The History Hotline

Have you ever wondered how bun and cheese became Jamaica's Good Friday treat? Tune in to this week's episode to find out more about this history, how it came to be and what it signifies.

On Thursday 14th March, in a landmark decision the UK’s privy council overturned the murder conviction of the Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, impacting also the ruling on his three co-defendants: Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John. 

It was overturned due to findings that the original conviction was compromised due to juror misconduct, during the 2014 trial. Vybz Kartel at this point has been in prison since 2011 was convicted of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in one of Jamaica’s longest trials.

Find out more about the Privy Council rulings and why Jamaica's highest arm of justice is the UK's Privy Council and not the Caribbean Court of Justice.

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An episode based on my undergraduate dissertation that was all about political and religious influences of reggae music in the 1970s, which coincidentally talks us through some of things I wish the Bob Marley: One Love film did not give enough time to. This episodes explores the political context in 1970s Jamaica as well as the Rastafarian movement and the influences of these on reggae music as the mouthpiece for the oppressed.

“Try to pigeon hole Benjamin Zephaniah at your peril. Poet, writer, lyricist, musician, actor, republican, activist, campaigner, freedom fighter. It’s impossible. His achievements are too plentiful to mention.” – Opening for an interview with Shelley Carter for Birmingham Living magazine.

Benjamin Zephaniah was born on 15th April 1958 in Handsworth, Birmingham. This episode looks at his life, his activism and all he stood for. It explores his refusal to accept an MBE and the implications that had.

Clips taken from: ITN Archives

Articles featured: Tribune Article "Us An Dem: The Radical Benjamin Zephaniah"

'Me? I thought, OBE me? Up yours, I thought'

Updates on the MRes legal challenge

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The Race Relations Act was passed in 1965. It set about to formerly criminalise racial discrimination but only certain kinds. This episode we'll be thinking about how successful this was in improving the situation for Black people in Britain, or was it performative and largely unhelpful?

For more information on my PhD study email me at: [email protected] or message me on social media.

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The second part of our episodes with Dr Michelle Yaa Asantewa and Craig Riley where we continue to discuss the life and legacy of Michael Abbensetts and Empire Road.

Why does Venezuela claim Essquibo and what will this mean for Guyana?

Currently a referendum is on to Venezuelans to claim part of Guyana which is oil rich, which could mean the annexation of the territory from Guyana. Tune in more to find out about what is happening in the region and how this links to other global conflicts in Palestine and Congo as the powers that be exploit for their own gain.

Articles consulted: The Financial Times and Al Jazeera.

I also speak about my call for participants for my PhD research on the migration of Caribbean children to Britain. Please email me on: [email protected] for more information. Our socials!

Join us this week as I chat with Dr Michelle Yaa Asentewa and Craig Riley to talk about Michael Abbensetts and Empire Road. Empire Road is a British television series that was aired by the BBC from 1978 to 1979. It was produced by Peter Ansorge and written by Michael Abbensetts. It was the first British TV series to be written, directed and acted by predominantly Black artists and creatives.

Born in Guyana, Michael Abbensetts was the first Black British playwright to be commissioned to write a television drama series. Michael settled in Britain in the 1960s and gave a voice to people from a Caribbean heritage, through his writing for the theatre and television. He worked on several Pebble Mill dramas in the 1970s and early ’80s, often with producer Peter Ansorge. His first Pebble Mill production was Black Christmas, in 1977; followed by Empire Road (series 1 and 2), the first black British soap opera, 1988-9; and Easy Money, part of Playhouse, 1982. He also wrote an episode of Doctors in 2001, which was his last television script. Michael Abbensetts, sadly died on 24th November 2016. This episode honours his life and commitment to writing the experiences of Black people for TV in post-war Britain.

This week we're joined by Ama Badu (English Literature BA, QMUL 2018). Ama is an assistant editor at Faber and Faber. We talk about all things literature, history, publishing and the current state of British society. Connect with us here

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Books mentioned: Clean by Juno Dawson, The Women in Me by Britney Spears, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson, All About Love by bell hooks, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Black Skin White Masks by Frantz Fanon, Slavery and Capitalism by Eric Williams.

In August 1970, the MV Christena, a government owned and operated ferry boat crashed in between the islands of St Kitts and Nevis. This week's episode explores what happened that day and the legacy of such a tragedy for one of Britain's colonies. Follow us on social media here.