Benjamin Zephaniah Rejects Royal Good Times

Top UK poet Benjamin Zephaniah launched a passionate attack against the British establishment this week, by publicly rejecting an offer of an OBE (Order Of The British Empire medal) from the Queen.

"There are many black writers who love OBEs, it makes them feel like they have made it. When it suits them, they embrace the struggle against the ruling class and the oppression they visit on us but then they join the oppressors' club," Zephaniah wrote in The Guardian.

"I laughed at the pathetic excuses writers gave," he continued.

"'I did it for my Mum'; 'I did it for my kids'; I did it for the school'; I did it for the people'; etc."

"I've never heard of a holder of the OBE openly criticising the monarchy. They are officially friends and that's what this cool Britannia project is about. It gives OBEs to cool rock stars, successful businessmen and blacks who would be militant in order to give the impression that it is inclusive."

Though Zephaniah's Guardian tirade was principally targeted against writers, his comments are likely to cause pause for thought for Good Times disco don Norman Jay, who proudly accepted an MBE (even higher status) honour from the Queen last year.

"I'm more pleased for my family and my industry than anything," Jay told the BBC at the time.

" I'm doubly pleased, being the first DJ to get it for my profession and in the Golden Jubilee year, and I'm so glad my mum and dad are alive to see this. I'm the first but let's hope I won't be the last."
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