[progchat_action] RASTA POET REJECTS HONOUR FROM QUEEN(uk)

RASTA POET REJECTS HONOUR FROM QUEEN(uk)

27/11/2003- Rastafarian poet Benjamin Zephaniah has publicly rejected
an invitation to accept an honour from the Queen, spurning it as a
legacy of colonialism. Zephaniah, one of Britain's best known
contemporary poets, announced he was turning down the invitation
in an article published in today's edition of the Guardian newspaper,
thus breaking the convention that those who reject honours should
do so privately. The poet, who is black and grew up in England and
Jamaica, had been recommended for an OBE award, or Officer of the
Order of British Empire. But in a blistering criticism of Prime
Minister Tony Blair and the monarchy, he railed against Britain's
colonial past and its support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Zephaniah said his proposed title reminded him of "thousands of
years of brutality, it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped
and my forefathers brutalized." He added: "Stick it, Mr. Blair and
Mrs. Queen, stop going on about empire."

The Queen awards a series of titles - the highest accolade being a
knighthood - twice a year on Blair's recommendation to individuals
in recognition of exceptional achievements or services to Britain.

Zephaniah's rejection of the honour echoes Beatle John Lennon's
return of his MBE, or Member of the Order of the British Empire,
medal in 1969 over Britain's stance on Vietnam and the civil war
in Nigeria.

"You can't fool me Mr. Blair. You want to privatize us all; you
want to send us to war," Zephaniah said. "You stay silent when we
need you to speak for us, preferring us to be the voice of the U.S."
Zephaniah, who was nominated for his services to literature,
questioned why he hadn't been considered for his work in animal
rights, fighting racism or his anti-war campaigning. "I may just
consider accepting some kind of award for my services on behalf of
the millions of people who have stood up against the war in Iraq.
It's such hard work - much harder than writing poems," he said.

Zephaniah published his first poetry collection, Pen Rhythm, in
1980 and has become known for his distinctive "performance poetry."
His latest collection Too Black, Too Strong addresses the struggles
of black Britain. Recent honours lists announced by Buckingham
Palace have been headed by a host of glittering music and film
stars, backed up by leaders of industry and a few social campaigners.
In the latest round, James Bond actor Roger Moore was named a knight
and Helen Mirren, star of the Prime Suspect TV police dramas, became
a dame. Fashion designer Alexander McQueen, TV's Naked Chef Jamie
Oliver and Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop cosmetics chain,
were also all honoured. Many people are nominated by the public and
they are all notified by Blair's office in confidence before their
names are passed to the Queen. Most people who reject the honour
do so privately, but film director Ken Loach revealed some years
later that he had rejected an approach. Zephaniah said he has nothing
against the Queen herself, whom he met once backstage after he
hosted a concert. "She's a bit stiff but a nice old lady," he said.

The Toronto Star   http:// www.thestar.com