A few months ago I gave evidence to @DCMS and the @LordsCommsCom about the BBC Funding and Licence Fee. You can read the full report here.
Jasmine’s Juice – I Contributed to the Final Report for the BBC Future Funding Inquiry which is now Live!
Jasmine’s Juice – Speaking at Oxford Union and winning the motion!
I told you a few weeks ago that I was honoured to be invited to speak at the Oxford Union in one of their historic debates this term. I was asked to speak on the Proposition motion:
”This House Believes Stormzy Is More Relevant than Boris”
The Oxford Union was founded by a group of students in 1823 to protest against the University’s restrictive rules surrounding the discussion of religion and politics. To this day, the Union remains a place where students can make their voices heard by debating the most important and topical issues against the leading figures of the day. Throughout their history, they have played host to world leaders from US Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Carter and Clinton, Sir Winston Churchill, iconic figures like Albert Einstein, Malcolm X, the Dalai Lama & Mother Teresa, musical stars from Sir Elton John to Shakira and now….me 😂 .
From Tupac to Dave, rap music has amplified the voices of disadvantaged groups on an unprecedented scale. Similarly, politicians have a significant role in advocating the interests of their constituents in Parliament through debates and Select Committees. Rap has embedded itself into the popular culture of society and made people feel not just heard, but seen, in a way they weren’t before. In turn, this has heightened the significance of cultural relevance in identity – working to challenge the status quo through creativity.
The debate was kicked off by the two students speakers Rosie and Lucas.
My team- for the Proposition were myself, Mr Montgomery and Nelson Abbey.
The Opposition were Jonathan Ilan , Inaya Iman and Sheldon Thomas.
Before the debate students had been asked to vote in a pre speaker poll in which they has decided Stormzy was NOT more relevant than Boris.
After my team and I spoke, they changed their minds and we won by four votes!
Take a look at the video and let me know what you thought.
(I’d have loved to have spoken slower and engaged more with the audience but I had a time limit – which I overran and had SO MUCH material!)
Enjoy!