There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack The Cultural Politics of Race and Nation

This is a post-modern take on race, racism, and particularly anti-racism in Britain between 1945 and 1985. Its fundamental suggestion seems to be that traditional Marxist approaches are not fully helpful in appreciating the value and significance of race issues. The book's emphasis is towards the Afro-Caribbean experience and looks closely at the anti-racist movements of the seventies and also and the popular music of the black 'diaspora' in Britain, the US and the Caribbean. In doing so it picks out the importance of culture as expressed in the life of the community and suggests revolution by a kind of cultural assertion.
Paul Gilroy is the holder of the Anthony Giddens Fellowship at the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, and is well-known for his critical explorations into the legacy of colonialism, the rich promises of culturally and ethnically diverse societies and the ideal of "cosmopolitanism from below". Being the first holder of the Treaty of Utrecht Chair and with his outstanding resum? in the field of cultural analysis, postcolonial studies, social and critical theory, Prof. Gilroy will explore social sustainability and cultural diversity in an innovative manner that will further our understanding of the shifting boundaries of self and other in globalised Europe.

This fall Professor Gilroy's work will be the focus of a series of activities presenting a range of reflections on cosmopolitanism, diversity, and post-colonial Europe. A variety of events, conferences and lectures will be hosted by CfH. The first of these is the September public lecture and master class outlined below. More information about the future events will be available on the website of the Centre.

Parts of the book verge on the unintelligible - 'These diverse elements combine syncretically in struggles to reconstruct a collective historical presence from the discontinuous, fractured histories of the African and Asian diasporas' - is fairly typical. Nevertheless Gilroy's enthusiasm and commitment comes through, he was there, you can smell the silk-screen presses making posters for Rock against Racism and get real insight into for instance what really happened on the Broadwater estate or the Bristol riots. There is a lot of detail and in my view a careful balance is maintained.

Gilroy adds a lengthy intro from 2002, somewhat more detached and resigned, but preserves his sense of humour. This is a very valuable overview of our 'multicultural society' for anyone who wants to penetrate the media waffle.