The Black Cultural Archives presentation and primary documents gave me further insight into the varying race relations that exist within other countries. My selected archival document was a newsletter/pamphlet about British black feminist literature from 1994 with 25 pages. It is printed using black ink, with an image of a woman on the cover that accompanies a poem written by Michelle Walker. The newsletter is titled Black Sista and was published by the Camden Black Sisters Newsletter and Monthly Diary. 

In short, the poem tells the story of woman (God’s creation) being misinterpreted and misused by man throughout history and concludes on a note of mobilization against this (both intentional and unintentional) misinterpretation and misuse. 

The poem functions as both uplifting and mournful, balancing each tone with grace. It empowers black women, and bolsters their efforts to fight for equality. Walker’s writing displays a fierce reverence for black women in London. It reminds these women of their immense capability but also of the energy that their communities expect them to contribute to their family and the workforce. As a result, the poem’s thesis delivers its readers to understand that black women deserve respect, agency, and rest. 

During our discussions at the Black Cultural Archives, I realized that London served as the “starting point” for black rights movements and resulted in cultural changes that would spread throughout England as a result. In the U.S. however, there are many cities that serve as transformative moments in the Civil Rights Movement. Upon reflecting on this, I was reminded of CLR Jame’s description of London as, “Not England, but… is the peak, the centre, the  nucleus of a great branch of western civilisation,” in Letters from London. James describes London as a space that, while geologically located in England, exists above England in historical and cultural relevance. Indeed this is proved true with the materials studied in the Black Cultural Archives. Walker’s piece serves as one of many examples of incredible black feminist literature birthed in London that would go on to inspire the rest of England.