David Olusoga, a historian and author of "Black and British: A Forgotten History", joins Labour MP Dawn Butler, known for her advocacy on racial justice, and philosopher Susan Neiman, who wrote "Learning from the Germans". They discuss the global protests ignited by George Floyd's death, the controversial removals of statues, and the complexities of historical narratives around slavery. They also highlight the impact of inclusive education and the role of youth activism in striving for equality and justice.
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Colston Statue Removal
David Olusoga supported the removal of the Colston statue in Bristol.
He believes it was a decisive moment, but prefers official channels.
insights INSIGHT
Statues and Values
Susan Neiman argues statues are about values, not history.
They represent what a society chooses to memorialize and value.
insights INSIGHT
Germany's Reckoning
Germany's reckoning with its Nazi past was a slow process.
It required a shift from seeing themselves as victims to perpetrators.
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Just Mercy is a personal narrative by Bryan Stevenson that delves into his decades-long work with the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit law office dedicated to defending marginalized Americans. The book centers around the case of Walter McMillan, a black man falsely accused and sentenced to death for the murder of a white woman in Alabama. Stevenson recounts the systemic injustices, racial biases, and legal battles involved in McMillan's case, as well as other cases of clients he has represented. The book highlights the flaws in the U.S. criminal justice system, particularly its treatment of people of color and the poor, and advocates for compassion and mercy in the pursuit of true justice.
Black and British
A Forgotten History
David Adetayo Olusoga
In 'Black and British: A Forgotten History', David Olusoga explores the rich and complex history of black people in Britain, tracing their presence from Roman times through the medieval period, the slave trade, and both World Wars. The book highlights how black British history is deeply intertwined with the broader cultural and economic narratives of the nation. It confronts taboos and reveals previously overlooked aspects of British history.
Learning from the Germans
Susan Neiman
In 'Learning from the Germans: Race and the Memory of Evil', Susan Neiman explores how Germany has come to terms with its Nazi past through a process known as Vergangenheitsbewältigung, or 'working off the past'. She argues that this process offers valuable lessons for the United States in confronting its own history of slavery and racism. Neiman discusses the challenges faced by both East and West Germany in acknowledging their past and how these efforts can inform American discussions on reparations, Confederate monuments, and racial justice.
Following the death of George Floyd, global Black Lives Matter protests, and debates raging over statues from Colston to Churchill, Intelligence Squared hosted an online discussion with historian David Olusoga, Labour MP Dawn Butler, and philosopher Susan Neiman who is author of 'Learning from the Germans: Confronting Race and the Memory of Evil'. The conversation was chaired by broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied. ------------------------------ Intelligence Squared+. The world's best speakers. Your questions. £4.99 per month. Intelligence Squared+ will bring you live, interactive events every week on our new online platform. Just like at our real-life events, you’ll be able to put your questions to our speakers, vote in live polls and interact with other members of the audience. Your subscription will give you access to multiple events featuring the world’s top thinkers and opinion formers, including Thomas Piketty, Margaret Atwood, Clive Woodward, Thomas Friedman, Meera Syal and Paloma Faith. For a full list of Intelligence Squared+ events and to subscribe, click here: https://bit.ly/2yfYIfm
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