Killed in a Chicken Shop: Agnes Sina-Inakoju

How many of us have been in Chicken shops to stop for a bite to eat? Routine right? That is what 16-year-old Agnes Sina-Inakoju was doing on Wednesday 13th April before she was gunned down by two mindless youths dressed in black in Hoxton, East London.

Police say that they do not believe she was the target which makes the story even more tragic.

Gun crime in the UK, particularly in London is just getting stupid. The victims are getting younger and younger. Where does the solution lie? What will it take for these people who carry guns to drop their weapons. Everytime i hear another shooting or stabbing, particularly when it involves young people, it makes me wonder if I am in a Western movie. This is not the age of Cowboys and horses and we are certainly not in America so why do such situations persist?

The answer lies in the mindset of these people who think it is "ok" to carry guns and knives. But let us take a step-back and realy think about it. What conditions the mindset of these people - society. We must look at one another to find the real solution to gun and knife crime. What is it that makes these people think it is alright to carry such weapons. Is it the media? Music? Videos? Parents? Schools? To be honest it is everything. Everything plays a part when it comes to the developing youths mindset. The youth are very impressionable. The slightest influence can trigger a wave of ideologies and beliefs working together like a machine to create what potentially be a distorted ideology e.g. the fact that they must carry a knife or a gun.

I think society has become selfish. People no longer work as a community but as individuals so because of this people ultimately only think about themselves. Even within a family setting. With this in mind, why does it surprise us that another teenager has been killed in London because of another selfish act committed by another.

I sincerely offer my condolences to Agnes' family in this hard time. Simultaneously, I ask people to think about this death that has occurred. Why has there been another number added to the statistic of gun crime in the Black community? I'd love to know your thoughts.

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"B-ELECTION" 2010 (The Young Black People's Vote)

BELECTION 2010 - The Young Black Vote

In this blog i aim to give a different angle to the General Election 2010. I specifically wish to discuss the main parties manifestos and pledges in relation to how this will benefit or be a detriment to Young Black People in this country.

Young Black People are incredibly impressionable but at the same time have a high influence on those around them. So surely, isn't it important that such a niche part of society have their voices heard in the coming General Election.

You can categorise me as a "Young Black Person". I am a Black 21-year-old female of Nigerian Origin living in the suburbs of Kent but grew up in South East London. Being a first-generation black briton i consider myself one of many pioneers. I am a mix of cultures - western civilisation with African traditions.

Voting is important for me because not only am I exercising a right that people before me have fought and died for but because I use my vote as my voice. A voice that refuses to be dumbed down by current social prejudices.

In this blog I will be voicing my opinions about the coming election as well as discussing other Young Black people's views about it. They will range from the uncaring attitude towards politics to voting for the BNP!

Exactly 3 weeks today till the election... here goes...


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