I felt this was the year of realising ultimate change, for self and for community. Embracing this has been difficult for many people young, old, African and non-African.

The change has been an awakening of awareness; the battle between knowledge and ignorance has finally favoured knowledge. Now understandably this has left many people feeling shell-shocked and in denial but this was to be expected, every war has its casualties. Yet I feel for the most part the community has begun to stir itself from its slumber - this can only be a good thing.
Nearing the end of 2006 was when I started to feel very strongly that a massive shift was on its way, the creator, the Ancestors, spirits whom ever instilled in me a sense that 2007 was going to be a time of eye opening and many deep breaths!

The Wilberfarce (which has gnawed at the community like deranged mice) for all its misgivings did cause many who had not thought to ask questions before a yearning for knowledge of they’re former selves. “Yes who was I, where did I come from, what was my name, who have I become from this?” are all questions which arose with a burning desire and pressing urgency and although they remain unanswered for the vast majority the fact they where thought to be asked at all I see as an improvement.

The world of politics has never really been my forte however I found myself keeping a close eye on the news and reading more printed drivel because of the British establishment’s reticence to tell the truth about the African enslavement experience. In amongst the back patting of how well they (Britain) did to stop slavery was for me one of the most churlish moments of the year: Tony Blair’s “statement of sorrow and regret” for Britain’s part in the Maafa was more offensive than if he had said nothing at all and I think many people would have preferred if he hadn’t.

The realisation for many Africans that yes, this is the country of your birth and your children’s birth. That they really don’t care about the fact they raped and killed your Ancestors and if you think about it a little bit that’s the only reason this is the country of your birth, has had an affect which will result in the need for more and more African counselors and healers. Once again the change has been in realising not only that there are deep wounds with keloid scars of self-destructive behaviors but also an acknowledgment that there was any healing needed at all. Now don’t get me wrong I am not for one moment suggesting that we have all found our consciousness and so now can get on the road to healing, but like a great bear waking from hibernation the power that is our self pride has begun the journey back from deep sleep.

I am an artist. This allows me a sense of freedom and expression that I don’t think I could find in accountancy, law or science. Art speaks to the soul of the individual and nourishes the heart of the community. So the most memorable cultural event for me this year was an artistic piece by the Conscious Collective. The Shackle, The Whip, The Drum was an edutainment piece of dance, poetry and historical commentary on how the voyage from Africa, the rotten conditions and the appalling treatment of our Ancestors shaped many of the popular dance forms being performed today all over the world. This first performance at the disheveled Ocean venue was on March 25th 2007 (the day the British passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807 through parliament) and was followed by a minute silence. Although the date was of discrepancy it was moving to pay respects and remember our Ancestors as it always is.

For me one of the proudest moments of 2007 was when Toyin Agbetu stood up and “let them know” in Westminster Abbey: threw aside the rolling eyes of Tony Blair the bewildered gaze of the Queen and stood in front of the congregation arms aloft in a non threatening pose to tell them that they’re commemoration was bogus and that no African should be on they’re knees begging forgiveness for being taken (!?) or colonised which is effectively what any African in there was doing! On the way to work that day I grinned my biggest grin and answered I don’t know how many phone calls asking, “was that Toyin?” and “Is that the Ligali guy?” and “have you seen the paper?” Although I know that Toyin has received unbelievable stick from this episode from many in the community who feel that it was “glory” seeking or a publicity stunt or many others that feel they should have been in on it to share blame or provide support, but personally I think it happened just as it was meant to. We are not all Muhammed Ali and we don’t all sting like bees some of us are smaller and quieter and infect like viruses.

And so this leads me on to my last point, which is personal spirituality. This year I’ve been to so many lectures, seminars, workshops, read so many books and watched so many DVD’s that I feel I need a mental declutter every few months just so I can store vital information regarding energies (planetary, physiological, spiritual and metaphysical).

This year has been utterly amazing for me because I have realised the power within myself and so know that any prolonged thought process will bring about change in favour of that thought process. Once I recognised and acknowledged this even the bad things were good because it taught me the lesson I needed to learn. I have become a very happy person, and I think this comes with constant work on personal and mental development and keeping all receptors open at all times. Don’t get me wrong in this environment it isn’t easy as this place does not sustain us as African people but it has led me to have faith in my ability to be able to cope, and faith in myself.

I have always had what I call angels guiding me and helping through with any off key choices I may make and I am so grateful and blessed that I have had these energies with me constantly reminding me, (especially when my inpatient inner 15 year oldstarts acting up) that everything is as it should be, and that you may not get everything you want but you will get everything you need.

Above all else one thing has been compounded for me this year, the only constant thing in this world is change.

Teleica Kirkland