the road ahead

5 MAY 2007

Hello Again. Time is flying fast. Things that I thought were way off in the future have come and gone already.

We are nearly half-way through the year and half way through the events and projects that id on tyne is rolling out for the bicentenary 2007.

The workshops with Anthony Joseph have been going well, with him pushing the participants beyond their usual comfort zones. It will be good to see the finished products brought together somehow, in some kind of performance or publications.

If you were not lucky enough to get a place on these workshops, please keep looking out for others that will be happening during the year. Continuing the time theme, I recently presented a paper at the Lit & Phil surrounding my research within the slavery tracts of the library. I concentrated on the idea that we are using 2007 as a means of exploring those issues around the slave trade, slavery and abolition that we've had no space or place to do so in the past. I applaud these spaces that are becoming available this year. I would like to see more of them and I would like to see these initiatives, events and projects continuing beyond 2007.

2007 should just be the beginning. The dialogue should continue, as well as the actions taking place, beyond 2007. But it is down to you and me, the general public to keep talking about these issues now and well into the future. I'm ready to continue, are you? Until next time,

our past, our future

10 MARCH 2007

March is the month of the anniversary of the Bicentenary of the Abolition of Transatlantic Slave Trade. This is the month when you will see a lot of organisations, groups and individuals marking this anniversary in a number of different ways. Each one motivated for different reasons, each one highlighting or drawing attention to a different aspect of the complex issues surrounding slavery and freedom.

I say good luck to them all as in my mind it shows that they have taken the initiative to do something, to attempt to raise awareness and consciousness. Some of them may fall short of the mark, some of them might be spot on, but who are we to criticise? Who are we to pass judgement?

The issues that may be addressed or empathised may cause offence, may cause the viewer, reader or audience to confront something that is unspeakable, hidden or disgusting. This may be the case, and if so, so be it, as what is happening, or what is being highlighted throughout all these different events and projects is British history. Our history and the parts that organisations, groups and individuals have played in this history. A history that has been hidden, forgotten, sidelined and glossed over.

What this month should be is our opportunity to learn from the past and move on through the future with gained knowledge that affects our future actions for the better.

id on tyne welcomes this month and the future.

rock and roll

1st FEBRUARY 2007

Hello and welcome.

identity on tyne has never been afraid of making changes, creating waves, structuring improvements. I hope you will agree with me that the new redesigned website is amongst one the best improvements identity on tyne has instigated so far.

I couldn't have done better myself, and that's the truth as it has been me, in the past, who's had to design and update the website. But this time credit has to go to Mel Ashby. Thank you.

Let me introduce you to the site. We will use this site to spotlight all the events and activities we'll be up to during 2007 as part of The Roots Initiative, our attempt to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of transatlantic slave trade. Details will appear on the events and roots pages. During this same period, we will launch our first chapbook series with iD on Tyne Press. We're really excited about this as new poetry, new writers and new images will be set free into the world. Check out publications when you get a minute.

The most important development in identity on tyne's history is that it is now easier to get involved with the group and our projects and events, as a member (see spotlight), a reader, a writer, as part of the audience or as a poem, and flash fiction contributor (see submit). All you need to do is click on those contact details, drop us a line and we'll get back to you.

This new website is a space for you too, to showcase your work, to offer your services and suggestions. Don’t be shy, get in touch. Any comments on the new website, heartily accepted. Until next time - keep writing,