BRIT BABYLONIA
On Tuesday we heard the news that Bob Marley had died. The only television program to examine Marley’s place in the black community and his effect on British West Indians’ black pride told of the reaction in Brixton where “It hasn’t sunk in yet...
LETTER FROM BRITAIN
BRIT BABYLONIA
Penny Valentin
On Tuesday we heard the news that Bob Marley had died. The only television program to examine Marley’s place in the black community and his effect on British West Indians’ black pride told of the reaction m Brixton where “It hasn’t sunk in yet... but you pan see it,” as the owner of a reggae store said. You can see it on the faces, just disbelief, man, that Bob is gone.”
Bob isgone.
On Friday night Bruce Springsteen sang I his Land Is Your Land” and added the line: “from the streets of Brixton”...
Last month the streets of Brixton were on every front page as they exploded into street fighting. Years of police harassment, stop and search, and dawn swoops in the community were exacerbated by months of unemployment and the feeling of years of no future. On the Frontline of Railton Road black (and white) youth battled with the representatives of state oppression. In turn the police donned riot helmets, brought out the plastic shields and entered in force. For three days and nights Brixton burned.