William Matthews Lecture 2020 - 'One Grim Winter Evening': The Colonial Migrant in Britain
When:
—
Venue:
Online
The 2020 William Matthews Lecture is 'One Grim Winter Evening': The Colonial Migrant in Britain. This year's speaker shall be the acclaimed author and playwright Caryl Phillips.
'One grim winter evening' are the opening four words of Samuel Selvon's classic novel, The Lonely Londoners (1956). Selvon's depiction of London as both hostile and a place that his characters hold dear in their hearts, always puzzled me. I grew up as part of a generation who were quick to reject Britain's negative attitudes towards her non-white population. We were 'radical' and quick to push back, while the earlier generation appeared to be stubbornly determined to belong. I will look again at this postwar migration from the colonies into a not always welcoming Britain, and think about how this colonial migration differed from political or economic migration.
This lecture shall be delivered online and booking is essential. Please note we reserve the right to postpone or cancel this event if necessary.
Contact name:
Birkbeck Events Team