BIRMINGHAM TEENAGERS TACKLE GANG CULTURE
BUDDING young Birmingham actors teamed up with firearms and neighbourhood police officers last week to film a hard-hitting urban drama tackling the issues of gang culture and weapon carrying and their devastating effects on communities around the city.
The film − My Life, My Choice − has been commissioned by Birmingham Reducing Gang Violence, which is part of the Birmingham Community Safety Partnership and includes West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, NHS primary care trusts, West Midlands Fire Service, the Probation Service and a range of other agencies, all working together for a safer city.
Director of Inclusion Services at Birmingham’s Children’s Directorate Chrissie Garrett said: “The purpose of the film will be to raise awareness of the whole gang issue and get young people talking about it. We want them to understand the negative impact of gangs and recognise the consequences of involvement with them.”
The 20-minute film has been scripted by and stars Birmingham young people and will be used as part of a teaching resource in the city’s secondary schools.
Sixteen-year-old drama student Laschelle Cole is one of four young people from the Sutton Coldfield campus of Birmingham Metropolitan College who have taken part in the filming. Laschelle, who plays street-wise Tammy, is half-way through a two-year BTEC qualification in Performing Arts − but she has a very personal reason for wanting to get involved with My Life, My Choice.
Shortly before she was born, Laschelle’s father Mark was stabbed in the spine during an evening out at a Birmingham nightclub. As a result, he is unable to walk.
Laschelle, from Erdington, said: “I know what it is like to have your life affected by knife crime. My dad was stabbed when I was little and I have always thought ‘How can anyone do something like that?’ There is never any need for something like that.”
She added: “I don’t think of my dad as any different to anyone else’s dad, but him not being able to walk has had an impact on the family.”
Laschelle’s mum Anthia joined her daughter to take part in filming of a nightclub scene in Birmingham city centre last week. “She hasn’t done anything like this before and really enjoyed it,” said Laschelle. “My mum and dad are happy that I am doing this. The film demonstrates that at any time in your life, your circumstances can change as a result of one decision. Life is too short for being in gangs; there is no need for it. We shouldn’t have to live in a society where one group of people is scared of another.”
The film’s lead role is taken by 19-year-old ‘Romo’ from Hockley, an up and coming grime/rap artist with an acting background − he completed a one-year Performing Arts course in Birmingham before joining a local stage school.
Romo (Ramone Dawkins) brings both his musical and acting talents to My Life, My Choice, as his character Nathan is also an aspiring grime artist.
The storyline has Nathan getting drawn into a gang lifestyle by his friend’s older brother. He is pressured into breaking into a house to steal a drugs haul but his introduction to crime ends in tragedy as he shoots a rival gang member while trying to get away. Nathan’s dreams of a music career are snatched from him when he is arrested by police. . . .
Romo said: “The film is quite a good representation of life in some Birmingham communities. A lot of young people will find themselves in a similar position because things like this do happen in everyday life.”
He added: “The message of my music − and this film − is positive. I am aware that I have a young audience and I try not to promote negativity. I want to try and set an example.”
‘My Life, My Choice’ is part of a teaching resource that is designed to explore and expose the urban myths surrounding gang affiliation. The teaching package − which has been put together by Birmingham-based LiME Social Marketing, Media and Communications Ltd − will feature lesson plans linked to the citizenship and personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum and will be rolled out in the city’s secondary schools later this year.
Councillor Ayoub Khan added: “Birmingham Community Safety Partnership places young people at the heart of its activity. This film is part of a wider strategy, soon to be launched, which will ensure a coordinated approach to education resources for schools throughout the city and work towards eradicating gang violence.
“Being part of a gang places young people at risk of being harmed as well as at risk of causing harm to others and so it is important that we continue to work in schools to raise awareness of the negative impact that gun and gang crime can have on our communities and on the young people involved.”
Pictured: Laschelle Cole in a scene from the film with Andre Nisbett-Gordon
Pictured: bus stop scene.
Pictured: nightclub scene.
Pictured: firearms officers take part in the filming.
End
NOTE TO NEWS DESK
For further information please contact West Midlands Police press officer Jane Vincent on 0121 626 5141 or email j.vincent@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
Issued by: Jane Vincent
