Notes From The Week #4

Welcome back. An interesting observation I’ve had since starting these weekly notes: I’ve found myself being a lot more thoughtful when coming across ideas and engaging in conversations. It’s fascinating the places and times inspiration can come to you. Who would have thought working on your bench press would have been the best place to develop thoughts on restorative justice practices.

Restorative Justice

As mentioned above, I actually thought to include some thoughts on Restorative Justice in this week’s notes while I was in the gym. I was listening to my gym workout playlist and had Blueface and Og Bobby Billions’ song Outside (Better Days) come into rotation—a particular lyric struck a chord: “I’m a victim of the system but I’m a suspect to the victim”. In a world where we seem to be more comfortable with operating in absolutes as opposed to making peace with the incredibly dynamic nuance of reality—it was a reminder that nothing exists in a vacuum.

In 2019, people from BAME backgrounds made up 16% of the U.K. general population but accounted for 27% of the total prison population. When we assess the dynamic link between poverty, inequality and crime it becomes clear that these numbers do not take place in a vacuum. The intersection between structural racism and economic inequality helps to create and administer an environment where disproportionate outcomes of this nature can occur. Anything pertaining to the criminal justice system in the U.K. disproportionately impacts black and ethnic minority communities.

According to the Race and Ethnic Disparities report (an independent report into racial and ethnic disparities in the UK.)—black offenders have the highest re-offending rate at 31% followed closely by white offenders at 30% and Asian offenders at 24%.1 I’m passionate about restorative justice as a vehicle for reducing reoffending rates and reducing crime altogether. If we can get restorative justice practices embedded into national criminal justice policies and practices then we also disproportionately help those from black and ethnic minority communities.

The language used to discuss the justice system present a false binary. To say the good people are free and the ‘bad’ people have been locked up doesn’t provide much room for correction and/or rehabilitation. When one considers the fact that the majority of those incarcerated will be freed at some point, restorative justice is the only type of justice that makes sense. If someone is to re-enter back into society at some point (unless sentenced to life imprisonment or dies while in a correctional facility) then the focal nature of what happens while a person is incarcerated should be restorative in nature. That is if we desire people to enter back into society cohesively, emotionally sound and ready to positively contribute.

If ideas of restorative justice are of interest or you just want to learn more—consider checking out this podcast. Chris Daw QC presents a radical case to rethinking prison reform from first principles.

Naija No Dey Carry Last: Increasing (Soft) Power

In last week’s notes I provided a brief discussion of soft power mainly focused on the U.S. and China. This week I continued to think quite a bit about soft power and how it could be leveraged by developing nations. I had a friend send me an article that expanded these thoughts quite well. The article came off the back of the United Nations Development Programme’s Imagine Nigeria report, a document which takes a look at the potential trajectories of Nigeria and the course it needs to take economically, politically and socially. What’s interesting is that throughout the report the idea of stories and narratives are referenced widely to communicate the future possibilities of Nigeria. A nation that strives to provide the best possible standard of living and quality of life for its’ citizens must be adept at controlling, maintaining and dispersing its’ narrative.

This was a diagram that caught my attention while running through the report. For the purpose of this discussion we’ll focus on the top right quadrant. As Scenario 4 depicts: “African Giant Awakes is a story of a renewed Nigeria taking a leadership role in Africa and transforming its economy and society.” This soft power is demonstrated in the story you tell the world through your political, economical and objectives as a nation.

In an article I came across this week, former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam expressed: “all countries are engaged in a race for soft power. They realise, more and more, that this is the real power”2 He further expands this idea providing an interesting comparison between the "intangibles" in nation-building and private enterprise: "We are moving towards a world where it is the intangibles that have the most value. If you look at the balance sheets of companies today, it is no longer their factories, their properties and the equipment that make up the bulk of their worth. What matters more and more is what is called goodwill, i.e. the value of intangible assets of companies such as brands or intellectual property." This point is particularly salient as it demonstrates the very concrete benefits that can accrue from the cultivation of a compelling story of your desired trajectory.

The stories nations tell can have material economic impact. A story of political and economic reform can encourage investment through the increase foreign direct investment —> leading to an increase in foreign exchange —> potentially correcting a nation’s balance of payments and thus materially impacting debt and credit payments —> culminating in a stronger economic position (and creating a more virtuous economic cycle).

Nigeria's narrative control will have to shift dramatically as it will have to encompass not only itself but a wider narrative of a rising Africa. An Africa that is prepared and ready to participate globally as a viable partner. As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria will have to be a leading voice in such a story. Nigeria will need a narrative that focuses on acknowledging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, a strong rule of law and ensuring the absence of corruption. If such a narrative is clearly articulated, set and achieved—alongside it’s burgeoning cultural relevance internationally and successful and educated diaspora—Nigeria stands very well-placed to be a major player in the twenty-first century.

Titanic

I agree when people say that there are two periods in Hollywood history: pre-Titanic and post-Titanic. It’s the quintessential epic drama. Three hours of absolute glory directed by James Cameron. An excellent film that has informed so much of film-making since. I’ve watched it enough times that I can pretty much anticipate the next scene. I still get nauseous when I see the first pipes begin to burst in the lower decks of the ship and feel goosebumps when the orchestra come back to play “Nearer My God To Thee” as the ship is capsizing.

I’m sure by the picture below you know where I’m going. It’s an agenda that I’ve fought vehemently for years. There was room for Jack on that door. I’ve heard every possible argument: Kate wouldn’t have been able to sit upright on the door and keep it balanced; Kate needed to lie on her back to help her breathing because otherwise she would have froze to death; Jack would have capsized the door and such an exertion of energy in such temperatures would have proved fatal. All noble attempts at discarding the truth that there were multiple ways in which Jack and Kate could have both occupied space on the door. Examples of how are provided below. If that doesn’t suffice then please watch the accompanying video.

To end I see it’s only fitting to end with the greatest cinematic ending that has ever been produced. Sit back and enjoy.

Until next week. Peace.