Category Archives: Race

New world, old world

Posted on June 6, 2018 by clivedav184z

A fascinating evening of music and readings from Bill Murray and cellist Jan Vogler. They certainly deserved the standing ovations. I had one reservation though: Yes, that Bill Murray — actor, comic, loon and, maybe, the man who has found … Continue reading →

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Notebook

Posted on March 12, 2018 by clivedav184z

“What’s going on?” my mom said. “Oh, Nombuyiselo,” she said. “Trevor is so naughty. He’s the naughtiest child I’ve ever come across in my life.” “Then you should hit him.” “I can’t hit him.” “Why not?” “Because I don’t know … Continue reading →

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Audiences in black & white

Posted on September 5, 2017 by clivedav184z

It was Stax night at the Proms last week. I gave it a rave in the Times. Yes, the 75-minute running time was too brief – with so many singers on the programme (Eddie Floyd, Sam Moore, Beverley Knight, Tom Jones, … Continue reading →

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The circus brothers

Posted on February 28, 2017 by clivedav184z

My Times review of Truevine, Beth Macy’s account of the lives of the black albino brothers, George and Willie Muse, star turns in American freak shows: As minor celebrities they appeared in the pages of The New Yorker — usually … Continue reading →

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Out of the shadows

Posted on November 20, 2016 by clivedav184z

An intriguing book that sometimes tries too hard. My Times review of David Olusoga’s “Black and British: A Forgotten History” For all the fascinating material that it unearths, Black and British is not always an easy read. In his introduction … Continue reading →

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Re-imagining the Underground Railroad

Posted on September 24, 2016 by clivedav184z

The PR machine says it’s a modern masterpiece. I don’t think so. From my review in today’s Times: Who needs literary critics when you have Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey on your side? Colson Whitehead’s tale of fugitives from slavery … Continue reading →

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A war zone called Chicago

Posted on September 7, 2016 by clivedav184z

When was the last time British news programmes ran anything substantial about the epidemic of violence in the Windy City? The stats are abysmal: In the first five months of 2016, someone was shot every two and a half hours … Continue reading →

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Notebook

Posted on September 5, 2016 by clivedav184z

Fifteen year-old Daniel Johnson had been in the backseat of that car. He had been riding with two other youths about his age and a mother and her two small children. A bullet had smacked into the car. Daniel had … Continue reading →

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Notebook

Posted on August 25, 2016 by clivedav184z

Even within Harlem and away from white bigotry, Leslie faced marked prejudice against West Indians among American blacks. They were seen as tireless hustlers after everyone else’s jobs; as would-be entrepreneurs up to every sort of trick. Moreover, because they … Continue reading →

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Over-hyped & over here

Posted on August 13, 2016 by clivedav184z

Every critic in America seems to be raving about Paul Beatty’s novel, “The Sellout”. I wish I knew why. My review in The Times: “Swiftian satire of the highest order,” declared The Wall Street Journal. “Among the most important and difficult … Continue reading →

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