Happy Blessed New Year!
2020, What - a - year.
To paraphrase Dickens, it has been the best of times and the worst of times.
Turning 33 last September sealed a year full of twists and turns, and more than a few bumps in the road for me.
Growing up I always wondered whether I would live to 33. Whether I would live longer than Bruce Lee (who passed away at 32). Whether I would achieve nearly as much in such a short time (or long time as my 9 year old self believed). I now have all my answers, and plenty more questions.
I launched Bona Fide as a means of putting some of my new found energy into a long postponed project.
Energy found since becoming a furloughed Teacher in London last April due to School closures amidst COVID lockdown measures.
Energy found since becoming a new Dad in May and relocating with my wife and son to Paris in September. Energy found since starting a new post teaching British and American History, Geography and Politics at University Cergy Paris.
The time had come to enter the zone like Joe in 'Soul', the most complex, touching and thought provoking Disney Pixar film I had ever seen.
Bona Fide is an effort to bring together voices, particularly those unheard and underrepresented, ideas and much needed positive energy.
All this during a time when the airwaves are flooded by unfolding events and stories of taken lives, seized hope, and dashed dreams.
A time when all you may read, hear and see in a digital world where social media and search engines are your gateways to news, algorithmically feeding you what it thinks you want to see. Narrowing your viewpoints through the influence of programmed confirmation bias that can put people at greater risk of the insidious triple threats of cynicism, pessimism and depression.
And so, here is my shout out to all those who think it is 'better to light a candle than curse the darkness'. An open invitation to write an opinion piece, get interviewed, share resources, discuss and be part of this new Bona Fide project :)
Please spread the word.
As Founder and Publishing Editor here at Bona Fide, all of your ideas, pitches and submissions will be looked at together in the spirit of collaboration before its possible publication. Please refer to Bona Fide Conduct for more information.
Get in touch here.
For ideas on what to write click here.
Peace is the way.
Razali Samsudin
This is fantastic. Well done Razali, I'm indeed delighted to see you holding up the banner no matter.