Series of talks on Black Bookshops as scenes of resistance. Owners and readers speak on the impact on the 70/80s Black community and legacy
This event is organised by Black History Walks in conjunction with the Sarah Parker Remond Centre at U.C.L
Black bookshops in 1970/80s Britain were few and far between. Those that did exist were subject to continued racist attacks including firebombing. Spaces where Black people could meet and learn were few and far between so bookshops were often packed out and people would travel long distances to get books. While in the bookshop, advice would be sought, information shared, change and campaigns initiated at a time when many people did not have their own phone far less a computer.
This one-off series of lectures will interview several of these booksellers/activists. With personal testimony, photos and video clips we will tell this powerful story of resistance by reading and retail.
In the first two sessions (16th and 23rd )we will cover the incredible Walter Rodney bookshop founded by the legendary 90 year old Eric Huntley and his late wife Jessica Huntley. In session three on the 30th April ,we visit Michael La Rose of New Beacon Books, the oldest black bookshop in Britain. We end with the famous Centerprise and Emmanuel Amevor on Wednesday 5th May at 6.30pm
We will cover:
- The dangers of selling Black books
- The multi purpose role of the book shop space
- Black business and education
- The fight for premises, how white institutions block Black progress
- The link into self -publishing
- International speakers in odd places
- The Saturday School connection
Bookshops and political campaigns: Scrap Sus, Racism on the buses, Anti Apartheid, The Grenada revolution, school banding
This is an online event at 6.30pm UK/GMT time. The link will be sent 45 minutes before the start please check your JUNK MAIL . Look out for our new book Black History Walks in London Volume 1 from Jacaranda Books
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