Nokwanda is a Black British female, aeronautical engineering student at Staffordshire University. She joins our student hosts, Danny and Nunika, to discuss Black British culture and the importance of conversations like this one.
Nokwanda is a Black British female, aeronautical engineering student at Staffordshire University. She joins our student hosts, Danny and Nunika, to discuss Black British culture and the importance of conversations like this one.
Welcome back to season three of the Student Connect podcast. Hi, I'm Danny, a third year Sport student currently studying PE, a youth sport coaching. And today I'm joined by a very special co-host, Nunika. Hi, my name is Nunika. I'm a final year fashion student stuff. So this podcast is created in association with Staffordshire University and is hosted by our student content creative team. Usually there's TIFF on my seat, but she's got some course commitments and I'm just filling in for her today. In this series we are exploring different cultures to grow and and deepen our knowledge about the diverse backgrounds that make up our community. We want you to help shape the series. So if you'd like to join us, join us as a guest. Please email us on comms at Staff Start here or DM us on social media at Stuff's Uni. Along the way through the series. We'll endeavor to share our honest, although sometimes too honest stories to help educate and discover more about other cultures. There may be some sensitive topics discussed. We feel these are important to share, to raise awareness of issues at any point. We do use any incorrect terminology. Please rest assured that this is a part of us educating ourselves and we do not intend to cause any offense at all. So without further ado, let's get started. So, okay, welcome to the Show and Connect podcast. Thank you so very much. Glad to have you here. So tell us about yourself, your tools. What do you do? So I am a fashion student, also a student content creator. I have just come back from a placement here in London. And how was London? It was exciting, exciting, thrilling. It was like the stuff so many companies down there. No, it was just working with, like, a business. okay. I'm just bridal stuff. I was ready to go. It was. So what, you're looking to go in, is it? I'm looking to go into more into the design side of things and I was working more in admin, but it's still quite interesting. Yeah, it's good to see how the business unfolds, I think. Yeah, that's really good. Yeah. Big difference from stock. Yeah. What's, what's the main difference which you say no one really sees how if you go on the tube and note no docks and all that, you know, it's hard, It's really, really sad. No one really knows everyone. Like, was it kind of like a shock when, like, just some random person would be like, how are you just, like, dead run? But have you had that experience? Yeah, yeah. The first year of uni because I'm an international student, so first year of uni and I mean I had the biggest shock of my life when someone called me as well because I turned my back on. Most people now want me to and my friend behind me was like, Yeah, it's a stock thing. You'll get used to it. I'll say, okay. She's like, It's meant to be sweet. I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a good thing is a good thing. That was good thing. how's the course going? It said you do sign up. Yeah. Finally. Are stressful deadlines all around by the same point of time. It's very independent. Okay, so it's more. I am setting the deadlines for myself. It more challenging, I think, in the aspect, but I think it gets exciting on the other side. It's going. right. Yes. Of any, any qualms. 10,000 with dissertation. yeah. See I haven't. But if you think about it, to like to me because I'm so used to like, like reading literature on the leaves, joking, reading lectures, not really likely to go down joke acreage it's read literature and like I actually would prefer to have more of a word. Yeah. I mean you can get 10% over book. Yeah. Yeah. So I've got the I've got a podcast to record as a full assessment. So I think I'm went in there and what was the other one. Presentation. And if you know me, I'm very good at speaking to a load around in different people. So I'm laughing and I'm loving it. You're getting there. But yeah, no, it's going good. I'm only in one day a week. I think I did mention that on my last episode, so it's, It's a very weird six day weekend. Yeah, well, you're working the weekends. yeah. Yeah. So I'm trying to find find stuff to do here and there. Yeah, but No. Yeah, it's going okay. It's a long one day grind because obviously I go gym before uni
so that's like 8:00, 8:00 in the morning and that eventually 6:00 in the afternoon so Wow. Well taking an afternoon. No, some hours, although next these, next week I've got the opportunity to deliver a lecture. Wow. Okay. That's really nice. Also I want to go into teaching. Do not. I've got a very fortunate opportunity to deliver a lecture. And what are you talking about? So that I'll be with sport and we're kind of talking about different teaching approaches. Yeah. And then so we're delivering that for an hour and then I'm got to deliver a volleyball session. Okay. Practical after. I'm not very good at volleyball. It's not about how good you are, it's how good you can coach. Yeah. So like then that's, that's one thing I've learned recently is that being a country teacher, it's not as much how how much you know, and how good you are. It's more saying how you can do it. Yeah, and how you can coach it. So today we are here at the Potteries Art and Gallery Museum in Hanley and we are in the Spitfire exhibit. And as you can see here, we've got this beautiful plane is the art will be 388 model currently. Remember that the whole idea of the Spitfire and was created by Sir Reginald Mitchell, who was a resident. Stokie. Yeah, just. Yeah. So just to share a little bit of light as we are in an open location is just a little bit loud and we do apologize, but it's just because the venue is open for public and people are viewing the exhibition, but talking a bit more about Mitchell. Yes. So Mitchell was born and educated in North Staffordshire. He designed 24 different airplanes during his career, including flying boats, high speed racing seaplanes and the submarine Spitfire. And obviously that's what we have on ships here today. and this is also a hand to our guest for today's podcast. Yeah. So about got further ado. Let's introduce our special guest Okay. And today our special guest we are joined with is Nick. Wanda. Welcome. Hi. Thank you. I'm not going to see any FPGA or NoSQL engineer, engineering student at Stanford University. And I'm excited to talk about black culture being a black woman in the UK. So you're an aeronautical engineering student? Yes, and which sounds a lot cooler than my degree on that. So we'll come back to that in a bit more detail later. So you were born in Zambia? Yes. But you moved to the UK a young age. Can you just share some insights into your family and like the journey from Zambia to the UK and what that was like for you? Yes. Yes. So I moved here when I was five and I was old enough to understand Zambian culture and be within it and experience it, but like young enough to assimilate into UK culture. And I feel like my dad moved here as an accountant and it really taught me to embrace change and see life from different perspectives and like the Zambian culture and the British culture and work hard for what you want. And yeah, just try different things like the Zambian culture. Like just tell us a bit about that. What? It's very different community culture. Yes, I think so in the sense that it's community driven. So like everyone knows everyone and like, for example, my mum's friends are seen as my uncles and aunts and their kids are like my cousins. Yeah, I guess it's similar in some places we were on about that. Yeah. Stuff. So Sharifa, how like and Tef was mentioned as well, is it like when you have like your parents friend you sometimes call them uncle. Yeah. Really close. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. It's very community driven, like it's expected for adults to care for you, even though they're not your child. Yeah, I mean, you're not that child. And very, like, funny. We embrace humor and, like, joking and we, we we're chatty people as well. We like to talk and entertain ourselves and stuff like that. Dancing is a big part of what you do. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. So you moved to the UK when you were relatively young. So what's it been like growing up in British culture? It's been very interesting. Like I've learned a lot in terms of like growing up in primary school. Yeah, I've tried different foods from here. I don't know. British culture is very it's not subtle, but like these things, like, for example, nursery rhymes that I didn't know. So I'd come here and I'd learn them and pick them up. Yeah. And then at different next Sex and the music as well, learning about like the royal family, stuff like that. Yeah, it was very interesting. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. So the actual move to the UK, how did you find that in like, I suppose, like settling in. Did you find out how did you find that process? I'll say it wasn't too bad. I was really young, so I didn't really I guess I didn't really see it the way my parents saw it. Yeah. So for me it was relative. Like coming from Zambia to here was relatively easy, but settling down, yeah, it wasn't right as well. So I came with my dad and my mom and my sisters and we just kind of adjusted well, I would say That's good. Whereabouts in the UK did you move to Nashville first? Maidenhead, which is just outside London, and then we moved to Chafford hundred Essex and then we moved to Grays. I think we moved to Christmas actually. And then from there and then back to Grays. We did a bit of like moving around. Yeah, but yeah, it was a lot like down south. Yeah. Done something that's nice. That's what. What would you say. Would you say like your favorite part about obviously was obviously coming. Do you like travel into Stoke or do you live and stay for accommodation. For accommodation. Yeah. Yeah. So what would you say the different like one of the differences, lot of like south of the Midlands, you know, northern in England. What would you say. Like the differences I've noticed, I probably say London and Essex, there's a bit of like a rush, like people are trying to go somewhere like this. It's very busy and there's a lot going on. Whereas here it's more calm. People are like the leisurely and obviously more friendly and like neighborly than down south. Yeah, yeah, that's in Stoke is all friendly. Everyone in the Midlands? Yeah. You good? Yeah. So at the time of filming, it's Black History Month. Does this resonate with you and what do you think the importance of it is? To me it does resonate with me and like, I'm very happy. Yeah, Black History Month is a thing, but I feel like it has become a novelty. Yeah. And I feel like it's time to integrate it into history. Because black history is history, period. Yeah, it's not. It's separate thing. Yeah. And there's like, a lot of people think that there's not a lot of black history, but there is. And I feel like it's time for it to be appreciated for what it is, which is history. Yeah, Yeah. I think like looking back a lot, I mean GCSE history lessons a lot of it's like kings and queens, you know, like who won this battle? And like when you look at it from like a race perspective, a lot of it's like, are you why is it and there's not a lot covered about this lot. You know, history design does need to change so that, you know, for someone like me, I can get educated on that. Exactly. And obviously people that, you know similar, but that white people can be can get educated. Yeah. Yeah. And education is very important for people to like, understand where we come from and why we are the way we are. Definitely. Definitely. How would you suggest someone to get educated about black history? I'll probably say research and like talking to people. People are really open to speaking about where they come from and there's a lot on YouTube as well to like have actual locals talk about like their beliefs and their traditions and just aspects about themselves and like, even like folktales as well. You can learn about them on YouTube and stuff like that. And it's interesting as well because we learn about like Greek mythology and other English mythology, but we don't really learn about African folktales. Yeah, that's really interesting. So as a young black woman, what role do you think education and awareness play and addressing like racial inequalities? I think it plays a massive role. Like I remember I did IB Psychology and it was, which is the International Baccalaureate is similar to A-levels. Yeah. And we those like statistics and, and studies done on like how the inequalities are towards black. So for example, in mental health institutes, black people are less likely to come forward and say, I have this, but then when they do, they have more invasive treatment done towards them rather than being referred to as like I referred to talking therapy, then they have like more invasive treatment done on them. And I think here like understanding that and even like it stems from people thinking that black people don't feel pain as much as like other races do and we do. We're human beings. So learning about that and teaching that will help people understand that we do feel pain and we're not strong. We're not like we have weaknesses, basically. Yeah, Yeah. And there's even like studies done on like how black women are more likely to die, in maternity, like when giving birth because they're not listened to. Like they'll say that I'm in pain, but they won't be. Will People would think that a strong enough survey Yeah exactly. Yeah. So I like about that even I didn't know about that. So learning about that taught me that I should always stand up for myself in hospitals. Yeah. Yeah. Feel pain. I should let them know and insist that boys, it's. It's crazy that you have to do that in the first place. Like that just shows that it's still a problem because, you know, it shouldn't be that you have to explain and get it across more than someone else. You are feeling pain. Yeah. One thing for me, like when I was when I was doing A-level sociology, that massively opened up my idea about educating myself to not only talk about like in, like gender roles and that, but there is a lot on race and like, take taken out. My my teacher was brilliant even it made me realize just how uneducated I was. And I think it's I think it's important to know that it's okay if you were uneducated, but then accept that you want to then get educated. I feel like the best way to approach. Yeah. That like instead of being like, well, have always been like that. So there's no point change. But instead take from a perspective of okay, what? How a thought was wrong? How can I change it in a way that it's not going to be like that? Yeah. So yeah, I mean, I love social. It's really good. Even straight talking is really good. Yeah. So of like intuition gives you the desire. So what would you say a typical evening of entertainment for you would be like, okay, first I like game a bit, so I systems for on my laptop or like I feel my switch. Yeah, yeah. And then switch games. Okay. The minute I don't have that many, I just got it. Yeah. But what would be okay, like action adventure. Yeah. Yeah. Like I want to get Hogwarts legacy on air. Yeah, yeah, I have it on the PlayStation, but I want to play, like, underground stuff. Yeah. And then I would, like, watch a TV show or like a movie. And the minute I'm watching you. Yeah, yeah, I've just. Just started watching it. Yeah, I will. It's really good. Yeah. And then I'll, like, read a book. I'm reading a book called Appendix and Paper, and it's about, like, teachers. It's a murder mystery about, like, teachers. And. Yeah, it's really good. I wish I read more. I think I should read more. I feel always like. I always make myself feel guilty about this. I should read some more. Yeah. And just my attention span, you know, it's just not that. And it's really annoying because obviously, like, especially reading, like, getting, like, exposed to different perspectives, I can see things. And also like when you read a book, you might see it definitely in life developing, you know, I just I need to work on my intentions, but it's, it's, it's absolutely rubbish. So getting back onto the topic of black British culture and what would you say one of the best things about that I've heard you say, and I realized this a few days ago, is that it's within itself. It's like a melting pot. So in Zambia, I probably wouldn't have met as many Nigerians or Ghanaians or Ivorians or Caribbean people as I would here. So like I got I get to see life from their perspective, too. And here how they view Africa, how they view their countries and hear about their like leaders and historical figures and like also get to try their food. Like I tried Caribbean food the other day, specifically Jamaican food. And it's it's really nice. It's nice to like mixed cultures and see things from a different view. Yeah, exactly. So you would say there's quite a big emphasis on integration. Yeah, integration and learning different. That's good. Yeah. Yeah. Well, what stereotypes would you say people from your culture would face? And I guess people see us as like lazy, uncivilized, poor a lot of the time, especially from an African perspective, aggressive, which is obviously not true, but people dicks like that. And that's why I strongly suggest people speak to us. Yeah, let's hear it from our perspective and like learn our history as well, because we're not just lazy, uncivilized, you know, stuff like this. Do you think, or do you feel that people still kind of reinforce them stereotypes even today? I feel like they do, yeah. What do you mean? Like people still feel that way. Yeah. Yeah, they do. I feel like they do. It's less now, but okay. It's less now for black British people. But for Africans, people do still see us in a really negative light. Yeah. Yeah. And I feel like that should change because it's not really following us. Yeah. Yeah. My really negative. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Like before they even met you. Just. Exactly. Yeah. It's not as challenging because they're not really willing to understand. It's just like it's. Yeah, they don't exactly already come in with made up opinions. Exactly. And think it's important. That's why you have them conversations like you might say something that's out of tone, but that's fine. Then you've got a perfect opportunity to educate them straight and to say, hold on. And that's like the beauty of them. Conversations in communication. Yeah, yeah. And I think that's why we value education so much, because we want to try and show people that we're not uneducated. That went on to see what it's like to talk. Yeah, yeah, you. Hi. Yeah, that's good. So what? Customs and advocates are important to the culture, specifically Zambia. Respect is very important. Like even in our languages, we have multiple languages. The way you address an adult is different. Or someone older than you or someone you don't know is different to how you would address your friend or someone younger than you. And like sometimes when we were like, Know someone older than you, you would like kneel down and like, yeah, pay respect to them. Yeah. Because like, our elders are very important to us. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, just respect mine is saying please and thank you obviously. Yeah. Greeting. Like when you enter a room, you have to greet every single person. You can't just say Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You have to say hi to everyone, especially if they're older than you. Like, introduce yourself. Look, Wanda. And then my mom's name. Daughter. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Yeah. I say that, like, is is different in terms of like, like obviously like British cultural black British culture, which same as any similarities and differences with that, I would say it depends on the context because I feel like in church you expect to see how it's like everyone. Yeah. And but like when you probably enter like a black British household, I feel like people you just like, say hi gentleman. Yeah, but I can be expected to like, say hi to everyone and like, kneel down to, like, orders and like, say, like when people come in, give them like, food and water and stuff like that. Yeah, I would say it's similar ish, but less like, not extreme but like less, you know? I don't think so. Yeah. Let's move on. Fill me in. Yeah. Ultra busy is. Yeah, that's really, really cool, cause I've. I speaking the first language and I've been teaching it to one flatmate these days, and I see a sentence, and then every, every time I say, but that's the formal way of saying it. So you're seeing someone older, you're saying like, not that you're saying it to me. You probably wouldn't say too soon. So it's a it's a bit of a contrast like that. Yeah. Even in I guess. Yeah. Yeah. That's really good. The correct me if I'm wrong Nina, but how do I view this like so you're an international student? Yeah. Where did you move from, if that's the correct way. Me saying I don't mean not like you. No. Yeah. Yeah. So I've lived in Delhi, India my whole life. okay. And I moved here just for education. Yeah. So it's been a bit of a journey. Yeah. Yeah. So I really relate to international students and people who've not originally lived in the UK just because they've got that little bit more. It's like a little bit more experience than I have yet in terms of relating to each other. So like it's very similar because you, because someone who's been here all their life and no harm for saying you've been here all your life, that's amazing. None of us meet us like us. But it's just because when you move, you move away from family. You can just take the next train home and just, Yeah, I'm going to see my family for the weekend. The flight's about 9 hours. It's going to be about, well, it's sounds crazy because like with me, obviously, like I'm actually studying at the university that's in my hometown. I couldn't imagine, like, do you don't like me? It's a whole different thing. But I guess I could imagine it's creating like, amazing life experiences and it's something that's probably different to Yeah, what you'd probably experience normally, like back home. You should try it. Yeah, you really should. You should get myself out. That. Yeah, it just goes around the kitchen and you go, you know, that's a good question. That's, that's a fantastic question actually. See I think I'd say like I could, I could. Germany, I love, I love Germany. I love I love German football. I like reading about like German culture, stuff like that. But I think like even that, I don't think that's I think should go even further than that, you know, why do you have to go even further now? It could be just true, I know, but I think that's a bit of an expanding, you know. But yeah, I probably Germany well, like even like a Scandinavian countries like Denmark, Iceland, Norway that way. But the reason I like uninsured, you know, and it's not to, you know I mean I like cold that's all good Germany. Yeah yeah. No I don't think I've lost in a hot country. No, I don't like it. Yeah. No, it's really hard. Really. Yeah, I do. The weather's nice. Like you can wear what you want. Like you don't worry about coat. Well, I can bring an umbrella. Yeah, just go. That's a warm home with cold. Your coat everywhere and in your bag. Exactly. You're just not struggling with it. You just like, I'll go out and I'll see how it is. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. The other thing I'm really, really fascinated by is the commander's name. yeah? Can you tell me a little bit about your name? So my name is in Goni, which is my mum's tribe. Then Goni, they migrated from South East Africa into the eastern part of Zambia. So my name means abundance or like plenty of or like growing. Basically, the nomenclature in Zambia is the oldest child. You have a name from the father's side and then the second born from the mother's, and then the third from the father again, and then the fourth from the mother. So Autumn is like that. And then like you can call colonial elders, like my grandparents will come and help my mom choose a name, or aunts and uncles will come and help choose a name that's from like in, in culture. Yeah. I love a like you've got such, like meaning behind you. Ian in my name. You knew I was named after. I was just named after a boy. That's how much snow, this sort of homonym that my dad got away with that. But I was just like, I won't name him after this football. And he was called Danny Move and his place in Liverpool was really good. And my mom just obviously like, Yeah, okay, what you want? Yeah, but no, I love that, that you got. I just do so much like thought and meaning and I suppose like quite a lot of heritage around. Yeah. As well. It's probably been done for generations. Is that the case. Yeah. Oftentimes you'll be named after like you, a grandparent or an uncle just to like because you they mean so much to you. So like my youngest sister is named after my grandmother. Yes, stuff like that. Yeah. That's really nice. Yeah. So you mentioned that you did you attend church, was it. Yeah. A few conversations, Yeah. Yeah. So is that an important part of your life? And if so, what religion do people practice most often? Lot. Especially that from Zambia. In Zambia? Well, mostly a Christian nation. So Christianity, there's obviously different times. Protestant. Catholic. Yeah. And so the seventh day, stuff like that, we do practice a lot and it's a very like important part of our culture because people like to appreciate these like a lot about hope, like praying for the future and praying for your family, blessing your family, stuff like that. And I think we like the ideology of like, I'm loving a neighbor. And yeah, war and peace out into the world in pretty good, urgent world. Yeah, I think it's a very important part of like African culture. Yeah. Yeah. It's just as I, I went to a Christian high school St Peter's in Fenton, and from what I gained through exam, was it the agnostic where you think there's a God, be not sure which. Yeah. Yeah that one. I think it's Yeah. Something like Yeah. No that's the one. Yeah. And when I was like learning about it, a lot of it was like if you put like hope into God. Yeah. That he'll do things for you. Do things for you actually participate in his faith. Yeah. That's asking you. And that's what I found most interesting about it, because it makes sense in a way that if you, you know, if you do, you know, you don't sin and like you do put that faith into and that good things will return like that because. Yeah, exactly the way it is and yeah, how would you say your your religion today plays into your daily life. I'm probably like being kind obviously. Yeah. Rather than like going towards violence yet coming down and talking to people, hearing them rather than like judging. I don't like to judge as well because it says in there it religion in our lives and you shouldn't judge people. You should like try and understand people, even though they're different from, you know, try to talk to them, understand them, forgive people and like just keep moving forward rather than holding onto the past and holding onto pain. Just keep moving forward. Yeah, that's a reasonable way. Yeah, that's the way I can take that into my own life that I really like that. And so what kind of, how do you express your cultural identity? so like me, because I talk to my friends in my language, like they wouldn't even know what I'm saying, but I'll just say it in my language. And anyway, like, even just to practice because I'm trying to learn more about, like, my culture, my language. And sometimes they'll ask me about, does that mean? And then they'll like, say, back to you. Yeah. And like, they'll use it in sentences. So like that. That's what I like to do. And then like, this is really simple, but on social media, I have my flag on my like my name and my bio just to show you that like, yeah, you know, and I do like listening to music as well. Yeah. And dancing. Yeah. Well, singing like all types of songs. Like, I like to listen to Zambian Christian songs. Okay. Yeah. Interesting. You need to introduce me to you. Should I will. Yeah. Just stuff like that. Yeah. Is that the Zambia Is that there is a green. Yeah. It's like an eagle. Eagle that's at the top. Yeah. And then we have like the name one. Yeah. Yeah. So is anything like unique or special about your culture that most people probably don't know? I, I would say maybe like our humor, like, for example, I talked about tribes. My mom is in Guinea, so there's this thing called tribal cousins where there's another tribe that you can, like banter with and make as much fun of and like nothing happens, like there's no violence. And I think it's just pure banter. Yeah. And you, like, can laugh at each other. You joke around with each other. And then, for example, if someone in my mom's family were to die, like as anybody, her tribal cousin is the member people, they would come and they would, like, pull baby powder on them and like, joke around in the funeral. And I know it's it's crazy, but it's to like lighten up the me Yeah yeah. And then like try and help the family move past it. Yeah. And then what they'll also do is like cook and clean and I give the money so that they can mourn peacefully rather than thinking exactly about cooking and cleaning and finances. So yeah, there's this like, banter, but also like, respect towards each other throughout, like the whole country. I would, Yeah, I love that. It's sort of like helping everyone just get out of the situation and that's really exciting as well when it comes to community. Yeah, definitely. Well, that's what's amazing. so anything about your culture that you possibly find like challenging an alphabet, I have to say I've used towards, like mental health, especially like in African God. I don't know why the older generation doesn't like to accept that you can have mental health issues. And I think sometimes they feel like it's their fault and that they put blame on themselves. So rather than addressing it, yeah, dismiss it and they'll like prevent you from getting can just say like, just pray or like just move from it. So like, I'm curious to see we should really try and address like the stigma towards. Yeah. So but I would say that our generation is starting to like Hill and ask for help in terms of mental health and the changing of us, but like the older people's perspectives on how to deal with mental health other than just praying you can actually get treatment and you can talk to people, stuff like that. Yeah, that's good though, because I'll say if I say your generation to be more accepting mental health when you then eventually become the older generation, can them past that? This is already making that change. Obviously, you know, it's like well with how like how impactful mental health can be. This will have such an impact that you know, you being open and you wanting to like listen to people's messages and stuff like that, it's really good. Yeah, yeah. I always have this thing where I where I tell people when they're like, my parents don't really understand and whatever, and I'm trying to make a change and I'm just like, But you need to understand that if they've lived for 40 years on Earth, they've been through 40 years of conditioning. Yeah. And you can't change that in five days yet, so you need to give them time. You've been here 20 years out of which you were molding your life for about five. So give you give them time to change, give them time to evolve. They'll come around, but you need to you need to wait. Yeah. Yeah. It's not something that happens overnight. Yeah, exactly. It's just constant conversation, trying to get them to understand and then hopefully it will click in that. Yeah. And then understand. Yeah. So what do you think is something that's unique about your culture that you want to share with everyone? I, I probably say maybe like our dances and our languages. there's this dance that the members do with the, like the hips. I don't know how to explain it, but it's like, really pretty fascinating and I really want to learn about it and I really like to show people like it is challenging. That's the thing to do it. So I like to show people like, I'll show them videos about it and then they'll like be like, my gosh, yeah, that's actually a really nice dance. Yeah. And then like our cultural address as well as is quite different as well. Yeah, probably just see what does the cultural does look like. Okay. So for my dad's side it's more like dresses. Yeah. So we of course we wear a Masisi, that's why it's good. Okay. And it's like a dress with patterns and then it's, I don't know, it's really describe it's kind of like I don't really know but like it's, it's, it's a dress. Yeah. And then from my mom's side, it's more. I don't know if you've seen like, Shaka Zulu. No, no. You know, like what they wear or something like the animal print and the shield and the spear. Yeah. Yeah. That type of stuff. Yeah. Yeah. It's different. Like, it's depends on your tribe. Yeah, they'll be different. Dress for each tribe. I'm really fascinated that she said there's a different one for. For your dancing. Yeah. Yeah. Never heard that before. Like, there's different. Yeah. Cause, I mean, it's very varying, like. Yeah, Depends where you go in the region as well. And like, the tribes, some people, it's just simple, like dresses, other people at school, but different and like, fancy. Yeah, it just depends on where you come from. People like certain colors or patterns associated with different tribes. And how many tribes, all of them. They're like a lot like there's like 72 or something like, wow. And even languages, there's like a lot of just it's not really colors. I would say it's more to do with the dress that you're wearing. The the attire. Yeah, yeah. But yeah, well, I wouldn't say yes. It's colors. There's a lot of different tribes there and different cultures mixing into one. Yeah. So would you say like in terms like the tribes, like these, they do integrate with everyone and like, again, that sense of community. Yeah, we do. We do integrate. It's not really like people won't really ask you, what's your tribe on first meeting? Yeah, they'll just kind of get to know you. Yeah. Yeah. And then it's like sometimes people do bring it up and it's like, yeah, that's good. Yeah. So it's not really like a big, big thing, but it is a big thing and not like, it's not a priority to name your tribe, but it's just exactly, it's just, it's such a good for you to recognize your tribe, but it's, yeah, it's, it's a community. We just see people as, like Zambians most of the time. Yeah, sometimes you do ask, but it's mostly just speaking as a Zambian person, really. It's really cool. Yeah. So I've also got a question about obviously being a black woman. What's one thing that you most proud of about being a black woman? I probably see our ability to, like, bring our communities together. I feel like we're usually at the forefront of like starting protests and that Yeah, so family gatherings, like, I'll watch my, my aunts tell people like, let's have a barbecue or we collaborate and celebrate and come together and experience this together. I would also say that we are very creative and we like come up with a lot of cool things. Yeah, and very like innovative people and very resourceful as well. Like we take what we have and we put as much as we can into any struggles that you've all species, all black women in general experience like struggles. obviously, yeah, like racism, discrimination and prejudice that people see us as aggressive and they in masculinity tell us emasculate masculine. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I know, I know, I know. It's weird. Yeah. Especially from like a young age. We expected to be like, I don't know, what was the word like independent straight away and yeah, I see. Too strong. Yeah, like strong. And we have to put up with things. I don't know if you saw a video of this gymnastics like conference, like all the white guys got medals and then one of the black girls was skipped. I don't know if you saw that. no. Yeah. And then stuff like that. Like people don't see us like we tried to shout out to, like, we're here, but then people don't really see us or acknowledges. Yeah. And yeah, I was going to say like racism, discrimination and prejudice. What would you say success looks like in the in the picture? I probably say, okay, from an older generation perspective, it's like getting a good job being educated, having a house and the family. Yeah, but from a younger generation perspective, it's probably being healthy, like mentally and physically healing and being grounded and that connected to your it's doing what you want to be like being authentic self as long as it's positive, like just striving for your goals and like working on yourself and then supporting your community obviously as well. I really know that there's this drastic change of the older generation usually materializing, just like get a job, get some money. It's like a house, but then the younger ones are always like, but I just want to make sure they know who I am and what they say. Yeah, yeah. Living for me. Exactly. It shows how much it's changing as well. Yeah, it does. How it's supposed progressing and moving forward. Yeah. Is is good. It's going that way. Yeah. You want to talk about them. So we just talked about obviously and like struggles of like black people go through a lot. I see it quite a lot from like the sport perspective. So I feel like, you know, I see years ago, like when soccer messed and like Rashford. All right, they missed their penalties, like just the sheer amount of, like racism that they touch towards. Like it just shows that it's still very poverty is still happening. Yeah. And I don't belong. A lot has happened in like, in terms of like progress and development. Yeah like that alone just shows is still so much that needs to be done. Yeah. how would you rate that progress? Would you say it's slower, it's faster. Do you think it's actually going somewhere. It, it was first but then it picked up a bit. Yeah. And then now it's kind of slowed down again. Especially like when you look at immigration laws changing and stuff like that. So I would say progress is slowing slightly. And even like with what you said about a subject is facing racism even like sportswomen face. Yeah, like a lot. But yeah, still like there's still a lot that can be done even in terms of like healthcare. Like I said before, people seeing us as feeling less pain. I mean, yeah, feeling the pain, yeah, yeah. And they're not giving us the treatment we need. It's still very prominent and there's still a lot that can be done. But like right now we're just trying to spread awareness and I keep on talking about it so that it's not forgotten and change can happen. No, that sounds lovely. I'm glad you you're trying constantly to bring about change, which sounds incredible to me. I mean, that's very inspiring to everyone to want to bring about change. And it's a lot even like now, it just it blows my mind that there's there is like differences in like one scene is better than the other. Like, I mean, I struggle to comprehend that it's like that and that we're not all seen as the same exact you guys like easily, you know what I mean? Like it should be like we should and it's Yeah, not nice obviously And so someone actively engage is in discussions around black identity. What changes would you like to see in terms of societal obviously attitudes and receptions and stuff? I feel like like what you said before, being very open to education. I feel like some people, they think that when we talk about this stuff, we're blaming them. Yeah, but we're not. We're just trying to show them that this like the stuff that happened in the past led to this. This is why this is happening right now. And we're just asking for change, a change of perspective so that we can move forward in the future. Education is obviously a very big part of it. And like stuff like this, like allowing me to have a platform to talk about this stuff is is something that I would consider change. And it helps us to like, address these issues and then come up with solutions and then move forward. Yeah, Yeah. So the thoughts I would say, and I think also for like, like, like people like me, not like people we address when someone is speaking out of tone and like they're using, you know, racist dialect and they don't realize it. Like, yeah, I would point that out to them and be like, Yeah, you can't speak. You can't say that because that's it's not, it's not right. So order and the thing, if someone like me, I'd say I've been educated on it because before I wasn't educated and not because I've been educated on it, I can I have a responsibility to tell people what is right and when it's wrong and when, especially when it's wrong not to speak in terms like that and educate them, you know, educate further. Yeah, yeah, I agree with that. All you're trying to do, I think when you're doing that is just being sweet to someone and just saying, I think what you're saying is wrong and you need to just educate yourself slightly with the terms you have been using or the terms you should probably be using, you shouldn't be using. And I think it kind of helps in a way because the next time the let's see if they're doing it out of choice as well, in the next time they use it, they will think about that one time someone pointed out to them. Yeah. And they would have it. Yeah. At least in the way I mean their brain. Definitely. And it's so it's like when have you ever had an experience where you punched out someone and they've reacted in a way where it's been quite negative and also like sort of aggressive. Yeah, yeah, in a way. But it's like, well, I don't see anything, right? Like, yeah, definitely. They tried to convince you that it's like I'm the problem for I'm not taking it as like, a joke. Yeah, what can I say? Like, sometimes they'll say it's just a word or it's just words. Like you shouldn't really be affected by that type of stuff. But words do affect people and especially like that pain that they see. And yeah, exactly, exactly. Yeah, definitely. So obviously at university you are an aeronautical engineering student, which sounds incredible. Please do tell us more about that kind of what you do and kind of where that course can take you, because that sounds incredible. Yeah. So engineering is mostly based on like, aircraft select anything that flies, really? Drones, aircraft themselves, helicopters. And we're looking more into spacecrafts now and the AGM and it's it's really interesting and I've always had a passion for it, but I think it was more about having the confidence to pursue it. Yeah. So for example, I had like educational problems, not problems, but like I was less confident in myself and I didn't believe in my potential. So I had a conversation with one of my physics teachers who was like a woman, and she basically sat me down. I was like, You should pursue something in STEM. And she gave me the confidence to pursue an engineering because before that I would talk to my mom, like when I was really, really young, because I would fly back and forth to Zambia, like on holiday, I'd flights to Zambia from England, and then I would like look at the aircraft. And I was really fascinated by like how they fly and like the engineering behind it. And my mum would tell me facts about it and she'd be like, yeah, that's the safest mode of transport. I was like, Wow, Like, Yeah, we learn this type of stuff. And I was actually intrigued by that. So I started watching more documentaries about aircrafts and like how things are made because of my dad. He used to watch stuff like that and I was really intrigued and that really got me into thinking about pursuing engineering. And then my uncle sat me down and he was like, Yeah, I think this would be a really good match for you and you should really try and pursue it. So yeah, it was that. But before I pursued engineering itself, I was looking at the RAAF like training time. Yeah, exactly. I was really interested in that. But then my sister told me, like, it's dangerous. Obviously it's risky. So I reconsidered because actually, yeah, I don't want to see the super. So yeah, my uncle, my uncle was actually like, yeah, look into engineering and try apply for that. And yeah, I love it. Like I did want to obviously initially be a pilot. I wanted to see the pilot side, but, and during has been really eye opening to me and I've learned so much and I wouldn't like to trade it. Yeah, that's how I started as an and I love that. I love that little story. I love it when you just don't even know. But someone walks into your life, you should really do that and then literally change your life. Actually, I'm really passionate about it as well. Like, and it's that you're not just doing it for the sake of doing it like this. There is a lot of reasoning and emotion behind doing that a lot. Yeah, because I think something like that you're, you're going to progressive with it because from what I can tell that you have got that passion and want. Yeah, yeah that's good. That's good. Yeah So I think that about wraps off our conversation. Yeah. So thank you ever so much for discussing your story and talking about your experiences. We really do appreciate it and it has such a big impact. You'll have no idea. Thank you to Nuna. Thank you for standing for not Thank you so much to Nina standing in for Tiff. You did an amazing job. Thank you. Were absolutely surprising best unbelievable. Thank you to Dani on other side and wonderful speaking. Thanks for having me back Chris thank you to our listeners on the other side of the camera. Thank you to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery for a lot of goals to host this episode in front of this beautiful exhibit. If you are one of our watchers, please do come down and visit this place. That is incredible. Well, thank you to Staffordshire University Media Center and the podcast producers and podcast broadcasting editor. If you would like to be a guest on our podcast, then please send us a directs on any form of social media to find food to support our university. You can you can visit Staff UK, your student, connect team. Don't forget to tell us what you think about the podcast so far, what you'd like to hear on it and if you have any questions for us, please tag app stuffs uni or hashtag Student Connect podcast on any form of social media and until next time, good bye. Bye. My