The History Hotline

A YouGov poll has found that 53% could not name a single Black British historical figure. This was reported in a Guardian article which was shared widely with many comments about the state of the education system amongst other issues with the public perception of Black British history. In this episode I'll be discussing the research and thinking about the ways we might see a change in this area. Check us out on social media.

After a brief pause (apologies) we're back! This week's episode is all about critical thinking amongst many other things. I talk about my experiences on the Young Archivist course organised by Serendipity.I also think about what is happening in Palestine and how we must critically evaluate and think about the way we are taking in information in the age of [mis]information. Our socials #FreePalestine

This week we talk about the Black British Voices survey and wider findings (https://www.bbvp.org/) as well new publications within Black British History. Lawrence Wishart Radical Black Women series (https://lwbooks.co.uk/radical-black-women-series) and Preeti Dhillon's new book (https://www.dialoguebooks.co.uk/titles/preeti-dhillon/the-shoulders-we-stand-on/9780349702827/) Our socials: https://linktr.ee/thehistoryhotline

This month is Black History Month in the UK and the theme is 'Saluting Our Sisters' so this first episode is all about Mary Prince (c.1 788 - c. 1833) who was the first Black woman to publish an autobiography of her experience as an enslaved person. Our socials: https://linktr.ee/thehistoryhotline BHM Events, Wandsworth Library: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/caribbean-women-in-britain-tickets-728854101237 Lawrence Wishart: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-gerlin-bean-mother-of-the-movement-by-a-s-francis-tickets-723331934287?aff=oddtdtcreator Many Struggles: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hakim-adi-many-struggles-book-launch-tickets-726752525367?aff=oddtdtcreator

This week's episode reflects on the Black British History conference I co-organised, exploring 'truths' within Black British History... bringing together scholars, students, public historians, practitioners and those in adjacent studies together to discuss the discipline and these are my reflections and musings. Our socials: https://linktr.ee/thehistoryhotline

On this week's episode I talk through my PhD research and give you a little bit more of an insight into my current work exploring 'the intergenerational experiences of West Indian children in the British education system in Britain and the West Indies.

This week we're joined by Raafeke from Parrotbeetie podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lxVY4Cmn4INPwuyXqI3yY?si=5120fcc66f5e43d4 Our Socials: https://linktr.ee/thehistoryhotline

This week we'll be thinking about the first iteration of Caribbean carnival on British soil, in January 1959. Spearheaded by Claudia Jones and supported through the work of the publication she founded: The West Indian Gazette. We'll explore the carnival and the Carnival Queen beauty contest it boasted and what that meant for the politics of beauty and how Black women's beauty was broadcasted on the BBC for the first time. This episode contains conversations about colourism and racism.An update on Professor Hakim Adi's position at Chichester University and the current position of the campaign to save the MRes African History and History of the African Diaspora. Read the History Matters Statement here: https://www.historymatters.online/save-mres-campaign Books mentioned: Rochelle Rowe, Imagining Caribbean Womanhood & Kennetta Hammond Perry, London is the Place for Me. Our socials: https://linktr.ee/thehistoryhotline

You might be just as shocked as we are to find out that The University of Chichester have stopped enrolment onto The History of Africa and the African Diaspora MRes (Masters of Research) and Professor Hakim Adi who worked tirelessly to build the course has been told his post is at risk of termination. This is disgusting behaviour by the University of Chichester and action is urgent to re-open enrolment and safeguard this course and Professor Adi’s post. In this episode we speak to Professor Adi and hear from present and former students (Hannah Francis, Aleja Taddesse, Danny Thompson & Rey Bowen) of the course about their experiences of it and why it is so important.Please sign this petition: https://chng.it/Kyk4Gc8Hf8 support the call for action and please share this story widely! We cannot lose courses like this, they are simply too important. Read more in The Voice: https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2023/07/17/prof-hits-back-at-uni-moves-to-axe-him/Read more in Sputnik: https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230718/uk-professor-and-students-challenge-universitys-closure-of-african-history-course-1060612685.htmlParliament Motion: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/61253