Writing about Activists – Sideways Sociology: UK Anti-Racism
Writing about Activists – Sideways Sociology: UK Anti-Racism, chaired by Professor Les Back, explored crucial questions regarding archival gaps, collective representation, and the complexities of commemorating anti-racist activism.
The online event, which took place on 18 June 2025, featured Dr John Narayan, Dr Hannah Ishmael and A.S. Francis, the essayists featured in the Sociological Review Foundation podcast mini-series Sideways Sociology: UK Anti-Racism, which highlights the important contributions of Ambalavaner Sivanandan, Gerlin Bean and Len Garrison.
Part of the Foundation's Conversations series of online events, Writing about Activists addressed methodological and ethical challenges, archival value, the tension between celebrating pioneering individuals versus collective movements, and how narrow definitions of impact may overlook broader social contributions.
Through reflections on Sivanandan’s critical analysis of imperialism, Bean’s feminist activism, and Garrison’s educational legacy, the conversation underscored the significance of engaging deeply with complexity, legacy and representation in anti-racist scholarship and practice.
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Download PDFs of the three Sideways Sociology essays:
Ambalavaner Sivanandan, Tech and Anti-Racism
https://thesociologicalreview.org/doc...
Gerlin Bean and Black British Feminist Socialism
https://thesociologicalreview.org/doc...
Len Garrison, Archives and Self Esteem
https://thesociologicalreview.org/doc...
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