Robinson session 1: Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition

Tuesday 24th October | 5:30 – 7:00pm | The Alumni Room (School of English)

We will begin exploring Cedric Robinson's work by reading both Chapter 1 of his most famous book Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition published 40 years ago this year, and a 2013 interview with Cedric and his partner Elizabeth Robinson from the edited collection Futures of Black Radicalism. 

In this first chapter Robinson gives a novel historical reading of the development of capitalism to emphasise what he terms 'racial capitalism'. 

In his own words: "Racism [...] was not simply a convention for ordering the relations of European to non-European peoples but has its genesis in the "internal" relations of European peoples. As part of the inventory of Western civilization it would reverberate within and without, transferring its toll from the past to the present."

We want to use this chapter to think about the ways in which Robinson uses history as a vessel for theorising. 

In 'The World We Want', the Robinsons reflect on the legacy of Black Marxism, its' interest to generations of academics and activists, and where it fits within Cedric's overall project. 

The meeting will be held in the alumni room in the School of English 

(Floor 1, House 10 Cavendish Road - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jVyNhfVTwsTHmBsb7 - https://what3words.com/courier.vase.valid)  

on Tuesday 24th October between 5:30-7:00pm, followed by a pub social. 

Please do let us know if you have any questions, concerns or access requirements at quiltingpoints@gmail.com.

Photograph of Robinson in floral shirt and straw hat speaking at rally with microphone in 2006. Credit: Doc Searls on Flick - CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED




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