Benjamin Zephaniah Has Died

[barry1010]

One of the nicest people I have met, only twice, but he seemed to have the ability to make everything seem better.

A genuinely good bloke. Lots of people will recognise him from Peaky Blinders

BBC News - Benjamin Zephaniah: Writer and poet dies aged 65

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67646607

[roopower]

Just seen this, what a shame, another called before their time. RIP, Benjamin. 

[brainiac]

Not always such a nice person.  In 2018 in an interview on BBC Radio Five Live he admitted:

"The way I treated some of my girlfriends was terrible. At one point I was violent. I was never like one of these persons who have a girlfriend, who'd constantly beat them, but I could lose my temper sometimes... There was one girlfriend that I had, and I actually hit her a couple of times, and as I got older I really regretted it. "

[barry1010]

I don't condone violence of any sort but he admitted it, acknowledged it was wrong and regretted it. 

I've done many things that I am ashamed of and regret and I would not do those things now.  We can't erase our past but we can all become better than we were, if we want to.
 

 

[Lie-in King]

Sad news indeed, I've enjoyed a lot of his work.  RIP Benjamin.

Barry @ 14:28 - well said.

[ynnafymmi]

I see he was in favour of Brexit.Bound to find favour amongst our right-wing ABers.

[bednobs]

Brexit isnt a right-wing issue is it?

iirc, ALL the major political parties (including conservatives) reccommended a no vote, but the government in power (conservative) had to deliver.  It doesn't make it into a right wing issue

[rowanwitch]

Maybe the most accessible poet since Betjeman,  but with more humour.  

https://benjaminzephaniah.com/books/talking-turkeys/

[ynnafymmi]

@15.05.Apologies.I should have said amongst our pro-Brexit ABers.

[-SharonA-]

R I P Benjamin. You were a brilliant poet.

[ynnafymmi]

Another good Englishman gone too soon Sharon.

[Patsy33]

Another talent gone, and too young..

RIP, Benjamin.