politics – The Cultural Exposé

What we’ve been up to… Tar Baby at The Vault Festival

Matilda — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 08:39:00 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I’m loving the conversation about race at the moment. Well, technically, I’m loving the way people are freaking out over Beyonce’s Formation video, in the same way they were freaking out about Dear White People two years ago, in the same way they were freaking out ten years ago when old Kanye said George Bush didn’t care about black people, during the live TV appeal for Hurricane Katrina victims. Speaking of: it’s funny how Queen Bey has brought us back to Katrina 11 years later, proving that the “conversation” is not only still important, but can’t be ignored – even if you dress it up in a glossy, expensive video.

In the case of Tar Baby, a one-woman show by New York comedienne Desiree Birch, the conversation masquerades as a carnival show. There’s music, games and of course, an elephant in the room. And for people uncomfortable with discussing racism, there’s also a false sense of security that allows Birch to address that metaphorical mammal head on by touching on slavery, capitalism, white privilege, black stereotypes, black female stereotypes, the faux pas of touching afro hair and the Black Lives Matter movement with little tact or remorse. But she’s so clever and witty about it, you can’t help but love her at the end. Or at least, I did. And I’ve got a couple of Race Cards to prove it.

@destheray is my new shero. Watched her one woman show @tarbabytheplay at the @vaultfestival tonight and all I can say is COT DAMN… She went in! #race #politics #humour #foodforthought

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:38pm PST

Had dude picking rice to explain the history of slavery and the birth of capitalism. PICKING RICE. @tarbabytheplay

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:40pm PST

Post show mementos #mightjustusethese #race #politics #humour #foodforthought @tarbabytheplay

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:42pm PST

It’s just a pity last night was the final show at The Vault Festival. I don’t know if Tar Baby is coming back to London, but I know it needs to. This satirical commentary on racism is just what we need right now, because it’s got the guts to make sure we’re all just that little bit more informed about racism, in case we didn’t get the memo.

For more deets, check out www.tarbabytheplay.com.

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Somewhere you should go… Battle of Ideas

Jane Duru — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:00:31 +0000

Always wanted to know more about the philosophy behind atheism? Feel like you don’t know enough about the political concept of freedom? Well, some of the UK’s finest minds will be talking on those themes as the Barbican holds the annual Battle of Ideas, a weekend of public debates and talks. Speakers this year include writer Stella Duffy, MP David Lammy, entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim and many other eminent academics, writers and professionals.

If you just want to enjoy the challenge of getting stuck into a good old debate, it’s the perfect place, with more discussions than ever taking place this year. Interesting talks range from light-hearted discussions on the merits of 2012’s surprise bonkbuster Fifty Shades of Grey to the more weighty question of whether Europe faces its own European Spring.

People generally fall into two camps – those who shy away from voicing an opinion for fear of showing their lack of knowledge, and those who love the cut and thrust of intellectual debate, who’d never let a little thing like ignorance get in the way of having an opinion. So whichever side you fall on, whether you need to brush up on your knowledge or exercise those debating skills, the Battle of Ideas is sure to entice enquiring minds.

The Festival of Ideas runs at the Barbican, from Oct 20 – 21. For more info visit www.battleofideas.org.uk

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Something you should see… When China Met Africa

Apostolos Kostoulas — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:00:33 +0000

With signs that China will emerge as the next global superpower becoming more and more apparent, a documentary about China’s economic foray into Africa, is undoubtedly timely.

It its opening minutes, When China Met Africa informs us that in November 2006, Beijing cemented its long-term relationship with Africa by hosting a summit of 48 African heads of state. Fast-forward three years later, and filmmaking brothers Nick and Marc Francis examine the current state of this relationship by following the lives of three people from different social classes in the country of Zambia: Mr Liu , a farmer who has just bought his fourth farm and sees his business booming, Mr Li , a road project manager, who is upgrading Zambia’s longest road and Mr Mutati, the country’s Trade Minister who is planning to go to China to secure millions of dollars of investment.

What is evident throughout the film is the inherent tendency of Chinese to jump at every opportunity that comes their way and try to get the best out of it, demonstrated for example in the story of Mr Liu who quit his office work in his country looking for a better future and in the Minister Mutati’s apposite description of the different method of approach that the Western and Chinese investors use.

However, while the film makes a strong case for China’s entrepreneurial spirit being a cardinal reason for forging a relationship with Africa, there are only glimpses of how this partnership has affected the lives of the locals.

Final verdict: An interesting but somewhat one-sided approach to a really complicated yet important subject.

(Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)

In cinemas October 7th. For more info visit: www.whenchinametafrica.com

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