ARTICLE: My Newham
Benjamin lives in Newham, East London. Find out what why he likes it so much - and a couple of things he doesn't!
Newham Magazine - Issue 1 - September 2000
Each issue we invite a prominent Newham person to tell us what they like about Newham - and perhaps some of the not so good points.
We start with Britain's leading rap poet Benjamin Zephaniah, Birmingham born - but a Newham resident since 1980.
Why did you choose to move to Newham?
I was homeless at the time and I was invited to get involved in setting up a housing co-op. That led on to a food co-op, then a music co-op, a child care co-op and so on. Yes it's true, we tried to have a revolution in Newham.
What are the best two things about living in Newham?
The (international) food, the music, ethnic mix, the street styles and Green Street in the summer.
Is there any one thing about Newham that really gets you down?
The lack of health and wholdfood stores.
If you could make on change to Newham what would it be?
I could build another hospital and give it all the staff it needed.
What is your vision for Newham in the year 2010?
In the year 2010 I would like Newham to be cleaner, sexier and have more cycle lanes.
Tell us one thing about Newham that you hope will never change.
I hope it will stay multi-cultural and that no single culture will ever dominate.
