Darcus Howe
Encyclopedia
Darcus Howe is a British broadcaster
, writer
, and civil liberties
campaigner. Originally from Trinidad
, he moved to America in the 1960s, then arrived in England intending to study law, where he joined the British Black Panthers, the first such branch of the organization outside the United States. He came to public attention in 1970 as one of the Mangrove Nine, when he marched to the police station in Notting Hill
, London, to protest against police raids of the Mangrove restaurant
, and again in 1981 when he organized a 20,000-strong "Black People's March" in protest at the handling of the investigation into the New Cross Fire
, in which 13 black teenagers died.
He is a former editor of Race Today
, and former chair of the Notting Hill Carnival
. He is best known in the UK for his "Black on Black" series on Channel 4
; his current affairs programme, Devil's Advocate; and his work with Tariq Ali
on Bandung File. His television work also includes White Tribe (2000), a look at modern Britain and its loss of "Englishness"; Slave Nation (2001); and Who You Callin' a Nigger? (2004). He writes columns for New Statesman
and The Voice
.
, but left the law for journalism. He returned to Trinidad, where his uncle and mentor, radical intellectual CLR James, inspired him to combine writing with political activism. A brief spell as assistant editor on the Trinidad trade union paper The Vanguard was followed by a return to Britain, where he served as editor of the magazine Race Today
from 1973 to 1985.
He became a member of the British Black Panther Movement, and in the summer of 1970 took part in a protest against the frequent police raids of the Mangrove restaurant
in Notting Hill, where he worked on the till. The restaurant had become a meeting place for black people, serving as what Howe called the "headquarters of radical chic". It was raided 12 times between January 1969 and July 1970 by police looking for drugs, and so 150 demonstrators marched on the local police station in protest, a demonstration that ended in violence. Six weeks later, Howe and eight others—the Mangrove Nine—were arrested for riot, affray and assault. He and four of his co-defendants were acquitted of all charges after a celebrated 55-day trial in 1971 at the Old Bailey
, which included an unsuccessful demand by Howe for an all-black jury, and fighting in the dock when some of the defendants tried to punch the prison officers. The judge stated that there was "evidence of racial hatred on both sides"—the first acknowledgement from a British judge that there was racial hatred in the Metropolitan Police Service
.
In 1977 Howe was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for assault, after a racially motivated altercation at a London Underground
Station, but was released upon appeal after protests over his arrest. Linton Kwesi Johnson
contributed a song, "Man Free (For Darcus Howe)", to the campaign for his release.
's television series Black on Black, later co-editor with Tariq Ali
of Bandung File and more recently White Tribe, a look at modern day Britain and its loss of 'Englishness'. Howe has continued to write in the New Statesman
and fronted the Channel 4
current affairs programme Devil's Advocate. He was a keynote speaker at the 2005 Belfast Film Festival
's "Film and Racism" seminar and presented his documentary Who You Callin' a Nigger? at the festival.
In October 2005, Howe presented a Channel 4 documentary Son of Mine, about his troubled relationship with his 20-year-old son Amiri, who had been caught handling stolen passports, shoplifting, and accused of attempted rape.
Howe appeared on the discussion programme, Midweek (on BBC Radio 4
), to promote the documentary on 19 October 2005 and, live on air, became involved in an angry debate with American
comedienne
Joan Rivers
. The dispute began when Howe suggested that Rivers was offended by the use of the term "black"; Rivers objected strongly to the suggestion that she was racist and forced Howe into an apology.
Howe was one of several public figures who fell foul of perennial satirist and prankster Chris Morris
on Morris' show Brass Eye
, in the final episode, 'Decline'.
for BBC News
on 9 August 2011 during the 2011 England riots
. During the interview, Armstrong twice referred to him as "Marcus Dowe," then asked: "You are not a stranger to riots yourself, I understand, are you? You have taken part in them yourself." Howe denied this, saying: "I have never taken part in a single riot. I've been part of demonstrations that ended up in a conflict. Have some respect for an old West Indian Negro
, and stop accusing me of being a rioter. Because you wanted for me to get abusive, you just sound idiotic—have some respect." The BBC apologised for any offence the interview caused, and said "it had not intended to show him any disrespect".
in April 2007 and has since campaigned for more men to get tested.
A biography of Howe, Darcus Howe: a Political Biography, by Robin Bunce of Cambridge University and human rights activist Paul Field, is currently in preparation.
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
campaigner. Originally from Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, he moved to America in the 1960s, then arrived in England intending to study law, where he joined the British Black Panthers, the first such branch of the organization outside the United States. He came to public attention in 1970 as one of the Mangrove Nine, when he marched to the police station in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London, to protest against police raids of the Mangrove restaurant
Mangrove restaurant
The Mangrove was a Caribbean restaurant located at 8 All Saints Road, Notting Hill, west London. It was opened in 1968 by Trinidadian community activist and civil rights campaigner Frank Crichlow...
, and again in 1981 when he organized a 20,000-strong "Black People's March" in protest at the handling of the investigation into the New Cross Fire
New Cross Fire
The New Cross Fire was a devastating house fire which killed 13 young black people during a birthday party in New Cross, southeast London on Sunday 18 January 1981...
, in which 13 black teenagers died.
He is a former editor of Race Today
Race Today
Race Today was a monthly British political magazine. Launched in 1969 by the Institute of Race Relations, it was from 1973 published by the Race Today Collective, which included figures such as Darcus Howe, Farrukh Dhondy and Linton Kwesi Johnson...
, and former chair of the Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which since 1964 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea , London, UK each August, over two days...
. He is best known in the UK for his "Black on Black" series on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
; his current affairs programme, Devil's Advocate; and his work with Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali , , is a British Pakistani military historian, novelist, journalist, filmmaker, public intellectual, political campaigner, activist, and commentator...
on Bandung File. His television work also includes White Tribe (2000), a look at modern Britain and its loss of "Englishness"; Slave Nation (2001); and Who You Callin' a Nigger? (2004). He writes columns for New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
and The Voice
The Voice
- Music :* The Voice of Frank Sinatra, a Frank Sinatra album* The Voice , a 1984 album by Bobby McFerrin* The Voice , a 1994 EP by Vicious Rumors* The Voice , a 2001 album by Russell Watson...
.
Early life and early career
Howe was born in Trinidad, the son of an Anglican priest. He first moved to England at the age of 18, arriving on the SS Antilles at Southampton. He intended to study law at Middle TempleMiddle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
, but left the law for journalism. He returned to Trinidad, where his uncle and mentor, radical intellectual CLR James, inspired him to combine writing with political activism. A brief spell as assistant editor on the Trinidad trade union paper The Vanguard was followed by a return to Britain, where he served as editor of the magazine Race Today
Race Today
Race Today was a monthly British political magazine. Launched in 1969 by the Institute of Race Relations, it was from 1973 published by the Race Today Collective, which included figures such as Darcus Howe, Farrukh Dhondy and Linton Kwesi Johnson...
from 1973 to 1985.
He became a member of the British Black Panther Movement, and in the summer of 1970 took part in a protest against the frequent police raids of the Mangrove restaurant
Mangrove restaurant
The Mangrove was a Caribbean restaurant located at 8 All Saints Road, Notting Hill, west London. It was opened in 1968 by Trinidadian community activist and civil rights campaigner Frank Crichlow...
in Notting Hill, where he worked on the till. The restaurant had become a meeting place for black people, serving as what Howe called the "headquarters of radical chic". It was raided 12 times between January 1969 and July 1970 by police looking for drugs, and so 150 demonstrators marched on the local police station in protest, a demonstration that ended in violence. Six weeks later, Howe and eight others—the Mangrove Nine—were arrested for riot, affray and assault. He and four of his co-defendants were acquitted of all charges after a celebrated 55-day trial in 1971 at the Old Bailey
Old Bailey
The Central Criminal Court in England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey from the street in which it stands, is a court building in central London, one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court...
, which included an unsuccessful demand by Howe for an all-black jury, and fighting in the dock when some of the defendants tried to punch the prison officers. The judge stated that there was "evidence of racial hatred on both sides"—the first acknowledgement from a British judge that there was racial hatred in the Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
.
In 1977 Howe was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for assault, after a racially motivated altercation at a London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
Station, but was released upon appeal after protests over his arrest. Linton Kwesi Johnson
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Linton Kwesi Johnson is a UK-based dub poet. He became the second living poet, and the only black poet, to be published in the Penguin Classics series. His poetry involves the recitation of his own verse in Jamaican Patois over dub-reggae, usually written in collaboration with renowned British...
contributed a song, "Man Free (For Darcus Howe)", to the campaign for his release.
Broadcasting career
In 1982, Howe began his broadcasting career on Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's television series Black on Black, later co-editor with Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali , , is a British Pakistani military historian, novelist, journalist, filmmaker, public intellectual, political campaigner, activist, and commentator...
of Bandung File and more recently White Tribe, a look at modern day Britain and its loss of 'Englishness'. Howe has continued to write in the New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
and fronted the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
current affairs programme Devil's Advocate. He was a keynote speaker at the 2005 Belfast Film Festival
Belfast Film Festival
Founded in 1995 by author Laurence McKeown, in its early stages of development the West Belfast Film Festival was part of Féile an Phobail. In its third and fourth year, it was autonomous and under the stewardship of Michele Devlin and Laurence McKeown, the Film Festival ran as a citywide event...
's "Film and Racism" seminar and presented his documentary Who You Callin' a Nigger? at the festival.
In October 2005, Howe presented a Channel 4 documentary Son of Mine, about his troubled relationship with his 20-year-old son Amiri, who had been caught handling stolen passports, shoplifting, and accused of attempted rape.
Howe appeared on the discussion programme, Midweek (on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
), to promote the documentary on 19 October 2005 and, live on air, became involved in an angry debate with American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedienne
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers is an American comedian, television personality and actress. She is known for her brash manner; her loud, raspy voice with a heavy New York accent; and her numerous cosmetic surgeries...
. The dispute began when Howe suggested that Rivers was offended by the use of the term "black"; Rivers objected strongly to the suggestion that she was racist and forced Howe into an apology.
Howe was one of several public figures who fell foul of perennial satirist and prankster Chris Morris
Chris Morris (satirist)
Christopher Morris is an English satirist, writer, director and actor. A former radio DJ, he is best known for anchoring the spoof news and current affairs television programmes The Day Today and Brass Eye, as well as his frequent engagement with controversial subject matter.In 2010 Morris...
on Morris' show Brass Eye
Brass Eye
Brass Eye is a UK television series of satirical spoof documentaries. A series of six aired on Channel 4 in 1997, and a further episode in 2001....
, in the final episode, 'Decline'.
BBC interview
Howe was interviewed by Fiona ArmstrongFiona Armstrong
Fiona Armstrong, Lady MacGregor of MacGregor is a freelance Scottish television journalist.-Early life and career:Armstrong was born in Preston, Lancashire. As a child she lived for ten years in Nigeria, where her father was in the colonial service. She became Lady MacGregor of MacGregor when she...
for BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
on 9 August 2011 during the 2011 England riots
2011 England riots
Between 6 and 10 August 2011, several London boroughs and districts of cities and towns across England suffered widespread rioting, looting and arson....
. During the interview, Armstrong twice referred to him as "Marcus Dowe," then asked: "You are not a stranger to riots yourself, I understand, are you? You have taken part in them yourself." Howe denied this, saying: "I have never taken part in a single riot. I've been part of demonstrations that ended up in a conflict. Have some respect for an old West Indian Negro
Negro
The word Negro is used in the English-speaking world to refer to a person of black ancestry or appearance, whether of African descent or not...
, and stop accusing me of being a rioter. Because you wanted for me to get abusive, you just sound idiotic—have some respect." The BBC apologised for any offence the interview caused, and said "it had not intended to show him any disrespect".
Personal life
Howe has been married three times and has seven children. The 2005 Channel 4 documentary Son of Mine examines Howe's relationship with his 20-year-old son Amiri, who faced jail for charges related to stolen passports. His daughter Tamara was a director of production for London Weekend Television. He was diagnosed with prostate cancerProstate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
in April 2007 and has since campaigned for more men to get tested.
A biography of Howe, Darcus Howe: a Political Biography, by Robin Bunce of Cambridge University and human rights activist Paul Field, is currently in preparation.
External links
- Bio", BlackinBritain.co.uk, accessed 13 August 2011.