cover1

ISSUE8The Written WordThe Poetry Edition

Black Forum Update

Not So Sweet 16!

The Art of RAp

2contents

Contents

ContributorsDarren Mann, VXM Project Coo

rdinator

Justina Raisrick, Project Officer

Ashley Rose, Youth Engagement Officer

Sharna Michael, Youth Engagement Officer

Shannon Noy, Designer / Editor

Boluwatife, Writer

Andrew A-Class Renden, Writer

Hema Morales, Writer

Eva Avrillon, Writer

Jamal Fuller, Writer

Khadeem, WriterSam Rothwell, Writer

Anu Radha, Writer

Ben Driver, Writer

Kenda Croucher, Writer

Caris Fran, Writer

e. VhyRuss, Writer

04 Black Forum Update

News on the Black Forum, including the release of AMARI

06 French Girl Back From England

Evas culture shock on her return home to France.

08 Guilty as Charged

The perception into the case of Oscar Pistorius.

09 Mercy or Murder

The controversy of Mercy Killings.

14 Young People and Polygamy

Underage girls getting married in Mormon Communities.

16 What Does Rap Mean to You?

The definition of Rap and how it can define a soul.

18 The Only Way is Natural

Ladies, its time to take off that mask and go au natural!

32 Not So Sweet 16!

The logic behind and the difference from My Super Sweet 16.

38 People Try to Put Us Down

Time to get out of the box and live your life!

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31 The Meeting that Changed Hip Hop?

Once Hip Hop was carefree and fun.... what happened?

3Contents

Issue 8

ISSUE8The Written Word

The Poetry Edition

Black Forum Update

Not So Sweet 16!

The Art of RAp

Thank You!

VxM promotes media education,

wisdom, participation, production

and dissemination initiatives tar-

geted at 16 to 25 year olds, focusing

particularly on cultural identity.

Poetry is an art form in which human

language is used for its aesthetic qualities

in addition to, or instead of, its notional

and semantic content. It consists

largely of oral or literary works in which

language is used in a manner that is felt

by its user and audience to differ from

ordinary prose. In this issue we highlight

our young peoples thougts in the art of

the written word.

Anu Radha, Writer

Ben Driver, Writer

Kenda Croucher, Writer

Caris Fran, Writer

e. VhyRuss, Writer

10 Moments

11 My Name Is...

12 Often I Sit and Wonder

13 Ahsaas

20 Fable of the Dutty Buffy

22 Starving for Equality

23 The Dark

26 Bewafai

27 Freedom

30 You Cant Stop Me

34 Love

37 Alfaz

On the Cover

4The Black Forum are due to release AMARI; the first black magazine to be produced in Ipswich. With a youth focus, the magazine stays relevant to whats going on but also remembers some of the most influential people through-out history. With many talented writers and interview-ers, the magazine is hotly anticipated. The Black Forum are always looking for more people to get involved so if youre interested in either the magazine or just wanting

to come along to our weekly sessions contact Sharna Michael on 01473 418034

or via email - smichael@csv.org.uk.

04

5BL CKAFORUMBlack Forumis the place for youif you want some whereto express your thoughtsopinions in safe

Environment

If you are interested to coming along to one of our group discussions contact us:01473 418035 / 418034

Creative mentoring

PoetryCreative

MusicDrama Poet

ry spoken word

Dram

a Word Dram

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spoken word PoetryDrama Musi

c Peace

Spok

en w

ord

Dram

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Creative mentoring

Dram

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Music Word

6Recently thinking about these past few months, I was remembering my time in Britain and this article I wrote about my experience there, confronting my own views with some clichs we have in France con-cerning British people, food and society As I came back, I finally understood why my pals coming back from several months abroad felt depressed, and how it changed their vision of France

So, lets go back to my return to romantic Paris.I found myself facing grumpy faces of the station staff and complete indifference of other people, as I dragged my suitcase in the stairs of Paris under-ground. Sorry for destroying the image of legendary French courteousness! Each week I have to carry my things from Normandy, there is NOT ONE chivalrous soul to help me! The fact is I was positively surprised by the attitude of station staff in Ipswich, Bradford or London and how they were helpful to me each time I needed it! And, what NEVER happens to me in France: men, whatever their age but often young and attractive offered me their help into carrying my luggage! Some could find me conservative on that point, but I am used to courteous men in my family, and given my building, its sometimes prac-tical to have a lad for heavy stuff! Actually I wonder if it was a side effect of my charming French accent! In that case, being French is wonderful abroad!

As I wrote last year, I always found, due to time I spent in England during Summer Holiday, people are less keen to judge a book by its cover. I know ego-ist and individualist exist everywhere, but I got the impression British care more for people as individu-als in general, and show themselves more tolerant to difference, in terms of origins, gender or even per-

sonal tastes. So I miss seeing people with so many different styles walking on the street as in Paris peo-ple lack self-affirmation. I met people full of ideas, willing to share, and encouraged to develop their talents. It was not only the case of CSV, I also felt this way as I spent one week in a British high school as a teen. I was really comfortable with it... and it prob-ably explains this image of British eccentricity we have in France! Consequently I developed the feeling that British have another relation to originality and creativity.

Talking about creativity, Im coming to my biggest cultural shock as I came back: FRENCH TV-PRO-DUCTION! Its true my parents, who used to follow irreverent Bottom on cable-TV, gave me a bad edu-cation on TV-matters. I agree there is some s*** on UK-TV I used to hate X-Factor, and most of all, Im a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. But concerning fic-tions, French series cruelly lack imagination, what is frustrating for a storytelling lover like me! And act-ing! Its AWFUL and sound so unnatural, as if TV was the den of countrys worst actors! We have costume-dramas, sagas, or mysteries. I guess English people are fed up with Midsummer Murders or Lewis, but theyre fun compared to Commissaire Moulin, which is depressing! Sci-fi or fantasy dramas like Doctor Who, and Merlin, which are original and delirious, simply dont exist.

Anyway I am not sure our screenwriters would do it well. For instance, lets compare Merlin and re-cent French re-interpretation of Arthurian myth, Kaamelot a sketch series, telling King Arthurs ad-ventures and conjugal issues, meant to be humor-ous but actually repeating clichs of medieval history lessons. And both in terms of acting and aesthetic, Bradley James has NOTHING in common with Alex-andre Astier!

Because French TV also lacks eye-candy! It seems pointless, but fictions also exist to make us dream! I remember I used to have a crush on Laurence Fox as

Im Eva, I was at CSV from Sept. 2012 to Feb. 2013. I devoted articles to geopolitics and politics. Since, Ive created 3 blogs a serious one, Easy World Portfolio and 2 others un-der a pen name, R. Bl.-Mt.Cl. I about sci-fi, fantasy and supernatural universes, and R. Bl. Mt.Cl. II devoted to my personal creations.

A French girl back from Britain:

A Cultural Shock

06

7Hattaway in Lewis, or David Tennant as the Tenth Doc-tor (his hairstyle drove me CRAZY!) and John Barrow-man as Jack Harckness, of course Bradley James and Colin Morgan in Merlin And they all act so well! So imagine: as a healthy young woman fond of eye-can-dy, I feel desperate when I sit in front of my TV-screen!

I cant deny I miss Britain.

I met interesting people, and I always found some-

thing to watch during my lonely evenings! This time in England confirmed a feeling I had for a long time: I wont spend my life in France, I have never been totally adapted to mainstream French mentality. Al-though I know British society is not perfect, and that I wouldnt have same advantages in England as in France, I found a place on Earth I would be happy to live in. Finally, sorry to end on this clich, I terribly miss British eccentricity! So, get ready, Britain! I swear Ill be back one day to rock you!

8Aldous Huxley once said there are things known and there are things unknown and in-between are the doors of perception.

Perception will be a key factor in the trial of Paralympics track champion; Oscar Pistorius. In a case that has transfixed many in the sporting world and beyond, Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who became an international track star was indicted on Monday, August 19 in a South African court on a charge of premeditated murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend; model Reeva Steenkamp.

Ms. Steenkamp was shot inside his South African home in Pretoria in the early hours of February 14. It is believed that Mr. Pistorius thought his girlfriend was an intruder and that it was an accidental shooting.

Oscar Pistorius, who has been out on bail since February, will remain free until his trial which is set for March 3, 2014. As he waited for the brief court hearing to begin on Monday, Mr. Pistorius prayed with his family and wept openly. Close friends and family of Ms. Steenkamp sat on court benches a few feet away.

At the hearing, the state prosecution released a copy of its lengthy indictment of Mr. Pistorius, outlining its case that he intentionally shot his girlfriend; Reeva Steenkamp while she was behind a locked bathroom door on the morning of February 14. The prosecution contends that Mr. Pistorius planned to kill whoever was behind the door and that even if he mistakenly killed Ms. Steenkamp; he is still guilty of murder.

Prosecutors have listed more than a 100 witnesses to be called during the trial which include some residents of the gated community where Ms. Steenkamp was killed and those who heard gunshots and a woman screaming at the home of the Paralympics champion.

Defense lawyers have depicted the shooting as a tragic accident in which Mr. Pistorius; 26, believed that an intruder had entered his home where Ms. Steenkamp, a law school graduate, was spending the night. According to defense testimony, Mr. Pistorius opened fire through a locked bathroom door, not realizing that Ms. Steenkamp was on the other side. Ms. Steenkamp was hit by at least 3 bullets and paramedics on the scene were unable to revive her.

Prior to the shooting, Oscar Pistorius; nicknamed the Blade Runner because of his distinctive carbon fiber running blades and Reeva Steenkamp had been depicted as a golden couple and she had just embarked on a new line of work, starring in a reality television show. However, controversy still remains over if Mr. Pistorius was wearing his prosthetic legs when he shot Ms. Steenkamp through the closed bathroom door.

The trial will be held at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria where a judge will ultimately pronounce the athlete innocent or guilty as South Africa does not have trial by jury.

Reeva Steenkamp would have turned 30 on the 19th of August.

GUILTY AS

CHARGED?

My name is Boluwatife. Im doing my work experience at CSV. Writing for me is a passion regardless of what the topic is. It could be poetry, political matters or just fiction but as long as Im writing, Im happy. Hopefully, I will become in the future an internationally acclaimed journalist and a renowned writer.

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9Its 2am in the morning and Im doing a research on the presence or absence of mercy in mercy killing. Mercy killing is a deliberate action with the express intention of ending a life to relieve intractable, persistent or unstoppable suffering but for an act which in Greek literally translates into a good death, the case of fourteen year old Alex Spourdalakis still gives me the chills.

On June 11, 2013, Alex Spourdalakis; a 14 year old boy with a severe form of autism and gastrointestinal issues was stabbed to death in his bed by his mother; Dorothy Spourdalakis with the help of his care-giver and godmother; Jolanta Agatha Skrodzka.

The duo had plotted for a week prior to the incidence on how to kill Alex whose constant care and sometimes violent outbursts were becoming too much for them to handle. Alex had initially been

given a drug overdose while the women constantly checked his breathing and pulse but after several hours with no change, Dorothy Spourdalakis went into the kitchen, took a knife from the butchers block, stabbed her son four times in the chest and slit his wrists. The pair then took an overdose of pills and lay down by Alexs bed.

Authorities only discovered Alexs dead body and the unconscious women upon visiting the second floor apartment in West suburban River Grove, Illinois to conduct a well-being check after the boys father and uncle failed to get through to Alex or his mother.

Alexs mother and god-mother have since been arrested and charged with first degree murder but the most puzzling part of the story is the fact that the knife used to kill Alex was cleaned and returned to the butchers block.

One still has to wonder if ending Alexs life was the only option available to Dorothy Spourdalakis as there are many people in the world who are autistic but with proper care and love, have learnt to live with it and be successful.

Alex Spourdalakis didnt die of his autism, he died because the people who were supposed to care for and love him the most, gave up on him.

MERCY OR

MURDER?My name is Boluwatife. Im doing my work experience at CSV. Writing for me is a passion regardless of what the topic is. It could be poetry, political matters or just fiction but as long as Im writing, Im happy. Hopefully, I will become in the future an internationally acclaimed journalist and a renowned writer.

09

Moments There are moments when we find what

we thought we had lost

When we realize that we have always had what we were searching for

When our insecurities become a thing of the past

And all the pieces of the puzzle finally form a perfect picture

When we accept that no matter how hard we try, we cant please everybody

And we come to the realization that we are the person we always dreamt we would be

For in these moments,

We stop apologizing for our failures because they give us the pride we have in our successes

And at last, we are at peace with our own inner demons

by Boluwatife

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11

My name is by Boluwatife

Im everywhere

On the streets,

In the parks,

In your homes

You watch me on the news

The bloody murders,

The fighting,

The senseless abductions

I visit your schools regularly

The continuous strikes,

The burnt buildings,

The dead students

You see the effect I have in your homes

The bickering parents,

The battered wife,

The messy divorce,

The custody battle

Im an employer with many employees

Leaving fear and destruction in my wake

I AM everywhere

My name?

My name is VIOLENCE

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12

OFTEN I SIT AND WONDER,WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT,

WHAT IS MY MAIN PURPOSE,STILL HAVENT FIGURED IT OUT.

I SEE SO MUCH INJUSTICE,I HEAR IT ALL AROUND,

I FEEL IT IN THIS LIFE TIME,IS THAT REALLY WHAT LIFES ABOUT?

SHOULD LIFE NOT BE OF VALUE,SHOULD WE NOT LOVE AND CHERISH LIFE,

INSTEAD WE GO ROUND KILLING,AND CAUSING SO MUCH PAIN.

WE FOCUS ON WEALTH AND POWER,DESTRUCT ANYTHING ALONG THE WAY,

IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THERE,THE GREED WILL GET US THERE SOMEDAY.

THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS OF LIFE,ARE SO HARD TO SEE TODAY,

OVERSHADWED AND HARD TO COME BY,DUE TO THE HATRED OF THE HUMAN RACE.

LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING,DEATH NOT A SCARY THOUGHT,

FOR THAT DAY I WILL GO TO PARADISE,AND LIVE THE LIFE THAT I OUGHT.I AM ANGRY AT THE HUMAN RACE,

AT WHAT WE ARE BECOMING,AM SURE THAT OUR CREATOR,IS FEELING THE SAME WAY.

WE ARE THE ONES TO BLAME!!!

By Hema Morales

12

13Wo Rooh Ko Chu ke Nikal Gaye Paas Se

Ek Ehsaas Sa De Gaye Ankhon Me

Aur Hum Wahi khade Reh Gaye Chup Chap Se

Ek Hi Pal Me Wo Meelon Door Challe Gaye Humse

Aur Hum Essey Khwaab Hi Samjhte Reh Gaye

http://lemonandsweet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/ahsaas.html

Signatures: A Page Of Angels Poetry :) https://www.facebook.com/lemonandsweet

by AnuRadha

13

14One thing that catches attention when we hear about the Mormons is polygamy men are allowed to have several wives and media often high-lights the marriage of underage girls to older men in these communities. It essentially happens in the most fun-damentalist groups of the Mormon Church or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), like the Fun-damentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), which prophet Warren Jeffs is now in jail for his marriage with young girls, and the organisation of illegal marriages in his own advantage. Indeed he may have 75 wives, and some of his spouses were only twelve years old when he married them.

Who are the Mormons and what are the origins

of the practice of polygamy?

Joseph Smith founded the LDS, known as the Mor-mon Church, about 1830: he is considered by the adept of the Mormonism to be a prophet. The adepts of this Church believe in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon: ac-cording to the story or legend of the Churchs foundation, this book is the translation by Jo-seph Smith of two golden plates he was given by two angels that appeared to him. For his adepts, Smith is the one who restored the Church, previously contaminated by the influences of an-cient European philosophy. They de-veloped a strong sense of community and created one in accordance to their principles gathered in different scrip-tures: for instance, they have some food restrictions, strong religious and

moral values, and the rulers of the Church officially established polygamy in the 19th century.

Polygamy is allowed as God commands long it, especially as Mormons believed that to reach higher stages of salva-tion in the afterlife they need several spouses. It can have other rea-sons, social and economic: in the pioneer times, as Mormons migrated to the West, some women arrived alone and had no support from a male fam-ily member, which en-c o u r -

aged them to join a polyg-amous family. The adepts call it plural marriage. When the Church was founded, its ad-epts were considered to be Barbarians for it in the United States. Furthermore, the constitution of the different Ameri-can States used to forbid polygamy,

as it is still the case today. It raised criticism even among Mormons themselves in the times of the founda t i on :

indeed some female and even male followers considered it to be a mean for the rulers Joseph Smith himself had 27 spouses, among them one he

Young people and polygamy in the fundamentalist Mormon communities

Eva Avrillon is a lover of literature and politics and writes for VxM as well as Easy Word Portfolio and R-Bl.-Mt.Cl. I.

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married when she was 13! to have sex with several partners and to satisfy immoral desires with sometimes very young girls. According to certain dia-ries and testifies from Mormon women in 19th centuries, family life was not as idyllic as the Church leaders pretend-ed: jealousy and struggle to catch and

keep the attention of the husband, were quite common and made

women and children un-happy with this lifestyle. Moreover it was a matter of mans pride too: some younger men in the community accused the prophets and priests to keep women for them-selves, especially the youngest and most beautiful ones, as they had difficulties to find ONE wife. Officially, the leader of the LDS has banned plural marriage in

1890, and in 1904 it was declared that the ones who

were caught having several spouses would be excommunicat-ed. So polygamy is now against

the law in the United States and against the law of the Church

itself.

The FLDS Underage married

girls and Lost Boys

The FLDS is a dissident and fundamental-

ist sect issued from the Mor-

mon Church, that pres-ent them-selves as the true Mormons, and are far stricter than the m a i n -s t r e a m Mo r mon s

from the LDS on differ-

ent principles, beliefs and prac-

tices like clothes or plural marriage. Other Mormon sects practice plural marriage, off course, but condemn forced and early mar-riage But the FDLS is well known by the media, especially because of the crimes of its leader, Warren Jeffs, and

because of the phenomenon of the Lost Boys.

Arrested in 2006, Warren Jeffs is charged with illegal arrangement of marriage between teenage girls and adult male adepts, and of rape. Utah Court finally let the conviction down in 2010, but he was extradited to Texas, where he was found guilty of sexual assault on children. He was sentenced to life in prison in August 2011. But his brother and successor at the head of the FDLS continues to rule the sect, following the principles and practices. Most of the adepts, living in a total iso-lation, dont even know their prophet is in jail! Life conditions in some com-munities like Colorado City (Utah) and Hildale (Arizona) have worsen since the condemnation of Jeffs: according to certain journalists and investigators, internet and movies are forbidden, and young girls are confined at home, waiting for being married

So girls continue to be exploited by being married to older men, who sometimes use violence to consum-mate according to the testimony of some girls who escaped, they play with their religious faith, threatening them to send them in Hell afterlife, or to separate them to their children. Sometimes, other spouses can be present at the wedding night to pre-pare the girl or to help the husband if the young bride panics. Other trick-eries exist, in order to reward the most loyal followers of the religious leader, and are very similar to a traffic: indeed girls are attributed to most de-serving as presents to be their wives, as simple pieces of meat or furniture. The ones who managed to escape re-main traumatised and deeply marked by this experience.

The situation of the girls is scary but boys are victims of the polygamy prac-ticed by the FLDS because they can be married to perfect strangers too. But it is not the only way they are affected. The media begun to be interested in the phenomenon of the Lost Boys in Utah and Arizona. Most of them are between 13 and 21, and have been pressured to leave the sect willingly or excluded officially for religious reasons or for nothing for possessing comedy DVDs, for talking to a girl, for wear-ing short-sleeved shirts which is a sign of vanity Most of time, priests advice families to dismiss them, because they represent a danger for the community

and the religion. As result of polygamy practices there are not enough girls and women for all the men, and older men can suffer rivalry with younger ones. Some boys choose to leave as they feel frustrated: they have no rights to talk to girls, choose a wife or have hobbies. When they leave, boys find themselves on their own, with-out support and scared by the outside world as they were told it is bad. It is almost impossible for them to get a job with their minimum education devoted to develop skills for the com-munity. Furthermore, they dont know how to manage their freedom, have fun (parties, alcohol, girls) and man-age human relationships in the outside world. Most of time, they dont trust people and refuse to testify against their community to prevent their fam-ily from getting in trouble. Some or-ganisations have also been created, sometimes by ex-FLDS or funded by the states of Utah or Arizona, like the HOPE Organisation, to help them find a family, complete their education or find a job.

Conclusion

Girls and even boys suffer polygamy in repressive FLDS communities: they both face forced marriages; girls face rape, exploitation, threats; boys face frustration, neglect, and lack of per-spective. Creating organisations that help the victims of the polygamy I didnt mention it, but they exist for girls too is a first step, but at the moment it doesnt change what they experi-ence and other young people continue to suffer. The fact is Mormon are politi-cally powerful in the concerned states, especially in Utah where they repre-sent 65% of the population: although they officially condemn polygamy, they never condemn the FLDS. A lot of FLDS polygamous families can live without being worried by the authori-ties, which still hesitate to condemn what they consider to be a choice of lifestyle, or because they have some polygamous family chiefs as friends. But the fact that Warren Jeffs has fi-nally been convicted and condemned is positive in itself, because it high-lighted what young people have to suffer in his sect. Now it is time to show its successor that the laws con-cerning marriage and child protection are applicable to them too, and that religion cannot be an excuse.

16

What

does mean to you?

RAP.Andrew A-Class Renden

What is RAP?

To me RAP is a choice; its a way of expressing emotion, time and dedication. Three words that stand out to me in RAP which are also they there the initials of the word. R is for Rhythm, without Rhythm theres no flow within your RAP. A is for Acceptance, without Acceptance no one will accept you for who you are, unless you accept yourself and people around you. P is for Personality, and without Personality no one is going to recognise you, youre not going to stand out because you have nothing special about yourself.

RAP is not away to brag about yourself or what you have in your life, I believe that RAP is a definitive way to tell your story, how you see life, how you live everyday. Whether you believe that RAP is more then just slapping a verse on a beat is up to you, but thats why I wrote this to describe to anyone who doesnt feel the same. RAP is more then just words, its more then just hearing a mad beat and having a crazy flow, its about substance, clarity and emotion.

RAP is Forever!

16

17mean to you?

The Art of RAPKhadeem Velly Edwards

What is rap?

Rap is an expression were you express yourself creatively, rhyming words and sentences together creating a piece of art, rap is used to trigger the emotion in another person through words and you would be able to find a rap song to suit every emotion you feel.

As a rapper after listening to an instrumental you feel emotional inspiration which then leads to the concept and meaning of your rap, if the instrumental gives you a sad feeling youre more than likely going to talk about something that relates to that emotion.

What is a MC?

Mic chanting is where a rapper can use his voice and the mic as an instrument creating the best vocals they can through the mic, for example when a rappers performing you adapt your vocals to give of the best performance possible which is also skill that has to be worked on.

18

By Caris Franklin

Joana and I went on an outside adventure to try and find out why young women feel the need to hide their natural beauty behind a mask, rather than be au naturel. You may be curious as to what I mean? Well, the mask is the make-up and false eyelashes that young girls and women feel the need to wear along with the enormous hair and gloopy lip gloss.

I must admit, few years back, I was one of these stereotypical females that everyone describes as ESSEX. However, not all women and girls in that county wear the mask, so it is unfair to label them with this title. Years ago, I was a perfect example of fakeness: orange foundation that did not match my complexion; eyebrows that were too dark for my face and hair; eyelashes that when I blinked could create a hurricane; and blusher that was far too bright. Lets not forget tons of lip gloss and fake nails.

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19

I thought that the photos of women in glossy magazines represented what beautiful is and how one should look - totally fake and size 0.

BOY, did I get a wakeup call when my mum saw me. She explained what beauty was and made sure she got me out of anything fake - maybe thats why my dad and I had so many arguments HAHA!!

Joana and I also arranged a photoshoot on You dont have to be FAKE to be BEAUTIFUL. It went exceedingly well and we had such a great laugh. So after arranging all of this and trying to get the word out to all those beautiful young females we hope we have succeeded. Just remember, beauty is only skin deep!

I would like to thank Sandrina and Tonia for helping us make that happen!

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22

Starving for Equalityby Jamal Fuller

Africans are starving,World Leaders Drinking

chatting as theyre laughing,they say theyre tryna help

but theyre happy that were groofing.we show intelligence and start acting like

were martians.

It seems the black, you dont want a

A-Star, Theyd rather have a fan kick back and just

spray bars, Just tryna get paid fast, n end up with a longer prison sentence than a man

with a rape charge.

We living in a world where we all wanna be equal.

no matter what the currencymoney is the root of all evil.I sit back and watch what you

do to my people, Now I see everything

theyre doign is illegal.

From early age theyve got us blinded

from truth, kids are idolizing gangsters taking g

uidance from their tunes, in their mind theyre just confused.

There was nobody thats listen all the nights they got abused.

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23

The Dark by Ben Driver

The dark doesnt stay empty and void for

long. It becomes a blank canvas, a vacuum

drawing out the minds entrails. The subcon-

scious is the otherwise unwilling hand of

the artist, the sculptor, whispering through

faint projections of thoughts and fears, sor-

row and the sublime. Never clear unlike the

solitude of the Moon, but never absent like

its crevices. all that is required is to break

a silence and pierce the shadow with sound.

A sound so intense it shatters the dead end

that has been constructed. That echoes back

instead of allowing metamorphosis, vitaliz-

ing the body like the wind enriches the air.

But before this is realised action is deceived

by a dream as turmoil is locked in and deepens

beyond closed eyes.

*(I have after all awaken to write).

http://greycloudbluesea.wordpress.com

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25

26 by AnuRadha

Bahut Wafa Nibha Li Humne Ab Bas Aur Nhi

Bahut Kar Liya Ye Pyar HumNe Bas Ab Aur Nhi

Ab Toh Zidh Hai Ki Hume Bhi Koi Chahe Pure Dilse

Ab Toh Zidh Hai AbKi Baar Hum Bewafai Karein Dilse

http://lemonandsweet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/bewafai.html

Signatures: A Page Of Angels Poetry :) https://www.facebook.com/lemonandsweet

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FreedomWritten by Khadeem

The prejudice is every day, everyday they set da way

But generations older living colder, may they rest today

To date is mad coz prejudice is black on black, its blacker black

I swear they trying to kill us and we helping with da poison plan

Subliminally the government controlling how we think

Ignorance is bliss up in the hood Im recognising it

Reconcile with freedom every day we be denying it

They made our beds know we lay in it

Im honestly disgusted with the leaders of the people

The media creating image stronger on the sequel

Brain washing on the news your negativity is evil

And the others looking down at us like we isnt equal

Programme of the richer staying rich

Divide and conquer, the lies to prosper

Programme of the broke staying skint

Whats the meaning of the word honour!

27

28RelationshipFashion

SCHOOL LIFEAPPEARANCE

MEDIA CONFiDENCE

self-esteem

girls ruleswomens young group

Interested in getting involved ?contact Sharna Michael

Smichael@csv.co.uk01473 418034

29

VxM and Culture Cook are

We will cook dinner for you and 5 of your mates.

You bring the friends, an empty stomach and the willingness to learn.

Well bring the chef, the food, the equipment and the camera!

(All sessions are filmed for video production)

While we cook, we teach!Every week a new

culture cuisine.Every week a new home.

- For 16 to 25 year olds. -

For more information please contact:Claudia at cparrino@csv.org.uk

01473 418034Darren at dmann@csv.org.uk

01473 418028

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YOU CANT STOP MEFor those who try to bring us down. 8/8/13.

Im gonna reach for my dreamAnd you cant stop me

Focussed, driven, more force than an armyThe peak of the mountain,

The top of the treeIll face down these wallsAnd you cant stop me.

The pen is my sword forever Ill wieldSpilling blood across a blank paper field

Theres no way you can stop me,No duel you can dance

Whatever you throw Im still makingMy chance.

Count. All the way up to tenAnd when you get there,

Just do it again. And again. And again.

Im bored of monotony,I need to be free

Im coming out of the box nowAnd you cant stop me.

The time has come to put down your shieldsAnd take up your swords,

Paint brushes, hands, actions, wordsUse them for that dream youre moving towards.

So, When all of the grass tells youYoull never be,

Blossom into that one flower and sayYou cant stop me.

Sam Rothwell

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By Kadeem

Not to long ago I read a article about hip hop music and it made me think deep about what gangsta rap is really doing to black community, I was already aware of the control behind rap music but reading this article made it very real.

In this article a man stated over 20 years ago, when hip hop was just starting off, when the artists were just rapping about fun everyday things, a meeting was held between a group of corrupt music business members individuals and this man was also invited unaware of what the meeting was really about. All he was it was just about discussing the future of hip hop music, which was a heavy part of the black community.

During the meeting they were asked to sign a confidential agreement preventing them from publicly discussing the meeting or there would be unwanted consequences. This had a lot of people confused and a few people walked out of the meeting. Finally after the remainder had signed the papers they brought up the true agenda of the meeting.

After being congratulated on all of our personal success in the music business they then went to tell us we had all been personally picked out for a potential idea to make a lot of money. The main speakers of the group

went on to explain that the companies that they all work for have invested millions into building private prisons and that there positions of influence in the music industry would actually impact the profitability of these investments.

Immediately they all started looking around at each other in confusion. Each private prison would receive funding from the government; the more inmates the more funding. As they become publicly traded they would be able to buy shares. The speaker then stated that the their job would be to help make this happen by marketing music which promotes criminal behavior with rap being the music of choice. He assured them that this would be a great situation because rap music was becoming an increasingly profitable market for the companies.

This caused a lot of emotions to run wild in the meeting room causing some to get angry. They were quickly settled again when the speaker showed that he was armed. He then left the meeting, including with a few others who were escorted out. They were warned to keep there mouth shut and were watched until they were completely out of sight.

20 years later we are all a witness that they were very successful still to this day, damaging the black community very strongly all around the world.

The Meeting

Hip Hop?that changed31

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By Kenda Croucher and Justina Raistrck

My Super Sweet Sixteen is a reality TV show set in America. It shows girls and boys sixteenth parties. These are no ordinary parties; these are for very rich, very spoilt teenagers. Only the very best is expected. And all hell will break loose if they have anything less. To these kids this is one of the most important times of their life and nothing can be scrimped on. The best party can lead to being the most powerful, popular kid in school. The lead up to these events is emotionally draining for all the people involved, the teenager, the parents and the event management team. Hysterical tantrums are almost certain to happen and ultimately get worse as the time draws nearer.

The parties consist of an amazing amount of guests including family, friends and celebrities invited to their Beverly Hills mansions. Dance routines are commonly known to be the introductory act. Bands are booked for entertainment, usually well known artists. Fun fair rides are hired. The cakes have so many tiers they tend to exceed the height of the candle blower. A fa-ther-daughter dance can be as traditional as at a recep-tion for a wedding, also with mother and son. Themes are frequent such as 80 s, carnival and colour.

As presents anything extravagant is acceptable, from Fer-raris, range rovers, and other sports cars bearing giant bows to pink poodles. Personalised messages from A-list celebrities are always a hit. This is an occasion where girls can act and look like princesses. De-signer dresses are a must. Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna, and Prada are seen everywhere you look. The boys are always dressed dapper as well, in designer suits.

My Super Sweet Sixteen

Kenda Croucher 12 yrs. I am not your average girly girl and do not fit into an already moulded box. I would definitly rather go to the skatepark than go shoe shopping. My aspiration in life is to be a rapper like Kanye West.

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My Not So Super Sweet

SixteenIn reality, for most normalised, rational families this does not happen. Generally due to not having the means to throw unnecessary par-ties. Teenagers are generally not as expectant, they may want but they know most people have limits.

We have asked people of all ages, both male and female from our of-fice how they celebrated their sixteenth birthday. Mixed answers

came back to us.

Having a big elaborate party is not deemed to be a neces-sity. Some people we spoke to didnt even want a fuss. Some people hired an average size hall for family and friends, normally with a DJ and disco. Some people wanted a party but were never thrown one. Most peo-ple waited for their eighteenth to hire out halls, or go into town clubbing.

Presents consist of clothes, money, djing equipment, jewellery, future driving lessons. All of which are re-

markably acceptable and lovely gifts. Everyone we spoke to are more than happy with what they received

and did not have a major hissy fit due to not getting a 20,000 car.

Does this mean that the British youth are under privileged? Or is it another example of Beverly Hills Brats? Should we aspire

to be like this and in turn treat are children with such extravagant at-titudes?

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Love The Life Has Bent Me Towards You ,

I am Proud To Be A Par t Of You,

There Is A Reason For Us To Be In Each Others Life,

Else There Has Been No Meaning Of My Life,

Simply It Is Love Which Has Tied Us ,

And Am Proud That Love Has Found us !

http://lemonandsweet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/love.html

Signatures: A Page Of Angels Poetry :) https://www.facebook.com/lemonandsweet

by AnuRadha

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36Do you care for a relative, partner or friend?

Help you fulfill your education and employment potential

For more information, contact Claudia Parrino on

01473 418034 cparrino@csv.org.uk

link up

We Can...

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kuch Lafz Tumne kahe kuch Humne kaheAise Hi Humari Daastaan Shuru Hui

Fir Hum Tum Mile Aur Zindagi Haseen Hui

Fir Hum Muskuraye Aur Kabhi Tum

Aisi Hi Milne k Silsile Badte Gaye Hum Baar Baar Mile Aur Milte Hi Chale Gaye

Haseen Tha Ye Safar Ab Zindagi Aur Haseen Hui

Alfazo Se Ab Humari Asal Mulakaat hui

Ye Alfaz Na Hote Toh Humara Pyar Na Hota Bas Yahi Se Dil ki Dadhkan Se Hamari Pehchaan Hui

http://lemonandsweet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/alfaz.html Signatures: A Page Of Angels Poetry :)

https://www.facebook.com/lemonandsweet

by AnuRadhaAlfaz

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39by Sam Rothwell

A wise man once told that there is no box, break down the box and be rid of confinement. Its absolutely true, but why have we come up with that box in the first place? Youre inherently destined to fail if a situation is created whereby youre trapped from the start in something, try-ing to get out. Surely a much healthier perspec-tive would be to be free of any boundaries in the first place. We live in open space, limited only by our dreams and commitment to achieving them. It isnt a revolution. Its common sense.

Every day I meet new people; young people, old people, my people. They often complain about things theyre doing. Yeah I just graduated Uni. Got a 2:1 in Advertising and Marketing. So I ask what theyre doing and lone behold-Working in a bar. Its a job isnt it. To me that doesnt cor-relate. I see no reason for John Doe to work a mundane week to pay the bills, when theres all this potential stood right there in front of me, itching to burst out. But its hard. I understand that, believe me I do. No-one wants to give John a chance; even though hes spent upwards of 30 grand and counting, not to mention three years of his life pursuing something. It seems a ridiculous notion when you think of it like that, not to say university is bad, not at all, I just see a lack of drive and a lack of opportunities available for people to thrive at the moment. Why pump finances, that arent yours, and put your heart and soul into something that could or might happen. Thats quite a risk. If one was willing to take risks like that then why not apply that to the rest of life? Richard Branson, Mark

Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Steve jobs. These people had ideas and they ran with them; forcing open all the locked doors along the way. These are human beings like you and I, so why not dare to dream? If you could or might succeed at something that YOU love, and that YOU want to do, why not take a risk?

Too frequently I watch people getting comfort-able with their lot. As young people we shouldnt be comfortable yet! We shouldnt be content to be in a routine yet! There are many avenues and alleyways to explore in life; so instead of passing them by, take the next right turn and see where it leads.

In a hundred years time our generation may be remembered as the generation that copied. Ev-erythings retro, everythings vintage. Everything has been done before, you mean. Like technol-ogy we should be evolving. I hear songs on the radio now where theyre singing about each others walks! Its madness. If mass commercial entertainment is lacking creative vision, then its no surprise people are happy to plod along the same straight roads for the rest of their lives. Dont get me wrong, there is a wealth of talent out there, and a vast amount of people doing wonderful things. Imagine though, if everybody was making lots of noise. If everybody, every-where was chasing that leprechaun to find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; the world would experience some very vibrant things.

Our lives are as long as a piece of string. Could be another hour, could be a century. So, for Gods sake, live it.

People try to put us downJust because we get around

Things they do look awful coldI hope I die before I get old

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