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The Independent
  • 12/7/2023
Benjamin Zephaniah on why he turned OBE down in resurfaced interviewCredit: The Big Narstie Show
Transcript
00:00 The OBE means Order of the British Empire.
00:03 MBE is Member of the British Empire.
00:06 I've been fighting against empire all my life.
00:09 I've been fighting against slavery and colonialism all my life.
00:14 I've been writing to connect with people,
00:16 not to impress governments and monarchy.
00:19 So how could I then go and accept an honour
00:23 that puts the word "empire" onto my name?
00:27 That would be hypocritical.
00:28 (audience applauding)

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