We continue our discussion on revolutionary Pan-Afrikanist activist and intellectual Walter Rodney. Renewed interest has been generated by the release of the film, Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You To Know, however it was agreed that the documentary largely omits his Pan-Afrikan legacy as this was neither its objective nor within the capability of the film makers. (1)
That Walter Rodney is a towering presence in Pan-Afrikan politics is not in question. His activism was manifested wherever he was situated be it his native Guyana, Tanzania where he studied and taught, as a student in Jamaica and later, briefly, (but significantly) on the faculty of University of the West Indies (UWI) and even in the UK.
Marxist ideology underscored Rodney’s outlook. Indeed his “journey towards Marxism or Socialism” began as an undergraduate at UWI through among other influences his affiliation with the Young Socialist League. It was here that he embraced the notion of being a “revolutionary intellectual.” (2)
Yet, even with this foundation, he fully embraced his Afrikan identity. As Arnold Bertram, UWI Student in 1968 asserted:
“The primary thing for Walter was race consciousness. That’s where it began. To be conscious of yourself as a Black Man. All arguments now about to organise yourself for economic power, all those things followed consciousness.” (3)
It was this consciousness expressed through his Black Power advocacy that allowed him to so readily connect with the grassroots as a lecturer at Jamaica’s Mona Campus, while simultaneously being regarded as such a serious threat to the status quo. This led to his expulsion by Jamaica’s neo-colonial regime headed by Hugh Shearer and the brutal repression of the grassroots and student protests that erupted as a result. (4)
A fruitful six-year stint back in Tanzania followed. Although it ended in disappointment, he produced a number of books such as West Africa and the Atlantic Slave-Trade, A History of the Upper Guinea Coast 1545–1800 (based on his Ph.D dissertation) and the ground breaking How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.
The move back to Guyana set his political activism on collision course with Forbes Burnham’s People’s National Congress (PNC) administration. He endured harassment, denial of employment and ultimately assassination in 1980. In Guyana he tried to forge a multiracial (i.e. Afrikan and Indian) movement through the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), consistent with his Marxist ideology, yet years after his death, those racial fissures remain. (5) Ironically, Members of the WPA later joined with the PNC in the Alliance For Change in a quest for political power. (6) The coalition resulted in David Granger, commander of Guyanese Defence Force at the time of Walter Rodney’s assassination becoming president from 2015 to 2020. (7)
Some commentators suggest that Walter Rodney “progressed” from Black Power activism to socialism, yet as indicated above his Socialism pre-dated his adoption of Black Power by several years yet to all intents and purposes, he revelled in it (8) Indeed, Walter Rodney proudly embodied his Afrikan identity in an effort to reconcile what many would regard as contrary political, cultural or even racial ideologies.
(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (07/11/22) Walter Rodney: What is his legacy? Part 1 https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/afrika-speaks-071122-walter-rodney-what-is-his-legacy/
(2) Matthew J Smith (2018) The Past Is Not Our Future: Walter Rodney’s Student Years. Studio Of Time And Experience
(3) Matthew J Smith (2020) Disturbance 1968. Studio Of Time And Experience
(4) Ibid.
(5) Kean Gibson (01/07/21) Racist Ideologies embedded in a society do not disappear. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0ramMP4abJwHV22bLn39E4gwvBHbQAMFyGJnt9udwpoyynE9VMc5hEMQPdnQZNxSnl&id=100005861100289
(6) Kean Gibson (01/05/13) The Rescinding of the Oliver Tambo Award to Forbes Burnham. https://www.guyanagraphic.com/government-politics/rescinding-oliver-tambo-award-forbes-burnham-dr-kean-gibson
(7) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (09/12/19) Are YOU Walter Rodney? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/are-you-walter-rodney-091219/
(8) Chinedu Chukwudinna (2022) A Rebel’s Guid eTo Walter Rodney. Bookmarks Publications. p. 75
we ask the question:
Walter Rodney: What is his legacy? Part 2
1) What is the most effective way to advance the teachings of Walter Rodney?
2) What is Walter Rodney’s impact of the politics of race in Guyana?
3) How successfully did he reconcile differing political and cultural ideologies?
4) Is socialism really a “progression” from “Black Power”?
Our very special guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centered Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of nearly 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Eld. Cecil Guztmore: is an internationally renowned veteran scholar and activist who has been active in the Pan-Afrikan community for over fifty years..