Issue 80: Black Scotland

A special issue given over entirely to black and minority ethnic writers

Poem

I have a dream that every one of us each and every day / Will rise up to those blocking us from progressing on our way

Near the start of our journey

Jatin Haria looks at the disconnect between the positive attitude public Scotland has taken to issues of race and the statistical reality. He argues that good intentions are not enough.

No need to be feart

Eunice Olumide argues that Scots may never have a more exciting moment that they have now and that she can see no fear in a wealthy small country like Scotland becoming independent

Mitigating Britain

Soryia Siddique argues that in an independent Scotland groceries would be more expensive and research funding would be cut. Vote no and Labour will offer more devolution.

The Not Just White Paper

Humza Yousaf looks at the Scottish Government’s White Paper and particularly its attitude to immigration and citizenship. He argues that Scotland wants a different approach than the rest of the UK

Mandela and Scotland

The long history of support in Scotland for Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheit movement is explored by Naseem Anwar who looks at Mandela’s legacy and his relevance today.

Poor, black, woman

Zareen Taj argues that gender, class and race are issues that have come together again and again - and that means women have no option but to become political

Looking Back

Nina Munday grew up in Scotland. Looking back from her new life in Singapore she realises that Scotland promised her a level of beloning she doubts she’d have found elsewhere

Akhtar Khan places Scotland’s support for Palestinians in a tradition of international solidarity stretching back for generations. He argues that this will not change no matter the outcome of the referendum.

The greatest radical speech

Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech is often interpreted as a predominantly individualistic speech. In fact, argues Graham Campbell, it is the most radical speech of its era.

A tradition of independence

Chimezie Umeh explains that Africans for Independence see the referendum as an extension of African independence struggles

Jacqueline Smith interview

Jacqueline Smith talks about her upcoming debut novel The Witchfinder

Scottish Left Review

Black Scotland