130: Benjamin Zephaniah: Activism and Integrity
The History Hotline by Deanna Lyncook
S1 · E130
Jan 30, 2024
49:13
Episode notes
“Try to pigeon hole Benjamin Zephaniah at your peril. Poet, writer, lyricist, musician, actor, republican, activist, campaigner, freedom fighter. It’s impossible. His achievements are too plentiful to mention.” – Opening for an interview with Shelley Carter for Birmingham Living magazine.
Benjamin Zephaniah was born on 15th April 1958 in Handsworth, Birmingham. This episode looks at his life, his activism and all he stood for. It explores his refusal to accept an MBE and the implications that had.
Clips taken from: ITN Archives
Articles featured: Tribune Article "Us An Dem: The Radical Benjamin Zephaniah"
'Me? I thought, OBE me? Up yours, I thought'