that “this is the beauty of these things, we don’t have to agree all the time. But it is beautiful to see people from Africa interested in this work and engaging.”

The likes of Kenyan artist Osborne Macharia, Burkina Faso architect Diébédo Francis Kéré and Senegalese fashion designer Selly Raby Kane are all influencers of Afrofuturism in Africa and are all respected.

Magadi from Osborne Macharia’s Kenya’s League of Extravagant Grannies. Osborne Macharia

There is a distinct story that Afrofuturism sets out to tell. There’s an idea of reclaiming an identity, one that was so brutally and forcibly erased from black people and using this identity alongside ideas of technology to create something new. What Afrofuturism allows is for those who engage with it to ask questions, try to reconcile themselves with the past and to move forward in positive ways that would ultimately bring about some sort of accord among black African nations and their descendants.

The future is black, the future is Afro.

Black Beauty, White Acceptance

I’m tired. Whenever I put time aside to write about this my head hurts, my pores leak and my breath shortens to a point where you’d think I had ran a marathon…That’s how I tired I am when it comes to this subject. However, there has never been such a more relevant time to discuss this and sure, I’m probably only one of a million to speak about this, but like all people – I have an opinion and I’m ready to talk.

I remember being a young boy looking towards the sky asking the higher powers that be why I had to be born as a person of colour, more so an African. My parents moved us from a place where we were many to a place where we were one black family out of two. My mixed race mother was asked so many questions about the way she looked and how she looked after her very black child; “why is he so much darker than you?” “Do you bathe him every day or do you wait until he smells a bit?” “You could pass as a white person, you’re pretty.” My mother was born to a Ukrainian mother and a Ghanaian father, being partially raised in a very white country came with its obvious difficulties, and then moving to Ghana became another difficulty as people (including those in her own family) would scream out ‘Obrouni’ at her, a term used to describe a white person.

It’s not easy when you can’t really get into your beauty when people scrutinise you for either a) being of colour but being too light or b) being too dark. History will tell you that there’s nothing wrong with being too light, but when you’re black and light skinned – you’re somehow not seen as black enough, even to go as far as being told you’re ‘white passing’. To add insult to forced injury, it’s even worse when you have something that is seen as a mark of beauty in one place, only to be told it’s ugly, have it taken from you and have that person who took it be praised for it. So today we are going to talk about the ever growing problem of trends and natural beauty that black people have pioneered which only seem to be accepted or celebrated when done by a white person.

Often you’ll find that the body of a black person is always under attack, it’s under attack from the white gaze from both ends of the spectrum – it’s oversexualised whilst demonised, can we say Saartjie Baartman? All too often you’ll hear that a black woman with a naturally big backside has too much of this and too much of that, but white women who have enhanced themselves to look exactly like that are “bad bitches” and have all this sex appeal. Annoying? Incredibly so. I mean when you look at certain celebrities and their evolution over the years, their bodies are looking more and more like black women, and then magazines will lap it up with heinous headlines like “like to get the perfect ass like Kim K” or “get fuller and plumper lips like Angelina”… Girl, can’t we get fuller lips like Lupita or like Meagan Good?

In the words of the great black drag queen RuPaul herself, “I have one thing to say…” Kylie Jenner. Let’s get into Miss Jenner, now I am not one to be a hypocrite and I will let you all know (although I might get beaten up for saying so) I do watch KUWTK and I do quite enjoy it, and to be honest it has everything to do with what I’m going to say. I really feel like I have watched Kylie turn from a shy little white girl into ‘some sort’ of black woman and I say ‘some sort’ because, well – no. Kylie is pumped. Her lips, tits and her booty are definitely not what her mama gave her and yes, I won’t deny that she probably wanted all that to feel better about herself but what I want to really talk about is her lips.

Whilst I’m on the topic of Jenner and the rest of the Kardashian family, have you noticed that these changes didn’t happen until they all started messing with black guys? Call me paranoid, or maybe just angry but it’s become ever apparent that black men are also part of this problem. In my personal experience, I have come across many a black man (gay and straight) who prefer to date white – before I continue, I would like to let you know that I have no issue with interracial relationships but I have noticed an unsettling trend. There are a select group of black men who actively seek a white partner, they want a woman with the body of a black woman but without the ‘agro’ of dating one. There is also a fixation on having mixed-race or light skinned children. According to many; the hair is better, the skin is lighter and there’s a high chance of the child having light eyes too. You do have to sit and ask yourself why? Personally I think this is an issue that stems back hundreds of years: the strive desire to be accepted by our white counterparts, the fact that we have been told that we are ugly, sub-human, wild and unkempt. I think the fixation is a way of maybe saving ourselves and our children from racial prejudice and the possibility of fair treatment, which on one hand I understand – but how can you want to stand for something when you’re trying to get rid of the very thing that makes you, you?

Once people noticed that Jenner had fuller lips all of a sudden, a very disturbing amount of people decided to record themselves undertaking the ‘Kylie Jenner Challenge’ in which people would suck on the inside of some plastic bottle or jar for a couple of minutes. The result being that when the lips are popped out – they’d look humongous. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I felt it was mockery. It was a mockery to both Jenner (HAHA) and to those with fuller lips. I think I’ll call this whole lip thing, ‘the lip complex’ for a very long time fuller lips on black person was deemed to be ugly, I remember being called ‘bubba lips’ in primary school… Let’s take it back to the beginning of the year, MAC posted a photo to its Instagram of a close up picture of a black model’s lips to which hundreds upon hundreds of comments tended to lean onto the racist side of life. It seemed that there were a fair few people who had no problem saying that the model’s lips were ugly but they would gladly make their lips fuller because it looks nicer on a white person, it’s just another case of black being cool until it comes to being a black person.

MAC issued a statement, but really what is that going to do? We can post statements, apologies and announcements until we’re blue in the face, but really a mind-set like that – well you already know.

Being a black face in a white world is a lot most times. In the beauty and fashion world, it can be exceedingly noticeable. Beauty campaigns don’t tend to use black women, and when they do – they are usually lightened to the point of being unrecognisable; runway shows tend to be as bright as a Daz commercial and you’ll find that when darker girls are used, they use them for some sort of animalistic themed collections. Furthermore, whilst yes – there are stores that are solely dedicated to selling products that are made for black people, you will never find these products in a high street store and on the off-chance that you do, it’s probably tucked away in one corner and fills up a couple of shelves. SheaMoisture recently launched a campaign that highlights this issue. Richelieu Denis, the company’s CEO recently said “We’ve never understood why great products weren’t easily accessible to everyone, and why every beauty that we saw at home, at work or in the streets was not represented in the product solutions in the aisles.”

One would say that if you live in a place where white people are the majority, they are going to cater to that majority which on one hand I would say was a fair statement – you buy what appeals to you, that’s just marketing in the simplest form. But really, when you know that there’s a high concentration of a particular demographic, it would be nice to know that we are properly represented and catered for. I’d love to end this with a solution, it’s not too much to ask, but when you’re questioning a system that’s as old as time, you’re going to have issues.

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, well actually no – it’s the highest form of laziness. Why bother doing your own thing when you can take from others, give them nothing and benefit tenfold.

Illustration by Sonny-Jack Richmond.

Around the world in a day

2014 was the year I would take my first holiday without my parents, I was 24. It might sound crazy sad, but that liberating feeling is nothing short of complete bliss. Doing your own thing and not having to take your younger siblings to the crappy end-of-week disco whilst your parents sneak away for a sherry or five. It’s pretty amazing.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, the world is huge – it was made to be explored and we should be dong just that. There are plenty of people who are happy where they are; not having gone anywhere and, although I hate to say it, that’s absolutely fine. However, I think that when you travel you learn things; you take on different cultures, different bits of various languages not to mention all the cool people you’ll meet.

You do get those odd fools that convert to culture know-it-alls, when really all they did was stay in a tourist resort and take a pre-booked car everywhere not even stepping foot onto anything remotely to do with the locals. Don’t be one of those pricks, when you travel – ACTUALLY TRAVEL. It’s all about getting out of that comfort zone and doing things you wouldn’t normally do, you’re away from home – relish in that.

Now, I wouldn’t tell you to venture into something with rose-tinted glasses. Travelling is both pricy and risky. For the most-part there are really good ways of travelling that don’t involve too much of a cost; charity volunteer and missionary work offer the opportunity to travel whilst helping communities. It usually only costs the return plane fare, food and accommodation is provided upon arrival. There are also some really cool companies that offer gap year holidays from as little as £2,000. Notable mentions include; Oyster Wolrdwide and Real Gap which both offer gap years where you can choose to either travel the world on a string of debauched activities (to your own peril, they don’t actually offer debauched activities) or you can tour various countries whilst taking part in charitable activities.

Let’s not beat around the bush, the world is a messy place full of deep and dangerous people. Don’t let that turn you off though. There are so many ways of keeping yourself safe when travelling, I must sound ridiculously boring right now… Firstly, I’d recommend going with somebody. It’s all good and well experiencing something by yourself – that’s your experience and no-one can take that away from you. However, when travelling with someone else, there’s reassurance that at least one of you will know what to do when things get a little too “The Beach”. Make sure you’re contactable – buy yourself a cheap phone that can handle international calls and make sure it’s preloaded with some credit and that at least three people have that number. Check in with those who need to, just so they know that you’re arriving and leaving each destination safely. Keep your medical credentials with you; it might just save your life.

There are some beautiful locations in the world, but unfortunately humans can be a bit shite and ruin things; so some of these places can be engulfed in conflicts. The home office has a seriously handy list that outlines countries of safety and danger to foreign visitors. It’s pretty extensive too – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

On a personal note, it is my dream to travel the world. Originally I wanted to travel in a huge hot air balloon like Phileas Fogg, but I’ve come to the realisation that it wouldn’t be the best option… I think in a way, it’s grounding – you appreciate home a lot more or you might even find that you want to move away. Either way, you’ll have a whole book of stories to share. In the hopes of not sounding like a motivational speaker – do something different in 2015, if you’re going to Spain – see real Spain; if you’re going to Paris, live like a Parisian and if you’re going to Thailand, see a LadyBoy pageant – I’ve heard many great things about them.

Merry Travelling.

Game of Homes: Kasita and the Housing Crisis

I remember being around ten years old with a solid idea of what my life would be like in my mid to late twenties. I imagined a four bedroom house, a wife, children and a good job where I’d make plenty of money. Now at the age of twenty-six, it’s beginning to look like a distant dream.

The desperate bid for affordable and liveable housing has become somewhat of a ‘Game of Homes’. It’s getting a lot harder to rent and even more so to buy. It begs the question “why?” You’d think that housing would be a basic right considering if we were in the middle ages – all we’d need to do is build a house on a bit of land and call it home…

The housing in the UK is at an all-time low. Grown adults are moving back in with parents, people are living in shared housing, a lot of us are looking towards renting with private landlords and there are a staggering amount of people who face homelessness. We aren’t earning enough, but the cost of living is getting more and more expensive and in all honesty the fight to bridge that gap is not happening and it doesn’t look like it will close any time soon.

The USA is also facing its own housing crisis, however there is one group of people who are working towards combatting it. Let me introduce you to Kasita; a new housing design with a difference.

Kasita’s CEO Dr. Jeff Wilson used to live in a dumpster. He wasn’t homeless, but he wanted to experiment with space and how to, cheaply, maximise it. Wilson wanted to create a house that was innovative and minimal – yet highly attainable.

Kasita is a home that is intended to fit in wherever it goes. It’s minimal, yet functional design makes sure that every inch of the unit has a use. With 319 square feet of space and 10 foot high ceilings, Kasita is set to become a very popular alternative. One of the most unique features of the Kasita home is that it’s mobile. The homes will sit in what is aptly called a “Kasita Rack” which will be placed in various cities – so if you decide one day you need to move, at the click of a button and subject to availability – you can! The homes are intended for “college kids in need of student housing, to urban millennials and those enjoying retirement” with intent to house individuals who work for cities (police officers, firefighters ect).

As someone who is currently in the middle of finding their own space, this is great news! However, I am sceptical as to how this is going to work in the UK. The US is huge and therefore availability might be a lot better. The UK is small and the cities are dense, then there’s the whole family thing. It would be nice if Kasita could start to develop something that would cater for young families as a starting point – even something for life. For now, I am interested to see where this goes and the impact it could potentially have on the housing crisis.

Kasita is expected to launch and trial this autumn in Austin, Texas.

 

There’s a Riiottt Brewing

It’s not often I find myself struck with an artist, you’d excuse my pessimism but these days it seems we’re presented with the same old regurgitated talent and expected to class it as something amazing (a la Iggy Azalea – yup I said it). After spending an unnecessary amount of time trawling through the ‘kawaii’ hashtag on Instagram, I came across a photo of a strikingly beautiful woman with pixie ears and a whole load of pink – I had to know more.

This wonderful Instagram find came in the form of Riiottt, a musician and model currently residing in the star struck planes of Los Angeles. For the sake of being nosey and because I just love talent, I got to speaking with Riiottt and we had a pretty good chat.

Riiottt is different, her sound isn’t ‘box-able’ and her aesthetics aren’t so easily boxed either, so much so she finds it difficult to describe herself “sometimes I literally look in the mirror and ask myself the same question haha.” But if she had to describe herself she’d be “just a fairy that decided to unlock a few brain doors…that’s how I got here to planet Earth.”

Riiottt’s sound is a mash-up of everything you could possibly think of. Tracks like her version of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’-‘Heads Will Roll’ has a trap sound that meets comfortably with electro, whilst tracks like ‘Call Me’ have a punk edge. As for her look, it’s edgy yet controlled and alluring – it’s punk, yet cute which is probably why you’d find her modelling on occasion, “Just because I can. I’m pretty well rounded, but I think everyone can do it and everything they’ve ever dreamt of doing, it just takes practice.”

One of the most defining moments in Riiottt’s career so far was her move from her native concrete jungle, New York City down to the sunny shores of Los Angeles; “it changed my life, it saved my life and it birthed my career.” She lamented on her time in New York, “I love New York, it’s home and it’s cosy during winter and a party during the summer but like…that’s just it” she said, “NY isn’t for me. I needed to leave; I was going nowhere musically, people fucked with my style but didn’t wanna take it in. I feel like they were either scared, confused or straight up hating. LA … I was just meant to be here I always knew I needed to leave NY, I needed to be with the sun and the sand. Also there’s so much opportunity for me here. Already I see the progress and blessings – I’ve grown so much.”

With me being nosey and knowing everything that’s going on in the USA politically, I just had to ask who she wants to see win the Presidential election, “Sanders” she says with a smile on her face. I feel the ‘Bern’ too!

After only being in LA since January, it’s clear that nothing holds Riiottt back. As a black woman, she has no difficulty getting ahead “regardless of anything, I have drive and no one can stop me.”

The future looks bright for Riiottt, she sees nothing but “success and blessings” and has a whole leap of new music coming our way, but for now check out her newest track “Park Kids” here.

Prince: A Love Letter

When people think of Prince, many words might spring to mind; ambiguous, talented, maestro, entity. However for me, there is no way to label him – he just is. There are probably going to be a whole hoard of tributes that are going to give facts, album sales and all the accolades he received over his reign in music, but I connected with Prince on a personal level.

Venice, Italy — Renaissance Lord and Lady Costumes at Carnival — Image by © Roy Rainford/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis

I grew up in a very strict African household, we were first generation migrants from Ghana to the UK and my parents wanted little to do with secular society. I make them sound like monsters, but I was all the better for it and they are really fab people – I mean they’re much mellower now. I digress, I didn’t actually know about Prince until I was in high school when he released the track “Black Sweat” from the ‘3121’ album. I must admit, back then I wasn’t interested but it wasn’t until my early university days and was coming to terms with my sexuality when Prince made a return into my life. I heard “I Would Die 4 U” and from that moment I was wrapped up in being a Prince stan – the only musician that I would stan for.

Looking back, I think he really stood out for me not just because he was insanely talented; but he was smart, spiritual and black. You may think of me as fickle, but the fact that he was a black man was so important for me – to me it meant being able to be black and carefree, being myself without limits and without compromising. He never ever renounced his heritage or sold himself out for anyone or anything, he was proud to be a black musician and he was there for his people.

Prince was someone who transcended norms of gender and sexual expression, his musical abilities were out of this world and there will never be another. Most of my fondest and most treasured moments involve him; that time me and my bestie rushed to Camden’s Koko to try and get into one of a few pop-up performances Prince was putting on; the times when I was with my first, and only, boyfriend and we would lay down and listen to Prince, the time I went crazy in my Uni kitchen dancing around to his music, the first time I watched Tim Burton’s Batman – there’s just too many to count.

2016 has already been a hard year with the losses of some of music and entertainment’s greats, but I can safely say we are beyond blessed to have been alive when these amazing people were here.

So, to my beloved purple entity and musical saviour – You are never forgotten, I love you.

ANUS! Alaska Thunderfuck 5000

I flipping love Drag Race, honestly – ever since my mother confiscated my personal photo of RuPaul, I have been hungry for something dragtastic to come along and sweep me off my feet. That came in the form of RuPaul’s Drag Race. So, some of you might not be gay-savvy and that’s okay I forgive you. RPGR is literally America’s Next Top Model mixed with Project Runway with an extra helping of glitter. I’ve been watching RPDR ever since Nina Flowers was voguing down in the “Covergirl” video and every season is full of boisterous and talented queens who bring something different every time – and season five was certainly no exception. As the queens were coming through for their first meeting; a tall, modelesque queen with long blonde hair walked in with a horse mask, the whole room fell silent and as she removed the mask – she let out a roaring “hiiiiieeeeeeee!” Yes my dears, Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 was in the building.

For those who don’t know anything about this Queen, you really need to get in. Alaska was one of the few that really came with something different. Somewhat of a diamond in the rough, Alaska came to Drag Race fame fresh off the heels of her former partner’s (Sharon Needles) win the season before. It was literally all eyes on Alaska and in the words of Alyssa Edwards “she has some pretty big shoes to fill.”

Alaska as an entity crash-landed down in Earth many years ago and has been spreading her uber-amazingness ever since; in Alaska’s own words “the details are hazy, however she’s just trying to get enough twitter followers to get her spaceship back up and running.”

Alaska isn’t like most queens; during her season on RPDR, she’d always been called out for her makeup skills, her lack of not being able to create an outfit by stitching. All that aside, she used her resourcefulness and witty sense of humour which literally won the hearts of America and RuPual herself. For those who aren’t in the know – RuPaul is gay royalty, one of the only drag queens to surface from the underground and hit the jackpot in mainstream media. I remember being a young child and my parents owned a copy of Elton John’s “Duets” album and seeing a picture of RuPaul inside the insert – my mother had to make it obvious that RuPaul was in fact a man, Alaska laughed at this fact and shared a moment just like it; “my sister was laying out for me and she was like “RuPaul…who sings that song ‘Supermodel, well that’s a man” and it’s confusing but it also kind of unlocked this whole world in this little child brain of mine. He’s amazing and he’s a major figure in our culture.”

Through all the ups and downs, Alaska came through and found herself in the coveted top three; she came in second place but her season would be one of those that will go down in ‘HERstory’. A few months after appearing on the season, Alaska did what all good queens should do and released a song, this one was a quirky rap song called “RuGirl” in speaking about being one Alaska mentioned that “it’s great, it’s what I’ve always wanted you know from very early on when I first started doing drag.”

In ‘real life’ Alaksa is Justin Andre Honard a “nice” Theatre gradate born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. Alaska started life as well do – in complete modesty “we’re pretty nice, it’s really snowy and there’s tons of snow in the winter and everyone complains about it but no-one moves away!” It’s also clear that Alaska, although living the high-life touring the world and living in the … of hilly LA, is very much a family man at heart. Some of Alaska’s many childhood memories include Christmas, “we had really good Christmases. We didn’t have a lot of money, but somehow Christmas was always bomb-ass and our parents really turned it out every year.”

The past few years have seen popular culture begin to diversify when gender comes into play. In a good way, gender isn’t being seen as something’s that simply black and white. In this day and age, people are identifying themselves in ways that defy labels. As well as having male and female, we’re opening up to a world that’s becoming a lot more accepting of those who identify as transgender, two spirit, intersex and the like.

It seems that even now, more than ever, the Trans community is finally getting recognition being allowed to be free and more importantly, be themselves. The Trans community has new Icons who has given the community a positive outlet, Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), Janet Mock, Chaz Bono, Isis King, Carmen Carrera and Leiomy Maldonado are only the peak in an iceberg of activists. Whilst being of Trans identity is a whole different ball game to ‘getting up in’ drags, both sides of the fence can appreciate the struggles they’ve had to endure. We’ve all heard about the riots at Stonewall right? Well it was drag queens who started that chain, that road to social emancipation and it’s for that reason alone that makes drag queens a positive and pivotal force in gay society. “I think it’s very important and it’s been around a very long time, but I mean as the story goes it was the first bricks at Stonewall that were thrown by the queens. And so I think drag is vitally important to, not the only the gay community but I think also the straight the community. It’s a culture that’s now informing a lot of like, fashion choices that a lot of people in Hollywood are wearing.”

Gender politics is something of a bitch, whilst it’s important to recognise those who fall outside what society might consider to be ‘normal’ roles. After all, in this day and age it’s not all about who’s the breadwinner and the domestic, we’re truly lucky to live in a world where we can do what we please and people can be generally okay with that. Gender is something is close to Alaska’s heart – not just because she’s a Drag Queen, but because Alaska is all about self-acceptance that scream “yes I’m a man in a dress, but I’m still a man all the same.” Alaska became involved in the GenderBender Project ran by Dusti Cunningham and Jacob Rostovsky, an initiative that wants to raise awareness of the ‘outer-gender’ community making advancements in social acceptance and overall wellbeing for the community – “These people are parents, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. Their professions range from students to porn stars to homemakers to comedians and executives…The one tie that binds together everyone in the series is the ability to evolve and adapt.” – Dusti Cunningham. Part of the project showcases the diverse and unique beauty of those who identify themselves as such. Alaska’s picture was probably one of the most memorable of the photos – simply because it was the only picture that was a fully frontal nude: “Well I’m happy to get naked anytime I can…I don’t see anything wrong with the human body, I think it’s lovely… as a culture we become more conservative, like it’s swinging back to a conservative direction which is just weird to me. So to counteract that I just try to get naked whenever I can.”

Drag itself is an amalgamation of styles, to break it down Drag is like any language, it can range depending on where you’re doing it. You have the pageant girls, the ‘real’ girls, the freakish girls and the genderbent girls. With the different styles of drag you’d expect a clash of ultra-glitter proportions – but with shows like RPDR in full swing, drag styles are mixing and becoming a lot more accepting and open; one would automatically put Alaska in the ‘freak’ type of drag, but it’s a lot more than that and Alaska can see a kind of drag that’s ‘all-inclusive’ – “I think it’s all just becoming more like those cultures are borrowing from each other and they’re learning from each other and informing each other and I think that’s a good thing. I think it is a very ‘anything goes’ art form but that’s what I love about it.” It may be all inclusive, but all Drag Queens must be wearing nails in Alaska’s books – “as long as she’s wearing nails – she’s fine by me.”

If there’s one queen that Alaska draws inspiration from, it’s Divine, “She definitely takes the night for me. I’m really into her music career and when she was touring”. Another legendary queen who found notoriety in the mainstream with an extensive career in the performing arts; Divine played the original Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” as well as a pretty radial music career and some pretty crazy movies (seriously, you should watch “Pink Flamingos”). Divine and Alaska both have that shock factor that at first makes you want to look away, but it’s so interesting to the eye that you can’t stop looking. Perhaps maybe Alaska will become our generation’s ‘quasi-Divine’; a queen so in-tune with activism and pop-culture after all, Alaska is almost there – “I feel like her sometimes like she’s gone to all these places and all these different countries and touring and doing shows and I feel like her sometimes.”

Speaking of pop culture, Alaska recently joined forces with drag superstars Willam Belli and Courtney Act to create a music video to celebrate a collaboration between all three queens and American Apparel #anus. “It was really fun to work with Willam and Courtney. I love the clothes, they’re ethically made and the colours are really good. Plus I got to be a model which is pretty cool. It’s kinda cool for a thirty year old man to be a, you know, a young girl model…It’s weird but nice.”

I asked Alaska to put together the ultimate drag house to which she let out a hearty laugh and replied “Oh god that’s so hard! I don’t know but Vivacious would have to be in there. She’d be a really good Mother! Ornacia would be there as well – I mean that’s a pretty solid house right there. Plus I’ll put some Shangelas, some Alyssas and some LaGanjas – that’s the only house there needs to be.”

Essentially drag might be about putting on a wig, some heels and make-up; but drag is about acceptance, being and accepting yourself totally and it’s that sentiment that Alaska leaves us with. “Do what you do and do what you love and if that’s drag or it happens to look like drag – then that’s great. Even if it doesn’t look like the other drag that’s going on that’s still okay, just do your thing and do what you love.” Even if you’re not looking for a full-time career in drag, this works across the board. There is nothing more beautiful than doing what you love without judgement and persecution.

 

Lost in Translation: Effing Tourists

I’ve always made a point of not looking like a tourist when I arrive in lands unfamiliar to myself. There’s nothing more annoying than walking down Oxford Street, fuck it – ANYWHERE in London, and being cut off by someone who thinks it’s fitting to snap a picture of Primark. Stop that! So now that I’ve been to Europe twice, yes you have permission to laugh at my pitiful travel exploits, I feel like I should at least give you a little advice in not looking like a tourist.

Big bags are a DEAD GIVE AWAY. You know those people that insist on taking a huge rucksack with them everywhere? I’ve never understood it, I understand that you might want to carry some essentials like bottles of water; snacks just in case and of course your coins… But that can easily be put into a cute little zip tote. Plus, those are the type of bags you carry on your back; if you’re travelling to a hot country, you’re going to be an extremely sweaty tourist. There’s nothing more off-putting to locals than a sweaty someone who can’t even say hello in the native tongue…

Valuables MUST be tucked away. Pickpockets are the scum of the earth and you must try your damnedest to avoid having your goods swiped from you without you knowing. Firstly, never carry ID like passports on you; leave them in a safe and un-obvious place back where you’re staying. Never put loose change, notes and mobile phones in a side or back pocket – a pickpocket will see that and strike like a Magpie to shiny shit. The best thing to do would be to purchase either a body bag which you can attach around your torso and discreetly tuck away; or a pouch that you can wear around your neck – both ways, if someone is trying to swipe your shit; you can turn around and go full on ninja on that ass! I suggest this simple money bag from Superdrug – it’s only £3.50.

Learn the language. No-one’s expecting you to be 100% fluent in the native language of wherever you’re travelling to, but at least know the basics. English might be the language of the world, but a lot of people don’t speak English – and why should they? They’re in their home country after all. There are so many mobile apps and travel books that will cover the basics when you need to have a nice chin-wag with a local. It’ll also come in handy if you find yourself in a spot of trouble. It’s always good to learn a new language too, always comes in handy. Google Translate is always great for small words and phrases – be warned though, always make sure you retranslate the translation in English to make sure it’s correct; you don’t want to end up asking someone if they want to see your private parts when you only wanted to find out where the KFC was… Some great apps include Codegent’s LearnApps which are easy phrasebooks that are available in several languages. If you’re 100% serious about taking on another language in general, Rosetta Stone will be your best friend. It’ll teach you everything from phrases, to how to actually pronounce words – it’s pricey but it’s a God send! Oh, and pronunciation is key.

Maps. This is the one thing that gets on my damn nerves. Maps are handy and will help a great deal, but I beg if you are going to use an actual paper map – don’t bring it out in the middle of the street. Kindly take yourself out of the way and navigate from there, trust me people will love you for it. Alternatively, your smartphone will be great to use with a wide range of maps readily available; street maps and public transport maps will be your personal saviours, both of which will work offline.

Picture Etiquette. Not everything is picture worthy, so there is no need to snap a picture of every little thing you see. I’m not saying that every picture has to be contrived and posed, but if I see another picture of a frog/bird/cat/dog or any other good creation of the Lord and it’s not a bloody panther or something amazing – I will rip the camera from your hands and destroy it. Pictures of monuments, local messes and selfies (as long as they’re not that many) are just fine, ‘kay thanks!

Pick up the pace. If there’s anything that really grinds my gears, it’s slow walkers. There is a time and a place and it’s called the beach. When you’re on a busy road, walking slowly will only make the locals give you evils. If you need to stop for any given reason, take yourself to the side; if you’re going to stop bang on in the middle of the pavement, you’re going to get pushed, shoved and battered – you better renew that travel insurance…

Be adventurous with food. What’s the point of going to a new country when all you’re going to do is eat burgers, chips and all sorts of delicacies you can get back home? You’re abroad, try out everything that country has to offer. Walking into a traditional restaurant and asking for bog-standard food looks silly. Get out there and do something different, that’s what a holiday is about!

Take notes and enjoy your time away! Just try to not piss of the locals, prison anywhere is not cute 😉

Down With Dating.

Dating… That awfully awkward process of having to get to know someone – forcibly. Maybe I’m being a bit too pessimistic describing it as ‘force’ but it does get tedious after a while no? Understandably, dating isn’t something that comes naturally and it does require some attempts before you can get it right.

I think my problem with dating arose when I came into contact with a serial dater. Yes the type that can’t just see one person at a time and actually get to know a person, the one who must date several people at once and then be blatant about it… I understand that it works for some, but for many the process of getting to know someone is just that – getting to know someone and it must be confusing when you see each person. Just imagine turning up for a date with ‘number three’ and you mistakenly ask them how their job interview went, but it was actually ‘number two’. Get my gist?

I unfortunately had the pleasure of being ‘number two’ less than a year ago when the guy who I thought only had eyes for me, neglected to tell me he had started seeing someone. The joke was, we didn’t even get to enjoy the actual ritual of going on a date. I had an outfit picked out too. I eventually got over the initial shock and decided to make like Elsa and let it go. Since then I’ve opted for nights in after work watching Bridget Jones and engaging in a ‘ménage a trois’ with Ben & Jerry.

As I mentioned earlier, some people just don’t have the confidence to date. I guess that’s what speed dating is for… Ew. I’m sorry, but if I wanted to go through a circle of hideously cringe-y males I would pay more attention to my Grindr. So why not try the opposite, Feeling Gloomy have decided to cater for those who can’t stand dating and apparently can’t stand life either in the form of “Down with Dating.” Basically you get a group of ‘haters’ together and you just get together and talk about the things you hate rather than the usual date talk. Apparently it’s helped people find lasting love… I guess love really does conquer all! Call it anti-dating if you will. If I’m being honest, it’s a very British thing – complaining – I see it becoming a really big thing. I’d recommend if moaning and dark, gloomy days are your thing.

Maybe I’m just a (not-so) secret hater who needs to get himself a date. I understand the whole concept of dating, I just think when it comes to affairs of the heart – things should never be put in a blender and packaged. Voila.