Abolaji's Convo
Last year we met up with and photographed Abolaji Oshun, a young London based student and upcoming model. After a morning of photographing, we ended up in a long conversation about youth in London, particularly his hometown - Hackney.
Since then, Abolaji has gone on to begin a blog writing articles about topics like those we got to talk about. Today he published his latest article, which we wanted to share:
“Ends are way too hot right now” was a statement I had heard frequently during the period of widespread knife violence throughout the capital. I had also heard people say that “these little black boys need to change.” Both expressions are arguably true, but I can’t help but feel uneasy at the declaration – and implied implication, that knife violence had only become prolific in a month’s period and so had just then become a huge problem. It’s as if people think that teenage black boys suddenly realised that they weren’t killing enough people and had to get their quotas up. Fortunately, we don’t function in that way. I am sure you could speak to the police about filling up quotas though. Apparently, “there’s been reports about…” Or my personal favourite: “iT’s sTaNdaRd pRoCEduRe, mAtE”.
Poverty is perhaps one of the most important reasons for violence and for systemic reasons, a lot of black people are poor. But hey, we won’t dissect the socioeconomic legacy of slavery and racism prevalent in today’s society in too much detail. Let’s take the example of a black boy who lives in a dire council flat, who has been constantly discouraged and provoked at school all his life, who feels disillusioned with the world and his own future, it seems he has a lot less to aim for and a lot less to lose. Realistically, from the perspective of a lot of black boys: if we don’t make it at football, rapping, or through the route of academia, the future seems quite bleak. The plot twist is that a lot of black boys should make it in football and academically, but behind closed doors are discouraged through provocative, bitter and ineffective coaches and teachers. “You’ll never make it with that attitude” yet said teacher or coach does all they can to bring out the attitude they seem to hate. It seems that nobody cares about the black boy who isn’t ‘naturally gifted’, and even the gifted black boy gets the life sucked out of him from early. At this point, why would he waste his time in a seemingly pointless legitimate route of making a small amount of money when one can attain instant gratification through trapping and/or fraud?
“What solutions do you have?” I hear you ask behind your laptop. Fear not however, I’ve got a bunch of unattainable and ambitious ideas that will never come to fruition in the locker. For now though, take some more reasons black boys are little shit bags!
Another damaging reason that a lot of these black boys resort to illegitimate activities is that they have very little reference points and idols to look up to (that looks like us). A good first idol would be your father, but unfortunately, a disappointing number of black children are brought up in households with a absent father. Jokes and memes aside, the impact of not having a father in the household is immeasurable. (These jokes still have to fly, gotta humble your boy if he’s winning a verbal altercation.) Children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; nine times more likely to drop out of schools and 20 times more likely to end up in prison. The impact can not be discounted, the pain it has brought to thousands of families can not be discounted. Nonetheless, the idea of that the ‘absent father’ and angry son/daughter is a rhetoric that has lazily been overused. Black children are stung by the feeling of abandonment and ‘missing’ what they wish they had. If children of households raised by single-mothers came from an environment where they were nurtured with love, the next meal wasn’t uncertain, they had teachers and counsellors who were understanding and provided solutions, maybe they wouldn’t hold onto this pain into their teens and adulthood.
Social media is one of the most direct causes of so many deaths and beef within young black men. Provocation and the search for clout is a huge reason that fuckeries occur – in simple terms. Young boys are now drawn to the thrill of making a name for themselves through Snapchat, music etc and are partaking in beef I personally feel they would be less involved in had it not been for social media. Not to mention that people getting drawn out on socials only leads to the need for a point to be proved in retaliation. My only wish in this life of sin is that AM doesn’t get stabbed above the waist, the cultural significance of AM x Skengdo’s Mad About Bars is something I will be delivering a think piece on the years to come. Furthermore, Loski or Headie ever get touched, I’ll be one of them shook youngers riding out with their hands on the burner shaking. Not my idols! Another sentiment that I’ve heard expressed is that social media leads to more evidence in court. Arguably it leads to more to be convicted, but if the truth is to be told, has the judicial system ever given a fuck about black boys? I won’t start on the damaging effects of the Joint Enterprise law on innocent black boys but mandem have been slapped birds for accusations, let alone evidence. Social media or not, the Judge and witnesses are hardly ever helpful and niggers are going to jail regardless.
In the eyes of the law, in the eyes of media, black boys are aggressive criminals. And unfortunately, institutionalised oppression and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes starts to have an effect on your own psyche. Internalised racism and self hate are real things, seeing a brudda that looks at you as a problem is a real thing. In the words of Lord Skepta on Castles:
“Too much TV, too many newspapers got a nigga thinking evil/
Got me thinking I’m looking at my enemy when I’m looking at my own people/
Notice when a white man looks at my watch I think he’s trying to pay me a compliment/
When a black man looks at my watch I think he’s trying to knock my confidence (mad)”
In response to the recent ‘resurgence’ in knife crime across the capital, many called for an increase in funding and more employment of policemen and called for an increase in Stop and Searches. This is very stupid and awon Oyinbo ti ya were. This does so little to actually solve the bigger problems at hand. As my Yoruba mum has told me countless times: ‘Prevention is better than cure’. Providing young boys liable to fall to the life of the roads with opportunities might be a good place to start. An investment in youth clubs would be a massive help. More youth clubs and community figures are needed. But did you think the government are going to do anything other than provide cuts to youth services? Another is to provide another viable solution other than the roads. A push for different forms of education to be available and known to be available would help. Mandem could thrive in the arts realm also.
There needs to be more figures that black boys would like to listen to. There are honestly too many washed up olders and washed up uncles etc. Trying to provide advice. There’s a huge problem with a lack of representation and positive role models. Nowadays, black excellence is rife and loud, but it could be more rife and louder. We need more black boys from ends to become idols in the fields of academia, entertainment etc. And not from selling bricks. A lot of guys from the roads are looking up to Nines, money making Mitch from Paid In Full, Meek Mill etc and trap. Fredo will have you wanting to consign stupid amounts of cocaine until you realise that a majority of those trapping don’t even make Fredo and Nines money.
The black community is filled with ills that we need to work to fix, it’s also filled with ills that we didn’t ask for. Ills caused by awon colonisers. Ills that will not be remedied in our lifetime. Fortunately, survivors guilt has already caught me and I’ve been through my angry-at-the-world phase because I can’t come and kill myself for things I can’t change. If you don’t become somewhat numb to the idea of black boys dying in repetitive cycles and nothing happening, life gets long. but hey, in the meantime, we can pray all our evils away! Now excuse me while I go listen to some drill music like the hypocrite I am in peace. There’s no real silver lining from this article, the world is a wicked place. If you would like to see it improve, improve the world around you, homie.
Glossary
At this point you lot know the drill, and I hope my glossaries have been of use to my white brothers and sisters who wish to impress their contemporaries with urban lingo!
Ends are hot – areas with London where many black people living in poverty have become rife with violence and gang beef tensions are spilling.
Clout – I’ve already explained this one in a prior article, do ya homework.
Mandem – you should know this one by now.
Bird – a prison sentence or a stretch of time served in prison.
Awon Oyinbo ti ya were – The whites are mad.
Washed up olders – men who are literally just older than you in age. Many typically spend their time trying to provide younger kids and teens with life advice. They have achieved close to little with their lives and even on the roads scared absolutely nobody. Their favourite line is “you youngers are…” In which they proceed to make wildly basic and inaccurate generalisations based on insignificant observations in their 30 years of life.
Awon – the/those/the people that are.
Burner – a gun
Written by: Abolaji Oshun
Blog: Abolaji's Convo
Comments
usulidofag said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules Amoxicillin 500 Mg gcg.ilvp.barevintage.co.uk.ueb.ha http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
amuipibaf said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Buy Amoxicillin Amoxil Dose For 55 Pounds bgw.ffba.barevintage.co.uk.nuy.wo http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
izekoyea said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin Amoxicillin sre.qhew.barevintage.co.uk.xdq.tx http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
iruoditu said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin 500 Mg Amoxicillin No Prescription nzq.athe.barevintage.co.uk.aap.td http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
uzulxedegalur said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin 18 jgz.huky.barevintage.co.uk.xzu.od http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
iruoditu said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules Amoxicillin 500 Mg nzq.athe.barevintage.co.uk.aap.td http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
epopuuhli said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin Amoxicillin 500 Mg esg.kkdn.barevintage.co.uk.rcg.uf http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
arenoip said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules Amoxicillin 500mg qny.tvqw.barevintage.co.uk.tla.pz http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
ehemahufaeco said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxil Dose For 55 Pounds Amoxicillin 500 Mg fbq.wyib.barevintage.co.uk.dok.xj http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
iiqoiybac said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin Buy Amoxicillin rxe.lcrq.barevintage.co.uk.ywn.yr http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
oyezinaoqove said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Buy Amoxicillin Online Amoxicillin zae.ofnr.barevintage.co.uk.yud.bz http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
osunotun said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin Online Buy Amoxicillin Online dzy.xnse.barevintage.co.uk.fjj.iv http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
uvuumou said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxil Causes Gallstones Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules ths.kjzl.barevintage.co.uk.qkd.nj http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
erpojaz said:
http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin Amoxicillin bqf.flam.barevintage.co.uk.wfw.mf http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/
Annasyspef said:
знак зодиака камень дерево
лев камень знакам зодиака
камни знака зодиака овена
камень знак зодиака водолей
камни разных знаков зодиака
https://aboutnews2k.blogspot.com/2021/05/blog-post.html
https://hubsternews.blogspot.com/2021/05/blog-post.html
https://bopsneeews.blogspot.com/2021/05/blog-post_16.html
алпанит камень знак зодиака
знаки зодиака лев камень
знак зодиака и камень
знаке зодиака близнецы камни
знак зодиака камни рыбы
камни телец знак зодиака
знаки зодиака рыба камень
лев знак зодиака камень
драгоценные камни знаком зодиака
знаки зодиака камень весы
камни знаков зодиака раков
камни топаз знаки зодиака
камни знакам зодиака рак
Annasyspef said:
download game laptop windows 10windows adk 8.1 iso download freeshazam pc free download windows 10cash flow game free download for pcdownload japanese keyboard windows 10dvd player download free for windows 8 freedownload draught game for pcintel wireless display download windows 10 freearma 3 free download full game pc deutschmicrosoft security essentials windows xp download 32 bit free
blazblue cross tag battle pc free download
download wwe smackdown game for windows xp free
skype app for windows 7 pc free download
download game dua xe 3d offline cho pc
m s office 2007 free download for windows xp free
farm games free download for windows xp free
air war games for pc free download
download pc games in parts
download windows 7 icons for xp free free
kernel32.dll windows xp sp2 download free
virtual pc network filter driver windows 7 download
tekken tag tournament 2 pc download for windows 7
adobe fill and sign windows 10 download
can you still download windows 10
download steam for pc windows 10 64 bit
https://fundamentservis.ru/windows-update-cleanup-3-99-tb-fix-disk-cleanup/
https://fundamentservis.ru/destiny-iron-banner-december-16-iron-banner/
https://fundamentservis.ru/modern-combat-5-ps4-controller-pc-controller-on/
https://fundamentservis.ru/dragonvale-world-how-to-get-enchanted-dragons-2/
https://fundamentservis.ru/nvidia-geforce-gt750m-driver-geforce-windows-10/
crossfire legends game download for pc
east india company pc game download
3d sex games free download for pc full version
djvu reader windows 10 download
video media player for windows xp free download free
pc hotspot download windows 7
facebook messenger for pc windows 7 ultimate free download
download reboot windows 10
autocad for windows 10 64 bit free download
carbonite download windows 10 free
download mp3 converter free for pc
logic pro x software free download for windows 10
download windows 10 retail iso
download driver intel hd graphics 5500 windows 10
icloud fur windows 10 download
https://fundamentservis.ru/nvidia-windows-10-creators-update-windows-10/
https://fundamentservis.ru/trendnet-tew-804ub-driver-ac600-dual-band-wireless/
https://fundamentservis.ru/monster-hunter-g-wii-shen-gaoren/
https://fundamentservis.ru/canon-imageformula-dr-2020u-canon-imageformula-dr/
https://fundamentservis.ru/analog-devices-adi-198x-integrated-hd-audio-driver-4/
javaw.exe free download for windows 8 free
free download partition magic for windows 10
free download windows 10 full version for pc
fate/stay night realta nua for windows download free
3d games for pc free download of fighting
boot bif windows 10 download
total videos converter free download windows 7 free
download windows vista sp3 32 bit iso free
igi 3 game download for pc windows 7
shareit windows 7 free download free
Annasyspef said:
free download of software for windows xp freemicrosoft windows xp security essentials download freedownload windows 10 iso 32 bit full version with crackdownload driver hp p1102w windows 10latest windows 10 update download freenvidia geforce 8200m g driver download for windows 7 32 bit freeusb 2.0 driver for windows 7 32 bit free download freedownload seamonkey for windows 10asus graphic card driver download windows 10android transfer for pc free download
download google chrome for windows 10 64 bit 2019
barbie princess games free download for pc
tomb raider game for pc windows 10 free download
hearts card game download windows 10
betaflight windows 10 download
dll files windows 10 download
cry of fear pc game download
windows virtual pc beta download
tinn r download windows 7 free
download itunes on pc windows 8
fifa 2010 pc game download
halo 2 pc download windows 8
bratz rock angelz game pc free download
assassin creed 4 black flag pc download full game
download the windows 7 upgrade adviser free
https://fundamentservis.ru/how-to-update-cuboid-150w-joyetech-cuboid-150w-vt/
https://rd-ok.ru/download-windows-activator-for-windows-10-windows/
https://fundamentservis.ru/samsung-montage-virgin-mobile-samsung-montage-sph/
https://chromebrowser.ru/free-download-windows-media-player-12-for-windows/
https://chromebrowser.ru/fliqlo-download-windows-10-fliqlo-flip-clock/
best apps for windows 8 pc free download
free download windows essential security free
how to download photos from iphone to windows 10 pc free
adobe photoshop for windows 8 64 bit free download filehippo free
mtp usb device driver download windows 7 free
bubble bobble game free download for pc
free weatherbug download for windows 10
free download mcafee antivirus setup for windows 7 free
hp laserjet 1020 plus printer driver download for windows 10
magicjack driver download windows xp free
best download software for windows 10
asus ai suite 2 windows 8.1 download free
need for speed payback free download for pc windows 10
free download 7zip for windows 10 64 bit
windows 10 download stuck at preparing for installation free
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/adobe-shockwave-player-download-for-windows-10/
https://chromebrowser.ru/free-anti-spyware-download-for-windows-10-free/
https://fundamentservis.ru/gigabyte-ga-945-gzm-s2-ga-945gzm-s2-rev-2-1/
https://chromebrowser.ru/free-windows-10-download-for-hp-laptop-you-can/
https://rd-ok.ru/download-xbox-games-on-windows-10-your-games-on/
cdc serial driver download windows xp free
download game kamen rider ryuki pc
download hd cinema for windows free
download vmware for windows 7 64 bit free
download bonjour service for windows 10
dll files for windows xp free download free
gta vice city full game download for pc windows 10
deep freeze for windows 10 free download with crack
educational games for toddlers free download for pc
download instagram setup for windows 10
Annasyspef said:
download facebook spy tool
]
download pandora for windows xp freefirewall download windows 10 freewindows loader download for pcdmc devil may cry definitive edition pc free downloaddesktop gadgets for windows 10 64 bit free downloadbest 3d animation software for pc free downloaddownload and save windows 10castlevania pc game downloadpc shareit download windows 7batman pc game download full version free
[url=https://chromebrowser.ru/equalizer-free-download-for-windows-10-13-best/]download youtube downloader for windows 10
[/url]
[url=https://rd-ok.ru/download-windows-10-pro-oem-64-bit-download/]bs video player for pc free download
[/url]
[url=https://fundamentservis.ru/skyrim-dwarven-mechanical-equipment-dwarven-armor/]download resident evil 2 remake for pc free
[/url]
[url=https://chromebrowser.ru/free-download-gta-san-andreas-for-pc-windows-10/]ko player download for windows 10 64 bit
[/url]
[url=https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-pandora-desktop-windows-10-new-pandora/]download windows 10 install wim
[/url]
[url=https://mixpresent.ru/smartsound-quick-track-plugin-royalty-free-music/]download sling tv windows 10
[/url]
[url=https://mixpresent.ru/repository-creation-utility-download/]firestorm zotac download windows 10
[/url]
[url=https://mixpresent.ru/star-wars-battlefront-trainers-star-wars/]dx9 download windows 10 64 bit
[/url]
[url=https://fundamentservis.ru/rca-pearl-mp3-player-rca-pearl-th1100-user-manual/]best pc games of all time free download
[/url]
[url=https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-veracrypt-windows-10/]candy crush saga free download for pc windows xp
[/url]
download adobe photoshop cs3 for windows 10
download sp2 for windows 7 32 bit free
download lenovo vantage windows 10
download windows 7 software for pc free
hp print and scan doctor for windows 10 download free
https://mixpresent.ru/sinjid-shadow-of-the-warrior-guide-skills-sinjid/
https://mixpresent.ru/hp-scanjet-5200c-driver-results-for-hewlett/
https://mixpresent.ru/dell-precision-t1600-drivers-dell-precision-t1600/
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-samsung-smart-view-for-windows-10-how-to/
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-realplayer-cloud-for-windows-10-expect/
download weatherbug for windows 10
android windows 10 free download
metal weight calculator free download for windows 10
download windows media player version 11 free free
eclipse sdk download for windows 8 64 bit free
wddm driver for windows 7 64 bit free download free
download speed slow windows 10
windows vista home premium oemact download free
java download windows xp professional free
google dropbox download for windows 10
boot.wim windows 10 download free
box games pc download
cisco anyconnect 4.5 download windows 10
download save game gta sa pc
atk0110 acpi utility download windows 7 free
https://mixpresent.ru/intel-centrino-wireless-bluetooth-intel-centrino/
download windows 8 free [/url] board game download for pc [/url] shooter games free download for pc windows 8 [/url] touchpad driver for windows 10 asus [/url] game roblox offline pc [/url] ball quick fire pool free download for pc [/url] of duty black ops 2 pc free no download [/url] fighter 2 free download for windows 7 free [/url] unlock software for windows 10 free download [/url] lite codec pack full download windows 10 64 bit [/url]https://fundamentservis.ru/windowsupdate-8007000e-solved-windows-update-error/
https://chromebrowser.ru/free-windows-10-activator-download-windows-10/
https://rd-ok.ru/download-windows-10-iso-full-version-download/
https://mixpresent.ru/iomega-home-media-network-hard-drive-firmware/