Eye - 27 June 2014
From rap songs to a space for the curious
Rapping for unions
The dangers of payday loans have been highlighted in a new rap song.
The rap, called ‘We Need a Union on the Streets’, is the brainchild of Charles Bailey, a music producer and community activist.
Charles approached the Church of England after being inspired by Justin Welby: ‘When I listened to the archbishop of Canterbury speaking out about payday lenders I felt moved to do something to help his task group to reach the urban youth who are often the victims and introduce them to a much safer and ethical way of borrowing through credit unions.’
Martin Lewis, of MoneySavingExpert.com, features in the video. He said: ‘…the ease of access and ability to just press a button and get cash is so powerful, we need to shout, or in this case even sing, from the rooftops about the dangers of this type of borrowing.’ Intrigued Friends can watch the video at: http://bit.ly/LoanRap
The rap is primarily aimed at young people, who are seen as particularly vulnerable. In the Personal Debt Snapshot survey, published in March, almost one in six of eighteen to twenty-four year olds say they are likely to take out a payday loan in the next six months.
When you can’t go on no more
And the bills coming through your door
Feels like nothing you can do
There’s a union there for you
When you need someone to call
Pick you up just before you fall
Only thing we want peace and love and unity
That’s what we need
Friends online
Quaker bloggers have been taking to their keyboards this month.
On 4 June, as part of an exploration of themes about integrity in the modern world, Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) in America hosted a ‘synchroblog’ on ‘Friends and New Media’.
Prominent American Quaker bloggers Martin Kelley, Jon Watts, AJ Mendoza and Wess Daniels shared their thoughts and members of the public were invited to visit the blogs and join the conversation.
The synchroblog (http://bit.ly/SynchroblogQVS) was developed in response to a lack of information on Friends and new media.
Rebecca Sumner, QVS Portland program administrator and director, explained: ‘A local Friends pastor suggested that, since Friends were on the cutting edge of how the printing press relates to prophetic service, we ought to be on the cutting edge of how social media relates to prophetic service.
‘However, as I researched this, apart from a couple of pieces, Quakers seemed to be silent – and not in the good way. So, we decided to invite people to create the resources we wished we had found.’
The blogs pose questions, reflect on a variety of issues, delve into Friends’ history of publishing and offer advice.
The response to the synchroblog continues to unfold. Rebecca hopes ‘that we’ve stirred a pot that can continue to cook and evolve into a more intentional and impactful Quaker presence online’.
I approach the keyboard with the same great hope that Friends who preceded me approached the printing press
– AJ Mendoza
A space for the curious
Bournville, in Birmingham, will be playing host to the ‘Oscars of the funeral industry’ in September.
The Good Funeral Awards will take place during the first ever Ideal Death Show and will recognise outstanding service to the bereaved. Winners, nominated by members of the public, will receive statues of Anubis, the Egyptian god of embalming.
Mike Lockley reported in the Birmingham Mail that categories ‘include embalmer of the year, The Eternal Slumber Award for top coffin supplier, crematorium attendant of the year and best gravedigger’.
An event spokesman said: ‘The British tend to be a bit coy about their own mortality, but we’re here to provide a space for the curious… Many feel uncomfortable about the idea, but our weekends have more laughs than tears.’
The report goes on to shed light on the reason that Bournville was chosen – its Quaker links.
‘They had a reputation for progressive management and embracing ideas ahead of their time,’ an event spokesman explained. ‘We particularly like the way they put emphasis on making this world better rather than pondering what happens after leaving it… We respect the Quaker commitments to social justice, environmental consciousness and community.’
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