Showcase

As chair of African Reparations Movement, Bernie Grant was keenly aware of the importance of history and heritage for African diaspora peoples:

'Only if we understand our past can we as Black People move forward in the future. We must demand compensation for the biggest crime in history - the colonization and enslavement of our people.'

Anyone interested in exploring the life and times of Bernie Grant will find much that is of interest in this fascinating collection of papers, photographs, books and audio-visual material. But the Bernie Grant Archive does more than give insights in to the work of the well-known politician. It helps us to understand how perspectives on issues change, and why policies and practices develop in the way they do. Due to Bernie Grant's tireless campaigning of behalf of numerous diverse communities, many individuals can also find something that's relevant to their history in his archives.

The 70 cubic feet of items held within the Bernie Grant Archive come in a variety of formats and cover an extensive range of activities, as undertaken by Bernie Grant, on a local, national and global scale. The following is just a visual taster of some of the many remarkable items to be explored whilst visiting the Bernie Grant Archive:

Ephemera:

Ephemeral copy of African Reparations Movement Repossession Notice submitted to the Director of the British Museum, 15 March 1997.

African Reparations Movement notice flyer

This link opens in a new window - Labour Party flyer

Labour Party Election flyer, 1997

Personal Memorabilia:

A sampling of the many badges and lapel stick pins maintained within Bernie Grant's personal memorabilia.

This link opens in a new window - Labour Ribbon

Benin Centenary commemorative ribbon

This link opens in a new window - South Africa state banquet

State Banquet Programme in honour of the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela

Objects:

This link opens in a new window - Haringey Unison MEC Presented To Honourable Bernie Grant MP In Recognition For His Fight Against Racism In UK & Europe 1995

Haringey Unison MEC Presented To Honourable Bernie Grant MP In Recognition For His Fight Against Racism In UK & Europe 1995

One of many placards used in the picket campaign held outside the British Museum, 11 July 1994

This link opens in a new window - Bernie Grant's Dashiki

Bernie Grant met with responses ranging from delighted to shock when he proudly wore an African dashiki at State openings of Parliament whilst MP for Tottenham. This is one of a few robes held within the archive

Papers & documents:

This link opens in a new window - Copenhagen Racial Equality Speech

Extract from speech delivered to the International Symposium of the Danish Board for Ethnic Equality, Copenhagen, 1996

This link opens in a new window - Bernie's handwritten notes

Bernie Grant's handwritten speech notes for a police lecture, c.1990s

This link opens in a new window - Letter from Chief Superintendent praising BG's role

Letter to Bernie Grant from Chief Superintendent T.A. Stainsby, Tottenham Police, 13 May 1987

Published Reference Material:

One of many significant books in the collection that help to support and supplement the original sources

Book given as a gift to Bernie Grant from members of the Rhode Island Black Caucus of State Legislature

Photographs:

Local protest by Tottenham pensioners at the House of Commons, 1994		Local campaign to save Bruce Grove Post Office

Local campaign against traffic at Mt Pleasant Road, Tottenham, c.1986

Press Files:

Tottenham Labour Party Press Release		Press headline from 'The Voice', 3 May 1999

Black Focus on Election Group newsletter from press file, c.1987

Video:

These brief visual excerpts from interviews and conferences also provide a unique glimpse into the nature and content of the Archive collection.
House of Commons - Prime Minister's Question Time, 24 Nov 1999 Bernie Grant historically requesting a formal apology for slavery Tony Blair’s response		Documentary, 9 July 1996 Black people and No return on vote


Blackpool - Labour Party Conference (1984) Bernie Grant makes a wide-ranging case for Black Sections in the Labour Party. "Black people have been in Britain a very very long time and we're gonna be here a long time yet..."		Bernie Grant re a year in Parliament (Clip 1) "...When I wore my Dashiki in Parliament�it was to let people know that I was an African MP..."
Bernie Grant re a year in Parliament (Clip 2) Representing pensioners		Bernie Grant re a year in Parliament (Clip 3) Racism in the House of Commons "...you never get used to racism". Bernie Grant recalls of his personal and painful experiences with racism.

Audio:

Radio Interview, June 1987

Profile of Bernie Grant shortly after the historic election wherein Bernie became the senior of the first Black MP�s elected to British Parliament.

Haringey Race Equality Conference, Alexandra Palace 27 June 1995

A typically wide-ranging speech, putting the battle for race equality in a global context.

Brixton Reparations Speech, Nov 1993

This speech, one of several during a nationwide tour on Reparations, was given before a thousand strong audience in Brixton. He sets out the case for Reparations with passion and receives vocal support from the audience.