Walter Rodney’s revolutionary praxis: An interview with Devyn Springer
Aug 31, 2022
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Devyn Springer, an interviewee for Walter Rodney's revolutionary praxis, discusses the preservation of Rodney's legacy through the Walter Rodney Foundation. They also explore the continued relevance of Rodney's work in understanding Western imperialism, African resistance, and the impact of his revolutionary theories on reading groups in prisons and young writers, researchers, and organizers. Additionally, they discuss Walter Rodney's Marxist perspective on Black Power and the inclusive nature of his concept of Blackness.
The Walter Rodney Foundation plays a crucial role in preserving Rodney's legacy, advancing social justice, and promoting critical analysis of colonialism and underdevelopment.
Walter Rodney's work 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa' remains highly relevant, exposing the exploitative processes of colonialism, neo-colonialism, and underdevelopment while inspiring revolutionary struggles globally.
Deep dives
The Importance of the Walter Rodney Foundation
The Walter Rodney Foundation (WRF) plays a crucial role in preserving Walter Rodney's legacy and promoting his revolutionary theories and practices. Through grassroots support and public education, the WRF advances social justice and critical analysis of topics such as colonialism, underdevelopment, and the pan-African struggle. The Foundation offers political education classes and ongoing projects like the Legacy Project, which collects stories and oral histories about Rodney. In addition to maintaining legacies, the WRF ensures that Rodney's critical analysis remains relevant and unco-opted. The involvement of the Rodney family, with their organizing experience and knowledge, adds further significance to the Foundation's work.
The Relevance of 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa'
Walter Rodney's most recognized work, 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa', remains highly relevant in understanding Western imperialism and African resistance. The book presents a historical materialist argument, demonstrating how Europe's capitalism and global capitalist system relied on the underdevelopment of Africa. Rodney explores the exploitative processes of colonialism, neo-colonialism, and underdevelopment, highlighting the repatriation of African resources and the perpetuation of exploitation by the North. 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa' also delves into the history of class society, racism, misleadership, and the impact of the slave trade. The book's influence extends beyond academia, resonating with incarcerated individuals and inspiring revolutionary struggles globally.
Rodney's Groundings as Revolutionary Pedagogy
Walter Rodney's 'groundings' represent a pedagogical model and practice of decolonizing knowledge, empowering oppressed people, and merging theory with practice. Through public lectures, Rodney brought education to the streets, imparting knowledge about African and Caribbean history, political movements, capitalism, and colonialism. Groundings democratized knowledge production, encouraging communities to tap into their histories and generate knowledge relevant to their lives. Rodney emphasized African history's importance and challenged Eurocentric frameworks, promoting a critical analysis of misleadership and the colonial implications within neocolonial societies. His pedagogy, as showcased in 'The Groundings with My Brothers', continues to inspire and engage, both academically and in revolutionary struggles.
The following interview, facilitated by Derek Ford, took place via e-mail during June and July in preparation for Black August, when progressive organizers and activists deepen our study of and commitment to the Black struggle in the U.S. and the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist class struggles worldwide. During this time, we wanted to provide a unique and accessible resource on Walter Rodney, the revolutionary Guyanese organizer, theorist, pedagogue, political economist, and what many call a “guerrilla intellectual.” Liberation School recently republished Rodney’s essay on George Jackson here (https://www2.liberationschool.org/walter-rodney-on-george-jackson/).
Read the interview here: https://www.liberationschool.org/walter-rodneys-revolutionary-praxis-devyn-springer-interview/
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