Title: The Enlightenment: Citizens of Britishness
Author: Geoff Palmer
Reviewer: Tanya Batson-Savage
THE RENAISSANCE was the period of enlightenment, and with The Enlightenment: Citizens of Britishness, Geoff Palmer attempts to shed some not so new information to race relations, at least as it relates to Britishness.
The book uses easy language that flows well, and despite much of the historical information that is thrown in, often in a near anecdotal manner, it never has the feeling of an academic text. The text, which runs to just over 100 pages, is published in association with Librario Publishing.
The Enlightenment: Citizens of Britishness is a difficult book to define. It seems more like an attempt at a treatise, or at least related essays on race relations in Britain and how they relate to the Britain's history of slavery.
Additionally, the work is semi-autobiographical, as Palmer uses many of his life experiences to explain and illustrate his ideas. As such, the book sometimes feels like Palmer's testimony, while he combines examples taken from his life with snippets of history.
The work also includes five previously published articles that deal with issues of race and citizenship: 'Where Children
are Still Seen and not Heard', 'Handsworth: Caribbean Black Country', 'Food for Thought in Multicultural Britain', 'Punished for Being Jamaican' and 'Education Race and Citizenship'.
ELUSIVE
At the end of the text,
exactly what Palmer means by Britishness remains elusive. What he attempts to show, however, is that British history is a significant part of what it means to be Jamaican, and that, simi-larly, Jamaica is a significant part of British history.
While one must consider that Palmer migrated to England in his early teens, it is quite clear that he believes 'Britishness' to be one of his, and all Jamaicans', inalienable rights. He argues that these rights have been earned as Britain's wealth was built upon the backs of slaves.
Palmer says, "There are some who believe that Britishness is an unpalatable legacy of the past and should be forgotten and replaced. But how can we replace history? Among other things, history reminds us of the contributions and rights of the people that make up the communities of the world."
BRITISH VISA
This was further argued in one of the included articles which states, "Our history and our genes give us a right to be here and that cannot be dismissed or changed by words or deeds from any quarter." The article was opposed to the introduction of the British visa for Jamaicans.
As such, those who wish to identify Jamaican culture through its association with Africa may well find The Enlightenment a little steeped in the dark ages, especially when Palmer makes assertions such as " ... the only language of Jamaicans is English."
Two things, however, make The Enlightenment a worthwhile read. The first is adequately captured by the cover which juxtaposes an image of a teacup, a Jamaican 50 cent coin and chains. The text summarily links the relationship between slavery and Britain's wealth, which is clearly informed by in-depth knowledge of history.
The second very worthwhile element of the text is Palmer's statements on justice and equality as he argues that the way forward is a more multi-cultural approach and a removal of the word 'race'.
