| Description | An interview with Fitz YEHBOAH, a single man with no children, who is a Trying to set up dating agency, born in Birmingham and now living in Birmingham. Fitz YEHBOAH’s father was a Builder, born in Ghana and his mother a Housewife/ catering assistant born in Curacao. In the interview, he discusses:
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I was born in Birmingham on 30th November 1971…. and I come from a strong family, we like to say a family of warriors….reflects on how his environment has shaped him.
1.08 But I suppose my father was a bit more distant than my mum, I think it is the African thing…. You have to stand on your own two feet
1.33 Father was born in Accra, which is in Ghana, very poor, maybe one meal a day…
2.33 Father came in early 60s, intended to make money and return home, but stayed and died here. Mum born in Caracou (Grenadines), not well educated but has common sense…also arrived in UK in the 60s.
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22" Parents didn’t talk much about their background; shared little stories, not true history.
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8" Describes some of the hardships and discrimination his father faced as a new immigrant. Father was told, ”you are big, you are black, you are strong, you can do the work of two or three”.
2.06 Father did mostly manual labour- factories, foundries. Good at carpentry. Last years of working life- building and construction trade.
3.50 Other family members came to the UK, one or two years later. Regarding siblings, wasn’t tactile or verbally emotive, but strong bond.
4.45 Grew up in mixed neighbourhood [West Bromwich] , didn’t get any real abuse, fairly safe.
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Continues to describe neighbourhood.
25" There was a pub on the top of the road which didn’t allow black and Asians in and we knew this from the age of 10,11 and we always found that fairly strange… they thought they had the right to say only white people were allowed you know, it’s a working men’s club.
1.04 Thinks time at school has a particularly lasting impression. Explains why.
3.15 Articulate at school but feels he could have done a lot better re: qualifications. Asked himself, "Do I really need to be here?"
3.53 Certain teachers who would definitely not like you because you were a certain class or a certain colour…that was very apparent. And it is very sad because teachers can so much stifle one’s growth. (EDUCATION)
Quotes a story about Malcolm X.
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18" Concedes that his experiences were fairly positive…Got encouragement all the way… likeable rogue… wasn’t a goody two shoes in class.
53" Story about a favourite teacher.
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I was at Churchfield High School in West Bronwich from 1983-1988…
1.02 Comments on the underachievement of black children and the possible reasons.
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Continues to express opinions on underachievement.
2.20 How teachers viewed his ability.
3.25 GCSE results. Not as high as expected. Sense of regret, blames himself.
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Explains why he lost interest in the subject matter taught at school.
1.17 We were never told regarding what we did, how we died, …..pushed and strived for this country….if we were…it would instil you with pride,….not just blacks but whites as well…I like to know a bit more about black role models…
2.30 Was not taught by any black teachers at school. Gives opinion that being of the same race/colour does not automatically result in empathy, yet it is helpful.
4.50 Story about the first time he experienced racism directly.
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Continues story.
2.02 Leaving school. I couldn’t wait to walk out those gates and say, “goodbye, you are not seeing me again”, it was almost like a weight was lifted.
3.43 Acknowledges the debt to his teachers.
4.24 Negative moments was…teacher is at the blackboard, they have got their back turned to the class….somebody has made a noise….and for some reason the teacher picked on me….maybe they had good reason…I was put on detention….
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Continues story about teacher at the blackboard.
1.22 When I left school in 1988… Lots of thoughts about what he might do- footballer, boxer, actor. Likes to talk, meet people, argue. Sales, then catering – enjoyed both.
2.28 Worked at Temptation Clothing (sales), loved it; responsibility, interacting with people.
3.21 I was working for Asian people as well and sometimes they have a mistrust with certain black people but I won their trust….I showed them that you know, yes I am a black person and some of us are doing negative things but a lot of us are being positive.
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1.00 Independence. I was in the big, wide world….there was me rushing to leave school…here I am an adult…I thrived on it!
1.40 Describes working in catering. Pressurised environment.
3.13 You can do 50 odd hour weeks, and the pay wasn’t exactly fantastic.
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I studied catering from 1990-93/4. Bournville College from 90-91; the College of Food which is, as regards to catering, one of the most renowned in the UK…it stands you in good stead when you go for employment… I done my last year at West Bromwich….
1.42 Story about changing career focus. I was in the jobcentre, that was 1995…I saw a poster…Handsworth College…
3.20 The African Caribbean History course was done by Paulette Bruce at Handsworth College in Soho Road… describes the course content and the effect it had on him.
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Recites a poem, remembered from the time at Handsworth College. “There is a land beyond the sea, where in my dreams I long to be……..
1.36 Explains how the course altered his perspective and way of viewing the experiences of black people and his family in particular.
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Started the Handsworth College course in Sept. 1997 ,which ran for 12 months. More about the course.
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After I finished catering …in 1994….I was very much in limbo….and I did drift. I think it was 1996/7 when I saw the advertisement for HNC in Radio Broadcasting…. so I phoned a lady called Barbara at the Afro-Caribbean Resource Centre, Dudley Road, Winson Green.
Lengthy story about how he came to be enrolled on the course and the time during the course. Enthusiasm for the practical component- a 4 week stint on the radio: interviewed Carlton Duncan, the first black headmaster of any UK comprehensive school.
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Continues story about Carlton Duncan.
1.08 The HNC in Radio Broadcasting, it ended in May of 1998…
Describes how he (unsuccessfully) applied for posts in radio. Got me thinking, what am I good at? That’s why recently I have been trying to set up my own business, a dating agency….call it what you will….bringing people together. Describes the process of setting up this business.
3.20 After the HNC worked in sales for 8-10 months, then started research for business venture.
4.08 It was 3-4 weeks ago I actually met the panel of the Prince’s Youth Business Trust. Story about interview with panel.
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Continues story about interview.
1.00 I honestly feel hard done by, that is my honest and open opinion, it just smelt the air of, OK, this is an individual, a black individual who is trying to do something. I am not saying they are looking to hold me back or put me down, but there was the air of, even before I started that I wasn’t getting nowhere….I am just going on instincts.
2.02 Exploring other avenues for funding (community routes).
2.46 I left home at age 21….. met someone and set up together. Returned to parent’s home when things didn’t work out. However, couldn’t settle and moved into a place close by.
3.43 It was so round the corner that I didn’t have a cooker or fridge. All the food, I used to go there for it and whatever (laughs) , Mum used to send over meals and that sort of thing, so that is how close it was.
4.05 Currently living in Edgbaston in one bedroom flat. Describes the area and the people who live there. Feels comfortable. Contrasts Edgbaston with other areas of Birmingham- the safety factor.
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22” Briefly relates recent incident of race attack on young black man.
1.18 Positive opinion of Birmingham City centre. I see myself being around Birmingham really for all my life. Makes reference to the variety of facilities and attractions.
2.48 Praises the Central Library.
3.38 Books currently read. Predominantly Black history.
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Lively story about clubbing at Cinders, an under-18s disco in West Bromwich in 1986-7. The music was good, the atmosphere was beautiful and it was for those 3 or 4 hours, magnificent man, it was just like a world away from everything else…..homework was forgotten, those teachers were forgotten….
1.17 Continues to describe clubbing experience. Gave me my baptism into clubbing.
2.47 It is fascinating who you can meet in clubs….even now 10 years later, I am 28 now and I still get a buzz from going out. … I feel as people you know, we are full of rhythm and spirit….if it wasn’t for our music, I think we wouldn’t be here now. (ENTERTAINMENT)
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19” Viewpoint regarding drugs. I don’t touch it, not for me at all. Discusses cannabis use.
2.27 Expresses his hopes for the future.
3.26 Discusses relationships with women and views on marriage and children.
4.19 To me, marriage is commitment, so I don’t need to go into a church or synagogue or a temple. I can sit down in this very room…. my words should be enough for her without us having to spend £15-20,000 and invite people we haven’t seen in like 6 or 7 years…(MARRIAGE)
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Continues views on having children.
29” Expresses religious beliefs. Doesn’t affiliate with any particular religion, but respects the beliefs of others.
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Contrasts his own upbringing with the situation in some non-Western parts of the world.
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Expresses political views. The empire is no longer here, but behind the scenes, I mean this country still has its hands in other people’s pockets.
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Explains New World Order theory. Feels there is little we can do as individuals to alter things.
2.47 Expresses own sense of belonging as a black person.
4.15 Reflects on what constitutes ‘identity’.
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36" Describes a day living on benefit.
Logged by Lorraine Blakemore |