Stepney Words 50 Years On
When:
—
Venue:
External
In 1971, English teacher Chris Searle was sacked from a school in Stepney for publishing his students' poems about their perspectives on the world around them. His students, joined by others from local schools, went on strike and marched from the East End to Trafalgar Square to demand justice. Fifty years later, Chris and his pupils, with historians and grassroots activists, reflect on the significance and legacy of Stepney Words, activism and change in Stepney, and the continuing radical potential of poetry. The afternoon will end with performances from today's young poets.
Free, but booking is essential (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stepney-wordsfifty-years-on-tickets-167254014259)
Speakers include:
Chris Searle and the 1971 poets
Alan Gilbey and Sally Flood, Basement Writers
Tony Harcup, 1971 poet, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, University of Sheffield
Angela Saunders, Head of Governors, Stepney All Saints School
Judith Suissa, Professor of the Philosophy of Education, UCL Institute of Education
Rob Waters, Lecturer in Modern British History, QMUL
Julie Begum, anti-racism activist and co-founder of Swadhinata Trust
Ken Worpole, writer and community publisher
Dillon Kalyabe and Becksy Becks, poets
Organisers: Professor Nadia Valman, School of English and Drama, QMUL and Alan Dein, journalist
This event is part of the Being Human festival, which is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, and supported by the British Academy and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Contact name:
Katy Pettit