News & Events

Filmed Public Lecture & Portal Launch: C.L.R. James and opposition to WWII

Wednesday 8th April, 7.00pm at HATCH, Homerton E9 6AB

An alternative lecture on C.L.R. James and other writers’ opposition to WWII with James Heartfield, lecturer, journalist and author of Unpatriotic History of the Second World War.

In a 1940 pamphlet entitled My Friends: A Fireside Chat on the War, C.L.R. James rejected entry into the Second World War and parodied Franklin Roosevelt’s fireside chats “My friends, why does the President want us to fight?…..Tell me, Mr. President, what democracy do I defend by going to fight Hitler? Hitler is a vile criminal and should be driven off the face of the earth. But I have no democracy and the democracy I haven’t got Hitler didn’t take from me. I know all those who have been taking away democracy from me and my people……..all of them aided by you, President Roosevelt……”

To discuss this rare and principled opposition by C.L.R. James and other writers, we are delighted to be hosting this filmed public lecture on Wednesday 8th April at 7.00pm at the exciting new venue HATCH, Homerton, a 1 minute walk from Homerton station.

We are also launching our C.L.R. James knowledge portal on the night and serving complimentary platters and snacks.

Tickets cost £7/£4 and as spaces are limited, it is wise to book as soon as possible. Please note that the entrance fee will help towards venue and film costs for this exciting event.

Tickets can be booked online via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filmed-public-lecture-portal-launch-clr-james-and-opposition-to-wwii-tickets-16285204485

An alternative lecture and discussion on factors which lead to the end of slavery. Were C.L.R James and Eric Williams right? Despite its profits, was slavery an inherently unstable system and outdated mode of production? With slaves dying like flies and rebellion on the cards was abolition ultimately a matter of economics? What role did moral objections play and what did William Wilberforce really have to do with it?

In his seminal work Black Jacobins C.L.R. James tells us “Despite the names that were to become so famous….we must beware of thinking that the ‘Friends of the Negro’ represented a force.”

Eric Williams in his book Capitalism and Slavery tells us “The commercial capitalism of the eighteenth century developed the wealth of Europe by means of slavery and monopoly. But in so doing it helped to create the industrial capitalism of the nineteenth century, which turned round and destroyed the power of commercial capitalism, slavery, and all its works. Without a grasp of these economic changes the history of the period is meaningless.”

This fascinating discussion will be introduced by journalist, lecturer and author James Heartfield.

Please arrive in time for drinks and complimentary snacks. This event will take place at the exciting venue, known as Chats Palace,  (42-44 Brooksby’s Walk,London E9 6DF. see map) a 5 minute walk from Homerton station.

Tickets cost £7/£4 and can be booked online via https://clr-alternative-lectures.eventbrite.com. As spaces are limited, it is wise to book as soon as possible.

See you at the event!