RastaMouse, what's the problem?

Greetings Family
It has come to my attention that there is some controversy around a children's TV program entitled RastaMouse.
Now I have been aware of the RastaMouse character for several years, as it originally came out in book form about 2003 (I will find the exact time in the future). The author Michael De Souza is a Ras and produced the book at a time when, frankly speaking, there was still very little written literature, for children or otherwise, in Britain, that had a definite black perspective. The actual choice of character seems to have upset some in the Rastafari community, although, when the book was published, I do not recall any real debates or cause for concern bells ringing. In the wider black community, the problem seems to relate to the language which the characters use. People are,seemingly, worried that their children might end up speaking like RastaMouse. The other concern appears to come from some white people who think the program is racist, possibly because there are no obviously white characters in the show, I must admit to being, more than slightly baffled by all these views.
Unless, I am very much mistaken this is a children's program. It is light entertainment with an underlying moral message. Most of us from the Afrikan and Afrikan Caribbean communities will have some knowledge of Anansi stories in which animals are used to present human dilemma's and offer workable solutions. We have Aesop's fables and in contemporary times a host of cartoons with various animal characters. From Disney to Manga we have our children ingesting all kinds of violence and other unbecoming behavior. Yet, we have decided to become most vocal in our condemnation when a member of our community produces a very innocuous piece of entertainment. I am not suggesting that we should not debate the ramifications of the show, but I believe that we must be balanced in our conversations.
My sons read RastaMouse when they were younger and my Grandson reads it now and enjoys the TV program. And yes, he does identify RastaMouse with his family, because he lives in a Rastafari community.

Heartically Yours
SOST   

Smiley Culture RIP

I attended a press briefing yesterday, called by the family of David Emanuel, known to many of us as Smiley Culture (aka Cockney Translator). This brother died in very bizarre circumstances on Tuesday 15th March 2011. He, thus became the most recent in a long list of suspicious deaths of  black males, whilst in police custody. Immediately, after his death our so-called free and impartial press began printing stories which many of us can only view as character assassination. Whilst we may not know how Smiley lived his life and the circumstances around the police intrusion into his home, it should be clear to us all that, he had a right to be heard in court or otherwise to put his side of the story.
We are told that, in this society, the burden of proving guilt lies with the prosecution and that we are innocent until proven guilty. Smiley is dead and we may never know the full story of how his death occurred. However, we can, as a community, give support to his family and in particular his children, in getting to the bottom of this tragedy.
The press briefing can be viewed online at www.ustream.tv/user/LCPTV click on LCPTV News.
I promise that I will return to this subject in the near future.

Heartically Yours
SOST

Keep it in the family

How is it that we can not reach concensus in our communities? Could it be that we have forgotten a fundamental rule which other people still adhere to? What is the rule I am alluding to you may ask?
It is one that I was reminded of recently.
A couple of days ago I was in my place of work. One of the operational staff called, to ask what time his shift started. I checked his shift pattern and informed him that he should sign on in nine minutes. He told me he was on his way and in fact arrived on time. On entering the control room,

The Power Within

I attended an event recently and a young woman got up and spoke. Her comments where apt and to the point, as she related something that, I believe, is felt by many people in the Afrikan (Black) communities. Namely we still feel that no matter what we do or achieve, we are wrong, simply, by virtue of our racial/cultural background.