Dayo Disu, aged 17, UK
‘Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me I’d never amount to nothin', to all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin' in." (Biggie Smalls)
Its 6am my alarm wakes me up to Biggie Small’s rap. I stumble out of bed at 6.05. I brush my teeth, and then dash into the shower. What should I wear? How should I style my hair? What’s the weather forecast? If it does rain, what am I going to wear; did I have any psychology work?
I’m out the house by 7.35 on a good day, on a bad day its 8.05. I do a 15minute brisk walk to the bus stop. As I walk I listen to my music, this sets me up for the day. I get two buses to college and I’m there in an hour and a half. I arrive at college and the bell rings almost too soon and I make my way to my first lesson.
It’s a Monday, and psychology is my first lesson. It’s full of baffling theories, facts and statistics. An hour later its history and again its information overload. Learning is tiring work and now I’m seriously hungry! The twenty minute break is a real ‘pick me up’.
The afternoon classes are photography and English, and by four o’clock I’m exhausted and more than ready to go home.
My journey home begins. I get several phone calls, one of which is from my mum checking my whereabouts. I do the 15 minute brisk walk again home. Another day is over.
What does the Commonwealth mean to me?
My first thoughts was the ‘Commonwealth Games’- in short, Athletics!
However; my recent reading on the subject describes The Commonwealth as a voluntary association promoting international peace and security, democracy, liberty and equal rights, also economic and social development.
The aims and objectives outlined above seemed remote. However thinking about it, I know I enjoy the benefit of being in one of the wealthiest countries in the world; I have rights as a young person as enshrined in legislation in the UK; I am black British, and I know that racism and discrimination exists, but I benefit from anti- discriminatory laws. There is even a government department that looks specifically at the needs of youth in the UK. The Youth Service, offers me career advice, undertakes all kinds of community initiatives, in order to promote community spirit and civic pride. On the 26-11-2008 I was awarded a certificate for the work I carry out in my role as steward in my local church. I was presented with a certificate by the Lord Mayor at the Town Hall. My family and friends were there to see me and a whole lot of dignitaries from the youth service. I had a sense of achievement and pride that evening.
I live in Birmingham in relative security, despite some of the challenges of living in a city. I am able to chill out in my locality, secure in the knowledge that I can walk to my friend and back with little fear of being attacked. I don’t take any chances mind you.
The Commonwealth should be about living in community, and I live in a community.
