Episodes
4 incredible years and 150 episodes of The History Hotline later, the show has come to an end. I have decided to take a long break from podcasting and can't make any promises as to when I will be back. Thank you all for your support tuning into this podcast, this last episode is taken from the live show featuring Dr Jade Bentil. For bookings and other inquiries email: [email protected] or find us on socials here.
Published 11/07/24
Published 11/07/24
"This was a continuation of the British Caribbean Experience: fighting with Britain during global wars, and during times of peace fighting British authorities for justice." This week I am joined by author Colin Douglas discussing his book 'The Caribbean and the Second World War'. We discuss the long military history in the region and the various ways the Caribbean were a part of the global conflict. We discuss the Caribbean as an important geographical location for both Britain and the allies...
Published 10/29/24
In November 2023, Hannah Gaffey on her flight to Kingston, Jamaica witnessed what she believed to be a deportation. After standing with other passengers to stop the plane taking off, the passenger then unknown to her was removed from the flight along with the 6 security personnel that were attempting to restrain him across the back row of a packed flight full of holiday makers. In this episode we'll be talking about the deportation, the hounding from the tabloid media and the key board...
Published 10/21/24
This week I'm joined by Rebecca Adams, archivist at the Stuart Hall Archives housed at the University of Birmingham. We talk about the importance of archiving Black life in Britain and how it informs our historical research. The life of the educational psychologist Mollie Hunte and why she remains relatively unknown despite her tremendous contribution to British society. We also talk about access and the way you as members of the public can engage with the archives to conduct your own...
Published 10/14/24
Live events: The Imperial War Museum live show, 4pm, 19th October 2024. This week I'm joined by Paul Henriques to speak about the financial savings system Pardna, it's been successfully used all over the world and now it's in app form. Listen in to find out more about how Caribbean people in Britain used pardna to achieve their money savings goals and how it can be used a financial literacy tool today. To find out more about Pardna: Website: https://pardna.com Twitter:...
Published 10/07/24
Live events: The Imperial War Museum live show, 4pm, 19th October 2024. Articles Cited: Amelia Gentleman: 'Home Office forced to release critical report on origins of Windrush scandal' Wawrick Mansel, 'Jamaican teachers at leading UK academy chain paid less than their British colleagues' Prof. Gus John, 'Jamaica needs teachers, yet England poaches them and classrooms lie empty. How can that be right?' Keep up with us here. Episodes will be out weekly for the foreseeable future.
Published 10/01/24
Live events: The Imperial War Museum live show, 4pm, 19th October 2024 Just an episode full of the books I'm currently reading, some Black British History and some not so much. Books mentioned: Blazing Trails: Stories of a Heroic Generation - Gus JohnMulticultural Britain: A People's History - Kieran ConnellThe Caribbean and the Second World War - Colin DouglasBlack Women Always: Conversations on Life, Culture & CreativityThe Treatment - Sarah MoorheadKeep up with us here. Episodes will...
Published 09/23/24
Live events: The Imperial War Museum live show, 4pm, 19th October 2024. On today’s episode I will be thinking about the far right. I’ll be continuing to think about this idea of 'little change' from last week and into next week. We'll be looking at the longer history of anti-immigrant sentiment in politics and the history of far riot uprisings. Racism Runs Riot by Dr Lambros Fatsis The Windrush story was not a rosy one even before the ship arrived by David Olusoga Keep up with us here....
Published 09/16/24
Live events: The live podcast show at Kings Place, 2pm on 15th September 2024. The Imperial War Museum live show, 4pm, 19th October 2024. On today’s episode I will be thinking about policing Notting Hill Carnival. I’ll be continuing to think about this idea of 'little change' from last week and into next week. We'll be looking at media portrayals as well as the 1976 and 1977 Notting Hill Carnival riots. Keep up with us here. Episodes will be out weekly for the foreseeable future.
Published 09/10/24
Live events: The live podcast show at Kings Place, 2pm on 15th September 2024. The Imperial War Museum live show, 4pm, 19th October 2024. On today’s episode I will be thinking about policing and how little has changed since my grandparents came in the 1950s and 1960s. I’ll be thinking about this idea of 'little change' in the next few episodes. The next two episodes will largely focus on policing and then we will look into politics, the media and the far right… Keep up with us here. Episodes...
Published 09/02/24
This week's episode discusses the current racial climate in the UK with the far-right taking to the streets in the name of 'protecting Britain', whilst burning hotels and libraries, vandalising public and private property and causing chaos and inflicting violence. We talk about this within the context of Jamaican Independence (shoutout to all those who celebrate) and what it means for the descendants of formerly colonised people to see violence similarly meted out to their ancestors on...
Published 08/06/24
This week we are joined by special guest Donald Campbell of The Forgotten Generations. TFG founded June 2021, is a not-for-profit organisation with aims and objectives to provide historical and current information of British African and Caribbean people for educational purposes. It was a pleasure to talk to Donald about his work collecting the stories of generations past and present and his own life migrating to Britain as a child and his long career in the RAF. Tune in to our interview on...
Published 07/10/24
On this week’s episode of The History Hotline, I am joined by Kandace Chimbiri, children’s author and speaker dedicated to teaching children (and adults) about modern and ancient Black history. We spoke about her love of Black History, from ancient African civilisations to the post-war migrations from the Caribbean to Britain and everything in between. UK listeners can get Kandace's books at Black and anti-racist bookshops such as New Beacon Books, Afori Books, Book Love and Book and...
Published 06/25/24
Live show tickets!! This week's episode looks at Norman Manley's visit to Birmingham, caught up in the political debate on immigration in 1961. It explores his motivations for coming and what that says about the transnational links between the migrated populations of commonwealth countries and their new homes. Featured article on Manley's visit. To follow us on socials and check out what else we're doing?
Published 06/10/24
This week's episode is all about, UK elections, the ongoing genocide in Palestine and Sudan and the violence in Congo! We're having a live show, tickets available here! If you want to follow us on socials, click here
Published 05/28/24
The Black People's Day of Action (1981) was a direct response to the New Cross Massacre that led to the deaths of 14 young Black people in New Cross, South London, 1981. This week I am thinking about the mobilisations and uprising of people we are currently witnessing across University campuses and in wider society... the response to a people that do not feel heard or seen. I will be contextualising these thoughts in the wider history of protest in Britain, thinking about the Black People's...
Published 04/29/24
This week's episode features the brilliant Alexandria Miller who is a historian, writer, and multimedia documentarian who is passionate about capturing Caribbean stories. This episode we talk about our academic journeys, doing a PhD and some of the differences in studying Caribbean history for a US vs UK perspective. We discuss Alexandria's work on Jamaican women and her motivations for researching a community so close to home. You can find out more about Alexandria's work on her podcast...
Published 04/15/24
Have you ever wondered how bun and cheese became Jamaica's Good Friday treat? Tune in to this week's episode to find out more about this history, how it came to be and what it signifies.
Published 04/02/24
On Thursday 14th March, in a landmark decision the UK’s privy council overturned the murder conviction of the Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, impacting also the ruling on his three co-defendants: Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John.  It was overturned due to findings that the original conviction was compromised due to juror misconduct, during the 2014 trial. Vybz Kartel at this point has been in prison since 2011 was convicted of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in one...
Published 03/19/24
An episode based on my undergraduate dissertation that was all about political and religious influences of reggae music in the 1970s, which coincidentally talks us through some of things I wish the Bob Marley: One Love film did not give enough time to. This episodes explores the political context in 1970s Jamaica as well as the Rastafarian movement and the influences of these on reggae music as the mouthpiece for the oppressed.
Published 03/06/24
“Try to pigeon hole Benjamin Zephaniah at your peril. Poet, writer, lyricist, musician, actor, republican, activist, campaigner, freedom fighter. It’s impossible. His achievements are too plentiful to mention.” – Opening for an interview with Shelley Carter for Birmingham Living magazine. Benjamin Zephaniah was born on 15th April 1958 in Handsworth, Birmingham. This episode looks at his life, his activism and all he stood for. It explores his refusal to accept an MBE and the implications...
Published 01/30/24
The Race Relations Act was passed in 1965. It set about to formerly criminalise racial discrimination but only certain kinds. This episode we'll be thinking about how successful this was in improving the situation for Black people in Britain, or was it performative and largely unhelpful? For more information on my PhD study email me at: [email protected] or message me on social media. Keep up to date with us.
Published 01/16/24
The second part of our episodes with Dr Michelle Yaa Asantewa and Craig Riley where we continue to discuss the life and legacy of Michael Abbensetts and Empire Road.
Published 12/13/23
Why does Venezuela claim Essquibo and what will this mean for Guyana? Currently a referendum is on to Venezuelans to claim part of Guyana which is oil rich, which could mean the annexation of the territory from Guyana. Tune in more to find out about what is happening in the region and how this links to other global conflicts in Palestine and Congo as the powers that be exploit for their own gain. Articles consulted: The Financial Times and Al Jazeera. I also speak about my call for...
Published 12/06/23