BlackFor30

Send a text Commonly society depicts certain drugs and substances as desirable and others as objectionable. Although the rationale itself is questionable, mainly due to our association and perception of those drugs and substances, we conform to norms that accept them as either good or bad. How we distinguish cigarettes, prescription drugs, cannabis, mushrooms, or alcohol, especially when we consid...

Send a text Culture is a complex series of shared beliefs and behaviours that bind a group of people together. Recently, there has been an increase in things that are synonymous with Black culture that mainstream culture has adopted. In this episode, Sean and I discuss appropriation in its many forms, ranging from stolen traditional artefacts during colonial times to body alterations that mimic th...

Send a text Sustainability is an issue that has become topical in recent years. It’s an indication of how progressive society continues to be as we strive to be more conscious of how we treat the environment, but more importantly how we impact each other as humans. As with all new things there is a considerable number of aspects we don’t yet understand, which impresses the importance for us to be...

Send a text It is such a daunting experience to leave our home countries to begin a new life in a foreign land, usually with no family or friends as a support network. In most instances the reason for leaving is an escape from certain circumstances in hopes for something better. We are burdened by personal and family expectations to thrive and excel with little room for failure. This is compounded...

Send a text As an African, history can be a harsh realisation of where society has failed black people, yet we don’t seem to take heed of these lessons – both black people and the wider society. Today, whether driven by moral disengagement, a zero-sum mentality, or a saviour complex we choose to be complacent in pushing for meaningful change. For all, the reparations to get us to a more equitable...

Send a text We often believe that our experiences are only unique to us. That only our lives are indescribably complex, distinct, and complicated. Yet if we looked a little closer, we would realise that we all have that in common. The lives of those around us are not so different. We generally all seek the same things in life, but just in different ways. So, this is a conversation between two Zimb...

Send a text Perspective strongly determines how we see ourselves and what we aspire to in life. I have learnt that we tend to frame our experiences in life as though they are only happening to us. Or that our failures and struggles define who we are – our narrative. So, as I was reading The Gift of Obstacles by Phillimon Zongo, I was humbled when I realised that we share the same language, the sam...

Send a text When we judge the lives of others, at times we are blind to how their environment more than their character predetermines their circumstances. When a multitude of people are incarcerated because of their race, to say we see no colour only minimises such objectionable practices. Whether it is indifference, displacement, or wilful ignorance we shy away from confronting this epidemic in o...

Send a text The art of hip-hop is well entwined in black culture. It serves to voice our experiences and way of life, however over the years our message has been diluted and exploited for a profit. There is a story of hunters in the Arctic where the indigenous people would stick the handle of a double-edged blade into the ice, and leave the blade protruding. They would put blood on the blade so th...

Send a text We continue the discussion on how the experiences of women are influenced by society’s image of them. How these experiences also affect the way they see themselves. I convince Tracy to play a little activity that draws on self-image to help me see things from her view. If you have not already, you can listen to the first part of this discussion after. Although there is no pause at the...

Send a text For a time now, women have faced challenges with whether they are respected or desired, or how they are seen or heard if at all. And this has been mainly tied to their physical attributes. Consequently, this has had an influence on how women see and value their bodies, their career opportunities, and regrettably in other cases sexual assault or violence. Acknowledging how my perspectiv...

Send a text Preparing for this episode was different, because it felt like this discussion was time sensitive. Currently, the world is observing the Russia/Ukraine conflict and just like any other critical event in humanity people have different experiences and opinions of it. It appears that there was bias in the coverage of the initial days of the war breaking out. This is obviously not the firs...

Send a text Launching into Season 2, we explore the issues of group identity and pick apart what it means to be profiled based on the colour of our skin. Sean and I walk the fine line of being objective while weighing the subject against our lived experiences. In the same vein, we share our frustration of being conditionally accepted and measured by a societal yardstick that we have no influence o...

Send a text On this episode, we take a look at the journey thus far and reflect on the first year of the show. What inspired the creation of the show? Why the message of BlackFor30 is important not only for black people, but everyone else interested in discussing race matters?  What drove the decision to choosing the show intro? We discuss the conception of BlackFor30, the process of selecting top...

Send a text Community Capitalism is an approach to economic growth that places a priority on the well-being and sustainability of an entire community. What does it take to build a self-reliant black community? What are some of the frustrations and challenges we face that impede us from coming together? How can we develop trust and accountability in our community to be able to depend on each other?...

Send a text Muammar Gaddafi was a Libyan leader and during his rule he published a book titled The Green Book. This book shares his political philosophy which promotes the idea of a governing system of the people by the people. One overseen by the General People’s Committee. A pure democracy that rejects the institutions of capitalism and indirect democracy. Within the book he reflects on the auth...

Send a text In building a world that is fair in representation and opportunities our society needs to progress on the issues of equity and equality. One of the detractors is that people tend to have different definitions to some of these terms. So, we tend to start these discussions from different views. What is equity? What is equality? How do we navigate the tension between individuality and gro...

Send a text To ask whether someone would like to be famous almost guarantees you a resounding yes. However, when you then ask what that success is, they no longer have the same conviction. With most of what we believe in being inherited, how does one develop ideals to live by? How do you gain the courage to take that first step? Are your life choices aligned to your values? How do you grow in a wo...

Send a text Happiness can be seen as this elusive state we work towards. Not all of our life circumstances are shared and this makes the concept of happiness subjective. What does it mean for you to be happy? Are your views and understanding aligned with what it takes for you to be content? How does the way you live today, make a difference to your well-being? On this episode of BlackFor30, I’m jo...

Send a text Happiness can be seen as this elusive state we work towards. Not all of our life circumstances are shared and this makes the concept of happiness subjective. What does it mean for you to be happy? Are your views and understanding aligned with what it takes for you to be content? How does the way you live today, make a difference to your well-being? On this episode of BlackFor30, I’m jo...

Send a text So, who are you and what drives you? We all embark on life’s journey, experiencing adversities that are meant to shape us, developing bonds of friendship along the way, hoping to find meaning within that. We believe to have purpose is to have momentous implications on both yourself and the world. Or maybe that all life is pre-destined and your path has been foretold. The truth is, we a...

Send a text According to the United Nations, Sub-Saharan Africa annually loses circa $95 billion because of the gender gap in the labour market. This is one of the multitude of indicators that reform is needed within our structures to reduce the inequalities caused by the barriers women face. We address some of those difficulties to understand how we can promote and support structures that are mor...

Send a text Who am I, or rather who are you?  Words have the power to form the reality we think of. Our thoughts however, define who we are to ourselves – one’s identity. With that, don’t we all have the power to choose how we paint our canvas? When you hear the word ‘Nigger’ and consider its meaning, what feeling is invoked in you? Is your reaction determined by another’s perception of who you ar...

Send a text Society's attitude towards politics, sexuality, or morality is affected by the dominant religion. In such a dynamic and diverse world, how can the teachings of one religion be incontrovertible? To be incontrovertible would imply the principles are enduring. If so, these precepts based on compassion, honesty, coveting and the holy scripture can be examined on their veracity. On thi...

Send a text Do you feel accepted in your office? Are your differences appreciated, or are you shamed for them? Even in our work environments racial discrimination is prevalent. As such, it should be called out with the intention to hold corporations accountable and, you and I responsible for reinforcing an inclusive workplace. On this episode of BlackFor30, Noel Matereke shares with us his experie...