PHD on Black influence on British Society

[kieranconnell]

Dear all;

I am currently writing a PHD on Black influence on British society, namely, the perception in the media and politically that there was (and is) a 'Black problem,' and how innacurate this is.

A part of my thesis is Black influence on white culture: I look at the early Mods in the 50s and also the impact Ska had on the early skinheads, in terms of dress and lifestyle.

So really, what I am asking for, is people's views on this subject. My thesis is based on oral history, because I think it best to look at issues from the 'bottom up,' so I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who was a skinhead, is a skinhead, knew a skinhead, has views on this Thatcherite perception of a 'Black problem,' etc etc would be willing to share their experiences or opinions with me.

If anyone has anything to say, please drop me an email and have a chat.

Cheers,


Kieran

[carolyn]

Hello Kieran

When I first joined the forum I posted a thread on Skinheads and Racism. I attach the link. You may get a couple of good contacts through it.

shanemeadows.proboards39.com/index.cgi?board=oi&action=display&thread=1177430984

Good luck with your thesis.

Carolyn x

[jill]

Kieran,

I'll try to pm you about the oral history aspect when I get a chance. Since you're working on this topic in a serious way, you're probably familiar with some of these recommendations (as secondary literature), but in case you're not....

The first part of Terry Rawling's book 'Mods: A Very British Phenomenon' entitled 'Soho and Bohos' traces the origins of the Mods back to both the Art Schools (Italian design influences) and black soul music. In the case of the latter, he goes back to the post War period (late 40s-1950s)when black GIs sold imported jazz and soul records to white kids in Soho. Intersting because it goes beyond the usual litany of 60s influences-Major Lance etc

David Nowell's history of Northern Soul 'Too Darn Soulful: The Story of Northern Soul ' might also be useful. It's a very, very long time since I read it, but I recall that there's a lot on the history on Mods and the early NS clubs like the Twisted Wheel and the Torch.

I'd also recommend a little known, but excellent book called 'England is Mine' by Michael Bracewell. His style is a little idiosyncratic, but it the best thing I've every read on the relationship between pop music and English identity. There isn't much on Skinheads or Ska (just a few pages here and there), but read in context, what there is might well be useful.

Unfortunately Nowell and Bracewell are both oop now, but you can get second hand copies on Amazon. Bracewell's book is expensive, but maybe you could track down a copy through inter-library loan. At a push, I could photocopy the relevant pages and send them to you, but, again, read out of context I'm not sure it'd be too useful.

If I think of anything else I'll post it.

Good luck with your thesis-sounds really interesting.

Edit: Forgot Jon Savage's 'England's Dreaming'-a fantastic book; thoroughly researched, erudite and beautifully written. Mainly focused on punk (esp sex pistols), as the name suggests, but there's lots of stuff on Thatcherism, the New Right and the politics of 'othering.' Also loads on the influence of reggae on punk (Don Letts etc), Rock Against Rascism and-if memory serves-a bit on the late 70s ska revival (Beat etc).

[anonlytwin]

you'll no doubt have come across it but Dick Hebdige's Subculture: The Meaning of Style (London; New York: Metheun, 1979) which is a must and Nick Knight's 'Skin' (omnibus: 1982) both of which I was introduced to via the film publication, 'little white lies' special on Shane. good luck mate