*
*NEW CENTURY BLACK BRITAIN: FROM CRISIS TO LIBERATING ACTION *
By Thomas L Blair 01-02-11
*Why Study Black Britain*
*The problems of Blacks in Britain are widely trumpeted. The public and
media see them as disadvantaged, poor, powerless. Politicians treat them
with benign neglect as welfare-dependent denizens of the city. New
Century Black Britain promotes a different perspective. It illuminates
the ways modern Black Britons, one outpost of the world's African
Diaspora, are reshaping their quest for equality. It chronicles their
hopes to enrich civic, cultural and political realms -- even in the face
of often challenging circumstances.*
At its best, Black Britain offers a tapestry of rich cultural
experiences, the drive for achievement and an endless love of justice --
along with some rhythmic calypso-reggae soul. New Black Writers
--portray the dreams and aspirations, hardships and success, fears and
laughter of those who live Black culture.
Cultural awareness is a powerful motive force for change. This chimes
with our qualitative findings. Poet-writer-activist John La Rose put it
this way. Forward looking Afro-Britons must use their talents to inspire
"cultural creativity, influence policy and effect change in the interest
of social justice".
The stakes are high. "We must learn to use Black culture as
springboards to the future", said Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize winning
writer, cultural activist and member of the Society of African Culture.
Leading figures have blown apart any pretence of white-over-Black
superiority. They illuminate the dark places where racism affects
individual lives. Prof Paul Gilroy fired warning shots with his "The
Empire Strikes Back -- Race and Racism in '70s Britain. He said what
young people felt in "There Ain't No Black In the Union Jack: The
Cultural Politics of Race and Nation".
What's more, cultural experts have inserted their progressive views
about race and culture into policy making and the olive groves of
academe. The prominent cultural theorist Prof of Sociology Stuart Hall
adds his voice to the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain.
His views on the perils and prospects of Black-white contact, conflict
and change raised the status and popularity of cultural and media
studies in universities.
Activists for change can place these themes into UNESCO's International
Year for People of African Descent 2011. Then, why not launch a Decade
for Black British Culture and Development? The best talents can help
build the cultural defences of Black communities. Project organisers
could identify and mobilise new cultural policy leaders.
Not all of Britain's 1.4 million people of African and West Indian
heritage, colours and faiths can be expected to tread a single path to
progress. Nevertheless, all must face up to a common crisis.
The rescue, revival and representation of Black culture are of value in
their own right. First, Black communities must realise that what is
really at stake is their own status and survival in Britain. Secondly,
they need to discover that working together they can prove some
elemental truths.
Needless to say, results are the concrete test of the Decade's impact
by 2020. A vibrant culture stands up to the daily negative images and
stereotypes that erode self-esteem. It nurtures social and cultural
regeneration. It guards against feeling and acting like second-class
citizens. It demands a place at in national policy-making and public
debate.
Through vigorous common efforts the uplifting aims can be achieved.
Black History can be re-discovered and saved from oblivion. Black
Culture and identity can be revitalised. A new Black Agenda can be
constructed. Full enjoyment of cultural, economic, social, civil and
political rights for Black people in British society is the ultimate goal.
+++++++++++++++++++++
*AFRO-BRITAIN begins a series of articles to support the enduring
capacity for cultural self-renewal of Black British communities. Key
words include: Black Britain and Black London today -- Post- protest
Values -- the Broader Dimension of Demographic and Cultural Change --
Emerging cultural values and assets -- Changing Political Alignments --
Capacity building in culture and social capital. ** Contributions and
comments are welcome. *
* Prof Thomas L Blair, editor and publisher of Chronicleworld, is a
Black scholar and independent commentator on Black urban affairs in
Britain and Afro-Europe. See http://www.Chronicleworld.org;
http://chronicleworld.wordpress.com and http://www.thomblair.org.uk. All
rights reserved ©
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