THE WEEK UNBOXED: Judgement Edition

This week felt like Black women were getting a lot of stick, nothing unusual, but definitely pronounced. If we’re not being gleefully vilified, we’re being left out altogether.

JUDGING THE BEEB: WHERE ARE THE BLACK WOMEN ON STRICTLY?!

When I saw one of my faves celebrating the latest Strictly Come Dancing line-up, I watched with interest at their annual promo video, which reveals the participants one by one. By the time I got to the end, something seemed odd, and I thought I was watching a part of the line-up video. So I went to Google to find an image of the line-up, but no, I wasn’t mistaken. For the first time in 11 years, not one Strictly contestant is a Black woman, and I think this is incredibly odd.

I know this is not because the talent doesn’t exist – I can name at least one who deserves a go at the glitter ball trophy – so I couldn’t figure out why Black women had been omitted. Now it could be an unfortunate occurrence – lineups change all that time – but with waiting lists for Strictly years long, apparently, I’m pretty confident they could have found an alternative.

To be honest, Strictly has lost its lustre in recent years for me. The days of me doing running commentary on the show via social media is long over. It was joyful during the pandemic when we were all hurting, but its relevance is questionable now. It’s also baffling to me that after years of getting it so right with participants such as Clara Amfo, Vick Hope, Alison Hammond, Fleur East – diversifying their casting way before most shows did – they managed to make such a glaring omission. These things usually happen once someone has left the decision-making table. I wonder if that’s the case here.

FULLY JUDGING THE AUDACITY: CONSERVATIVE MP TELLS TELLS PEOPLE TO STOP TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

As much as I know it’s not the best use of time – many a business coach has essentially said it leads to doom and failure – I love a scroll on Instagram. Especially when it throws up something that makes me throw my head back and cackle.

Nothing did this more that spotting a clip of a BBC article

reporting on the recent thefts of many a precious artefact from The British Museum.

Now, I’ll be sorely disappointed if whomever the culprit is didn’t in some small part not consider the irony of what they were doing. Now, no I don’t condone stealing but find it hilarious the uproar from those who govern the institution that the world isn’t more supportive of its loss.

The British Museum has a global reputation marred by the fact it has systematically taken national treasures from other countries to house within its walls. Its name is even ironic as at its core the only thing British about the museum is the unspoken point that it’s a collection born of its colonial past.

Many countries have repeatedly asked for their nation’s items back and yet the government and those in power at the museum have refused. I remember watching a representative on a special edition of Channel 4 News during Black history month essentially say they had no intentions of ever returning the stolen property.

This breach in security has provided countries all over the world with an argument that the security of the museum is lax leaving irreplaceable and priceless cultural pieces vulnerable to theft.

Here’s where hilarity ensues for me. Conservative MP Tim Loughton who is chairman of the all party parliamentary group for the museum seems to be disgusted by the response of those with propery within the museum. The article states

“He told the BBC that other countries should be “rallying around to help retrieve objects instead of trying to take advantage”.” Tim Loughton thinks the world should be helping The British Museum get back the stolen items that they stole in the first place. And they say that privilege is a fabrication of people’s minds.

JUDGING BAD PRESS: GB NEWS CONFUSE SENSATIONALISM FOR JOURNALISM RE: KELECHI OKAFOR

It feels like battle lines are being drawn in the world. You catch glimpses of it every so often. Most of the time I’m buried in my work and feel its impact. Sometimes it shows up on social media. There is a deepening divide in this country. One that makes you wonder where in the world is the lesser of the evils. Sometimes you even wonder if such a place even exists. It doesn’t have to be Wakanda but a place that allows a little piece of mind.

Evidence of unrest showed in a video from social commentator, businesswoman, multi hyphenate really, Kelechi Okafor. Kelechi is known for being unapologetic about advocating for the Black communities and speaking her mind at times when very few people do. It’s a level of bravery very few people have. 

Most recently Kelechi – and others like Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu – have spoken out about the recent coverage surrounding a nurse who despite various challenges by senior medical consultants (notably of colour) was allowed to kill seven babies in her care. 

The argument is that had the nurse not been white that checks and concerns would have been upheld far sooner. For those of us who live with this reality everyday, we know this to be true. It’s further evidenced by the fact the consultants who raised the alarm were taken to tribunal by the nurse, a case she won and they were forced to apologise to her.

Anyway Kelechi did a piece to camera, a style she’s honed, discussing the facts around the case. This was picked by GB news’ broadcast team who then went on to attack Kelechi leaving her open to vitriol from the public. They doubled down by having Conservative MP Kwasi Kwarteng (the epitome of not all kinfolk are skinfolk) then chose her as the donkey of the day later on in the same show. It’s not the first time I’ve seen GB attack a Black woman this way. 

It is amazing how people are so quick and careless with their platform to incite violence. Yes, it can be argued that Kelechi chooses to be vocal in the world but she comes from a place of holding people accountable. GB’s attack is sensationalism not too unlike their American counterpart Fox News. They pour fuel into the discussions around racial fatigue, nationalism and the fight against ‘woke politics’. It’s quite funny that even though they’re very clearly against the woke sentiment, they still try (and fail) to use the term often way out of context.

Coming back to the point, these murders do amplify a point that Kelechi makes but others choose to miss: Prejudice and racism kills. In so many ways that a more inclusive and equitable society would solve. 

MISPLACED JUDGEMENT?: ARE THERE MORE SIDES TO THE OJA STORY?

Earlier this week, I wrote a standalone piece about the demise of Oja, a digital retailer who closed business due to insufficient funding. At the time, I had only seen the announcement and wasn’t aware of the complaints from customers about orders taken and food not delivered or staff questioning where their wages were after not being paid for several months.

I still stand by my original sentiment. To achieve what Oja founder Miriam Jimoh did in a few short years truly is remarkable. Because of the lack of venture capital given to Black founders she is a unicorn. Not matter what else is going on.

Sometimes I wonder about the realities of what goes on in these types of scenarios. One, these stories feel particularly potent to me when it’s about a female founder because I am one. And two, I always take the stories with a pinch of salt. It’s easy to make the founder the villain. In some instances it’s warranted but it’s always worth remembering that some of the strongest judgement comes from people who have never run a business. Now this doesn’t negate a person’s opinion – sometimes a different perspective can help you innovate or review – however sometimes you have to remember: you can’t ask someone advice on something they know nothing about.

I’m not saying the feedback isn’t true (there’s no smoke without fire) but when others are hurt, angry, fearful relationships break down and become blind to everything else.

AND ON THAT NOTE…

So Beyonce is currently delivering one of the biggest tours of the year and started a mute challenge based on her song Big Energy. The assignment is to get thousands of people to stay silent after she sings the lyric “Look around everybody on mute”

What I love is that this is now being introduced in school to help focus kids in the classroom. I love us, we’re so creative! As an aside, anyone else hoping Bey will do a Netflix special for the tour? I really hope that one of the streaming services was smart enough to give Queen Bee her coins to draw subscribers in. She’s out here changing lives!