Month: July 2020

Opinion Article Featured in Britain’s The Voice Newspaper

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Check out this amazing opinion piece by award winning blogger, freelance journalist and author – Kenesha Collins. Subscribe to her blog today!

Kenesha Collins

I would like to personally thank The Voice Newspaper for featuring my opinion piece on focusing our energy on our youth in the wake of social injustice. The Voice is Britain’s only black national newspaper!

This story originally appeared on The Voice. 

We need to focus our energy on our youth

Kenesha Collins shares her experience of being an African American mother living through countless acts of violence against black people – and what we can do in response

MY EMOTIONS have been all over the place since the senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. These tragedies have been within weeks of each other, and it’s very difficult to process.

I am human. I have a young son and daughter that I worry about constantly. I’ve been watching heinous acts of police brutality and violence against African Americans on television since I was a child…

View original post 770 more words

DOUBLE CELEBRATION!!

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Today is a double celebration because this is my 100th blog post which is beyond belief and also before lockdown I had 40 followers to my blog but since lockdown have been tremendously blessed to now have over 300 followers!

I am truly humbled, blessed and thankful for all of you who have followed my blog. Thank you also for sharing in this double celebration with me today.

Writing has been a lifelong passion passed down from my late grandmother to my mother who then passed it on to me and I’d like to dedicate this special achievement to them both.

It’s been 12 years now since Rose – my beloved grandmother – passed and there’s not a day that goes by in which I do not miss her. It’s my desire to be reunited with her on that special day when Christ returns.

Here is one of my earlier posts in tribute to her as I once again express my sincere thanks and appreciation to you all:

https://darellphilip.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/the-rose/?preview=true

© Copyright 2020 – Darell J Philip

BOOK REVIEW: BORN A CRIME – Stories From A South African Childhood (2016) by: Trevor Noah

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Undoubtedly one of the best books I’ve read this year, host of the award winning Daily Show – Trevor Noah – recalls what it was like growing up in poverty during the apartheid regime in South Africa and how through self-determination along with the unbelievable faith of a strong mother he was able to overcome insurmountable odds stacked against him to become one of the most recognised faces in America and throughout the world today. 

For those who are familiar with Noah’s funny antics and comedy as demonstrated on The Daily Show which he presents, expect plenty of this and more in the book – a personal memorable highlight being his mother kicking off her high heels in pursuit of him at turbo speed across the township and through the local market to enforce some discipline for a brave but unwise moment of disobedience. Or the time when the car failed to start on a journey to church and the debate between Noah and his mother regarding the will of God in the matter – with Noah suggesting God wanted them to stay home and have church there while his mother suggested it was a plan of the devil to stay home and that they would be going to church even if they had to walk there. 

Then there are the more serious accounts of poverty and growing up during the time of apartheid and the emotional impact of both on Noah’s identity and race. But above all else, Born A Crime is about the love of a mother who’s incredible faith and determination in wanting better for herself and her son led to them both overcoming some insurmountable odds and challenges which perhaps would have broken others. 

There is enough in Noah’s story to keep all readers highly engaged and should it ever be brought to life on the big screen one day then I suspect that Noah will indeed deservedly have the last laugh.

Born A Crime – Stories From A South African Childhood (2016) published by John Murray is available in all bookshops now. 

© Copyright 2020 – Darell J Philip

Trevor Noah

Madiba the Great

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Rolihlahla you were called by name

Meaning troublesome one

A strapping, towering 6ft frame

South Africa’s favourite son


Incarcerated for 27 long years

In a long fight for freedom

You came to relieve all our fears

Enlightening us with your wisdom


“Free Nelson Mandela”

Is what the people sung

The prison doors were opened

The Long Walk to Freedom begun


You taught us forgiveness

And to not give up the fight

In being united with our brothers and sisters

Be they black or be they white


The shackles of racial hatred

Fell victoriously to the ground

As you raised your fist in the air

Your name they proudly sound


You came to set your people free

From the injustice, struggle and fight

To show that each and everyone of us

Are all equal in God’s sight


As you took your final breath

We remember all the good you have done

Your work on earth is now finished

While ours has just begun


© Copyright 2020, Darell J Philip


International Nelson Mandela Day

OFFSHORE READER AWARD

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Rules:

  • Thank the person who nominated you.
  • Include the award image on your post – Image Link.
  • To know more about the award – Read this.
  • Add a link to one blog post of the person who nominated you, the one you like/read recently.
  • Answer the questions posted to you, if any.
  • Nominate at least 2 bloggers whom you think are reading your blogs regularly and fully.
  • If you wish, you can ask any questions to your nominees.

Our Question:

What is your one favourite blog post that you think others should read? Please share the link here: https://darellphilip.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/classic-book-review-to-kill-a-mockingbird-by-harper-lee-1960/?preview=true


THANKS

I would like to thank the creator of this award – Samuel Lawrentz – for his kind nomination of me for this great award he and his team have created in recognition of bloggers who take the time to read other bloggers work. It’s great to get hundreds or even thousands of likes but nothing beats having a person take the time to actually read what you have taken a great deal of time to think and write and to also post a comment about your post after having read it. So with this in mind, here is a link to one of my favourite posts by the award creator which I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did: https://offshorewritings.com/2020/06/27/when-you-shouldnt-laugh-humor-article/


NOMINATIONS

I would like to nominate the following six individuals for this award:







If any of my other followers would also like to receive this award then let me know in the comment box below and I’ll be happy to add you too!


© Copyright 2020, Darell J Philip

SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD x3

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Rules

(1) Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.

(2) Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.

(3) Nominate 11 people and ask them new 11 questions.

(4) Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their posts.

(5) List the rules and display the sunshine blogger award in your post.


SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks to Fitness Freaks blogger – Amit – follow blog here: https://ltsdo.wordpress.com, Beautifully Broken Into Me blogger – Domeka – follow blog here: https://mymeekmeek.com and Recuperation blogger Ara – follow blog here:     https://backtosquareones.wordpress.com who have both nominated me for the above SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD.

I am truly grateful to them all for the kind gesture they have shown in their nomination of me for this award and I take the opportunity to congratulate them all on having also themselves been nominated for this same award.

Below you will find my response to questions given by Amit, Domeka and Ara:


AMIT’S QUESTIONS: 

Q:-What is ur fav. vacation spot?

A:-Miami, Florida

Q:-Do u prefer hotel or camping?

A:-Hotel

Q:-How many pets do u have, if any?

A:-Two Goldfish

Q:-Sunny days or rainy days?

A:-Sunny days

Q:-What is ur fav. season and why?

A:-Summer because it’s during the time of my birthday, it’s often great weather and it’s when many of us have a long break from work.

Q:-What type of clothing do u wear?

A:-Shirt and jeans.



DOMEKA’S QUESTIONS: 

(1) What’s your source of inspiration? Bible verses

(2) What type of impact do you think your blog creates? A positive 1.

(3) What will people remember your blog for? News and Poetry

(4) The sun 🌞 or moon 🌙 which one would you be and why? Moon for calm and quiet nature

(5) In your own description describe a tree. The plant which reaches the sky.

(6) Have you ever found hidden shapes in the clouds ☁️ and what was it? No.

(7) Imagine it’s a fall day your up high looking down out of a window. What is it that you see? Grass, leaves and greenery all around

(8) what advice would you give to the world in this present moment? Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.

(9) What is your favorite past time during lockdown? Blogging.

(10) A rainy day or Sunshine? Sunshine.

(11) If you could be in any place right now where would it be? Miami.


ARA’S QUESTIONS:

1. What embarrasses you the most and/or what’s been your most embarrassing moment?

Slipping on ice

2. Who do you look up to the most, and what qualities do you love about that person?

My mother and late grandmother who passed on to me their gift of writing and faith in God.

3. What would be your perfect day?

A quiet Summer countryside writers retreat

4. What’s your biggest fear?

To lose my soul salvation.

5. How do you like to be comforted when you’re sad or upset?

Words of encouragement through a song or a prayer.

6. What’s your all time Happy Memory?

Having my family together at my graduation ceremony 🎓

7. What’s your favorite thing you own and why ?

My tie pendant because it was one of the last things given to me by my late grandmother whom I loved dearly. 

8. Who was the last person who made you cry and why?

Gospel singer Wintley Phipps because He reminded me that God is Able.

9. Where do you hope to be five years from now? Ten, fifteen?

Closer to God and fulfilling my calling to inspire through writing.

10. If money was no object, what would I buy?

House for Mum and one for myself. 

11. When have you felt the most proud?

This time last year when I had my first journalistic feature on the front page of a national newspaper.


QUESTIONS FOR MY NOMINEES:


1. What are you thankful for right now and why?

2. Who inspires you?

3. Where is your favourite vacation spot? 

4. When did you first realize your love for blogging?

5. Why does Black Lives Matter?

6. How many pets do you have?

7. What new skills have you acquired during lockdown?

8. Where does your inspiration to blog come from?

9. Who is most important to you in your life right now and why?

10. Why should bloggers follow your blog?

11. When will racism end?



NOMINATIONS:

Congratulations to the following nominees who are to answer the above 11 questions upon acceptance of this award:

1. Mwema Allen – follow blog here: https://amshakinywa.wordpress.com

2. Mercy Oluokon – follow blog here: https://herrychiccounsels.com

3. Zeeshan Amin – follow blog here: https://fivelesson.com

4. Bangon Kapatid – follow blog here: https://bangonkapatid.com

5. Masum – follow blog here: https://ultapaltablgs.wordpress.com

6. Wyclif M. Musau – follow blog here: https://littlestringsof.poetry.blog

7. Jennifer Bates – follow blog here: https://paperkutzs.com

8. Tanayaa Singh – follow blog here: https://tanayaa13.wordpress.com

9. Justin Nahas – follow blog here: https://tanayaa13.wordpress.com

10. Tanaka – follow blog here: https://buyitrightforlife.wordpress.com

11. Michael Reynoso – follow blog here: https://viralwisdomformen.wordpress.com

12. Elizabeth Quarshie – follow blog here: https://thelizziesjournal.wordpress.com

13. Vincent Ehindero – follow blog here: https://vincentehindero.wordpress.com

14. Eromonsele Emmanuel – follow blog here: https://ericotrips.wordpress.com

15. Anish Nair – follow blog here: https://thepoeticprism.wordpress.com

16. Samuel Lawrentz – follow blog here: https://offshorewritings.com

17. Shubshangi Srinivasan – follow blog here: https://theshubhsterdiaries.com

18. Sheree – follow blog here: https://viewfromtheback.com

19. Saania Sparkle – follow blog here: https://saania2806.wordpress.com

20. Ingrid – follow blog here: https://experimentsinfiction.com

21. Lily Mikulcic – follow blog here: https://sunrosesoulwriting.com

22. Jason A. Muckley – follow blog here: https://jasonamuckley.com

23. Lance Sheridan – follow blog here: https://lancesheridan.com

24. The Truth is Commodity – follow blog here: https://whatnownews24.com

25. Debasis Nayak – follow blog here: https://debasisnayak.org

26. Farhad Kaiser – follow blog here: https://thebefarmed.wordpress.com

27. Manish Malu – follow blog here: https://shikshak.online

28. Nancy Nelson – follow blog here: https://nancynelsss.wordpress.com

29. Priyanshi Shah – follow blog here: https://priyanshi.design.blog

30. Claudine Delorice – follow blog here: https://thebiographyoftheonewhodaredtodream.wordpress.com

31: Osarabo Henry – follow blog here: https://osarobohenry.wordpress.com

32. Frederick G. Kanja – follow blog here: https://cityflamesart.wordpress.com

33. Nikhar – follow blog here: https://travelwidnik.com

34. TK Brown Writer – follow blog here: https://tkbrownwriter.wordpress.com

35. Myrela – follow blog here: https://myrelar.wordpress.com

36. VVN – follow blog here: https://caraxvannuys.blog

37. Elganspo – follow blog here: https://cocinaitaly.wordpress.com

38. Nani – follow blog here: https://gleesparkle.com

39. Shadawss – follow blog here: https://www.shadawss.com

40. Aakash Tripathi – follow blog here: https://9febr.in



(C) Copyright 2020, Darell J Philip