By Elijah Macbean
I am the British chicken tikka masala,
The Pakistani fish and chips.
David Tennant in a kufi.
Imran Khan in a kilt.
I’m a James Saddique,
A Muhammad Smith.
Watching Hollywood on Eid,
Bollywood on Christmas.
I’m bridging the gap,
Blurring the lines.
Existing as a protest,
I’m in the middle of the picket being pulled at both sides,
Refusing to move.
Refusing to pick sides.
It’s not Jekyll and Hyde,
It’s Adam and Ibrahim.
I’m Elijah from the Bible,
I’m Elijah from the Qu’ran.
I get on the bus when they tell me to go home,
No airport security necessary.
I’m the olive coloured olive branch,
An open-faced kid.
With two cultures on my back,
Fighting for my preference,
A love triangle.
I’m polyamorous in this regard,
Practising disregard
for your mono.
I’m a protest vote,
The gentrification and immigration.
Sarfaraz Ahmed with three lions on his shirt.
Wayne Rooney in a shalwar kameez.
Tommy Robinson’s nightmare,
Sadiq Khan’s dream.
I am multiculturalism.
I am both.
I am neither.
Featured image and gallery: Truck Festival For almost thirty years, set within the rolling fields of Hill Farm in Steventon, Oxfordshire, Truck Festival has been a cornerstone of the British festival calendar. Dubbed the ‘godfather of the UK’s small festival scene’, the festival continues to live up to that title, with a line-up packed with…
Featured image: American Football – American Football album artwork The debut album has long been treated as a baptism of fire for artists – the deciding factor that determines whether a band will ‘make it’ or not. Some debuts set the tone for what follows: Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra come to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to celebrate the release of their new album, Night Blooms. Liverpool-based Brooke Combe opens the evening with a stripped-back set alongside her guitarist, her soulful vocals instantly captivating the crowd. Blending heartfelt performances with quick-witted…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch Three decades after they first emerged in Manchester, Take That return home to the Etihad Stadium and deliver an unforgettable show, combining circus theatrics and crowd-pleasing hits from across their catalogue. Formed in 1990, the group have released multiple chart-topping albums and embarked on numerous world tours, including 2009’s…
Leave a reply