Preface by Margaret Busby.

The 22 stories, obituaries and eulogies in this book weave together lives from a generation who dedicated themselves to the struggle for racial equality and social justice in Britain. Most were written by me; others have been included with the writer’s permission because together they help paint a picture of the person we knew and loved. All have been edited especially for this compilation.
Our eulogies and tributes were composed at the request of bereaved families and delivered at funerals. Whenever I was asked, it was an honour to conduct the funeral of my peers, as I did in the case of 10 of the people in this collection. I had a connection spanning many decades with these activists as they fought for racial and social justice, brought the truth about black lives to page or stage or screen, or campaigned to safeguard children’s rights and deliver their entitlement to quality education.
While those celebrated in this volume made a significant contribution to post-war British social history in their chosen professions and as political and cultural activists, they were ordinary folk who lived purposeful lives and did extraordinary things.

Author: Gus John

ISBN: 9781739334604

Publisher: New Beacon Books