Framing Black Britons: A Conversation with Paul Gilroy and Robert Beckford

Friday, 21st September 2007

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In his new book Black Britain: A Photographic History, Paul Gilroy presents a unique collection of images of black Britons spanning almost two centuries, in association with Saqi Books and Getty Images.

From the first Jamaican to settle in Brixton to the first black female plumber, these photographs ask powerful questions about racism and "britishness", belonging and national identity.

Robert Beckford will be talking to Paul Gilroy about what these images can tell us about the history and representation of black people in the British Isles, asking what is included in Britain's official portrait of itself, and how that portrait changes over time.

Paul Gilroy is the Anthony Giddens Professor of Social Theory at the London School of Economics. He has written widely on race, culture, nationalism, music and literature. Previous titles include There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack and The Black Atlantic.

Robert Beckford is Reader in Black Theology and Culture at Oxford Brookes University. He is the author of several titles in the field of religion, popular culture and politics, including Jesus Dub and God and the Gangs. He has presented a number of documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4, and is currently the presenter of the Sunday Morning Show on BBC WM.

Black Britain: A Photographic History will be publishing on 17 September 2007. To make an advance order, please call Al Saqi Bookshop: 020 7229 8543.

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