The Memory of Colonialism in Britain and France; The Sins of Silence

Date / time: 30 November, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

The Memory of Colonialism in Britain and France; The Sins of Silence

 

This book launch explores national attitudes to remembering colonialism in Britain and France. By comparing these two former colonial powers, Lotem tells two distinct stories about coming to terms with the legacies of colonialism, the role of silence and the breaking thereof. Examining memory through the stories of people who incited public conversation on colonialism: activists; politicians; journalists; and professional historians, this book argues that these actors mobilised the colonial past to make sense of national identity, race and belonging in the present. In focusing on memory as an ongoing, politicised public debate, the book examines the afterlife of colonial history as an element of political and social discourse that depends on actors’ goals and priorities. A thought-provoking and powerful read that explores the divisive legacies of colonialism through oral history, this book will appeal to those researching imperialism, collective memory and cultural identity.

This event will take place on Tuesday 30 November 2021 at 5.00 pm and will be held both online (a Zoom link will be sent a few days before) and in person:

University of Westminster – Regent Campus
Cayley Room
309 Regent Street
London
W1B 2HW

For further details, including how to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-memory-of-colonialism-in-britain-and-france-the-sins-of-silence-tickets-207326427927.