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Hoo published his first collection of poetry dealing with a variety of issues in the city of Bristol in 2006.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> This collection highlighted a number of issues, including a [[Red-light district]] being outside a [[Primary school]] in Bristol, and the housing by [[Bristol City Council]] of known [[paedophiles]] next to a [[nursery school]] in Bristol.<ref name=":0" /> These issues were also filmed in a series of [[YouTube]] videos<ref>{{Citation |title=Inner City Tales - Part 3 of 3 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhK2eqYl9ns |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}</ref>. He has published a number of other videos covering a range of topics including [[drug-addiction]] and [[prostitution]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inner CIty Tales - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2476A572E37EAB6 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
Hoo published his first collection of poetry dealing with a variety of issues in the city of Bristol in 2006.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> This collection highlighted a number of issues, including a [[Red-light district]] being outside a [[Primary school]] in Bristol, and the housing by [[Bristol City Council]] of known [[paedophiles]] next to a [[nursery school]] in Bristol.<ref name=":0" /> These issues were also filmed in a series of [[YouTube]] videos<ref>{{Citation |title=Inner City Tales - Part 3 of 3 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhK2eqYl9ns |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}</ref>. He has published a number of other videos covering a range of topics including [[drug-addiction]] and [[prostitution]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inner CIty Tales - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2476A572E37EAB6 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>


In 2011 he published Hoostory, another collection of poetry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=9780955401510: Hoostory: History is His Story, Hoostory is Mine - AbeBooks - Hoo, Lawrence: 0955401518 |url=https://www.abebooks.com/9780955401510/Hoostory-History-Story-Hoo-Lawrence-0955401518/plp |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.abebooks.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherby |first=Bronwen |date=2018-11-04 |title=The nine people in Bristol you really should get to know |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/nine-people-bristol-you-really-2181311 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref> Most recently in 2019 he has published CARGO - which stands for Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities.<ref name=":1" /> Hoo is very active in spoken word poetry and a number of videos of him carrying out this work are available at events such as numerous poetry festivals and on [[Ujima Radio]] reading a poem called "Ship Over Troubled Water" about Windrush in 2019.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lawrence Hoo reading a poem called "Ship over Troubled Waters" about Windrush at Bristol Harbour Festival 2019 {{!}} By Ujima Radio 98fm {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/UjimaRadio98fm/videos/lawrence-hoo-reading-a-poem-called-ship-over-troubled-waters-about-windrush-at-b/637082196778870/ |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}</ref> He also appeared on the [[BBC]] documentary [[Enslaved (TV series)]], with [[Samuel L. Jackson]] and [[Afua Hirsch]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Enslaved, A Precious Cargo with Samuel L Jackson and Afua Hirsch, Series 1, Episode 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIPVc4sAYTE |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}</ref> In 2022 he interviewed [[John Barnes]] at the Forwards Festival in Bristol.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Barnes, Lawrence Hoo and more join Forwards Festival line up instigating important discussions on site - Visit West |url=https://www.visitwest.co.uk/news/read/2022/05/john-barnes-lawrence-hoo-and-more-join-forwards-festival-line-up-instigating-important-discussions-on-site-b2459 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.visitwest.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-02 |title=Bristol's Forwards festival to tackle city-wide issues |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-62753178 |access-date=2022-10-03}}</ref> Hoo also, in collaboration with Charles Golding, produced an exhibit called ''Jewels of St Paul's'' which was "a mixed media piece set in the ground floor windows of the Moxy Bristol Hotel. Four jewelled shapes are cut into the windows, overlaid with a poem dedicated to St Paul’s and its people."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moxy Bristol, St Paul’s - Bricks - St Annes House & Public Art in Bristol |url=https://bricksbristol.org/projects/moxy-st-pauls/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-23 |title=Bristol hotel artwork 'honours legacy' of St Pauls |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-62236328 |access-date=2022-10-03}}</ref> In 2020 Hoo launced, with CARGO in association with the [[University of Bristol]], an interactive digital platform connecting new students and staff with the diversity of the city of Bristol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bristol |first=University of |title=September: UniversalCity {{!}} News and features {{!}} University of Bristol |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2020/september/universal-city-cargo.html |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2011 he published Hoostory, another collection of poetry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=9780955401510: Hoostory: History is His Story, Hoostory is Mine - AbeBooks - Hoo, Lawrence: 0955401518 |url=https://www.abebooks.com/9780955401510/Hoostory-History-Story-Hoo-Lawrence-0955401518/plp |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.abebooks.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherby |first=Bronwen |date=2018-11-04 |title=The nine people in Bristol you really should get to know |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/nine-people-bristol-you-really-2181311 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref> Most recently in 2019 he has published CARGO - which stands for Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities.<ref name=":1" /> Hoo is very active in spoken word poetry and a number of videos of him carrying out this work are available at events such as numerous poetry festivals and on [[Ujima Radio]] reading a poem called "Ship Over Troubled Water" about Windrush in 2019.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lawrence Hoo reading a poem called "Ship over Troubled Waters" about Windrush at Bristol Harbour Festival 2019 {{!}} By Ujima Radio 98fm {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/UjimaRadio98fm/videos/lawrence-hoo-reading-a-poem-called-ship-over-troubled-waters-about-windrush-at-b/637082196778870/ |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}</ref> He also appeared on the [[BBC]] documentary [[Enslaved (TV series)]], with [[Samuel L. Jackson]] and [[Afua Hirsch]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Enslaved, A Precious Cargo with Samuel L Jackson and Afua Hirsch, Series 1, Episode 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIPVc4sAYTE |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}</ref> In 2022 he interviewed [[John Barnes]] at the Forwards Festival in Bristol.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Barnes, Lawrence Hoo and more join Forwards Festival line up instigating important discussions on site - Visit West |url=https://www.visitwest.co.uk/news/read/2022/05/john-barnes-lawrence-hoo-and-more-join-forwards-festival-line-up-instigating-important-discussions-on-site-b2459 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.visitwest.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-02 |title=Bristol's Forwards festival to tackle city-wide issues |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-62753178 |access-date=2022-10-03}}</ref> Hoo also, in collaboration with Charles Golding, produced an exhibit called ''Jewels of St Paul's'' which was "a mixed media piece set in the ground floor windows of the Moxy Bristol Hotel. Four jewelled shapes are cut into the windows, overlaid with a poem dedicated to St Paul’s and its people."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moxy Bristol, St Paul’s - Bricks - St Annes House & Public Art in Bristol |url=https://bricksbristol.org/projects/moxy-st-pauls/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-23 |title=Bristol hotel artwork 'honours legacy' of St Pauls |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-62236328 |access-date=2022-10-03}}</ref> In 2020 Hoo launced, with CARGO in association with the [[University of Bristol]], an interactive digital platform called Universal City<ref>{{Cite web |title=UC |url=https://universalcity.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=universalcity.co.uk}}</ref> connecting new students and staff with the diversity of the city of Bristol.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Bristol |first=University of |title=September: UniversalCity {{!}} News and features {{!}} University of Bristol |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2020/september/universal-city-cargo.html |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> Hoo said of the platform:

''“It has been a pleasure to work with the University in developing this new digital platform. It will help to break through the invisible borders of culture and class which historically segregate Bristol’s communities, so being able to highlight Bristol’s heritage in this way is not only a great opportunity for CARGO, but for the residents of the city too.”''<ref name=":5" />


=== Recognition ===
=== Recognition ===
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Hoo is an activist on a number of issues affecting his city and marginalized communities. He founded CARGO, which stands for Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities in 2019.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/teamcreative.html |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref> This is an online multi-media platform that includes classroom lesson plans, particularly catering for pupils of African descent on a range of topics including the history of [[Queen Nzinga]], [[Nanny of the Maroons]] and [[Dutty Boukman]]. These lesson plans are designed to empower and tell the stories of those of African descent, looking beyond the narratives of slavery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/classroom/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref> CARGO has also produced a film charting the [[1980 St Pauls riot|St Paul's Uprising]] (often wrongly called a [[riot]]) in 1980<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/uprising/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref>, for which Hoo was the executive producer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motune |first=Vic |date=2020-04-04 |title=The 1980 Bristol riots to be highlighted in new film |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2020/04/04/the-1980-bristol-riots-to-be-highlighted-in-new-film/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Voice Online |language=en}}</ref> CARGO is supported by a number of notable people including the academic and sociologist [[Jason Arday]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/teamadvisory.html |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref> and the Bristol-based band [[Massive Attack]].<ref name="auto1"/>
Hoo is an activist on a number of issues affecting his city and marginalized communities. He founded CARGO, which stands for Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities in 2019.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/teamcreative.html |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref> This is an online multi-media platform that includes classroom lesson plans, particularly catering for pupils of African descent on a range of topics including the history of [[Queen Nzinga]], [[Nanny of the Maroons]] and [[Dutty Boukman]]. These lesson plans are designed to empower and tell the stories of those of African descent, looking beyond the narratives of slavery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/classroom/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref> CARGO has also produced a film charting the [[1980 St Pauls riot|St Paul's Uprising]] (often wrongly called a [[riot]]) in 1980<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/uprising/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref>, for which Hoo was the executive producer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motune |first=Vic |date=2020-04-04 |title=The 1980 Bristol riots to be highlighted in new film |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2020/04/04/the-1980-bristol-riots-to-be-highlighted-in-new-film/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Voice Online |language=en}}</ref> CARGO is supported by a number of notable people including the academic and sociologist [[Jason Arday]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARGO© |url=https://cargomovement.org/teamadvisory.html |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=cargomovement.org}}</ref> and the Bristol-based band [[Massive Attack]].<ref name="auto1"/>


In 2022 he will feature in a [[documentary film]] "I am Judah", at the Encounters Film Festival.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Encounters Film Festival 2022 |url=https://2022.encounters.film/schedule/631f026f5b2e82004c6f5592 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=2022.encounters.film}}</ref> This film is about an Easton community elder ‘Ras’ Judah Adunbi. In 2017, police mistook Ras Judah for a crime suspect and was brutally [[Taser|tasered]] in the face while he was walking his dog<ref name="auto"/>, a story which was covered by the national press.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-18 |title=Bristol race relations adviser Tasered by police is targeted again |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/18/stunned-then-shocked-race-adviser-tasered-by-police-is-targeted-again |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
In 2022 he featured in a [[documentary film]] "I am Judah", at the Encounters Film Festival.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Encounters Film Festival 2022 |url=https://2022.encounters.film/schedule/631f026f5b2e82004c6f5592 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=2022.encounters.film}}</ref> This film is about an Easton community elder ‘Ras’ Judah Adunbi. In 2017, police mistook Ras Judah for a crime suspect and was brutally [[Taser|tasered]] in the face while he was walking his dog<ref name="auto"/>, a story which was covered by the national press including support from Hoo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-18 |title=Bristol race relations adviser Tasered by police is targeted again |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/18/stunned-then-shocked-race-adviser-tasered-by-police-is-targeted-again |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aviram |first=Alon |date=2019-05-07 |title=Exclusive interview: "Judah will not be silenced" |url=https://thebristolcable.org/2019/05/exclusive-interview-judah-will-not-be-silenced/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Bristol Cable |language=en-GB}}</ref>


Over many years he has spoken out in his local community about a range of issues including a fire at a playground in St Paul's<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cork |first=Tristan |date=2020-04-11 |title=Fire at Adventure Playground has 'ruined a resource that delivers so much' |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/fire-st-pauls-adventure-playground-4040564 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref>, the fact that [[Avon and Somerset Police|Avon and Somerset police]] had upheld only 1% of complaints against them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherby |first=Bronwen |date=2019-06-27 |title=Police upheld just one percent of complaints of racism made against them |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/police-upheld-just-one-percent-2901757 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref> In 2017 Hoo made national news when he took it upn himself to pick up used needles in a local park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cork |first=Tristan |last2=Clarke-Billings |first2=Lucy |date=2017-02-15 |title=Man who finds children's park littered with drug needles makes brave decision |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brave-man-finds-childrens-play-9821219 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref> He also spoke out in the national press when a statue of the black poet [[Alfred Fagon]] was defaced with bleach.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2020-06-11 |title=Statue of black poet Alfred Fagon feared attacked with bleach in Bristol |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/11/statue-of-black-poet-alfred-fagon-feared-attacked-with-bleach-in-bristol |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Speaking in the [[The Guardian]] Hoo said:
Over many years he has spoken out in his local community about a range of issues including a fire at a playground in St Paul's<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cork |first=Tristan |date=2020-04-11 |title=Fire at Adventure Playground has 'ruined a resource that delivers so much' |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/fire-st-pauls-adventure-playground-4040564 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref>, the fact that [[Avon and Somerset Police|Avon and Somerset police]] had upheld only 1% of complaints against them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherby |first=Bronwen |date=2019-06-27 |title=Police upheld just one percent of complaints of racism made against them |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/police-upheld-just-one-percent-2901757 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref> In 2017 Hoo made national news when he took it upn himself to pick up used needles in a local park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cork |first=Tristan |last2=Clarke-Billings |first2=Lucy |date=2017-02-15 |title=Man who finds children's park littered with drug needles makes brave decision |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brave-man-finds-childrens-play-9821219 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref> He also spoke out in the national press when a statue of the black poet [[Alfred Fagon]] was defaced with bleach.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2020-06-11 |title=Statue of black poet Alfred Fagon feared attacked with bleach in Bristol |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/11/statue-of-black-poet-alfred-fagon-feared-attacked-with-bleach-in-bristol |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Speaking in the [[The Guardian]] Hoo said:
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''"I do find this incredibly offensive and insensitive. I don't think this is something you can accidentally do. To use this picture is racially insensitive, especially given Ifor Williams' position in the community."''
''"I do find this incredibly offensive and insensitive. I don't think this is something you can accidentally do. To use this picture is racially insensitive, especially given Ifor Williams' position in the community."''


The story featured in the [[Daily Mail]]<ref name=":4" /> and [[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]].<ref>{{Cite web |last='' |date=2017-03-25 |title=Cop accused of racism after posting Facebook picture of him in watermelon helmet |url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3175699/bristol-cop-accused-of-racism-after-posting-facebook-picture-of-him-in-watermelon-helmet/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Sun |language=en-gb}}</ref>
The story about this featured in the [[Daily Mail]]<ref name=":4" /> and [[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]<ref>{{Cite web |last='' |date=2017-03-25 |title=Cop accused of racism after posting Facebook picture of him in watermelon helmet |url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3175699/bristol-cop-accused-of-racism-after-posting-facebook-picture-of-him-in-watermelon-helmet/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Sun |language=en-gb}}</ref> including quotes from Hoo on the matter.


Hoo has also spoken on the radio about a number of issues including on [[BBC Radio 4]] about [[race]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 4 - One to One, I'm done with race: Lawrence Hoo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09sn7ym |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>, about his work on CARGO with the [[BBC]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-23 |title=Exhibit reveals 'empowering' slave trade stories |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-50139501 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>, with [[The Times]] on [[Black Lives Matter]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gold |first=Tanya |title=Culture wars: how divided is Britain really? |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/culture-wars-how-divided-is-britain-black-lives-matter-brexit-megxit-q8h5660ks |access-date=2022-10-03 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>, and with [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] on the toppling of the [[Statue of Edward Colston]] on 7th June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-08 |title='Bristol may never feel the same' - one year on from Colston toppling |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-06-08/bristol-may-never-feel-the-same-poet-lawrence-hoo-one-year-on-from-colston-toppling |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=ITV News |language=en}}</ref>
Hoo has also spoken on the radio about a number of issues including on [[BBC Radio 4]] about [[race]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 4 - One to One, I'm done with race: Lawrence Hoo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09sn7ym |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>, about his work on CARGO with the [[BBC]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-23 |title=Exhibit reveals 'empowering' slave trade stories |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-50139501 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>, with [[The Times]] on [[Black Lives Matter]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gold |first=Tanya |title=Culture wars: how divided is Britain really? |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/culture-wars-how-divided-is-britain-black-lives-matter-brexit-megxit-q8h5660ks |access-date=2022-10-03 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>, and with [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] on the toppling of the [[Statue of Edward Colston]] on 7th June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-08 |title='Bristol may never feel the same' - one year on from Colston toppling |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-06-08/bristol-may-never-feel-the-same-poet-lawrence-hoo-one-year-on-from-colston-toppling |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=ITV News |language=en}}</ref>

Revision as of 09:03, 3 October 2022

Lawrence Hoo (born Birmingham, January 17th 1969) is a poet and activist residing in Bristol. He is the author of many books of poetry including Inner City Tales in 2006[1][2] and CARGO in 2019.[3][4]

Early Life

Lawrence was born in Birmingham in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. After a youth spent growing up in care, Lawrence embarked on a career in poetry and activism.[5] He settled in the areas of Easton, Bristol and Saint Paul's, and has been active in communities in those areas for many years.

Published Works and Appearances

Hoo published his first collection of poetry dealing with a variety of issues in the city of Bristol in 2006.[1][2] This collection highlighted a number of issues, including a Red-light district being outside a Primary school in Bristol, and the housing by Bristol City Council of known paedophiles next to a nursery school in Bristol.[1] These issues were also filmed in a series of YouTube videos[6]. He has published a number of other videos covering a range of topics including drug-addiction and prostitution.[7]

In 2011 he published Hoostory, another collection of poetry.[8][9] Most recently in 2019 he has published CARGO - which stands for Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities.[3] Hoo is very active in spoken word poetry and a number of videos of him carrying out this work are available at events such as numerous poetry festivals and on Ujima Radio reading a poem called "Ship Over Troubled Water" about Windrush in 2019.[10] He also appeared on the BBC documentary Enslaved (TV series), with Samuel L. Jackson and Afua Hirsch.[11] In 2022 he interviewed John Barnes at the Forwards Festival in Bristol.[12][13] Hoo also, in collaboration with Charles Golding, produced an exhibit called Jewels of St Paul's which was "a mixed media piece set in the ground floor windows of the Moxy Bristol Hotel. Four jewelled shapes are cut into the windows, overlaid with a poem dedicated to St Paul’s and its people."[14][15] In 2020 Hoo launced, with CARGO in association with the University of Bristol, an interactive digital platform called Universal City[16] connecting new students and staff with the diversity of the city of Bristol.[17] Hoo said of the platform:

“It has been a pleasure to work with the University in developing this new digital platform. It will help to break through the invisible borders of culture and class which historically segregate Bristol’s communities, so being able to highlight Bristol’s heritage in this way is not only a great opportunity for CARGO, but for the residents of the city too.”[17]

Recognition

In 2016 Lawrence was invited to be Ujima radio’s poet in residence[18] and in 2018 Lawrence was awarded a MTM Award for services to Music, Arts and Culture[19] and a RISE Award for services to Community, Arts and Entertainment. In 2021 he was on The Bristol Cool list[20] and the Bristol Power List in 2020.[21] In 2022 Hoo will be awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bristol.[22]

Activism

Hoo is an activist on a number of issues affecting his city and marginalized communities. He founded CARGO, which stands for Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities in 2019.[23] This is an online multi-media platform that includes classroom lesson plans, particularly catering for pupils of African descent on a range of topics including the history of Queen Nzinga, Nanny of the Maroons and Dutty Boukman. These lesson plans are designed to empower and tell the stories of those of African descent, looking beyond the narratives of slavery.[24] CARGO has also produced a film charting the St Paul's Uprising (often wrongly called a riot) in 1980[25], for which Hoo was the executive producer.[26] CARGO is supported by a number of notable people including the academic and sociologist Jason Arday[27] and the Bristol-based band Massive Attack.[23]

In 2022 he featured in a documentary film "I am Judah", at the Encounters Film Festival.[28] This film is about an Easton community elder ‘Ras’ Judah Adunbi. In 2017, police mistook Ras Judah for a crime suspect and was brutally tasered in the face while he was walking his dog[28], a story which was covered by the national press including support from Hoo.[29][30]

Over many years he has spoken out in his local community about a range of issues including a fire at a playground in St Paul's[31], the fact that Avon and Somerset police had upheld only 1% of complaints against them.[32] In 2017 Hoo made national news when he took it upn himself to pick up used needles in a local park.[33] He also spoke out in the national press when a statue of the black poet Alfred Fagon was defaced with bleach.[34] Speaking in the The Guardian Hoo said:

“Someone came and bleached him. Everything didn’t get made better a couple of days ago, and just to show that in this climate, someone still felt to come down and try and deface the one statue we’ve got from one person from the community of culture that had been recognised enough to be adorned on a plinth.”[34]

Hoo also spoke out on racism when a policeman (Ifor Williams) posted a picture of himself on Facebook with a watermelon on his head.[35] Hoo said of the picture:

"I do find this incredibly offensive and insensitive. I don't think this is something you can accidentally do. To use this picture is racially insensitive, especially given Ifor Williams' position in the community."

The story about this featured in the Daily Mail[35] and The Sun[36] including quotes from Hoo on the matter.

Hoo has also spoken on the radio about a number of issues including on BBC Radio 4 about race[37], about his work on CARGO with the BBC[38], with The Times on Black Lives Matter[39], and with ITV on the toppling of the Statue of Edward Colston on 7th June 2020.[40]

In 2022 Hoo read a poem at the funeral of the civl rights activist Roy Hackett.[41]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Inner City Tales: Tales of When Society Fails".
  2. ^ a b Maggs, Neil (2019-01-20). "Bristol is finally celebrating real people says inner city poet and film maker". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  3. ^ a b Hoo, Lawrence (29 September 2022). "Cargo: Charting African Resilience Generating Opportunities".
  4. ^ Douglas, Paul (2021-10-15). "Poet's mission to end mystery of African history in schools". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  5. ^ "Lawrence Hoo | Home". lawrencehoo.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  6. ^ Inner City Tales - Part 3 of 3, retrieved 2022-09-29
  7. ^ "Inner CIty Tales - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  8. ^ "9780955401510: Hoostory: History is His Story, Hoostory is Mine - AbeBooks - Hoo, Lawrence: 0955401518". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  9. ^ Weatherby, Bronwen (2018-11-04). "The nine people in Bristol you really should get to know". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  10. ^ Lawrence Hoo reading a poem called "Ship over Troubled Waters" about Windrush at Bristol Harbour Festival 2019 | By Ujima Radio 98fm | Facebook, retrieved 2022-09-29
  11. ^ Enslaved, A Precious Cargo with Samuel L Jackson and Afua Hirsch, Series 1, Episode 2, retrieved 2022-09-29
  12. ^ "John Barnes, Lawrence Hoo and more join Forwards Festival line up instigating important discussions on site - Visit West". www.visitwest.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  13. ^ "Bristol's Forwards festival to tackle city-wide issues". BBC News. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  14. ^ "Moxy Bristol, St Paul's - Bricks - St Annes House & Public Art in Bristol". Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  15. ^ "Bristol hotel artwork 'honours legacy' of St Pauls". BBC News. 2022-07-23. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  16. ^ "UC". universalcity.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  17. ^ a b Bristol, University of. "September: UniversalCity | News and features | University of Bristol". www.bristol.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  18. ^ "Lawrence Hoo | Pervasive Media Studio". Watershed. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  19. ^ Maggs, Neil (2019-01-20). "Bristol is finally celebrating real people says inner city poet and film maker". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  20. ^ Cork, Tristan (2021-08-15). "Bristol Cool List 2021: The city's 60 coolest people right now". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  21. ^ Pipe, Ellie (2020-01-31). "Bristol Power List 2020". Bristol 24/7. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  22. ^ Bristol, University of. "Honorary degrees and guest speakers". www.bristol.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  23. ^ a b "CARGO©". cargomovement.org. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  24. ^ "CARGO©". cargomovement.org. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  25. ^ "CARGO©". cargomovement.org. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  26. ^ Motune, Vic (2020-04-04). "The 1980 Bristol riots to be highlighted in new film". Voice Online. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  27. ^ "CARGO©". cargomovement.org. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  28. ^ a b "Encounters Film Festival 2022". 2022.encounters.film. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  29. ^ "Bristol race relations adviser Tasered by police is targeted again". The Guardian. 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  30. ^ Aviram, Alon (2019-05-07). "Exclusive interview: "Judah will not be silenced"". The Bristol Cable. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  31. ^ Cork, Tristan (2020-04-11). "Fire at Adventure Playground has 'ruined a resource that delivers so much'". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  32. ^ Weatherby, Bronwen (2019-06-27). "Police upheld just one percent of complaints of racism made against them". BristolLive. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  33. ^ Cork, Tristan; Clarke-Billings, Lucy (2017-02-15). "Man who finds children's park littered with drug needles makes brave decision". mirror. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  34. ^ a b "Statue of black poet Alfred Fagon feared attacked with bleach in Bristol". the Guardian. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  35. ^ a b Robertson, Alexander (2017-03-24). "Equalities campaigner slams policeman over 'racist' watermelon selfie". Mail Online. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  36. ^ (2017-03-25). "Cop accused of racism after posting Facebook picture of him in watermelon helmet". The Sun. Retrieved 2022-10-03. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  37. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - One to One, I'm done with race: Lawrence Hoo". BBC. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  38. ^ "Exhibit reveals 'empowering' slave trade stories". BBC News. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  39. ^ Gold, Tanya. "Culture wars: how divided is Britain really?". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  40. ^ "'Bristol may never feel the same' - one year on from Colston toppling". ITV News. 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  41. ^ "Roy Hackett funeral: Hundreds of guests attended". BBC News. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
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