Speaking Out! My Ordinary Life Story

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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!

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