FROM GREAT WAR TO RACE RIOTS
Writing on the Wall have been presented with a number of original, significant documents covering the period 1919 to 1921, by community member and activist Joe Farrag. This archive relates to the position of black ex-servicemen, seamen and factory workers stranded or left destitute in Liverpool after the First World War. It includes letters and testimony from soldiers and merchant seamen from Africa and the Caribbean, who had fought for England on land and at sea during the Great War of 1914, or had worked in factories to support the war effort. The documents reveal a plight of daily racism and loss of jobs because of the boycott by white workers, a boycott often supported by the trades unions. This tension led to the race riots of 1919, which resulted in many serious assaults and attacks and the death of Charles Wootton, a black seaman murdered by a white mob. The unique nature of this material is that it contains the written word of those ex-servicemen, sailors and workers who were being confronted with verbal, physical and racial abuse on the streets of Liverpool, abuse which was compounded by institutional indifference or racism. Levi Tafari through Writing On the Wall and the Museum of Liverpool Life ran a series of creative writing workshops with local schools to produce a creative response to the letters and make the students aware of this chapter of British history that was hidden. The project was featured in a series broadcasted on BBC TV presented by David Olusoga as part of the "Black and British: A forgotten history" season.
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY
Continuing the Journey is an exhibition developed by Stray Cat Media. The exhibition is a multi-media collection of oral histories, photographs and films exploring issues which affect people of African heritage born, raised or living in Liverpool's locality. The public were given the opportunity to learn about the struggle of Merseyside's Black community for racial equality and social justice from post war Britain to the 1980's. The participants of the project shared recollections of brutal and traumatic experiences which left enduring marks on their community and reflected the resilience, strength and power of each individual.
As writer in residence for the project Levi Tafari was one of the panelist in debates central to the exhibition and ran a series of workshops in local schools and for adults at the International Slavery Museum Liverpool UK. Levi also created a poem to launch the exhibition. The project was a huge success and gained huge media attention.
POETRY QUEST
“Poetry Quest” is a national arts project supported by The Prince's Foundation links children to the world of performance poetry. After watching performances by Levi Tafari with his support and guidance Levi was able to bring out the creative side of the children who worked on their own poetry and were proud to show what they had learned and produced. The project culminated in a celebratory finale event where the young people performed their poems in front of their peers, teachers, families. The project was such a success that it extended to further school across the North West.
LEVI TAFARI CITIZEN OF HONOUR
Levi Tafari became the latest Citizen of Honour for the city of Liverpool and was bestowed the accolade worthy of the distinction. At the ceremony the many acclaims by those present served to highlight Levi Tafari’s devotion and unique contributions to enriching the image of the City and its citizens nationally and internationally through his work.
The ceremony was described by the Town Halls Master of Ceremony as the most vibrant and entertaining he has ever conducted since the inception of the award in 2008. Levi Tafari engaged all those present to take part (including the Lord Mayor himself) using his ability to combine serious message in a light hearted yet informative way. Seeing the Lord Mayor and deputy Lord Mayor bopping their heads to the rhythm of the poems delivered by Levi made for an endearing less rigid atmosphere for an otherwise very formal event.
Levi Tafari was taken by surprise when gifted a statue of himself that was anonymously commissioned and intended by the donor to show gratitude, admiration and respect for his achievements. It was a fitting tribute with everyone in the council chambers gasping such was the resemblance when the statue was unveiled by Levi.
