Reviving Black radicalism? : The future of Black community organisations in 21st century Britain

Fyffe, Shey (2024) Reviving Black radicalism? : The future of Black community organisations in 21st century Britain. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

Preview

Text Shey Fyffe PhD Thesis published_Final version_Submitted Aug 2023_Final Award Jul 2024.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

Collective community responses to racially unjust societal conditions and treatment, in the form of mobilised protests and uprisings, has been a cornerstone of the Black experience in Britain. A notable period of time of this history is the rise of the British Black power movement during the 1960’s and 1970’s, led predominantly by the Afro-Caribbean community. Directed by the Black radical political ideals of Black self-determination, self-governance and autonomy, community organisations of the Black power movement strengthened the political consciousness required for the establishment of multiple grassroots Black community organisations, movements and collectives throughout the country. These organisations were tasked with both openly opposing state sanctioned racism, and address the social issues afflicting Black communities locally, nationally, and internationally as a result. The eventual demise of Black community organisations of this era, and the Black power movement, is presented in this work as significantly contributed to by destabilisation by the British state, of which was achieved through the political and economic bartering of Black communities away from Black radical endeavour and objective.

In reflection upon to this history, and of the surge with national engagement with Black radical political thought and social action since the 2010’s, this research is concerned with the future of Black community organisations with Black radical objectives in the political, economic, and socio-cultural conditions of contemporary Britain as community-based, counter-publican institutions of Black radical unity. The actualisation of Black radical unity, the conceptual framework of this research, is presented as a pre-requisite for successful collective community-based progression towards Black radical imagined futures.

The findings of an 18 month, engaged ethnography conducted in a present-day ‘Bricks and mortar’ community organisation that is self-identified as a Black radical organisation, explores the obstacles that arise in progressing towards their objectives. These obstacles are presented through the fragmentations in the key relationships upon which the future of the organisation relies: 1) The interpersonal relationships between members of the governing board; 2) The relationship between the organisation’s governing board members and their ongoing commitment to the organisation, and 3) The relationship between the organisation and the wider community. These relationships are considered in relation to contemporary conditions, values and ideals. This research seeks to highlight the necessity for the establishment and preservation of Black community organisations as counter-publican institutions of Black radical unity, as integral in community led journeys to Black autonomy, and the dismantling of oppressive structures and systems.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 31 August 2023 Submitted 22 July 2024 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Black, radicalism, Black radicalism, community, organisation, Black power, Britain
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-02 - sociology CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-03 - politics > CAH15-03-01 - politics
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Law, Social and Criminal Justice
Depositing User:	Jaycie Carter
Date Deposited:	29 Jul 2024 14:18
Last Modified:	29 Jul 2024 14:18
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15677

Actions (login required)

View Item