[Haiti-London-Konbit] Fwd: CLR James Library/London - Open Letter against proposed name change

[Haiti-London-Konbit]

Hello Konbit,

Please see the forwarded message. If anyone would like to meet to  
discuss potential actions on this please let me know.

Best wishes,

John

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Global Women's Strike <gws at globalwomenstrike.net>
> Date: 1 October 2010 04:50:18 PDT (CA)
> To: jcussans at gmail.com
> Subject: CLR James Library/London - Open Letter against proposed  
> name change
> Reply-To: gws at globalwomenstrike.net
>
> Please support the Open letter, sign the petition and circulate  
> widely.
>
>
>
> The Arts in Harmony Network
> Honorary Patron: Diane Abbott, MP
> HCVS, Unit 84 Springfield House, 5 Tyssen Street, London, E8 2LY
> Tel: 020 7923 8360 / 1962 - Fax: 020 7275 8577
> Website: http://www.bemanetwork.org.uk  - Email: bemaadmin at hcvs.org.uk
>
> Open letter to the Council of the London Borough of Hackney
>
> The decision to lose the name CLR James library when the proposed  
> new facility is built as part of the Dalston Square Development is  
> nothing short of scandalous. It is a scandal that no individual  
> seems prepared to take responsibility for, but one for which someone  
> needs to be held accountable.
>
> The Council says that the name of the library should reflect its  
> geographical location.  Why? Dalston Station is less than a hundred  
> metres from the proposed location of the new library and Dalston  
> Kingsland Station almost as close, so it is inconceivable that many  
> users (most of whom will be local) will wander into the library not  
> knowing where in the world they are. It is also perhaps worth noting  
> that those in other parts of the borough, throughout London,  
> nationally and internationally are more likely to be aware of the  
> facility because it is called CLR James Library than because it is  
> in Dalston.  What will follow, changing the name Ridley Road Market  
> to Dalston Market? Another reason put forward is that as the library  
> will house the borough archives, the name should perhaps also  
> reflect this. Then why not call the new building, ‘The C.L.R. James  
> Library & Archives - Dalston’? This is not an overly long name and  
> would satisfy the stated requirements of the Council as well as the  
> demands of the campaigners; both parties would be seen to be acting  
> in the interest of the community and of common sense.
>
> The African Caribbean community in Hackney make very few demands (or  
> even requests) of its Council and it would understandably be  
> perceived as a huge insult if this modest and reasonable request was  
> denied. It would be an insult not just to its African Caribbean  
> residents and staff, not only to the family and memory of this great  
> intellectual, literary figure and humanitarian. It would also be an  
> insult to all those in the borough and beyond who are aware and  
> proud of Hackney’s long history of taking a principled stand with  
> regards to matters of public interest and its positive approach to  
> community members from all cultural backgrounds.
>
> The library was so named after members of Hackney’s staff and  
> community made a sound case for honouring a legendary figure,  
> acknowledged by forward thinking academics, writers and even cricket  
> lovers. As has been pointed out by the campaign organisers and by  
> many on line petitioners; the decision to name the facility ‘the CLR  
> James Library’ was seen as Hackney  making a public statement and  
> commitment regarding the literary contribution of African Caribbean  
> people to world literature. This was appropriate in a borough with  
> such a high percentage of African Caribbean people. It would be just  
> as profound a statement if this recognition was now rescinded.
>
> This is an issue that rather than become a much bigger problem than  
> it currently is, can be made to go away just by the taking of a  
> rational and correct decision. It should not require a petition,  
> deputation to the Council, judicial review or demonstrations.
>
> Signed by:
>
> Selma James (widow of CLR James)
>
> Professor Gus John, Founder Trustee of the George Padmore Institute  
> and former Director of Education and Leisure Services in Hackney
>
> Judith Jacob, Actress (Eastenders, No Problem & the Real McCoy  
> (Yabba Yabba)
>
> Cllr Patrick Vernon, Queensbridge Ward (London Borough of Hackney)
>
> Professor Richard Drayton, Department of History Kings College London
>
> Cllr Carole Williams - Hoxton (London Borough of Hackney)
>
> Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Vicar of Westminster, Chaplain to the  
> House of Commons & Hackney resident
>
> Linton Kwesi Johnson, poet
>
> Ngoma Bishop, Chair of the Black & Ethnic Minority Arts Network  
> (BEMA), House of Arts & Music Promotion Services (H-AMPS) and Save  
> the CLR James Library Campaign Coordinator
>
> Andrea Enisuoh, Hackney Unites & CLR James Library Campaign  
> Administrator
>
>
> http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveclrjameslibrary/
>
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