#benjamin zephaniah

[robotpussy]

RIP Benjamin Zephaniah (15th April 1958 – 7th December 2023)

Dub poet, novelist, lyricist and playwright, Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah paved the way for so many black british writers with his pen. His work focussed on racism within the UK and colonialism.

It is so cliche to start talking about somebody's work once they pass away but I would like to do so anyway:

"Too Black Too Strong" (2001) - Poems that address the struggles of black Britain that, compared to his works before, are much more forceful. Some of the poems featured in this were written when he was working with Michael Mansfield QC and other Tooks barristers on the Stephen Lawrence case. (Available on The Anarchist Library)

"Propa Propaganda" (1996) - His second collection of poetry that continues to surround around the themes of anti-colonialism, racism and anti-establishment features some of his most famous works such as "I Have a Scheme", "The Angry Black Poet" and "White Comedy"

"Rasta Time in Palestine" (1990) - a travelogue and a collection of poetry he wrote while visiting occupied Palestinian territories. (Available on Internet Archive). Zephaniah was an avid supporter of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and attended demonstrations calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. The photo above is of Zephaniah at a London Protest in 2010.

[page-28]

Rest in love

[useless-englandfacts]

Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah (15 April 1958 – 6 December 2023)

[tommy-shelby-ltd]

Benjamin Zephaniah

15th April 1958 - 7th December 2023

[modmad]

so so sad to hear of the death of Benjamin Zephaniah, I suspect a lot of you may never have heard of him but he was a super great guy and a master of linguistics who I can accurately credit for being The Man who Got Me Into Poetry when I was lucky enough to see him perform live when I was age 12. There was Before Benjamin, and there was After.

I cannot understate how much of a cultural icon he was, and will remain. If you have the time please, look into his works and his tireless efforts in activism, he will be so badly missed.

[neitherabaron]

So sad to hear about Benjamin Zephaniah’s passing.

Do yourselves a favour - look up a song called Tam Lin Retold, by The Imagined Village ft Benjamin Zephaniah.

It’s Tam Lin in a nightclub, about the African diaspora in the UK. It’s life-affirming. It’s beautiful.

[musickickztoo]

Just some of the many musicians we lost in 2023

[liberalsarecool]

Rest in power, Benjamin.

"That’s what Benjamin did over and over again, nudge people into seeing the world through the eyes of the oppressed."

[nando161mando]

"Most people know that politics is failing" (EN: English)

[roseillith]

WHO KILLED COLIN ROACH? (1983) dir. ISAAC JULIEN

[robotpussy]

"When I was young, there were two things that I really wanted to see; a free South Africa, and a free Palestine." The poet in Gaza, Occupied Palestine.

Benjamin Zephaniah in Palestine via his website

Photo 1: "A Palestinian scrapbook - 'Why would a group of Palestinian women have a scrapbook on me?'"

Photo 2: "With Friends in Gaza, Palestine"

[jacobwren]

Benjamin Zephaniah

[achurni]

Rest in paradise, Jeremiah 🕊️

[dailyanarchistposts]

You don’t riot if you have a nice job and a home to come to at night. You don’t riot if you’re well fed and unemployment doesn’t pressure your head. You don’t riot if you live in the city but have a country cottage with a view so pretty. You don’t riot. Riot happen too late. And that’s South Africa, Britain is great.

[beardedmrbean]

F

[therewasabrowncrow]

The British Poem

Take some Picts, Celts and Silures And let them settle, Then overrun them with Roman conquerors. Remove the Romans after approximately 400 years Add lots of Norman French to some Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Vikings, then stir vigorously. Mix some hot Chileans, cool Jamaicans, Dominicans, Trinidadians and Bajans with some Ethiopians, Chinese, Vietnamese and Sudanese. Then take a blend of Somalians, Sri Lankans, Nigerians And Pakistanis, Combine with some Guyanese And turn up the heat. Sprinkle some fresh Indians, Malaysians, Bosnians, Iraqis and Bangladeshis together with some Afghans, Spanish, Turkish, Kurdish, Japanese And Palestinians Then add to the melting pot. Leave the ingredients to simmer. As they mix and blend allow their languages to flourish Binding them together with English. Allow time to be cool. Add some unity, understanding, and respect for the future, Serve with justice And enjoy. Note: All the ingredients are equally important. Treating one ingredient better than another will leave a bitter unpleasant taste. Warning: An unequal spread of justice will damage the people and cause pain. Give justice and equality to all.

Benjamin Zephaniah

RIP 🕊️