tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80028854950799157312011-11-27T23:16:10.722ZPersonal comment and opinion on British and international news/ events and current affairs from a uniquely diverse, Black British perspective.Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.comBlogger861100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-1286571284299473572011-05-06T18:34:00.009Z2011-05-06T18:56:34.828Z

The Royal wedding in Britain on April 29th was a delightful event. In tradition, pomp and pageantry, no one could beat it. Everyone involved played their part to perfection, and it was a spectacle well worth seeing. It reminded Britons - white Britons in particular - of their heritage, their presence, their visibility and their power. However, when the dust has settled, there were certainly three

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-25711889073643075382011-04-28T20:31:00.006Z2011-04-28T20:39:24.372Z

In the past it has been difficult to gauge the potential of new members of the Royal Family because they all had to bow to protocol, they were taken from the same class of people (aristocrats and nobility), they behaved in the same manner beforehand, they appeared to have bland personalities that fitted in, and they toed the Royal line meticulously after that, almost like clones.Kate Middleton

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-2853435277791275972011-04-27T22:03:00.008Z2011-04-27T22:13:17.718Z

Soon after their engagement, in November last year, a bishop of the Anglican church, the Rt Rev. Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden was censured by the Bishop of London, who oversees him, and asked to "withdraw from public ministry until further notice". Why? Because he likened the couple, on his Facebook page, to 'shallow celebrities' whose marriage would fall apart "after seven years". How he

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-10554066572445133532011-04-27T21:55:00.004Z2011-04-27T21:59:02.778Z

Britain is preparing to witness the wedding of the century on Friday morning. Well, almost all of Britain. The fly in the ointment is the extremist group, Muslims Against the Crusades, who are planning to protest in the area to draw some attention to themselves. One can safely assume that publicity is their main aim because the Crusades went a long time ago in history and, as one cannot go back

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-64313948783899034242011-04-27T21:44:00.005Z2011-04-27T21:53:00.391Z

As someone who was around to witness the awful events of August 1997, with the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in France, and as a mother, sociologist and former educationist, I have often wondered how her children, William and Harry, would cope with that incredible loss and in such a public way. William, in particular, being the eldest, was very close to his mother, very understanding of her,

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-22985034952582765852011-04-27T21:34:00.006Z2011-04-27T21:44:21.949Z

The impending wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton might propel her family into the privileged aristocratic band of Britain, but it might not do much for the main family she is joining, the Royals, due to apathy and a sense of increasing irrelevance by the public. This new couple would have to do something dramatic to change its approach and direction and, as William's father will be king

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-3331770321252578982011-04-27T18:48:00.004Z2011-04-27T21:33:12.557Z

On Friday 29 April (celebrated as public holiday), just under a week from today, the second in line to the British throne, Prince William of Wales, will be married to Catherine Middleton, affectionately known as Kate, in Westminster Abbey. They met at St Andrews University in Scotland, where they were both students nearly eight years ago, and have been in each other's company ever since, just

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-86911021706088153812011-04-04T15:09:00.007Z2011-04-04T15:25:39.956Z

Dear Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg,The 2012 Olympic Games will be hosted in London, which, no doubt will be a source of pride for the nation. The Games are a model of diversity in all its global forms. It is also very modern, especially with all the technology at the heart of its administration and the evolving rules to accommodate new and sensible changes in practice. The Games may have originated in

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-58785142659462192692011-04-01T14:04:00.004Z2011-04-01T14:08:15.329Z

The news has been leaked from Buckingham Palace that Kate Middleton, the fiancee of Prince William, and soon to be his bride on April 29, will not only be wearing the engagement ring of the late Princess Diana, but will also be wearing the back-up dress that the Princess herself made for her wedding exactly 30 years ago.Princess Diana was so concerned that her wedding dress should remain a secret

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-60752891642143122772010-10-08T16:37:00.004Z2010-10-08T16:40:43.783Z

Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron, delivered a rousing speech to Conservative party faithfuls at their annual conference when he called them to arms with 'Your country needs you', and emphasised the Big Society where everyone looks out for one another on a voluntary, cooperative and empathetic basis. All fine words indicating fine ideals and a desire to unite the nation in a time of

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-42430550079256100042010-08-09T10:56:00.002Z2010-08-09T11:08:28.359Z

Some years ago, I noted in my book, Managing the Diversity Maze, that: "’Truth’ is governed by privilege. It always looks so right when one has the power to support it". Thus ‘the truth’ of “Black people, women and others who suffer under such inequalities will seldom share anything with the ‘truth’ of the exploiters because they are both coming at that singular ‘truth’ from two different

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-11904117938564593072010-08-06T15:20:00.004Z2010-08-06T15:43:33.477Z

Q. "Recently, in New York City, a transit worker put a 'Black Power' sign up in his booth at the train station. He was asked to take it down by a White man. When he refused the man took a picture of it and then called the media which jumped on it. I have very mixed feelings about this but I want to hear what you think first. Do you think posting a 'Black Power' sign on Martin Luther King Day

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-64240722596779066172010-07-30T10:45:00.007Z2010-07-30T11:13:22.738Z

Now that the new Coalition government seems to be sweeping the country with their reforms of one kind or another, will they also be tackling the last vestige of white supremacy while they are at it? The last insult to a multicultural society?Last June, the usual crop of public honours recipients was announced in London. The Queen's Birthday and New Years' Honours Lists "reflect and pay tribute to

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-10383773361164405092010-07-29T14:14:00.004Z2010-07-29T14:21:51.532Z

On the 6th of May, 2010, when the British general election results were announced, I was secretly pleased that the Conservatives had not received enough votes to form a government, while being keenly disappointed that the LibDems had actually lost seats. I had hoped that they would have had a massive increase in their seats in Parliament due to what the polls had been saying before the election.

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-37414908448856642922010-07-13T15:07:00.008Z2010-07-13T15:19:01.322Z

The FIFA 2010 World Cup has ended on a high with lots of credits to the host, South Africa. The party is over and the clearing up has now begun, along with the reflection on what happened, remorse by the 'losers', regret on what could have been and new resolve for the future. The next four years will be one of soul searching and debate by all the world's teams as to how they can do better.

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-56793881827760663552010-07-01T15:31:00.007Z2010-07-02T10:26:20.044Z

(huffingtonpress.com)On Tuesday morning the English football team returned from the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Disillusioned, exhausted and dejected, they came face to face with a barrage of headlines about their failures and disasters, not least one that said "The Flops Come Home". Today, the men are still followed on their deserved holiday with stories screeching how The Flops are taking

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-89218302879299471752010-06-30T11:04:00.006Z2010-07-02T09:58:50.231Z

The World Cup 2010 football game between England and Germany, where a very able English team was massacred 1:4 on a hot June day, will be long remembered for a host of reasons, not least that it could lead to radical changes both in perspectives in Britain and in FIFA playing procedures. People involved in football (players, managers, referees, commentators and officials, in particular) love to

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-7899659085948795342009-03-30T13:43:00.002Z2009-03-30T13:48:36.131Z

(picture courtesy: www.smh.com.au)The Save the Children Fund has added its weighty voice to the debate as to whether Madonna should adopt another child and has spoken out against her, citing the fact that children should be cared for by 'extended families in their own home community'. Yes, that is true, and lot of things should happen in our world to make it a fairer place for many orphans, poor

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-64014500388265767902009-03-02T10:38:00.007Z2009-03-02T13:05:56.572Z

Today Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of Britain, makes a much publicised trip to visit President Obama of the United States. The opposition Tory party is leading by an average of 12 points in the polls just now, sympathy for its leader, David Cameron, is also at record high because of the sudden and tragic death of his disabled six year old son last week; the bailout of the banks, especially

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-81100745287726562072009-02-08T12:05:00.007Z2009-02-08T12:17:05.502Z

Carol Thatcher, the daughter of a British Prime Minister, made a remark about a French tennis player, saying how much he looks like a 'golliwog' a 'half-golliwog' and a 'golliwog Frog' (frog being a derogatory, xenophobic term for the French). The BBC immediately sacked her from The One Show. Apparently, to date, nearly 3,500 people have complained about her being dropped by the BBC and only 133

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-65469772292992797742008-12-19T12:35:00.011Z2008-12-19T12:48:37.787Z

I remember it well. It was 1992. I was having chronic marital problems and under heavy stress. I suppose, at those times, when there is internal conflict, everything external appears to be in turmoil too. For some reason, society just seemed a bit more lawless then. It was the year Rachel Nickell was killed on Wimbledon Common in London in front of her two year old son, Alex. A beautiful woman,

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-23322462218622475862008-12-14T16:58:00.002Z2008-12-14T17:01:52.684Z

Last night, the equivalent of the Berlin Wall came crashing down in Britain on our television screens. Alexandra Burke, one of the most talented singers I have ever seen on TV, sang her heart out to become the undisputed queen of Britain's X-Factor (the sister of American Idol, but a much better, more inclusive version). Barely two weeks ago, moved by one of her renditions, Simon Cowell had said

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-570768917904184492008-11-05T18:23:00.001Z2008-11-05T18:24:56.318Z

I am crying as I write this, full of emotion for an awful lot of reasons. I can barely see the keyboard but I have to get this out, both to Newsvine and to Britain. I will feel better when I have said it, if I can find the words to say it. But this is no time to rush things, so let's begin at the beginning. I started November 4, 2008, being interviewed by phone by Alice Gomstyn of ABCNews.com in

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-30036504008162405452008-11-05T18:19:00.000Z2008-11-05T18:22:01.040Z

Many people who know me and my pioneering equality work in the UK will find this post, in particular, rather strange, and might, in fact, fall off their chairs in some surprise! But that is the beauty of evolving in life from one stage to another. If we are learning, we are always developing and always changing perspectives. If we are entrenched in what we believe and have closed minds, we've

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-16180146966924774162008-11-05T18:13:00.001Z2008-11-05T18:17:59.127Z

Having managed to sleep for a few hours, but acquiring some bags under my eyes that perhaps needed to be declared to customs, I decided to take in my terrain. The trouble with booking any hotel abroad from your home country is that we can only see it using our own perception and experience because that is all we have until we see the reality. Little Britain is just that: little! One hundred

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-51198910581697787792008-10-23T22:26:00.005Z2008-10-23T22:33:47.954Z

HOT NEWS! Elaine Sihera, Change Expert for Britain's Fifty Forward, founder of the British Diversity Awards and Diversity Leaders UK, is making a special trip to Illinois for one main reason: to be a volunteer in the Barack Obama campagn. She explains it below in her own words:"I am making my first trip to Chicago next week (Oct.27-Nov.6) from the United Kingdom. I feel like a mad hatter because

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-2519833199100721742008-10-15T17:07:00.008Z2008-10-15T17:15:31.156Z

(photo: www.charlotteobserver.com)Madonna and Guy Ritchie have announced their divorce after much denial. The Daily Mirror gleefully claims to be ahead of the 'competition' in knowing that they were about to break up. But what is there to be smug about when any relationship breaks? The pain is probably even more because everything is played out on the public stage, robbing them of the privacy

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-81946384012051282892008-10-15T17:04:00.003Z2008-10-15T17:07:31.354Z

For 12 years, from 1993, I was a very successful diversity consultant and trainer, advising all kinds of organisations in the UK - from huge companies like British Telecom, with 100,000 staff, and the Royal Navy, to small minnows like Coulsdon School - to encourage greater diversity and cultural understanding in the workplace. Being a pioneer in the field, it was easy for me to make a difference

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-30081485859994275822008-10-15T17:02:00.001Z2008-10-15T17:02:57.475Z

I came on Newsvine in the first week of July of 2007 and immediately got embroiled in heated debates about whether Barack Obama stood any kind of chance to be President of the USA. My belief in his eventual success was unshakeable, and stood confidently firm, even in the face of all the arguments. In fact it was a rather lonely time then, trying to defend my corner as a seemingly 'naive' newcomer

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-62817555317426473602008-10-06T11:21:00.007Z2008-10-06T11:37:09.135Z

(courtesy: newsbusters.org)There are four crucial weeks left to the American elections, a very long time to test political fortunes. To the Democrats it must feel like the end is so tantalisingly near yet so achingly far away, in view of what is possible for both sides of the race up to then. Already, the Republicans are baring their nasty fangs. Bereft of innovative ideas, deprived of any real

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-23103201423729884412008-10-04T13:59:00.002Z2008-10-06T11:40:33.141Z

O J Simpson has been found guilty, on all 12 counts of his latest escapade, by a Las Vegas jury that sat for 13 hours non-stop in a single day! The verdict came 13 years to the day that Simpson was acquitted of the murder of his wife and her friend. He could be put away for any number of years, from 15 to life, for 'kidnapping' of memorabilia relating to his sporting achievements he claimed were

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-91308710359076702008-10-04T13:57:00.002Z2008-10-04T13:59:13.484Z

What do the vice-presidential debate and a racist incident that same day in a middle school have in common? Not much, on the face of it, but on a deeper level, they are both indicative of the state of America today; the low expectations of value, the low expectations of leadership and the increasingly low acceptance of what counts as right and wrong.First of all, the debate. There has been much

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-30523146742986459512008-10-03T08:32:00.008Z2008-10-03T08:45:45.779Z

(pic courtesy: www.thislondon.co.uk)Sir Ian Blair, the beleaguered head of Scotland Yard and the UK capital's police force, has been sacked by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson. And one could say: About time too!Whatever he was good at, managing a staff crisis obviously wasn't one of them. He has presided over the worst senior management debacle in the history of the Force by allowing one of his

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-36249167371329928272008-08-19T11:09:00.004Z2008-08-19T11:13:29.016Z

Well, the only way to answer this question is to ask: Is the Pope Catholic?Of course society favours men. Men have always been in charge and in command of their world. They built it, they dictate behaviour in it and they control it. The biggest and most noticeable area is in jobs and careers. Only today I was reading the latest fascinating surveys on the best and highest paid jobs for women, and

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-37694110840210560972008-08-19T11:06:00.001Z2008-08-19T11:08:18.477Z

Stereotypes reflect flat, one dimensional caricatures of people which bear little resemblance to the variety and diversity inherent in any group or race, but they surface all the time in any culture for easy categorisation and comprehension of cultural behaviour. We hear a lot about stereotypes and why we should not use them, but there is nothing wrong with stereotypes, per se. We tend to judge

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-8603635136133375072008-08-11T10:40:00.002Z2010-08-09T12:09:40.896Z

Prejudice is a natural by-product of making choices in life. We are presented with a diversity of choice daily, from which we are required to select what matters to us most, what we like best, the things which keep us in our comfort zones and anything that enhances us the most, while resisting the rest. From choosing a partner to choosing a fashionable item, we are exercising the prejudice of

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-80346748569606480712008-08-11T10:35:00.001Z2008-08-11T10:38:17.753Z

Teaching solid values which help to build character is very important in families. Values are the legacy of a good home and provide the basis of acceptable behaviour. They also decide the moral standards of a family, they give confidence in dealing with specific issues and situations and provide the essential link from one generation to another.However, the teaching of values in any age or any

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-38463276453231286312008-08-06T13:45:00.001Z2008-08-06T13:47:45.134Z

I hate to do this to my presidential intended, especially one so deserving of the office and all that, and after all that campaigning too, but I have to switch my allegiance to Paris Hilton for president, and with her having chosen sweet little Rihanna for Vice President too. What a team they will be, particularly for galvanising the men to join them in governing effectively in the White House.

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-29952146542709620602008-08-04T11:21:00.001Z2008-08-04T11:24:30.350Z

The MySpace Age is indicative of the dramatic change in the world we have known, primarily in the way we now relate to one another. This age is characterised by the following: individual expression, technology, communication and connections.1. The MySpace age is the age of the individual. An age where individual expression is paramount compared to the old age of collective information, suppressed

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-89171410307398804382008-08-04T11:17:00.001Z2008-08-04T11:21:06.323Z

We search for happiness each day, the elusive concept that takes a lifetime of exploring. We often think happiness comes through winning the lottery, through getting a big break, buying a house, a car, the latest fashionable item. But those provide only sporadic feelings of excitement. When the effects wear off, we are back to feeling gloomy, negative, downhearted or depressed. This is because

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-63662008633363079422008-08-04T11:07:00.004Z2008-08-04T11:16:40.510Z

Technology has dictated the current pace and perspective of our lives with a dominant and unavoidable impact. When I look back to just 30 years ago to see the difference in lifestyle, knowledge and behaviour over those years, it is somewhat alarming to comprehend. For example, when I had my son in 1971, the amenities seemed positively primitive compared to those for having a child now, which are

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-88146879140018869912008-07-31T09:55:00.004Z2008-07-31T10:02:34.683Z

David Milliband, the British Foreign Secretary, has raised a lot of eyebrows in both the Guardian and the Times with an unexpected article about his vision for Labour to beat the odds for a fourth term in government. His detailed statement suggesting that the Party needs a 'radical new phase' has been interpreted both as a challenge to Gordon Brown's leadership and an implied criticism of it. I

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-85205552525673732702008-07-24T10:06:00.000Z2008-07-24T10:14:51.555Z

Being successful in life purely depends on your values. Anything that reinforces, maintains and enhances those values to affirm who you are tells you how successful you are. Your success is not defined by the rest of the world but by you. For example, you could be very rich as a public mark of success, but if you took vows which rejected money (like nuns), or money was not a priority for you, no

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-50332170325877490732008-07-24T10:02:00.000Z2008-07-24T10:03:45.097Z

1. I would create Love Academies where people are taught how to love themselves and others unconditionally. Love is the greatest force for good in our world and there is not nearly enough to go round just now. Most of our problems occur because of that lack of love, either for ourselves or for others. Many people don't know how to love, how to engage others into their orbit or how to be more

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-27112931874721960202008-07-21T13:17:00.013Z2008-07-21T13:59:45.982Z

In these security-conscious times, it is easy to erode personal freedoms, to rob people of their dignity and respect and to forget basic human rights in trying to get results. How is your country dealing with terrorism or global challenges, particularly in their reactions? Is it a kind of knee-jerk, cavalier response, or a sensitive, well thought-out and caring one that does not treat everyone as

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-46886520311013996112008-07-21T13:07:00.002Z2008-07-21T13:16:29.433Z

Teenagers in today's society have, to a great degree, the best and the worst of all worlds.First, they are born into a society that couldn't be more revolutionary and innovative. They have all these gadgets at their disposal that their parents dreamt of and their grandparents couldn't even imagine. They have an incredible amount of information to aid their development. They also have

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-74064523561402308792008-07-18T13:15:00.000Z2008-07-18T13:16:49.358Z

Yes, people are inherently good because they are programmed to react to love, the greatest influential force in their lives. They seek love, desire it, need it and lavish it on others because love connects them to others. When it is missing from their lives the effects can be catastrophic. Babies know no evil. It is the way they are brought up, the way they are valued, the way they are treated

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-10378841104175767482008-07-18T13:06:00.003Z2008-07-18T13:14:21.434Z

The cult of celebrity has risen in importance at the same time that belief in God, or a higher being has been waning, and television has become more dominant. People have a natural instinct to look to someone for reflection, affirmation and authority: whether a hero, mentor, protector or higher power, and what makes celebrities popular at the moment is exactly what they symbolise and represent,

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-24963831602416161752008-07-15T18:30:00.005Z2008-07-15T18:39:01.021Z

Racism is pernicious, particularly hurtful to those on the receiving end, and is little understood. Its causes are not just social, neither can they be remedied in an instant. Racism goes much deeper than simple social factors and it stems, primarily, from the following four causes:1. Instinctive reaction for species protection: It is the most natural thing in the world to gravitate towards our

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-77909213826069502592008-07-15T18:22:00.003Z2008-07-24T10:16:17.527Z

Yes, happy people are far more productive people for a variety of good reasons, especially the following:First, they feel good about themselves and their great self-esteem means less angst or worry about what is possible. They tend to feel less anxious about the consequences and so are more willing to at least try. Happy people are likely to be self motivated to do whatever they desire because

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-73288522676436705972008-07-10T23:36:00.000Z2008-07-10T23:37:02.221Z

Apathy is a direct by-product of fear, disappointment and neglect. It exists when people's values are not reflected, their desires are unfulfilled within society and they feel a sense of alienation from what is happening around them. It is difficult to feel involved and included if we do not feel a part of our social milieu, if we believe there is nothing in it for us and if we feel excluded from

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-83573304652308965242008-07-10T14:23:00.002Z2008-07-10T14:33:23.067Z

The two main reasons why we might say 'yes' when we want to say 'no' are a lack of confidence and a desire for approval.When we lack confidence we are deprived of the willpower to be assertive, to be consistent and to actually seek what we want because we fear the consequences of what saying 'no' might bring. We are not strong enough to stand up or our own rights and so allow others to dictate

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-58602989891281869922008-07-10T14:13:00.003Z2008-07-10T14:19:45.867Z

People go after unlimited desires simply because it is programmed within them to do so. Desires serve a very subtle but effective function and are essential to our development, our ability to create, to innovate and to grow. They are the key to our existence. We are programmed to chase unlimited desires because the achievement of every one of them demonstrates our potential, our capacity to make

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-86768443861844387522008-07-08T08:28:00.000Z2008-07-08T08:29:13.620Z

The things which annoy me tend to be those that rob us of our humanity, which do not build, but merely destroy, and which detach us from our world, like the following:1. IGNORANCE...Lack of knowledge has the most debilitating impact on our world because, without knowledge, we are at a loss to develop our potential to fruition. Ignorance keeps behavior and appreciation of others at the most basic

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-50732288199013418682008-07-08T08:25:00.001Z2008-07-08T08:26:54.056Z

Four hundred years ago, Sir Walter Raleigh, British explorer extraordinaire, successful courtier and poet, fancied by Queen Elizabeth the 1st, suffered a crisis of conscience. He loved the Queen and she liked him too, but not being royal caused him much anguish regarding any kind of romantic liaison between them.In a moment of whimsy and heartache, he used his diamond ring to etch the following

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-30249452753918270602008-07-06T13:41:00.006Z2008-07-06T14:05:44.285Z

Racism is obviously still alive and well in the wider society, especially the workplace. Legal requirements might stem the tangible, open forms of racism, but they are useless against subversive discriminatory practices which have been woven into the fabric of working life: like bullying, put downs, poor assessments, lack of advancement, lack of fair conditions, proper training, negative labels

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-61685713062770670202008-07-06T13:35:00.001Z2008-07-06T13:39:12.990Z

The rise of the far right, the rise of fundamentalism and terrorists networks, and the continued support for Israel, even when they too commit atrocities, have one thing in common: they are dictated almost exclusively by one version of 'truth', by unaccountable privilege and by a basic lack of human respect which form a natural breeding ground for bullies, racists, extremists and disdain for the

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-48803754635741196662008-07-04T12:16:00.004Z2008-12-09T13:16:47.543Z

The NHS is celebrating 60 years this year, and so am I. We were both born in 1948, one of the most amazing years in history when some significant world events took place. We merged together when I joined it as a trainee nurse between 1967 and 1969. I came to Britain to be a nurse in Kings Lynn General hospital and left partly because of racism and partly through discovering that I wanted to teach

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-1622180614404314822007-10-14T09:24:00.000Z2007-10-14T09:25:45.535Z

The short answer is: No, they can't.You have to 'feel' something about a country to really appreciate it, and that takes time. One can learn the history of it, learn about the lifestyle, the crime, the values, but one can only appreciate what the country truly represents by being part of it for a while. We have to feel comfortable about that particular country, being in alignment with its aims,

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-62553856960817893682007-09-04T14:35:00.000Z2007-09-05T06:52:23.046Z

As one who has spent the last 14 years promoting multiculturalism from the rooftops in the UK, through the only book on the subject and two annual national diversity awards, I have been pretty saddened this year to hear government ministers and others trumpeting that 'multiculturalism isn't working' or we 'cannot celebrate diversity because it encourages difference' and keeps us separate. But

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-82551788154993422372007-09-04T14:23:00.000Z2007-09-05T06:50:06.730Z

The 200th commemorative anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade was marked by Ken Livingstone with a suitably emotional and tearful apology on behalf of London and its part in it. The capital's Mayor wept openly as he told the audience about the atrocities millions had to endure during their transportation from Africa and the legacy of that singular act of inhumanity.Having thought deeply

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-28985932356188700042007-06-19T01:35:00.000Z2007-06-19T02:21:17.312Z

Two unlikely heroes have emerged from the UK to leave a trail of feel-good feeling strewn across the country in the most unusual way. The first winner of Britain's Got Talent, Paul Potts, moved reality shows to a new level when he was crowned the undisputed king of talent in the programme. Yet he couldn't have been a more unlikely winner at the beginning.Paul Potts appeared on stage at the

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-44470980367705441852007-06-04T18:45:00.000Z2007-06-04T18:49:15.684Z

A member of the Royal Family finally said something about the disappearance of little Madeleine McCann, a full 14 days after she disappeared. Members of this august family are not known for their pronouncements on the public stage, but it has been accepted that when there is a real tragedy, especially on a personal basis, we expect our Royal Family to give a lead, especially in compassion, care

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-81709439689425610572007-05-13T22:48:00.000Z2007-05-13T22:56:14.857Z

A LIGHT FOR MADELEINE!On Thursday 3 May 2007, little Madeleine McCann from the UK was taken from her bedroom, from her parents and her family while on holiday in the Algarve. As a mother myself, I am not sure what I would have done if my child suddenly vanished. It must be the most awful feeling of desolation and impotence, with not knowing being the hardest part. My heart goes out to Kate and

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-91642442590171860202007-05-06T19:46:00.000Z2007-05-06T19:58:38.479Z

In an interview regarding getting older in the New York Times Magazine, Nora Ephron says, with obvious feeling, "Old age can be pitiful. That's why Americans tend to ignore it. First it was ignored. Then it was boosterized by all those people who wrote these stupid books about it. This insistence on the joy of aging, the joy of menopause, the joy of late-life sex — this is all garbage."That was a

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-12160169343127318092007-05-05T12:50:00.000Z2007-05-05T12:53:08.454Z

From today, an 18 year old at the start of his adult life will be spending the next 25 years of it in prison in the UK for killing another man who he said paid him no 'respect'. Yet another Black youngster is behind bars, his freedom and potential dramatically cut short like the life of his victim. Bradley Tucker shot unarmed Peter Woodhams after Peter had already been knifed by someone in

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-53709689057381587192007-05-05T12:46:00.000Z2007-05-05T12:50:05.547Z

Paris Hilton has been sentenced to 45 days in prison for violating her probation terms. She won't be able to choose her prison, there will be no work releases, electronic monitoring or any other concessions. Just a plain old jail with an hour outside her cell each day. Her mother thought the sentence was 'pathetic and disgusting' and her lawyer was 'shocked and surprised' by it. Why is that? What

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-57891561149124469762007-04-16T01:33:00.000Z2007-04-16T02:09:02.665Z

Prince William and Kate Middleton have called it a day. Of course, the media were quite unprepared for it and is in a state of shock. Whom else do they have to train their lens on now? Lean times are certainly ahead. There are also negative comments from disappointed members of the public besotted with the possibility of the proverbial fairy tale-ending. Cutting remarks about him being 'just like

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-59867281756488537382007-04-10T12:02:00.000Z2007-04-16T01:57:24.725Z

The CBS popular radio announcer, Don Imus, who enjoys over two million listeners on the radio station WFAN, called the Black members of the Rutgers University team "nappy headed hoes". As usual, he does not believe he is racist and leading Black leaders called for him to be fired. As a Black person, normally I would be against anyone losing their job or livelihood because of a racist remark, no

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-24934358536130919332007-04-05T14:24:00.000Z2007-04-05T13:40:07.087Z

The first time I heard of this man he was touring Kenya, his ancestral village, and everyone there was gushing about him, treating him like a king returning home. This was late 2006. I had never heard of Barack Obama before, didn't realise he was an American senator, also didn't realise how few African-American senators there were, but was not at all surprised at the hero-worship back there.

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-32044222127495525512007-04-05T11:52:00.000Z2007-04-05T12:13:28.138Z

On 11th February I wrote an appreciative blog on Barack Obama, the new presidential hopeful. Then I was in awe of the 'audacity' of this man from nowhere, much inspired by him and his dreams and I wondered whether his hopeful dash had anything to teach the UK. However, I concluded my blog with these words: "Much as I would like Barack Obama to become the next President, I do not think that he

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-62322083473904031012007-03-26T23:47:00.000Z2007-03-26T23:48:38.485Z

This week the British government said that schools can ban students from wearing Muslim veils, if teachers believe they affect safety, security or pupils' learning. School administrators have the right to ban students from covering their faces under a new uniform policy, but educators should speak with parents before introducing such a ban, said Schools Minister Jim Knight in a DEfS statement."

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-79454705617252655122007-03-20T15:58:00.000Z2007-03-21T16:26:13.712Z

Does the way Black children are behaving have anything do do with the slavery of their ancestors and their own achievement? With Britain currently commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, it got me thinking about the real legacy of slavery on Black people, particularly in how we perceive ourselves, the names we use and the way our low self-esteem affects our

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-87240757644138138202007-03-20T15:55:00.000Z2007-03-20T15:58:05.928Z

How does the language we use uplift or degrade us? With Britain currently commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Abolition fo the Slave Trade, it got me thinking about the real legacy of slavery on Black people, particularly in how we perceive ourselves, the names we use and the language used to describe anything black.Even today, every word in the English language connected with the word '

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-52446457503179979302007-03-20T15:52:00.000Z2007-03-20T15:54:46.194Z

With Britain currently commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Abolition fo the Slave Trade, it got me thinking about the real legacy of slavery on Black people, particularly in how we perceive ourselves and the names we use.Names should be positive terms, but they can be cultural baggage. If you belong to a 'minority' group, what do you call yourself? The choice is easy if it has a definite

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-7702631774738926932007-02-24T17:47:00.000Z2007-02-24T17:50:48.195Z

It is February again, that time of the year when America celebrates Black History Month, just like the month of October in Britain. But do we really need that kind of celebration? Is it really helping understanding or, could the annual nature of it, like a cuckoo in a clock, and its exclusive label rob it of its validity and significance? As one who has spent the last 14 years promoting

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-52997395361119954502007-02-24T13:28:00.000Z2007-02-24T13:43:01.724Z

An American army sergeant, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, 24, has been sentenced to 100 years for raping a young girl and murdering her family in Iraq. It is put down to stress by his defence and he is very remorseful, wondering how he could have behaved so much 'out of character'. He told the judge he didn't 'have an answer' and wished he hadn't done it. He wanted to apologise to the family for all of the

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-23403631492868960322007-02-15T05:06:00.000Z2008-12-09T13:16:48.123Z

With Rudy Giuliani having thrown his hat into the presidential ring, his time as mayor of New York suddenly loomed large, particularly with three disturbing incidents and his reaction to them. In 2002, after 9/11, Rudy was riding high. He was dubbed the Mayor of the World by the New York Times magazine which made him its Person of the Year. And, in my opinion, if anyone truly deserved such an

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-7059438109981260622007-02-11T14:28:00.000Z2007-02-11T15:17:23.303Z

(This is a comment on my article below on Barack Obama and my reply to it.)Elaine, I agree with everything you have said. This article is on the ball. It also goes to show that you don't always have to marry outside of your community to be successful. To me that is the most salient point. While love is more important than race, the fact that he has chosen a Black woman to be his wife speaks

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-15680966000933570712007-02-11T03:46:00.001Z2007-03-22T11:55:57.791Z

A man speaking more than 3000 miles away moved and uplifted me today as a Black woman and gave me hope for the future. He was eloquent, passionate, good looking and fervent in his desire to make history; to show what could be achieved with simple belief and faith in one's ability. His team expected 1000 people to turn up to hear him announce his candidacy for the presidency of the most powerful

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-74499140560594998252007-02-11T02:13:00.000Z2007-02-11T15:17:53.306Z

I think I'm in love...I, who have never had any time for adverts of any kind, who believe they are pesky, interfering things I can easily do without, am in love with the latest adverts by Apple Mac. They are just brilliant. They are saturated everywhere, especially on MySpace. If nothing else, they are guaranteed to draw attention.Apple Mac has hit upon the idea of using humans to represent PCs

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-60033716495784439492007-01-24T20:49:00.000Z2007-01-24T20:51:59.917Z

In the UK, a Muslim woman in a WH Smith shop that serves the public refuses to serve a customer because she shouldn't be serving tobacco. Without a sign saying that, the customer was supposed to know that fact when he decided to make use of the service the shop offered. On parade in the Met Police a new trainee refuses to shake the hand of the head of the service. He had no idea he couldn't shake

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-65982419685068849072007-01-19T07:45:00.000Z2007-02-11T06:43:45.728Z

In a few days the Big Brother suspense will be over. The ever clamouring chink of cash tills would have been both swelled and silenced by the final dash to the telephones to acclaim the hot 'celebrity' favorite. The winner would have been decided and, in this case, the only surprise will be that the winner will not be White. Shilpa Shetty has to win this competition for two main reasons. First,

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-17885662795763529262007-01-07T23:21:00.000Z2007-01-08T00:25:04.703Z

Well, no one can say that Gordon Brown hasn't started off in 2007 how he means to carry on. The Chancellor obviously believes that Tony Blair has long overstayed his welcome and is now pulling the red carpet rigorously from under his feet. After all, he doesn't want it too worn out by the time he walks on it. He is tired of waiting and perhaps hoped that Tony would have relinquished his keys by

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-32949060280741560012007-01-06T19:44:00.001Z2010-08-02T10:23:17.918Z

Recently Tony Blair made one of his most important speeches but it was not publicised as it should have been. Yet what he advocated is at the heart if any cohesive and successful community: Integration. Speaking at a lecture at No. 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister held up a multicultural Britain as something to be celebrated, but added bluntly: "Conform to it or don't come here. We don't

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002885495079915731.post-66131099290192239082007-01-06T19:14:00.000Z2007-01-06T19:40:15.125Z

Thanks to Nancy Pelosi, I now understand much more about the American political system than I ever did before. I used to wonder about all the strange sounding titles given to politicians on Capitol Hill, erroneously thinking that the Speaker of the House there is like the Speaker of our parliament here, yet nothing could be more wrong. Our Speaker has responsibility for the routine mayhem that

Ms CYPRAHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410191032429139874noreply@blogger.com0