The Bristorian delves into the untold stories of Black historical figures, cultures and events
Black history is not simply a month-long endeavour
Book Launch: Unearthed by Claire Ratinon
Discussing race, environment and colonial history, Ratinon’s new book is part history, part memoir as she unpacks what it means to find belonging in nature as a person of colour. Following the launch of Unearthed, Teagan considers ideas of heritage, place, and what it means to truly ‘belong’ in an environment…
The Rebirth and Revival of the Black Harlem Renaissance
For Black History Month, the Bristorian remembers the Harlem Renaissance. From the aftermath of the First World War until the mid-1930s, the Harlem neighbourhood in New York enjoyed an unprecedented boom in social and artistic African American culture, a golden age that echoed from Los Angeles to Paris.
Looking Back to Look Forward: Comparing the Civil Rights Era to the Black Lives Matter Movement
The Bristorian takes a look at what can be learnt by exploring the similarities and differences between the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter movements
Internationalising the Bristol Bus Boycott
The Bristol Bus Boycott was part of a wider struggle by people of colour against racial injustice in Bristol and in Britain. In this article, The Bristorian seeks to internationalise the boycott, highlighting its global context amidst the civil rights movements that came to define the 1960s.
Three Lessons to Learn from the Haitian Revolution
In 1789, Saint-Domingue was the jewel in the crown of the French colonial administration. It was the richest colony in the world, exporting a significant share of the world’s sugar, coffee, and cotton. Such status was, however, entirely reliant on the slave trade, as 500,000 of its 550,000 inhabitants were plantation slaves, subject to the dominance of 25,000 colonists. By 1804, the slave revolution had established the Haitian state, and with it, the total metamorphosis of social, political, and economic life.
In this piece, The Bristorian explores the lessons that emerge from the world’s first successful slave revolt, and suggests how we can learn from those lessons in today’s rapidly changing world.
‘Fons Americanus’: Reimagining Colonial Histories in Public
The cities of this country are packed with reminders and celebrations of our colonial past. So how are today’s artists and public historians attempting to decolonise their field? In this piece, The Bristorian explores the meanings behind Kara Walker’s Fons Americanus, on display at the Tate, and considers the wider decolonisation movement.
Is the Notion of African-American Emancipation in the Civil War a Myth?
Legally, African-American slaves were emancipated at the conclusion of the Civil War in 1863. Yet, if we are to scratch the surface, the celebratory rhetoric that surrounds emancipation seems to mask some inconvenient truths. In this piece, The Bristorian asks whether 'emancipation' is an apt descriptor of the African-American situation post Civil War.
Claudette Colvin: A Hero Who Should be Remembered
Claudette Colvin was one of the pioneers of the American civil rights movement, and yet her importance has been remarkably underreported since. In this piece, The Bristorian seeks to recover her legacy and ask why her story lacks the attention it deserves. Moreover, we implore readers to diversify their historical scopes, and explore stories beyond the given narrative.
How are Walking Tours and ‘Grassroots’ Memorialisation Changing Public Perceptions of Slavery?
As we as a society reckon with our imperial history and the difficult legacies associated with it, discussions regarding our collective memory of slavery have started to gain traction. Using the example of Liverpool, The Bristorian delves into the power walking tours and 'grassroots' memorialisation have in altering and informing our perceptions of slavery for the better.
The Remarkable Life of Tom Molineaux: A True Rags to Riches Story
The Bristorian begins its Black History Month initiative by delving into the fascinating story of Tom Molineaux, a former slave turned bare-knuckle boxer. Having fought his way to freedom, this piece explores his heroic journey to the final of the English Championship, along with all the bloodshed and scandal that came with it.
Robert Henri’s Exceptional Contribution to American Realism: The Cases of ‘Dutch Joe’ and ‘Willie Gee’
Robert Henri is widely considered as one of America’s most influential artists – through his stunning portrayals of life in New York City, and as a pioneer of the Ashcan School of American realism. In this piece, The Bristorian explores the significance of two of his most charming portraits, that of Dutch Joe (1910) and his Portrait of Willie Gee (1904).