Hubert Harrison: Forbidden Genius of Black Radicalism

The evening Began with a panel talk between with Dr Kwob Michelle Codrington and Nigel Carter, and Kwoba started off with some immersive sound relaxation by sounding a cylinder metal object against a bowl shaped metal object in a circular motion, catching everyones attention and halting our voices.

This evolved into a combination of readings from his book and historical references to Hubert Harrison, It was interesting to hear first hand the determination and self confidence Hubert would have had in order to push to the stereotype and overcome hardship in such a decade.

Hubert Harrison: who generated an array of visionary solutions to the systemic injustices of his day. After blazing a trail for people of color in the Socialist Party of America and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Harrison emerged as one of the most prominent freethinkers and free lovers of his generation. He practiced armed self-defense and called for an anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist “Colored International” alliance in the face of European colonialism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Most spectacularly, Harrison’s Liberty League of Negro Americans catalysed the rise of Marcus Garvey and the largest international organisation of African people in modern history.

Dr Brian Kwoba is Associate Professor of History and Director of African and African American Studies (AAAS) at The University of Memphis.

Special thanks to:

African School
Afrikan/ Afrikan-Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative
Oxfordshire Community Education Group
Unlock the Chains Collective
Oxford Community Action