<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi Ana Laura et al,<div><br></div><div>I agree that this would be a great opportunity to commemorate CLR James and create some educational projects around him.</div><div>Do you mean the Rio in Dalston? That would be great. Or even Cafe Otto. I'm sure OPEN Dalston could be involved too and maybe even Winstan Whitter who made the film about the 4 Aces club in Dalston (which was a few doors up from the CLR James Library). Winstan's film is showing for three nights this week at the BHVU gallery in Stoke Newington. Details here:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.bhvu.co.uk/#/">http://www.bhvu.co.uk/#/</a>legacy-in-the-dust/4542734465</div><div><br></div><div>I will go along on Wednesday and have a chat with him about these ideas.</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div><br></div><div>John</div><div><br></div><div>Let's move forward on this<br><div><div>On 4 Oct 2010, at 01:43, Haiti-London-Konbit wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite">Hi<br><br>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<br> <br>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? <br> <br>all best<br><br>ana laura<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Oct 3, 2010 at 10:36 PM, Haiti-London-Konbit <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:haiti-london-konbit@lists.aktivix.org">haiti-london-konbit@lists.aktivix.org</a>></span> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"><div style="word-wrap: break-word;">Hello Konbit,<div><br></div><div>Please see the forwarded message. If anyone would like to meet to discuss potential actions on this please let me know.</div> <div><br></div><div>Best wishes,</div><div><br></div><div>John<br><div><br><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><font style="font: 14px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" color="#000000" face="Helvetica" size="4"><b>From: </b></font><font style="font: 14px Helvetica;" face="Helvetica" size="4">Global Women's Strike <<a href="mailto:gws@globalwomenstrike.net" target="_blank">gws@globalwomenstrike.net</a>></font></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><font style="font: 14px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" color="#000000" face="Helvetica" size="4"><b>Date: </b></font><font style="font: 14px Helvetica;" face="Helvetica" size="4">1 October 2010 04:50:18 PDT (CA)</font></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><font style="font: 14px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" color="#000000" face="Helvetica" size="4"><b>To: </b></font><font style="font: 14px Helvetica;" face="Helvetica" size="4"><a href="mailto:jcussans@gmail.com" target="_blank">jcussans@gmail.com</a></font></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><font style="font: 14px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" color="#000000" face="Helvetica" size="4"><b>Subject: </b></font><font style="font: 14px Helvetica;" face="Helvetica" size="4"><b>CLR James Library/London - Open Letter against proposed name change</b></font></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><font style="font: 14px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" color="#000000" face="Helvetica" size="4"><b>Reply-To: </b></font><font style="font: 14px Helvetica;" face="Helvetica" size="4"><a href="mailto:gws@globalwomenstrike.net" target="_blank">gws@globalwomenstrike.net</a></font></div> <div style="margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br></div> </div><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><div> <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="63%"><tbody><tr><td><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">Please support the Open letter,<span> </span><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveclrjameslibrary/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-decoration: none; font-weight: 700;" target="_blank">sign the petition</a><span> </span></span><i><font face="Arial">and circulate widely.</font></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </p><hr><p align="center"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><img src="http://img2.ymlp60.com/londonstrike_BEMA_1.jpg" border="0" height="120" width="554"></span></font></p><p style="margin: 6pt 0cm; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: lime;">The Arts in Harmony Network</span></p><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;"> Honorary Patron: Diane Abbott, MP</div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">HCVS, Unit 84 Springfield House, 5 Tyssen Street, London, E8 2LY</span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Tel:<span> </span><b>020 7923 8360 / 1962</b><span> </span>- Fax:<span> </span><b>020 7275 8577</b></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Website:<span> </span><a href="http://www.bemanetwork.org.uk" target="_blank">http://www.bemanetwork.org.uk</a><b> <span> </span></b>- Email:<span> </span><a href="mailto:bemaadmin@hcvs.org.uk" target="_blank">bemaadmin@hcvs.org.uk</a></span></div><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;" align="center"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;">Open letter to the Council of the London Borough of Hackney</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Signed by:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Selma James</b><span> </span>(widow of CLR James)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Professor Gus John</b>, Founder Trustee of the George Padmore Institute and former Director of Education and Leisure Services in Hackney</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Judith Jacob</b>, Actress (Eastenders, No Problem & the Real McCoy (Yabba Yabba)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Cllr Patrick Vernon,</b><span> </span>Queensbridge Ward (London Borough of Hackney)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Professor Richard Drayton</b>, Department of History Kings College London</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Cllr Carole Williams</b><span> </span>- Hoxton (London Borough of Hackney)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin</b>, Vicar of Westminster, Chaplain to the House of Commons & Hackney resident</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Linton Kwesi Johnson</b>, poet</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Ngoma Bishop</b>, 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</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><b>Andrea Enisuoh</b>, Hackney Unites & CLR James Library Campaign Administrator</span></p> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <br></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" align="center"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveclrjameslibrary/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveclrjameslibrary/</a></span></p> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="center"><hr color="#000000" noshade="" size="1" width="50%"><a href="http://ymlp60.com/u.php?id=guebujsgsguysbegbbyq" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" target="_blank">Change email address / Leave mailing list</a><span> </span><br> <a href="http://ymlp60.com/m/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" target="_blank">Powered by YMLP</a></div></div></span></blockquote></div><br></div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br> Haiti-London-Konbit mailing list<br> <a href="mailto:Haiti-London-Konbit@lists.aktivix.org">Haiti-London-Konbit@lists.aktivix.org</a><br> <a href="https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/haiti-london-konbit" target="_blank">https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/haiti-london-konbit</a><br> <br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>*********************************<br>Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre<br><br>Studio 3 <br>temporarycontemporary<br>Unit 1 - Camberwell Trading Estate<br>117-119 Denmark Road<br> London SE5 9LB<br><br>T: +44 (0)20-8674 2992<br>M: +44 (0)7891 702 419<br>E: <a href="mailto:lopez.analaura@gmail.com">lopez.analaura@gmail.com</a><br>W: <a href="http://www.lopezdelatorre.org">http://www.lopezdelatorre.org</a><br> _______________________________________________<br>Haiti-London-Konbit mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Haiti-London-Konbit@lists.aktivix.org">Haiti-London-Konbit@lists.aktivix.org</a><br>https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/haiti-london-konbit<br></blockquote></div><br></div></body></html>