New edition published 2018 by Pluto Press. The advent of Brexit and rising right wing propaganda shows there is still a place for this book. A deeply effective counter to a racist and nationalist agenda. Fryer showed where they influenced political traditions, social institutions and cultural life. It showed how Africans, Asians and their descendants had long been erased from British history. Fryer’s Staying Power was radical, bold, needed. It was first published in the ’80s, amidst race riots and police brutality in the UK. Staying Power is another book that takes the history of Black Britons aaalll the way back to the ancient Romans, to the Tudors and back to Olaudah Equiano and Mary Seacole. Published by Pan Macmillan 2016 Staying Power: The History Of Black People In Britain – Peter Fryer Black and British was published to accompany the brilliant BBC Two series and was listed for a number of awards including the Orwell Prize The book confronts taboos and scandals, addressing how Black and White Britons have been intimately entwined for centuries.

Olusoga goes as far back as Roman and Medieval Britain to present fascinating points that seem to have been forgotten or eradicated. We can all do a lot better to discover for ourselves and next generations! If you’d like to learn more, here are 5 brilliant Black British History books:īlack and British: A Forgotten History -David Olusogaīlack an British sees award- winning historian Olusoga explore the longstanding relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean. right on my doorstep! American Civil Rights, we were allowed to brush over from a distance of unaccountability during Black History month. I’ve always loved history but as a teen, I probably learned more about Ancient Egypt and Julius Caesar than I did about Elizabethan ‘blackamoors’ or Olive Morris or Windrush…. Growing up at school in London, I learned of wars won and the Tudors- and I dare you to forget 1066! Honestly, if I was to forgot every other number in the world, I would still remember that one. Very interesting omissions are made in the educational curriculum. īlack British History is a vital part of the UK’s history that should be remembered and valued. Even with that, overwhelmingly, both the contributions and the perseverance of Black People in Britain are beautiful facets to celebrate. Reverbs of colonialism and it’s lasting impacts? Of course. Powerful, resilient, brilliant minds and figures from across the diaspora. Within Black British history is a wealth of inspiration.

Staying power the history of black