The Blackwash

Kayne Kawasaki
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Making cultural & historical commentary on social issues. Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by colour!

  1. OCT 10

    Power, Pride, and the Press: Claudia Jones

    Let me know your thoughts… Power feels different when you can hold it in your hands—ink on paper, headlines on a newsstand, a community gathered on Brixton stairs. We revisit the West Indian Gazette and the force of Claudia Jones, tracing how a newspaper born from crisis became a cultural engine and a training ground for Carnival. The story begins in 1958 Britain—colour bars at pubs, landlords closing doors, employers saying no—and follows Claudia’s decision to build a people’s paper that informed, defended, and united the Caribbean diaspora. We unpack the Gazette’s social gravity: politicians, authors, and activists passing through the office; Sam King moving bundles across the country; a readership large enough to irritate racists and encourage allies. The backlash—threats from a British Klan offshoot and vandalism—only underlined the impact. But we also sit with the operational truth: circulation spikes and cash dips, volunteers carrying dual jobs, and the hard pivot required to turn social influence into structural power. That contrast with later institutions like the Voice helps us explore why editorial courage must meet financial discipline to outlive a founder. From there, the conversation widens to strategy. Under the Gazette’s sponsorship, the 1959 Caribbean Carnival reframed politics through culture and joy, even making it onto the BBC. Claudia understood that newspapers set agendas, but carnivals change the air people breathe. Across these threads—media, organising, celebration—we keep returning to a working definition of power: influence, leadership, and the capacity to effect positive change. It’s a lineage that still shapes Black British media and community life today. If this journey reshaped how you think about Black British history, media, and Carnival, share the episode with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss part two. Your support helps this story travel further.

    19 min

  2. SEP 29

    Standing Firm in Pride: UK Black History Month

    Let me know your thoughts…

    19 min

  3. JUN 14

    Sisters in the Shadows: Who's Protecting Black Women from Domestic Abuse?

    Let me know your thoughts… The statistics are shocking but undeniable - Black Caribbean women and those of mixed white/Black Caribbean heritage experience the highest rates of domestic abuse among all ethnic groups in the UK. This urgent crisis demands our attention, understanding, and action. Domestic violence extends far beyond physical harm to include psychological manipulation, emotional trauma, sexual violence, economic control, and persistent threats. The prevalence is staggering: 86% of Caribbean or African heritage women in the UK have either directly experienced abuse or know a family member who has. Despite this, only 57% would report these crimes to police, suggesting the actual numbers may be even higher. Even celebrities aren't immune. Jamelia was struck while breastfeeding before channeling her experience into her iconic song "Thank You." Mel B endured nearly a decade of abuse before becoming a patron for Women's Aid and receiving an MBE for her advocacy. Keisha from Sugababes recently revealed years of controlling behavior and physical assaults. These high-profile cases illuminate what countless unnamed women experience behind closed doors. Organizations like Sistah Space provide critical, culturally-sensitive support specifically for Black women experiencing domestic violence. Their decade of service offers hope in a landscape where 85% of Black women don't feel supported by non-Black domestic violence advisers due to lack of cultural understanding. The roots of this crisis run deep, potentially stemming from historical trauma, colonial legacies, and what researchers call "post-traumatic slave syndrome." Breaking this cycle requires acknowledging the problem, supporting specialized organizations, demanding better policies, and creating environments where survivors feel safe to speak their truth. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, please reach out to Sister Space or other support services. Together, we can work toward healing our communities and protecting our sisters.

    20 min

  4. JUN 2

    Bad Bucks and Snow Bunnies: Unpacking Interracial sex in the 1950s

    Let me know your thoughts… Dreams, realities, and forbidden fantasies collide in this deep-dive exploration of interracial relationships in post-war Britain. Drawing from Samuel Selvon's groundbreaking 1956 novel "The Lonely Londoner," we uncover the complex dynamics that shaped the Windrush generation's experiences and continue to influence our conversations today. What motivated Black men and white women to pursue relationships across racial lines in an era of overt discrimination? Beyond the Windrush dream of streets "paved with gold" and the harsh reality of "No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish," there existed a world of sexual politics rarely discussed in history books. Hyde Park—the "happy hunting grounds" of the 1950s—served as London's unofficial dating scene, where temporary connections offered momentary escape from systemic racism. Through literary analysis and historical context, we trace the origins of modern stereotypes and terminology from "bad bucks" to "snow bunnies," revealing how fetishization rather than genuine connection often defined these encounters. The conversation challenges us to examine what has been passed down through generations as transgenerational trauma, suggesting that healing requires brother-to-brother conversations using our community's own language and experience. Whether you're interested in British history, race relations, or understanding the psychological underpinnings of modern relationships, this episode offers revelatory insights into our shared past.

    21 min

  5. MAY 5

    Jafaican film controversy - Who benefits When Jamaica Becomes The Punchline?

    Let me know your thoughts… What happens when a culture becomes a commodity? The controversial "Jafaican" film has sparked heated debate across social media and mainstream publications, with many fixating solely on Peter Andre's portrayal of a character attempting to "learn to be Jamaican." But beneath this surface-level discourse lies a far more complex story. We're diving deep into what I call the "Black cosign" – the phenomenon where certain Black individuals provide approval for potentially problematic portrayals, often without understanding the wider implications. This isn't just about whether a comedy film crosses taste boundaries; it's about recognizing patterns of colonial cinema where Jamaican culture generates profit primarily for non-Jamaican entities while Jamaicans themselves remain at the bottom of the economic hierarchy. The vertical integration analysis is particularly revealing. From production companies (Andre Films, Nwaka Studios) to distribution (Epicum Entertainment, Radioactive Pictures), the financial beneficiaries of "Jafakin" are predominantly non-Jamaican. Meanwhile, Jamaican involvement is largely limited to supporting roles, dialect coaching, and location scouting – despite the film being entirely built on Jamaican cultural aesthetics. Even when respected Jamaican figures like Oliver Samuels and Sizzla appear, they serve more as credibility tokens than creative partners with meaningful control. This pattern of cultural extraction without proportionate return isn't new. We've witnessed how "harmless cultural parody" in shows like Bo Selecta damaged Black British careers and lives. When Trisha Goddard's child was bullied because of a caricature, or when Craig David fled to America to escape ridicule, we saw the real human cost of "just comedy." Now in 2025, we're seeing those same justifications recycled. The weaponization of Jamaica's motto "Out of Many One People" to silence criticism is particularly troubling. When the film's Nigerian-British director suggests his frequent tourism gives him greater authority over Jamaican culture than diaspora Jamaicans, we're witnessing colonial dynamics repackaged as cultural appreciation. Ready to challenge your thinking about cultural representation, economic justice, and who truly benefits when a culture becomes the punchline? Join the conversation and share your perspective on whether this represents cultural parody or something far more problematic. The difference matters not just for entertainment, but for how we value cultures and communities in our global society.

    19 min

  6. APR 26

    Stephen Lawrence Day: Humanising a Historic Tragedy

    Let me know your thoughts… Knowledge truly changes everything. On Stephen Lawrence Day, we take a profound journey beyond headlines and statistics to discover the full humanity of a young man whose life was cut tragically short by racist violence. Stephen wasn't just a victim or a symbol—he was an average 18-year-old, worked at McDonald's, studied diligently for his A-levels, and had already completed work experience with a Black architect. He was pursuing dreams that racism would ultimately steal from him. Through Doreen Lawrence's powerful memoir "And Still I Rise," we glimpse the vibrant personality behind the tragedy that transformed British society's understanding of institutional racism. The contrast between Stephen's loving family and the violent criminal background of his attackers provides crucial context. While the Metropolitan Police's institutional racism allowed his killers to initially escape justice, we cannot forget the personal dimensions of this case—from the Christian couple who comforted Stephen in his final moments to the perpetrators' previous racist attacks that went inadequately addressed by authorities.  Stephen's legacy—symbolized by his name meaning "crown garland" and "shining one"—continues through the Stephen Lawrence Foundation's work in classrooms, communities, and careers. This Stephen Lawrence Day, expand your knowledge by exploring Doreen's memoir and supporting the foundation's vital mission. Remember: it could have been any of us (hate race crimes still numbering around 100,000 annually in the UK) and that's why this story still matters profoundly today.

    31 min

  7. APR 17

    The Unholy Trinity: How Anti-Black Sentiment Passes Through Generations

    Let me know your thoughts… Shame keeps us weighed down. Shame keeps us stuck. Shame about our hair, our features, our cultural heritage—this is the legacy of what I call "generational internalized racism," and it's time we brought it into the light. Drawing from personal experiences growing up in Peckham, South East London, this episode explores how anti-Black sentiments like "rubber lips," "picky head," and "you speak white" become normalized within our communities and passed down through generations. These harmful ideas form what I've termed the "unholy trinity" of poor race esteem: colorism/culturicide (rejecting one's culture), texturism (hatred of natural hair), and featurism (disgust toward African features). Through a fascinating case study of boxing champions Chris Eubank Sr. and Jr., we witness how internalized racism travels through family lines. From Senior's childhood bullying over his "broad African nose" and his father's anti-Jamaican sentiments to Junior's troubling claims about Jamaicans having violence "in our DNA" (despite being born and raised in Brighton), we see how these beliefs perpetuate harmful stereotypes when left unchallenged. While our communities readily discuss generational wealth and health, we rarely create spaces to confront the generational trauma of internalized racism. This episode offers practical guidance for breaking these cycles through critical thinking, research, and building supportive communities where we can vibrate at higher frequencies of enlightenment and harmony. Ready to break free from inherited shame and reclaim your full cultural heritage? Listen now and share this message with someone who might benefit from these insights on healing generational wounds.

    24 min

  8. MAR 28

    Exposing slave beneficiaries: Codrington & Betty’s Hope

    Let me know your thoughts… Smart reparations transforms an abstract concept into tangible justice. While traditional reparations discussions often stall due to their scope, targeting specific beneficiaries of slavery creates measurable, achievable goals that directly connect past exploitation to present wealth. The Codrington family's ownership of Betty's Hope plantation in Antigua represents a perfect case study. From 1674 until 1944—yes, within living memory—this British family extracted enormous wealth from the labor of 1,539 enslaved people. When slavery was abolished, they received £25,000 (£2.5 million today) in "compensation" for losing ‘property’. This money, along with generations of plantation profits, funded their grand Doddington Park estate in Gloucestershire, which they sold in 1983 for over £1 million. The wealth transfer is meticulously traceable. The family later sold their plantation archives—documents that rightfully belong to Antigua—for substantial sums when the Antiguan government couldn't afford them. Today, Betty's Hope stands as a museum, but restoration funds come from Germany and the US, not Britain or the Codringtons who morally owe this debt. As the podcast concludes: you can't choose how you come into this world, but you can choose how you live in it. Will the Codringtons help repair the damage their ancestors caused? Sign the petition at repair campaign to show solidarity with those whose labor built British wealth but who never saw its rewards.

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Making cultural & historical commentary on social issues. Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by colour!

Information

  • Creator
    Kayne Kawasaki
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 KLKL Media
  • Show Website
    The Blackwash