Benjamin Zephaniah on the monarchy and turning down an OBE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Benjamin Zephaniah shares his thoughts about the British monarchy and explains why he rejected an OBE.
Benjamin is a supporter of Republic - an organisation which calls for the people of Britain to be granted the right to elect their head of state.
www.republic.or...
This guy is a personal hero of mine for so many reasons. God bless him for turning down the OBE. I wrote briefly to him once, thanking him for doing it. Apparently, he got a lot of praise from the good people of Ireland :)
Peace and love from Seattle!
Good for him! Well done to him for making a stand on a matter of principle.
To right. A good point of view expressed.
As always I'm late to the party when it comes to discoveries, but BZ's views on this are so admirable. What a complete dude and stand up guy. Makes you think about those that accept such "awards".
Probably a poor example, but I always thought Keith Richards was bang on giving Mick Jagger grief for accepting a knighthood. Its all I know thus far, but this current state of affairs (covid and all it's BS in light of BoJo and his xmas parties) has led me to seek out people who truly make sense and see things for what they are and cut thru the crap such as BZ, Frankie Boyle and my god I wish Hitchens was still here, as I'm late to that party too. But I need some form of informative entertainment/enlightenment/education.
Please recommend some of the same stuff, because I have been in state of pure ignorance when it comes to mainstream media/news/TV. My TV licence went years ago and I haven't seen a proper advert or broadcast TV since then.....Bliss!
I haven't watched TV in years either mate. Nor listened to the wireless, read any kind of paper or magazine or book. My only source of news and entertainment is Google, TH-cam and Spotify. I'm under no illusions though, I'm still being bombarded with propaganda. Not many people can say they have a good, honest view of things. We are all subject to propaganda. It's a very insidious thing. We often don't realiz it's happening to us until it's too late and we are thoroughly indoctrinated.
What does it make you think about those that accept such awards?
@damiankimmins3880 Vain with an air of selfishness. 'Look at me,I've met the queen/king'......Eff off and stick yer medal up yer arse.
Well said Benjamin, my thoughts exactly.
Don't get why so many people are hating on his views. The term Empire is what it is.
He's a world renowned poet. He also spends half his time living in Beijing which is hardly the mother of human rights.
His poetry is actually quite amazing, and I read a lot of Zephaniah's work as a kid. I dunno, your English suggests you're not the fondest of literature any way.
And uh, I think any one born in this country, who was subjected heavily to racism, and where racism is still abundant, has every right to question the institutions that still romanticise the Empire.
living in beijing does not imply anything on him as if its his fault chinese govt. treats its pop so bad. i dont know what your point was anyway. by that logic, the british pillaged and looted throughout its colonial times , so hardly the brits can be judgmental about others.
Im considered white british and I would not accept an OBE from that heartless shit. Things like OBE's are put in place to reinforce class diviosions in this country and make out that some people are more superior than others. I salute Zephaniah for not selling his soul.
Maybe we have our first elected head of state. What a great interview.
Where can I see the full interview. Much respect Benjamin Zephaniah.
I could listen to Benjamin all day, amazing man
Well, IMO, constitutional monarchy is by far the best option for selecting the Head of State. I strongly support the principle that the positions of Head of State and Head of Government should be separate and, while it is important the HoG be an elected politician, there's much to commend the idea that the HoS should be selected by a different method.
Can you please tell me why we need both? Not a criticism of your comment. Just interested in people's views.
@@MrWayout74 If you read Walter Bagehot's "The English Constitution" (1867), he sets it out quite neatly, asserting that the Constitution needs two parts; the dignified and the efficient. The Head of Government (the Prime Minister) carries out a functional role (the efficient), which necessarily embroils them in the day-to-day hurly-burly of politics. The Head of State (the Sovereign), however, can inhabit a space separate from and above politics, carrying out the (dignified) ceremonial functions, in which we can all invest our sense of loyalty, without any conflict of political loyalties. We can, 'Damn the Prime Minister but still Love the Queen'.
We need Gods Kingdom…that is all. 🙏🏾
Well done... He is added to the long list of ppl who have rejected these so called honors.... I believe ppl who have accepted these so called honors are not all self serving egotistical ppl but I also Believe you should and cannot ignore the facts of this inequality and unfairness that family represents... The sheer hypocrisy that family and their hangers on staggers belief.... If you want details of their corruption the information is out there quite plainly to see... No man should bow down to anybody.. That's not equality and shame on them for still carrying on with that
He was only picked because of his colour.
It's not a matter of replacing the queen. It's a matter of removing that position of privilege outright.
And what are you on about? He can't say that monarchy is wrong without knowing exactly what kind of system should be put up? What kind of absurd login is that?
I agree and have done for a long long time. Benjamins tone is something I advocate also. It's unusual I came from a very conservative family with a father in 22 SAS (Yes I'm in Hereford) but still I hold these views - not to say I do not love my family. I think life experience dictates the outcome. Mine has been unconventional to say the least and has revealed elements of state very different to that of my father who believed in it totally. I saw it was not democratic. One thing I say is; become unemployed and you'll see what kind of democracy we live in and in truth what choices are available. In many instances it is an illusion - just like the kids waving the flags.
I am also horrified that any citizen of the USA would accept a British knighthood. The Declaration of Independence says that any free citizen has as high a rank as any other person in the world. If you bow to the British monarch, you are surrendering that rank.
Wonderful man ! !
Well done Benjamin. It's shocking, insensitive and disgraceful that an Order of the British empire medal is still being handed out today. Has nobody told them that the Empire is over. Cameron was even stupid enough to leave the EU.
Very interesting though poorly edited.
Well I might have to agree with you in that I don't think the current monarchy should be tarnished for the actions of their predecessors but then in that case they should not be lavished with the power and status afforded to them because of their bloodline either. You can't have one without the other. Everyman is born equal under God apparently...I'm a non believer and yet the Queen, who is head of Church seems to believe that all men are not equal...
Benjamin is so amazing
This order's name needs to be changed, since "empire" is no longer an appropriate appellation. It's a political, commercial or artistic order and has less to do with your personal views and more to do with the good you have done for a group, industry, or whatever. I can fully understand why the arbiters in the government would have suggested his name, and I can fully understand why the Palace would not have worried about his anti-monarchist views. Many, many republicans have various orders. It's not unusual. As the font of honor and ultimate arbiter, the award comes in the monarch's name, but it's not really the monarch's personal gift. I respect Mr Zephaniah's views, although I understand the constitutional and societal role of the monarch as the ultimate, last ditch guarantor of the constitution's supremacy in event of a political collapse or catastrophe.
"First past the post" is more of a threat to democracy than the monarchy is. :-)
He’s 100% correct.
he is a very principaled man to reject this accolade. I am american and I didn't know about the republic idea, but now that I've heard Mr Zephaniah talk I am asking myself why monarchy still exists. Although they may have less power than in the past, I think it would be progress to get rid of them all together. I think people like them as celebrities, honestly I wish there were no celebrities either. Why do the masses of people like being pee-ons?
Rest in power 🙏
Whoever cut this video together is very disrespectful to the interviewee. It would have been nice to hear all he had to say in response to questions. We would have then had full context of his opinions.
Is there the FULL interview anywhere without any parts cut. I really enjoyed listening to such a different yet interesting perspective.
where is the full interview?
"reinforce class division"...in what way? Considering Zephaniah is working class I really don't understand what you mean. They are I admit an archaic instution as a method to reward extanding people in Britain. But is that any different to any other honour? Are you going to say that a noble prize only enforces class divisions as there is almost no difference between them now.
Oh yes, I love to share Benjamin's views and work to my daughter and niece. This man educates and inspires. Blessings.
Well, you didn't. You merely served up a bunch of platitudes. Not very enlightening.
So you're right, niether the danish or the british monarchy are likely to fall within my lifetime, the best I can expect is the church and state to be seperated.
But even so, I can and will always oppose it.
No compromise BenJahMin.🙏⚘
the government has changed so much since those days and we the people decide who we want in power but we cannot decide who becomes king or queen. i understand the monarchy has no power but i think that's what mr. zephaniah is getting at.
The monarchy have more power than you think. Who opens parliament? The queen/ king.Look at the table in the House of Commons and you will a golden mace. That is the presence of the king. And whenever an MP has something to declare they now to the mace before proceeding. The King declares the houses open by stating my govt no matter which party is in power. The King has a veto in the highest court on the land. When the high court ruled that the Chago islands be returned to their rightful owners the late queen intervened using her powers to overrule the decision. All PMs have to ask the kings permission before going to war. And every request had been approved. All the army are under her command. His head on the money and most hospitals are royal so and so. I can go on and on.
Watch out sunshine!
True that but Korea has a different political background and a very different culture, i don't think that you can compare those at all...
Lots of people consider Ireland part of the UK and that is the most insulting thing ever to me. Do not make that mistake it is an insult to all Irish people. Benjamin is only stating his views, he may have a british citizenship and passport but he's still Jamaican and African at heart.
Sure, you can state something is wrong but, as I say, it's pretty hard to make that argument compelling if you don't have a clear idea of what you'd put in its stead. In any case, I'm afraid it'll be a long, long, long time before this debate is necessary, as the monarchy has the overwhelming support of the vast majority of the British public and republicans can't even agree on an alternative.
Getting rid of the monarchy would change absolutely nothing in Britain. They have no power apart from ceremonial so in essence they aren't undemocratic. They are necessary though and quite easily pay for themselves considering the amount of tourism they bring in. You stand against they on purely ideological grounds and have lost all sight of pragmatism. You say "thousands" of others people agree, in a nation of 60 million what you demand is undemocratic.
Ras rest in Peace you make Proud as a black man and Jam your Life is Bigger than O b e love the merith
Well done you respect... these people you dont your already above them on wing with me .. .🙏💫
very poor editing.
The interviewer looks quite bored I've got to say...
It's not really wrong, monarchy as it is shares the idea of inherent power... thus they must be reponsible for whatever their predecessors did...
Don't call him SUNSHINE!
We could call him shit stain instead then? If he's going to be a holier than thou prick about it.
Heres another reason ... he's not really going to be able to marry into the monarchy now is he. For ...well, certain reasons.
Heres an award, friend, but just don't go socializing with our extended families. But do keep us in power.
So you don't believe that someone can state something is wrong without having an absolute answer to replace it? That's just a weird way of thinking to be honest. That said, noone is saying they have no idea what to "replace" it with. There simply is no single person who can possible think up a good political system by themselves. I'm sure many republicans have ideas, and it's those ideas we should all sit down and figure out the best of, after we all agree that the monarchy is a bad thing.
Can't hear this! Tried everything! What's wrong?
Would you sell your house before you'd figured out where you're going to live? Your car before working out how you'll get about? Quit your job before finding another? THAT'S the kind of logic I'm talking about. Don't advocate abolishing something unless you've a clear idea what should replace it (or clear reasoning why it doesn't need replacing).
People who attack the monarchy are advocating replacing an independent, apolitical Head of State with something else. What is it?
What's shameless about it?
The actions of what you charmingly term "white" governments (what are those, pray?) are not "historic", they are very much present-day. Which seems to indicate that you support and approve - not that surprising. Please provide documentation of what you're talking about, if you're making claims.
You probably didn't even watch this video, and if you have then you are even less smart than I had initially thought! You don't seem to be able to grasp the idea. Your own opinion is fine, but at least understand his perspective before you attack. Benjamin is all about PEACE & LOVE
@robbieofdoom People should just read a history book if they want to know about it. Its a disgrace to the millions slaughtered by the UK's imperialism.
Multiracial is different to multicultural, multi racial causes problems! Talking about the celts and Romans and angles Saxons, whatever, so irrelevant isn't it? Lol
Workers of all lands unite.
Democracy is not being born into becoming a head of state/public office things must change,you cannot be a head of state and be unaccounted for your actions.
Don't like the reporter. "And uh, his uh, um, views on the, uh, monarchy." UM UM UH UM. Reporters should not do that this much.
England is a constitutional monarchy.
what have you been watching, he dont hate the country
I don't know what relationship your rant has to what I said, but it's deranged.
Like buying a house, a car or anything other major replacement. You first make the decision to wanting to replace it, you then look at all the options to figure out just what is best for us, you then start the transition between them.
What BZ is suggesting here is starting the first phase, he doesn't claim to have looked at all the posibillities well enough to make an absolutely statement of what should come next, that should be decided after it's agreed to dispose of the monarchy.
Remember how the royal family treated Diana.
very soon a dub poet will win Nobel prize.
No I don't, "dude." Spell it out.
Absolutely haram.
+Robert Mugabe how do u mean ?
yeah, he's a inspiration for new age poets, keep it up brother zephaniah. bzzzzz
OBE - only blanks ejaculated : )
It's a shame he turned down the OBE, it would have boosted sales of his books and widened his appeal even more
Sorry I don't speak unemployed
The Monarchy in the 21st century is there primarily for tourism more than anything else. The Idea of a Queen, and Princes and Princesses etc is the stuff of fairy tails in alot of countries, and to come to a place where it is a real thing that they can actually see is very appealing. They are more of a tourist attraction these days than a political power
Bullshit
OK - born here, but his family got here on the back of being born in the British Empire - without that pedigree he'd be stuck in some fly-blown banana republic
No answer then?
"blind gullable fool" of which there are many....peace.
The greatest argument against Monarchy is that the Crown considered giving this guy an OBE
i always love how they say we look at the empire through rose tinted glasses.... well theres such a thing as black tinted glasses too.
hootafu
Maybe a hereditary monarchy is not a situation that would emerge if some convention looked at the matter from first principles, but it has the weight of history and tradition behind it and massive popular support to render it legitimate. I would never support abolition of the monarchy for any form of republic. I'm surprised there is such a thing as a Danish republican, given how innocuous and popular Queen Margarethe II is. You should think yourself lucky to have such a fine Sovereign.
Six years on from your post and we still have the queen as head of state. Now if she'd been a total harridan it would have meant we'd have been stuck with her for fifty-seven years and counting - counting the days until she turns toes up! Having a head of state that you are stuck with is no way to run a modern country.
@@captainnemo9742 And two years on from your post, we still have Queen Elizabeth II (70 years on the throne) and we still have Queen Margrethe II (50 years). Neither are harridans, both are widely respected and beloved, so I think the point is that these things work out nicely.
What are benjamin's views on British people being replaced by people from the turd world?
i think ,the English Nation is well suited with Monarchy by its image but problem is I don't like this title:OBE because of this word Empire.The word is undernamed by Commonwealth but I think it's kind of hypocrisy!
Now,transform the Constitution into a Republic as he's saying is a Debate!
english spoken countries will still belong to the British Republic anyway because of economic interests to nourrish the STATE unless.......
if he doesnt like the country then he should bloody live then should he!
That's very interesting, but maybe you could engage with what I said.
To say that we don't have a true democracy is ludicrous. Benjamin claims to be able to put the past in the past, but refusing his OBE is just reinforcing the fallacy that the Monarchy has any real power. The modern OBE is now a modern public recognition that what he is doing is good. Would he prefer a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award? If there is anyone with his ideals stuck in the past, it's Benjamin Zephaniah. He wouldn't have even been considered 40 years ago, is this not progress? To take it, hold it aloft and say yes! Such acts would normalise the practice and help properly put the past where it belongs once and for all.
Mike Nco It's about what the establishment stands for. It's racist, built its legacy off the back of the slave trade and other nations. Britain still refuses to pay these nations the billions it owes in repairation. Still exploits these nations through unfair trade deals. Inequality will remain in this country. The Royal family should have been done away with a long time ago, outdated. They are the biggest welfare scroungers, however their exploitation is legitimised. Ppl are dumb down and brainwashed.
So many people are soo negative about the country THEY CHOOSE to live in. U never see them going back to Africa or the Middle East. If England is still such a racist country then why do you stay here I’ll never understand.
You're so stupid. Go and educate yourself
He seems very British, wasn’t he born there?
Zep is an apologist for mass immigration, with his line "We were once the immigrants.." when addressing problems with asians complaining about Roma.
RIP Professor Benjamin Zephaniah ♥️
yeah, it may seem like ages ago, but it's still there, just because it's that long ago doesn't make me think any better of the British royal family. I'm Irish and very proud to be so and it's is etched in my heart that the british tried to take my country and have been fighting for a part of it, up until recently! And guess what? They still own that part it's called Northern Ireland. So this precious British monarchy has taken away part of my country so I am not exactly going to except that.
Ben was always such an interesting man. Always loved his personality. X :-)
What a man - sadly missed!
i used to like this guy n ave a lot of respect for him untill he came to a prison i was in in 2004 n he held a class on poetry but he said only black prisoners were aloud to be in the class, if thats not racist i dont know what is
This man speaks truth nuff respect to him for standing up for his rights 👍🦁
this guy is my dissertation tutour and im meeting him for the first time tomorrow. this is cracking me up.
He probably thinks you're to be "dissed" or taught how to "diss" other people.
well done brother.
makes me proud of every time in life I ever stuck to my principles
Where is the full interview ? is it available ?
As an expatriate Scot, who corrects his fellow-American friend when they speak of the "Queen of England" as if Britain was England, I thought that the referendum about Scotland becoming what comedian Frankie Boyle called "a foreign country" was utterly pointless if it was to retain the monarchy. Even although I am persuaded by Stephen Fry's argument that empirically, Europe's countries that have monarchs not any less democratic than those that are theoretically republics.
He's class.hes got the chance to say his views.good on you benjamin
Rasta In Paradise
❤️🙏💛🙏💚
A man of principle, a rare thing past, present or future.
Man of principle? Lol didn't he hit his girlfriend lol
What does it mean to be a Duke or Earl? Teachers teach, police police, judges judge, nurses nurse. What do Dukes or Earls do? Titles are just shorthand terms for long job descriptions. So as Dukes don't go out duking, nor Earls go earling, such titles are meaningless puffs of air.
I’m still a republican in the British sense of the word. Just wondering why Republic4UK is not updated?
terrible fucking editing of this interview, but Benjamin Zephaniah is always good to listen to.
I love how he suggests that we have a DEBATE about all of this. And this is what people don't want to do---they do not want to discuss the horrors of their past. It is the world's inability to have an honest discussion about the past and acknowledge what happened and listen to those who have been affected and still affected by that past.