Can You Hear Me Now | Documentary Short Film | MYM

Summary

This powerful transcript captures the emotional journey of an individual who has been trapped in limbo for years, facing an uncertain future while grappling with the effects of being denied a work permit in the UK. Having arrived as a child from Zimbabwe, the speaker reflects on the struggles of surviving in a hostile system, where basic rights are denied, and the desperation of life on the streets. Music, particularly hip-hop, serves as a lifeline, offering solace and a platform to express the pain and resilience of those marginalized by society. The speaker's story resonates deeply with themes of survival, identity, and the fight for dignity in the face of systemic injustice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been stuck in limbo for 10 years, uncertain about their deportation status, work permit, and future in the UK.
• 😀 The speaker arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe at the age of 9, escaping an abusive household, and was granted temporary right to remain as a child.
• 😀 The speaker's work permit has been taken away, leaving them unable to work and live a normal life like others around them.
• 😀 The UK government has spent five years deciding the speaker's fate, leaving them unable to attend university or access any government support.
• 😀 Before the work permit was taken, the speaker worked in the NHS across the West Midlands, but now they are unable to work at all.
• 😀 The speaker feels invisible to the government, seeing themselves as just another number in a backlogged system.
• 😀 The speaker's memories are a mixture of positive experiences, like their first kiss and playing football, and darker times they try to forget.
• 😀 If the speaker could speak directly to the government, they would ask to be seen as a human being beyond their skin tone, and to not be outcast.
• 😀 The speaker has been waiting for a decision for five years and struggles to survive without a work permit, unable to legally work or travel.
• 😀 Having been forced into the streets, the speaker describes the harsh realities of survival, including witnessing overdoses, shootings, and stabbings.
• 😀 Music, especially hip-hop, has been a lifeline for the speaker, serving as a source of unity, expression, and empowerment despite their circumstances.

Q & A

What challenges does the speaker face in the UK?

The speaker is facing the uncertainty of deportation, the inability to work, and a lack of support from the government. They have been stuck in limbo for years, unable to receive a decision on their immigration status.

What was the speaker's background before arriving in the UK?

The speaker arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe at the age of nine, escaping an abusive household. They were granted temporary right to remain as a child.

How has the speaker's situation affected their ability to live a normal life?

Due to the uncertainty surrounding their immigration status, the speaker has been unable to work, attend university, or receive government support, all of which hinder their ability to live a normal life.

What was the speaker's occupation before their work permit was taken away?

Before their work permit was revoked, the speaker worked in the NHS, traveling across the West Midlands.

How does the speaker feel about the government's treatment of them?

The speaker feels like the government views them as just another number in a backlogged system and believes that they are not cared for, being left in uncertainty for years.

What impact has the speaker's immigration status had on their opportunities in the UK?

The speaker has not been able to pursue higher education, work, or travel legally due to their immigration status, severely limiting their opportunities.

How does the speaker describe the emotional and physical toll of their situation?

The speaker describes their life as being in constant survival mode, with a sense of always being on edge. They have witnessed violence, addiction, and death, which has left them mentally and emotionally scarred.

What role has music, particularly hip-hop, played in the speaker's life?

Music, especially hip-hop, has been a lifeline for the speaker. It has provided a way to express their struggles, connect with others, and find solace during a time of personal hardship.

How does the speaker relate hip-hop to their personal experiences?

The speaker views hip-hop as a form of expression that resonates with their experiences as a marginalized individual. They describe hip-hop as the 'voice for the voiceless,' a way to share pain, trauma, and hope.

What message does the speaker convey in their reference to hip-hop's role in society?

The speaker emphasizes that hip-hop transcends race, gender, and social class, uniting people through its culture. They believe the world needs more of this unifying energy, especially in a time of widespread social and personal struggles.