Report on the Autumn Lecture 19 October - Jeffrey Boakye

Since the murder of George Floyd, cases of institutional racism have often been the news.   In only the latest example, papers are full of the crisis at Yorkshire Cricket Club because of way it has dealt with racism revealed by a former player Azeem Rafiq.

It was most fitting therefore, that the third CPW autumn lecture was given by Jeffrey Boakye, an educator, broadcaster and writer who has made a particular commitment to making a difference on this issue. 

Jeffrey’s jumping off point was the ‘national moment’ of the Euros football tournament in July and in particular the issues of race, masculinity and nationalism that it raised.   He reminded us how the Englishness of black players was shown to be conditional by the racist abuse they incurred after England’s loss in the final.   But also, how the strong positive values inculcated in the team has contributed not only to success in football, but also in willingness to stand together and call out government for its hypocrisy about race.

The categories of race – as a tool to classify humans into  groups – were created in the 17th century as a pretext for Europeans to seize the resources of other people, especially Africans.  In this, the most prestigious figures of the Enlightenment were instrumental: Kant for example claimed that “humanity exists in its greatest perfection in the white race.”   So these structures existed before any of us did – and it takes hard work to challenge them.

Jeffrey shared some places where he himself has struggled – for example in his workplace – finding it easier to write a book about racism than to have a conversation with his head of department.    His final message was one of encouragement to keep educating ourselves and to be prepared to uncover (‘dismantle’) the false structures of race.

After listening for 30 minutes, the fifty or so participants went into small groups to chew over what they had heard and consider questions they would like to ask Jeffrey.  The questions posed and the ensuing dialogues were fascinating and challenging.  Several of those who spoke were old friends of Jeffrey – including former parishioners from his boyhood parish in Brixton Hill, and the CARJ activist Yogi Sutton.   I was personally moved by the comments of Cathy Scott, talking about trying to raise her daughter Natalie (who is mixed race) in a place with very few other black people around.

As a mark of appreciation, CPW will be donating £250 to the Gaia Centre, which provides support in Lambeth for people experiencing gender-based violence.   You can learn more about them here. 

A recording of Jeffrey’s talk, including the slides, is available here.

Mike Willcox