Babylon’s Burning with Rick Blackman is in partnership with Love Music Hate Racism. Music has always played a vital role in confronting the rise of racist and fascist ideas in Britain.
In Babylon’s Burning author and activist Rick Blackman explores the impact and connections between three musical movements – The Stars Campaign for Interracial Friendship in the 1950s, Rock Against Racism in the late 1970s and Love Music Hate Racism in the first two decades of the 21st century. In the context of the recent race riots that exploded on the streets of Liverpool, this event explores the vital role that arts and culture can play in defeating the far right and uniting communities. Rick will be in conversation with Ameen Hadi.
With DJs playing Soul, Ska, RnB and Reggae
Rick Blackman is a historian, musician and anti-racist activist. He has been a lecturer for over 20 years, specialising in African American and British history and is an expert in music and subcultures. He is also a songwriter/arranger/producer who has been involved in a wide range of musical projects from Atlantic Records to Acid Jazz. He has worked at Abbey Road, Olympic and Air studios. He was an active member of Rock Against Racism as a youth and is currently involved in Love Music Hate Racism today. Rick Blackman is the author of two books on music and anti-racism: Forty Miles of Bad Road & the 1958 Notting Hill Riots and Babylon’s Burning, Music Subcultures and Anti-Fascism 1958-2020.
Ameen Hadi is a dedicated anti-racist and advocate for equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. Working for Unison North West Black Workers, Ameen has been pivotal to the recruitment and organisation of Black members and activists, and integral in building the union’s work in social care and significantly increasing Black member representation at all levels of the branch. Ameen has utilised his role on the North West Black members’ committee to help develop and support Black members and activists, to campaign on a huge variety of issues. Ameen has been active in the Anti-Nazi League and is active in Love Music Hate Racism.