The current movements against Zwarte Piet and racism has been called “the second wave of anti-racism”. The first was provoked by organisations in the 70s and 80s, such as LOSON and SAWO. However, in the Black Archives an “actively forgotten” history of radical black activists who organized in the 50s and 60s has been recently discovered. The story of Otto and Hermie Huiswoud, in particular, stands out as a hidden history of the fight against racism and colonialism in Europe. The Huiswouds were part of an international network of black radicals who emerged during the Harlem Renaissance, and organized based on Marxist and pan-African critiques. They were connected to well-known thinkers, writers, and organizers such as W.E.B. Du Bois, George Padmore, and Claude McKay. Otto Huiswoud debated Marcus Garvey in Jamaica, met with Lenin, and was critical to the early independence movement of Surinamese people in the Netherlands - yet his name and work is unknown by many.
Dr. Kehinde Andrews will discuss black radicalism, and what role black radicals played in Europe, to sketch the historical context in which the Huiswouds existed. What is black radicalism, and how can it be understood in contemporary society? How were black radicals from different countries, continents and generations connected? And what lessons can we learn from them for contemporary activism and political action?
Program
7:30 pm – Welcome
7:40 pm – Keynote: Dr. Kehinde Andrews
8:30 pm – Break
8:45 pm – Discussion
9:30 pm – End
This event is part of The Black Archives on Tour: Hidden Stories of Black Resistance in the Netherlands (17th – 25th June), and Cinema Olanda: Platform program.