This guy is a personal hero of mine for so many reasons. God bless him for turning down the OBE. I wrote briefly to him once, thanking him for doing it. Apparently, he got a lot of praise from the good people of Ireland :) Peace and love from Seattle!

Good for him! Well done to him for making a stand on a matter of principle.

makes me proud of every time in life I ever stuck to my principles

This man speaks truth nuff respect to him for standing up for his rights 👍🦁

A man of principle, a rare thing past, present or future.

I love how he suggests that we have a DEBATE about all of this. And this is what people don't want to do---they do not want to discuss the horrors of their past. It is the world's inability to have an honest discussion about the past and acknowledge what happened and listen to those who have been affected and still affected by that past.

Don't get why so many people are hating on his views. The term Empire is what it is.

Well said Benjamin, my thoughts exactly.

RIP Professor Benjamin Zephaniah ♥️

yeah, it may seem like ages ago, but it's still there, just because it's that long ago doesn't make me think any better of the British royal family. I'm Irish and very proud to be so and it's is etched in my heart that the british tried to take my country and have been fighting for a part of it, up until recently! And guess what? They still own that part it's called Northern Ireland. So this precious British monarchy has taken away part of my country so I am not exactly going to except that.

Ben was always such an interesting man. Always loved his personality. X :-)

He's a world renowned poet. He also spends half his time living in Beijing which is hardly the mother of human rights. His poetry is actually quite amazing, and I read a lot of Zephaniah's work as a kid. I dunno, your English suggests you're not the fondest of literature any way. And uh, I think any one born in this country, who was subjected heavily to racism, and where racism is still abundant, has every right to question the institutions that still romanticise the Empire.

Where is the full interview ? is it available ?

Maybe we have our first elected head of state. What a great interview.

What a man - sadly missed!

As always I'm late to the party when it comes to discoveries, but BZ's views on this are so admirable. What a complete dude and stand up guy. Makes you think about those that accept such "awards". Probably a poor example, but I always thought Keith Richards was bang on giving Mick Jagger grief for accepting a knighthood. Its all I know thus far, but this current state of affairs (covid and all it's BS in light of BoJo and his xmas parties) has led me to seek out people who truly make sense and see things for what they are and cut thru the crap such as BZ, Frankie Boyle and my god I wish Hitchens was still here, as I'm late to that party too. But I need some form of informative entertainment/enlightenment/education. Please recommend some of the same stuff, because I have been in state of pure ignorance when it comes to mainstream media/news/TV. My TV licence went years ago and I haven't seen a proper advert or broadcast TV since then.....Bliss!

Im considered white british and I would not accept an OBE from that heartless shit. Things like OBE's are put in place to reinforce class diviosions in this country and make out that some people are more superior than others. I salute Zephaniah for not selling his soul.

He's class.hes got the chance to say his views.good on you benjamin

i used to like this guy n ave a lot of respect for him untill he came to a prison i was in in 2004 n he held a class on poetry but he said only black prisoners were aloud to be in the class, if thats not racist i dont know what is

this guy is my dissertation tutour and im meeting him for the first time tomorrow. this is cracking me up.

As an expatriate Scot, who corrects his fellow-American friend when they speak of the "Queen of England" as if Britain was England, I thought that the referendum about Scotland becoming what comedian Frankie Boyle called "a foreign country" was utterly pointless if it was to retain the monarchy. Even although I am persuaded by Stephen Fry's argument that empirically, Europe's countries that have monarchs not any less democratic than those that are theoretically republics.

well done brother.

I am also horrified that any citizen of the USA would accept a British knighthood. The Declaration of Independence says that any free citizen has as high a rank as any other person in the world. If you bow to the British monarch, you are surrendering that rank.

I could listen to Benjamin all day, amazing man

where is the full interview?

He’s 100% correct.

It's a shame he turned down the OBE, it would have boosted sales of his books and widened his appeal even more

Well done... He is added to the long list of ppl who have rejected these so called honors.... I believe ppl who have accepted these so called honors are not all self serving egotistical ppl but I also Believe you should and cannot ignore the facts of this inequality and unfairness that family represents... The sheer hypocrisy that family and their hangers on staggers belief.... If you want details of their corruption the information is out there quite plainly to see... No man should bow down to anybody.. That's not equality and shame on them for still carrying on with that

Well, IMO, constitutional monarchy is by far the best option for selecting the Head of State. I strongly support the principle that the positions of Head of State and Head of Government should be separate and, while it is important the HoG be an elected politician, there's much to commend the idea that the HoS should be selected by a different method.

I agree and have done for a long long time. Benjamins tone is something I advocate also. It's unusual I came from a very conservative family with a father in 22 SAS (Yes I'm in Hereford) but still I hold these views - not to say I do not love my family. I think life experience dictates the outcome. Mine has been unconventional to say the least and has revealed elements of state very different to that of my father who believed in it totally. I saw it was not democratic. One thing I say is; become unemployed and you'll see what kind of democracy we live in and in truth what choices are available. In many instances it is an illusion - just like the kids waving the flags.

Rasta In Paradise ❤️🙏💛🙏💚

What does it mean to be a Duke or Earl? Teachers teach, police police, judges judge, nurses nurse. What do Dukes or Earls do? Titles are just shorthand terms for long job descriptions. So as Dukes don't go out duking, nor Earls go earling, such titles are meaningless puffs of air.

Benjamin is so amazing

Wonderful man ! !

It's not a matter of replacing the queen. It's a matter of removing that position of privilege outright. And what are you on about? He can't say that monarchy is wrong without knowing exactly what kind of system should be put up? What kind of absurd login is that?

Where can I see the full interview. Much respect Benjamin Zephaniah.

Well done Benjamin. It's shocking, insensitive and disgraceful that an Order of the British empire medal is still being handed out today. Has nobody told them that the Empire is over. Cameron was even stupid enough to leave the EU.

Hi Benjamin how are you I pray that you in good health...I am just about to hand in my homework on 'My Hero' and had to revisite here for my referances...and thought that I should thank you for doing this interview...the strangest thing his...you are one of my heroes because of the amusements you gave me through my years of rebellion...strangely enough my other heroes are my father and the prince of wales..yaah I did say strange..Peace. she real.

Got it! Thank Goodness!

Very interesting though poorly edited.

This order's name needs to be changed, since "empire" is no longer an appropriate appellation. It's a political, commercial or artistic order and has less to do with your personal views and more to do with the good you have done for a group, industry, or whatever. I can fully understand why the arbiters in the government would have suggested his name, and I can fully understand why the Palace would not have worried about his anti-monarchist views. Many, many republicans have various orders. It's not unusual. As the font of honor and ultimate arbiter, the award comes in the monarch's name, but it's not really the monarch's personal gift. I respect Mr Zephaniah's views, although I understand the constitutional and societal role of the monarch as the ultimate, last ditch guarantor of the constitution's supremacy in event of a political collapse or catastrophe.

Rest in power 🙏

Well I might have to agree with you in that I don't think the current monarchy should be tarnished for the actions of their predecessors but then in that case they should not be lavished with the power and status afforded to them because of their bloodline either. You can't have one without the other. Everyman is born equal under God apparently...I'm a non believer and yet the Queen, who is head of Church seems to believe that all men are not equal...

People can never agree just like that, about anything. I personally have ideas, and others who oppose a monarchy may have similar or different ideas. The important fact is that we know there is many better options, and which one we choose is not something we have to decide before getting rid of something that is obviously wrong. I'm actually not british, I'm Danish and we too have a similar monarchy, which has great public support aswell.

Is there the FULL interview anywhere without any parts cut. I really enjoyed listening to such a different yet interesting perspective.

Whoever cut this video together is very disrespectful to the interviewee. It would have been nice to hear all he had to say in response to questions. We would have then had full context of his opinions.

he is a very principaled man to reject this accolade. I am american and I didn't know about the republic idea, but now that I've heard Mr Zephaniah talk I am asking myself why monarchy still exists. Although they may have less power than in the past, I think it would be progress to get rid of them all together. I think people like them as celebrities, honestly I wish there were no celebrities either. Why do the masses of people like being pee-ons?

Watch out sunshine!

Honoury musher from The Hill of Fear, Wales. He knows where I’m coming from.

I’m still a republican in the British sense of the word. Just wondering why Republic4UK is not updated?

Loved this...thanks for sharing.

terrible fucking editing of this interview, but Benjamin Zephaniah is always good to listen to.

Well done you respect... these people you dont your already above them on wing with me .. .🙏💫

funny our school was invited and given flags to wave too!!! not sure if I got involved though

No compromise BenJahMin.🙏⚘

True that but Korea has a different political background and a very different culture, i don't think that you can compare those at all...

Oh yes, I love to share Benjamin's views and work to my daughter and niece. This man educates and inspires. Blessings.

So you're right, niether the danish or the british monarchy are likely to fall within my lifetime, the best I can expect is the church and state to be seperated. But even so, I can and will always oppose it.

I suggest you engage with what I actually said.

Don't call him SUNSHINE!

the government has changed so much since those days and we the people decide who we want in power but we cannot decide who becomes king or queen. i understand the monarchy has no power but i think that's what mr. zephaniah is getting at.

Can't hear this! Tried everything! What's wrong?

What's shameless about it?

What's really interesting about this video, is when Brotha Zephania is speaking about certain subjects, the video is cut at that point....hhmmmmmmmmm..check it out

Sure, you can state something is wrong but, as I say, it's pretty hard to make that argument compelling if you don't have a clear idea of what you'd put in its stead. In any case, I'm afraid it'll be a long, long, long time before this debate is necessary, as the monarchy has the overwhelming support of the vast majority of the British public and republicans can't even agree on an alternative.

you got that right,stay free.

Lots of people consider Ireland part of the UK and that is the most insulting thing ever to me. Do not make that mistake it is an insult to all Irish people. Benjamin is only stating his views, he may have a british citizenship and passport but he's still Jamaican and African at heart.

"reinforce class division"...in what way? Considering Zephaniah is working class I really don't understand what you mean. They are I admit an archaic instution as a method to reward extanding people in Britain. But is that any different to any other honour? Are you going to say that a noble prize only enforces class divisions as there is almost no difference between them now.

Ras rest in Peace you make Proud as a black man and Jam your Life is Bigger than O b e love the merith

Because you missed my point completely. Accepting an OBE is saying you accept the monarchy and what does the monarchy represent? The idea that certain people have a birth right to rule over other people. Im not saying Zephaniah would instantly move up the social ladder by gaining an OBE. I am saying by rejecting the OBE you reject the class system.

Workers of all lands unite.

The interviewer looks quite bored I've got to say...

Like buying a house, a car or anything other major replacement. You first make the decision to wanting to replace it, you then look at all the options to figure out just what is best for us, you then start the transition between them. What BZ is suggesting here is starting the first phase, he doesn't claim to have looked at all the posibillities well enough to make an absolutely statement of what should come next, that should be decided after it's agreed to dispose of the monarchy.

It's not really wrong, monarchy as it is shares the idea of inherent power... thus they must be reponsible for whatever their predecessors did...

Most unlikely that one would be offered, Morven. The whole thing is just a way of giving someone a pat on the back. But the idea that republics are better than constitutional monarchies is a bit of a misconception. Why politicize the Head of State when all you achieve is to alienate half the population who don`t agree with their politics and waste their time on opening sports centres. Don`t get it.

very poor editing.

Heres another reason ... he's not really going to be able to marry into the monarchy now is he. For ...well, certain reasons. Heres an award, friend, but just don't go socializing with our extended families. But do keep us in power.

what have you been watching, he dont hate the country

Well, you didn't. You merely served up a bunch of platitudes. Not very enlightening.

Rather, the UK is.

You probably didn't even watch this video, and if you have then you are even less smart than I had initially thought! You don't seem to be able to grasp the idea. Your own opinion is fine, but at least understand his perspective before you attack. Benjamin is all about PEACE & LOVE

Getting rid of the monarchy would change absolutely nothing in Britain. They have no power apart from ceremonial so in essence they aren't undemocratic. They are necessary though and quite easily pay for themselves considering the amount of tourism they bring in. You stand against they on purely ideological grounds and have lost all sight of pragmatism. You say "thousands" of others people agree, in a nation of 60 million what you demand is undemocratic.

Don't like the reporter. "And uh, his uh, um, views on the, uh, monarchy." UM UM UH UM. Reporters should not do that this much.

So you don't believe that someone can state something is wrong without having an absolute answer to replace it? That's just a weird way of thinking to be honest. That said, noone is saying they have no idea what to "replace" it with. There simply is no single person who can possible think up a good political system by themselves. I'm sure many republicans have ideas, and it's those ideas we should all sit down and figure out the best of, after we all agree that the monarchy is a bad thing.

No answer then?

very soon a dub poet will win Nobel prize.

Democracy is not being born into becoming a head of state/public office things must change,you cannot be a head of state and be unaccounted for your actions.

England is a constitutional monarchy.

wise man. every family is royal

@robbieofdoom People should just read a history book if they want to know about it. Its a disgrace to the millions slaughtered by the UK's imperialism.

The Monarchy in the 21st century is there primarily for tourism more than anything else. The Idea of a Queen, and Princes and Princesses etc is the stuff of fairy tails in alot of countries, and to come to a place where it is a real thing that they can actually see is very appealing. They are more of a tourist attraction these days than a political power

I don't know what relationship your rant has to what I said, but it's deranged.

soof airline incoming spaghetti incoming a... a.....

I have no problem with people preferring another form of government to a constitutional monarchy (though its not my view). But I think its wise to have an idea of the type of government you want to change to before advocating change. In Mr Zephaniah's own words he does not know what form of republic he thinks we should have. I would also like to hear which of the worlds role model republics people think we should seek to emulate. Irish? US? or God help us, the French?

Down with the monarchy! Up with a Republic!

No I don't, "dude." Spell it out.

The actions of what you charmingly term "white" governments (what are those, pray?) are not "historic", they are very much present-day. Which seems to indicate that you support and approve - not that surprising. Please provide documentation of what you're talking about, if you're making claims.

I can appreciate his dislike of the empire's actions in Africa. It was disgusting and makes me ashamed. However, it was really the British Parliament that propigated slavery - so perhaps you should campaign to remove their authority as well. Nope - didn't think so.

Why don't you direct the same bile at the Western leaders who install and support same dictators (apparently the fact that they're "black" makes a huge difference to you)? That's a rhetorical question, by the way; I know well why you don't.

Then just do the first part.