One Mic Real Talk

This episode takes a look at the experience of young black men's mental health in the hood, the impact of being unable to process significant trauma when trauma is experienced every day. This was the start of our NHS funded project on Young Black Men's Mental Health, from which we were able to hire some peer leaders to lead on this work. We talk coping mechanisms, the importance of friends, the importance of having spaces, music and MCing, but the very real challenges of having to navigate life in the hood, trying to get out and trying to support your people.

In concurrence with a book coming out from the human rights organisation Liberty, in which we feature (!), the One Mic Real Talk team sat down to discuss what safety means to them. The book coming out is an exploration of alternative ways communities keep each other safe, away from policing. In this episode we explore what a safe space really is, and what makes us feel unsafe. It is a fascinating and enlightening discussion, and the recording of this episode goes a long way to contributing to our chapter in the new book by Liberty coming out on the subject. It is not an exaggeration to say that the young people at One Mic Real Talk are some of the most incisive and thoughtful people I have ever worked with, and it is an honour to join with them and with Liberty to think about this essential topic. Keep your eyes peeled for the forthcoming book!!!Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Nowwww get ready to be educated!!! This episode is an incredible, and honestly awe inspiring conversation between a group of young women who hadn't even started their A-Levels...! The knowledge these young women have is phenomenal, articulating the links between how our society is structured now and its grim history. They cover beauty standards, the pressures of being a young women in this era, women and people they find inspiring, and the West's colonial past. This is one not to miss, and if you want hope in the younger generation then go no further. Sit back, relax and remember to big up Those Young Feminists every day!

This episode is a shorter one than usual, but is nonetheless a really interesting conversation about identity, Englishness and patriotism. DJ Fred and MoEazy respond to a DfE song released a couple of years ago that is all about how great our nation is. We pull this apart and think about the differences between people's identity in London compared to the rest of the country. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

This week we welcome back another OG of The Lab and AAK, the one and only Jude. The man who built our microphone booth, who donated his own monitors and who inspired some of our longer term participants to follow their instincts and their dreams. Mo and Osaro talk to Jude about his journey, and he also flips the script, talking to them about how they got on over the pandemic and where they are at at moment. This was a touching episode, and it was really good to see the growth of the team through Jude's eyes. A proper legend, and a great mind!Remember, as always, like, subscribe and leave a review for the crew here at Art Against Knives, and check out our website to donate to the amazing work we do.

In this episode we speak to AAK don, new dad and general badman Franco. We go deep into his life, his time in the army during the Iraq War, his role as a forensics officer in the Met Police and his perspective on policing in general, and the struggles the community faces. Franco has been an incredible support to the crew that come through to Art Against Knives, and we have a frank(o) and honest discussion about his role as a police officer, and what that means to him and the young people, who don't necessarily have a good relationship with the police.Check us out at www.artagainstknives.com and support the ting by donating, or support us by sharing our content and spreading the message. One love.