Report on launch of School Initiative in Barking and Dagenham
By Carolynn Hansen and Samantha Watson
Samantha Watson Report on Jo Richardson visit featuring Fade 2
A great show of live acts thrilled youngsters at a school in Dagenham last week.
Supported by Love Music Hate Racism, pupils of Jo Richardson Community School were entertained on July 14 with performances from Fade 2, Edutainment and dance group Advant Garde.
R&B trio Fade 2, from Liverpool, had everyone gagging with laughter as they turned the story of how they came together into a combination of music, comical sketches and dance routines.
The group consisting of Zain, Juelz and Matty B incorporated slick dance manoeuvres and singing into their performances bringing roars and cheers from the audience.
Zain, 20, said: “The whole thing about Love Music Hate Racism is that it’s trying to raise awareness of racism which is why we are here, because people don’t realise just how big this form of hate is.”
Fade 2 who make up a culture background mix of Arabic, Malaysian, Jamaican, Bajan and Indian ties have been together for three years. They rapped and sang over their songs Mersey Beat and Oh No, a reggae track fused with pop and Indian beats.
A special performance was made by school pupil, Oyin Olugbode, 15, who sang I’m Going To Be Ready. Oyin, who has been singing since the age of six, said she was a little nervous but enjoyed performing in front of everyone.
She added: “Today was really good because in a way it’s helping to stop people from hating against different races through music.”
Towards the end of the show the youngsters including teachers were treated to more songs and dance from Edutainment and Advant Garde.
Youngsters watched on as they were entertained by the innovative dance sequences displayed by Advant Garde, a group who have danced for the likes of Usher and the Suga Babes.
The show finished on a high note when talented singers of Edutainment put the audience into the spot light when they hand picked a pupil and began serenading her.
Zain of Fade 2 concluded by saying: “We come from a ruff area too and its important we help continue to kick start this important movement.”
Carolynn Hansen Report on Barking Abbey visit featuring Ms Dynamite
On Friday 14th of July Ms Dynamite visited Barking Abbey School to talk with students from years 9 and 10 share her views on Racism and multiculturalism.
The visit was arranged by Love Music Hate Racism as part of their schools tour after myself and Frances Smith who have been involved with the organisation for over a year as well as students at the school contacted our Head teacher, Mark Lloyd, and suggested it take place.
The students weren’t informed what was happening on the day – simply that they had a special assembly and were quite excited and surprised to learn Ms Dynamite was coming to speak to them. She gave a speech in which she spoke how important it was to respect each others cultures and celebrate diversity. The students responded well and had many interesting questions to ask about Ms Dynamite’s opinions on various subjects including how she had experienced and responded to racism.
I felt quite proud of the way the students in my school behaved and the issues they had to raise. Some were even brave enough to get up to stage and sing with her. Many were curious about the work we do and wanted to know how they could be involved in the future. A clip of the ‘Who shot the sheriff?’ DVD was also shown.
I feel it was important for our deeply multicultural area where there is often negative feeling towards and conflict between ethnic groups. As Ms Dynamite said people need to realise that being different should not be “ridiculed or interpreted as an offence, but is seen for what it truly is - a beautiful gift.” The day was a great success and I look forward to being involved similar events we hope will take place in the future.
July 23rd, 2006 at 6:24 pm
I feel the ideal venue for the barking / dagenham anti racism festival would be parsloes park. central to both becontree and heathway stations.