New political movement targets dynamic leadership role

BY MKUU AMANI

“We will take a dynamic leadership role.” Jaddoo on We Matter, the new movement that will challenge inequality.

 “The whole concept of We Matter is this…”

It’s just before 2:00 pm on a swelteringly hot Sunday, August 9^th, 2020.

I’m in Birmingham’s Centenary Square, speaking to human and race rights campaigner Bishop Desmond Jaddoo about the ‘Justice in the City’ event taking place that afternoon.

I was trying to find out more about ‘We Matter,’ a new political movement aiming to ‘unite the fight across the Midlands for black political and economic change.’

“If someone else matters, then we matter.” Jaddoo continued. “If you matter, I matter. No matter the colour of our skin. It’s a basic message of equality.”

“But we have a particular focus on the black community because clearly, we fall foul of everything. And it is no longer business as usual, it’s now that God has told us what to do, which is to lead our people to greater prosperity.”

“We need to level the playing field of inequality, and we need to do this through dynamic leadership and getting round decision-making tables, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.”

The city centre event centred around We Matter’s emergence as a new political movement. The actual launch takes place later this month, August 29^th.

What can we expect from this new movement?

“We will take a dynamic leadership role.” he said. “We have to look at the socio-economic and the disproportionality issues that we face – which are countless, and the only way to change that is by taking a political stand, and making sure that we are around the decision making table.”

“Birmingham is yet to have a black African or Caribbean MP [Member of Parliament] – now that speaks for itself. Clearly we’re being left behind, and we need to address that.”

And as far as today’s event was concerned? What could we expect to take away?

“You can expect empowerment and a constant message encouraging our young people, encouraging our elders – and that call to stand for justice – that’s what you’re going to hear today.” he said.

As part of the pre-launch, there were performances and guest speakers, including Reverend Val Benjamin and Bishop Jonathan Jackson. Alongside civil rights campaigner Charlie Williams, Bishop Jackson kept the crowds updated.

Free bottled water, face masks and hand sanitizer were also available.

Renowned Gospel Reggae artists Annette B and Lytie were just a part of a lineup that included a host of musicians, singers and the performance poet Keith Panton.

“We want the authorities to know that we are here, and we are here to stay. The We Matter movement is here, and here to stay,” Panton told the crowd before reciting a poem he’d written for the event, entitled ‘We Matter.’

Annette B was in effervescent form and treated the crowd to a rendition of her infectious track ‘Pop God Style,’ a song inspired by Althea & Donna’s chart-topping single, ‘Uptown Top Ranking.’

Silver-tongued lyricist Mikey Radical was also on hand to share his unique brand of reggae-infused worship. He did so in a thumping duet with Pastor Owen Uriah.

Marie Thompson and Simin Adewale, and sisters Cheryl and Adelle Rhule-Martin, of The Rock – New Testament Church of God combined to treat the city centre to some popular worship songs, including ‘Lord, I Lift Your Name On High.’

The UK’s black community has its heroes and heroines. A visit to the 100 Great Black Britons website should quickly remove any thoughts to the contrary.

But does it have a civil rights campaigner to match someone with the stature of America’s Martin Luther King Jr, or South Africa’s The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu?

If not, then with the emergence of this new political movement, and Bishop Jaddoo, one of the key figures at the spearhead, could this be about to change?

“Today is the commencement of that journey into power around the decision-making table.” Bishop Jadoo said.

“One of the things that we haven’t done – unlike the civil rights movement in America, we haven’t grasped the importance of the church leadership when it comes to political equality, and we now have to do that.”

To find out more about We Matter, visit the We Matter Facebook Page