Caryl Phillips’s subtle politics of hope
I’m a fan of Caryl Phillips‘s writing as a dramatist, novelist and essayist. Over the years we’ve become friends. I was asked by the premiere scholar of his work, BénédicteLedent, to write an essay about his novels for a special edition of a pukka literary journal concentrating on his work. I said I was no […]
The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities 2021 (Chair: Dr Tony Sewell) — Why it is so very wrong
This article joins the storm of criticism that greeted Dr Tony Sewell and his Commission’s report when it was published on 31.3.21. It makes some specific criticisms, but it provides a broader context than most of the responses I’ve read so far. Firstly, it aligns the Commission with the ‘culture war’ the current UK government […]
Generation 1968ers recall & reflect on those heady days
Paris Today Leeds Tomorrow Remembering 1968 in Leeds “So you think you want a revolution, well, you know . . .” sang #JohnLennon. Yes, I did, and so did #LouiseLavender #TomSteele#SarahPerrigo #GildaPeterson #MikeMcGrath Here are our memories of those heady days. I guess you’ve got to be about 70 and still infected with the Virus68 […]
The Caribbean Carnival – Yearning for Freedom
MF The Caribbean Carnival – Yearning for Freedom This article is my latest effort to think about the Caribbean form of carnival as I’ve experienced it over nearly 50 years, mainly in Leeds, and occasionally in Trinidad. It emphasises the regenerative, satirical and playful elements of carnival, utilising the work of the great Russian […]