Asher D
by Jacqueline Durban
Ashley Walters aka ASHER D is a black British rapper/actor who received best newcomer for his leading role in the film “Bullet Boy” at The British Independent Film Awards 2004. 2006 has seen the launch of his brand new album titled “in memory of the street fighter”.
JD: What does black history month mean to you?
ASHER: Celebration of being who we are and an opportunity to promote that difference as positive and of benefit to this country. Important for me is that it is now established in schools and my children will benefit from this.
JD: Do you think that the black community, particularly the younger generations have become complacent in the pursuit for equality and for the awareness of black history within Britain?
ASHER: No not at all, far from it just by different means, before my parents’ generation fought and exposed inequality that was explicit but had yet afford its own language and understanding, these generations were part of the group in this country that built foundations to permit our voice to be heard. The agenda is now different to their experience, diversity, and differences is more complex than statements of “no blacks, no Iris” the issues are less explicit and the younger black generation are far more in the fabric of society that simple rebellion would not have the same effect. It is deeper than this. We are the history of modern black history look at popular British culture and judge who is influencing the agenda.
JD: Do you think that if black history month was more widely publicised within the British media, the community as an entirety would become both more aware and educated on factors surrounding black evolution including black customs.
ASHER D: Yes, I agree as long as we don’t play lip service to it and we remain both challenging as well as educational and don’t slip into just using it as an excuse to have a party!
JD: Should the black community be more active in the celebration and promotion of black history within black history month?
ASHER D: Yes, but this should not be restricted to black people, our experience is living in a diverse society everyone should be involved, anyway how would you exclude mixed heritage families it would not make sense, more black people involved but not exclusively.
JD: Does racism against black people still exist in Britain?
ASHER D: Yes, it still does but whilst issues that affected first and second generation “empire” generous have changed or diminished issues facing European migrants the Muslim community are broader and more complicated. Religion and politics are the biggest factors in racism today.
Do you think that the black community, particularly the younger generations have become complacent in the pursuit for equality and for the awareness of black history within Britain?
No not at all, far from it just by different means, before my parents’ generation fought and exposed inequality that was explicit but had yet afford its own language and understanding, these generations were part of the group in this country that built foundations to permit our voice to be heard. The agenda is now different to their experience, diversity, and differences is more complex than statements of “no blacks, no Iris” the issues are less explicit and the younger black generation are far more in the fabric of society that simple rebellion would not have the same effect. It is deeper than this. We are the history of modern black history look at popular British culture and judge who is influencing the agenda.
Do you think that if black history month was more widely publicised within the British media, the community as an entirety would become both more aware and educated on factors surrounding black evolution including black customs.
Yes, I agree as long as we don’t play lip service to it and we remain both challenging as well as educational and don’t slip into just using it as an excuse to have a party!
Should the black community be more active in the celebration and promotion of black history within black history month?
Yes, but this should not be restricted to black people, our experience is living in a diverse society everyone should be involved, anyway how would you exclude mixed heritage families it would not make sense, more black people involved but not exclusively.
Does racism against black people still exist in Britain?
Yes, it still does but whilst issues that affected first and second generation “empire” generous have changed or diminished issues facing European migrants the Muslim community are broader and more complicated. Religion and politics are the biggest factors in racism today.
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