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

Mon Oct 4 08:43:35 UTC 2010

Hi

We had a similar issue with Olive Morris House in Brixton, when they tried
to remove the name of the building, we spent months wasting our time in
meeting with Council officials, and in the end we got it sorted in a month
by writing to Lambeth Chief executive, demanding to know what was he doing
to stop the erasure of the memory of a civil rights hero, accompanied by a
South London Press article where very prominent local leaders (inc LKJ who
was his friend) were expressing their concern, SLP is at war with the
council so they piled it up thick, we also did lobbying with MP and
councillors, and the name and dedication was reinstated in a flash

it seems to me that with that A-list of supporters they won't have much
trouble getting the name to stay, I will circulate the note to our Olive
Morris mailing list. However, I think it might be a nice opportunity to
remember who CLR James was and what was and is his relevance, I don't think
many young people these days know much about him. I'd be up for organising
something along those lines. I know the BBC filmed some interviews with him
in the 1970s, at his house at Railton Road, maybe we can track that stuff
and watch it + a discussion? maybe the LUX in Dalston will be up for hosting
something?

all best

ana laura

On Sun, Oct 3, 2010 at 10:36 PM, Haiti-London-Konbit <
haiti-london-konbit at lists.aktivix.org> wrote:

> 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<http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveclrjameslibrary/>
>  *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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Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre

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