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Speaking Out! My Ordinary Life Story
Kashmire Hawker • 16 July 2020
Here are a few Reflections, on a VERY busy period between 2016-2020!
"A real credit to himself and the degree programme throughout his time at SHU.”
"By far one of the most phenomenal people I have had the honour of working with. He is passionate and empathetic and will always do his best for those around him."
"I have seen him grow into a powerful community leader who despite having a learning disability. He never lets it stop him!”
"Always ready to put himself forward, Kashmire takes a positive approach to both opportunity and challenge – a mindset needed for thriving in a political environment!”
These are not my words, but the geniune and seriously lovely considerations, of four wonderful people who I know, value and felt unbelievely priveliaged to have engaged with.
In seeing such quotes coming through, during the development of my 2nd
Ordinary Life Book
with the team at
Changing Our Lives - I seriously had a feeling of humbleness carry through one's veins, knowing of what one has been able to achieve; whether individually or as part of some completely incredible groups of people.
Knowing of my development and further opportunities, of which have occurred
since Book One was released in 2016, it's only right for myself to have shared personal reflections, what was the incredible adventure of my Sheffield Hallam University Undergraduate Politics Degree, stepping up such engagement of whatever kind; whether within Hallam Union, NUS, WMYCA or on a party political front within The Labour Party, along with being able to look back on some amazing visits, wherever they may have taken me.
Also being able to, have the chance to think back - to 2009 and the only 1 SAT's Test I undertook (of which was Science and I scored a 3B on!) and the perails of GCSEs in 2014; where I managed to sweep C's in albeit English Lit (by just 1 mark may I add!) - truly confirms not just the struggles, of folks like myself in Education but also what can occur through a lot of graft and additional support.
This is a time and a period, where positivity in those who do lead and those want to lead; must and need to shine through. I wanted these reflections to be at it's heart and as you'll see whilst reading, this certainly is the case a 100% the way. The picture on the front cover, of myself addressing a Save Our NHS Sheffield rally - on what was a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon on March 3rd 2018, sums such a feeling up.
However: I must for the following two paragraphs, be completely honest and show some dismay, to truly demonstrate all kinds of reflection. These for the record, are not in the book and with it being more than 7 months since leaving Sheffield, I feel it's a good time to get such anger off my chest.
Having had many a comment, by one specific folk who kept constantly saying hurrendous platitudes including "You MUST step it up!"
- "This ISN'T good enough!"
and even once suggesting "If you return to the West Midlands, YOU WILL SERIOUSLY STRUGGLE!"
- understandably hit one's confidence, self-belief and desire greatly.
Seeing that; mainly within the last year and a half of studying, they was there to ferociously be on my back and on my case; whether it was on "Doing way too much outside studying", in there own mind; myself being seen as "A Really **** Society President!" and legit being FURIOUS; at knowing that personal political aspirations here in Wolverhampton were in reach: truly broke the mind and meant me curling into a ball on too many occusions.
You'll all be glad to know, that person is well out of my life and if your reading this, I simply say that you'll NEVER intrude one's emotions like that again and seeing that MANY things are in the offing for myself; including employment sooner rather than later, with my first interview with Birmingham 2022 being this very week: my pride has barely been scratched.
In returning to the good vibes, the last few months of pulling this together, has been fairly enjoyable (if not a bit strange in Lockdown!) and I give a massive personal thank you, to Jayne Leeson, Lucy Dunstan and Rachel Spriggs, for there assistance in helping pull this together. They are three extremely impressive humans, whose dedication for rights advocacy, will always make them stand tall.
Of course too, I give massive kudos to Nabeela Mowlana, Matthew Hurley, Lucy Gosling and Gina Patel, for there those excellent quotes at the beginning. All four people are the most outstanding professionals and even if Gina's didn't make the final cut, I will still very much share it - knowing the progress I've also seen in you, since we reunited as YCA reps in September 2019!
And it would be foolish, not to give big love to one's family - particuarly my Mum Daljit, Father William, brothers Kieran, Keanu and Kulraj and basically everyone, who by blood or by law is linked to myself! I hope you enjoy, a reaffirmation that this Hawker aims to be a good one.
Becoming a Changing Our Lives Young Leader, as a slighty more shy 16 year old in March 2014, was in full retospect a life changing moment, knowing of the doors that duly opened - all in the fight for standing up, for the rights of any disabled person; whether in the West Midlands or beyond.
Engagement and participation of the kind, within the very unbalanced society which still exists in 2020, is something I would urge anyone to really get stuck into. The West Midlands, is an area whose resident's potential, is being hampered serverely through those at the top, not fully reflecting what an ordinary life - for a 22 year old, Autistic University Graduate like myself is properly like.
It's my desire to change that, which is why I've shared such a journey; which is why I love the rollercoaster of political engagement and which - in the very end; makes me fired up, to put the wrongs right and help create a City like Wolverhampton; a Region like the West Midlands and a Country like the United Kingdom: the fairer place it can AND should be!
A Very Happy New Year! A few more Reflections on 2024 and a 2025 Preview
As 2024 comes toward an end, I can say that this year for me has been one of change, one of further development and one of opening my eyes in many ways. In typing this reflection, I feel immensely satisfied and proud to have made this year my first in a full-time job without a fixed end date, in an organisation of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has plenty of opportunities for me to consider in the coming months and years and working within in an outstanding team. I also feel hugely delighted at continuing to give my time in voluntary service, not least through Parkrun, Silverstone and in the perhaps once in a generation Champions League Final at Wembley in the Summer, as well as raise £405, in two events of the Great Birmingham Run of £130 for Cure Leukemia and £275 at the Molineux Sleepout for Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and The Good Shepherd. On top, to have again sought office to serve my home city for a fourth year running and garnered 1,656 votes (even if not a winning total!), as well as contributed to successful wider political campaigning for my party’s and substantially expanded on my engagement in them gave me a privilege and deeper fire in the belly than ever before, in giving back to Wulfrunians. Finally, many more runs, seeing Taylor Swift, Kaiser Chiefs and The Darkness in concert, plus a sublime Musical about the pop heroes in Steps, marching at two Pride events, continuing engagement with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Solutions for the Planet and Changing Our Lives and completing a fantastic personal development programme on getting younger folk as Trustees in Arts and Cultural organisations, have all formed part of another busy 12 months. Naturally however, losing an Election and your best furry friend in my house’s dog Harley, alongside needing to help move my Mum to a safer place, all in the space of 7 weeks stung greatly in May and June. The death of a beloved dog and family member and Mum’s house move were not easy financially to deal with, but I managed it as has been the case with previous years. This year has also meant some greatly more honest and blunt conversations, which have burnt a few bridges with once seen trustworthy allies and pals. Being straight and upfront however is sometimes the best course and I don’t regret that for one moment, not least when the mind is burdened enough with day-to-day activity. Those things have definitely made me really realised that the world is a big and lonely place, and that sense of loneliness continues to affect my thoughts. This no doubt feels true and always will do at Christmas, with December 25th being the anniversary of Kieran’s passing in 2021 aged just 25 and I frankly will never know how to truly feel on the day itself. Knowing he is not here to share Christmas lunch will always put a size 9 boot dent in my heart. Having said that, I have good people around me and I give my wholehearted thanks to all for your continued support and good wishes, at what will forever be a sensitive and mournful point of the year, in my family’s life. In whatever way which you and your family mark this festive and new year period, I hope it is as enjoyable and peaceful as it possibly can be and that it gives a chance to rest and be with those closest to you, as well as embrace it being the season of giving, whether gifts or love. A further blog post, or two, on reflecting 2024 and looking ahead to 2025 shall come before the clock hits midnight next Wednesday.
The Co-operative Party has been a natural home for me for towards five years and gives me a brilliant platform to shout about and run on critical issues. As Chair of the Walsall, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire, Branch and as a Labour and Co-operative candidate in Local Elections in my home City of Wolverhampton since 2021, I’m proud to make an impact and with the party’s immense expansion over the years, I would be honoured to play a bigger part. And as someone with experience in Youth Representation – most recently with the West Midlands Young Combined Authority and Labour Party wise as the current Policy and Political Education Officer for the Wolverhampton West CLP, I feel ready to use that skill set to the full. Thus, if Elected as a Youth Committee Member, I will: Help to establish a WM Young Co-operative Youth Network spread right across my region, which is not just stuck within the Metropolitan centre; Work with Labour groups across my region, for them to Elect a Co-operative Rep on to their committee s; Engage with our friends In Trade Unions, Fabians Society and The Labour Party to run joint events; whether campaigning, educational or socially; Work with colleagues to ensure events are accessible as possible, not least for Neurodiverse people ; Join Young Co-operators up and down the nation in campaignin g; And be Accountable and Transparent in my work as per the Nolan Principles, so fellow Members can question me at any moment . We have a wonderful opportunity to shape the Party’s future and with a Labour and Co-operative Government now in place, it would be a huge privilege for myself to play a part. Please vote Kashmire Hawker for Youth Committee. Thank You!
Here's a rant, knowing of the status of my Football Club, whose future is in deep danger...
An update on my party political engagement and electioneering moving forward.
As another Birthday comes around, here's a few reflections.
A special blog post, in reflecting upon seeing one of the greatest artists of our times on August 19th!
Some reflections on the events of the past several days.
A Response to the Announcement following yesterday's Fan Advisory Board Meeting.
Happy New Year! A post on my hopes for A BIG period now here.
