Darcus Howe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Darcus Howe
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| Born |
Leighton Rhett Radford Howe
26 February 1943 Moruga, Trinidad, British West Indies
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| Died | 1 April 2017 (aged 74) |
| Other names | Radford Howe; Darcus Owusu |
| Education | Queen's Royal College |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, columnist, activist |
| Organization | British Black Panthers, Mangrove Nine |
| Known for | Race Today, Black on Black, Bandung File |
| Spouse(s) | Leila Hassan |
| Relatives | Tamara Howe (daughter) Darcus Beese (son) |
Leighton Rhett Radford "Darcus" Howe (born February 26, 1943 – died April 1, 2017) was an important British broadcaster, writer, and activist. He fought for racial justice and equality. Howe was born in Trinidad and moved to England in 1961 as a teenager. He settled in London and became involved in activism.
He joined the British Black Panthers, a group inspired by the US Black Panther Party. Darcus Howe became well-known in 1970 as one of the Mangrove Nine. These were nine protestors arrested after a demonstration against police raids on The Mangrove restaurant in London. They were found not guilty of the most serious charges. This trial was a landmark case. It was the first time a court officially recognized that police actions were motivated by racial hatred. In 1981, he organized a large protest called the "Black People's Day of Action." This protest demanded a better investigation into the New Cross house fire, where 13 black teenagers died.
Howe was an editor for Race Today magazine. He also chaired the Notting Hill Carnival. He was famous for his television work in the UK. This included the Black on Black series on Channel 4, his show Devil's Advocate, and Bandung File. He also made documentaries like White Tribe (2000) and Is This My Country? (2006). He wrote columns for the New Statesman and The Voice newspapers.
Contents
Who Was Darcus Howe?
Early Life and Moving to England
Leighton Rhett Radford Howe was born in Moruga, Trinidad. His mother, Lucille, was a teacher, and his father, Cipriani Howe, was a priest. Darcus went to Queen's Royal College (QRC) in Port of Spain, where he earned a scholarship.
When he was 18, Howe moved to England in 1961. He arrived in Southampton and then took a train to London. He planned to study law. However, he became more interested in journalism and activism. In 1969, he went back to Trinidad. There, his uncle, C. L. R. James, inspired him to combine writing with political work. After a short time as an assistant editor, he returned to Britain.
Fighting for Justice: The Mangrove Nine
Howe became a member of the British Black Panther Movement. This is when he started using the name "Darcus." In 1970, he joined a protest against frequent police raids on the Mangrove restaurant in Notting Hill. This restaurant was a popular meeting place for black people. Police raided it 12 times in a short period. About 150 people marched to the police station to protest.
Six weeks later, Howe and eight others were arrested. They became known as the Mangrove Nine. They were accused of serious charges. In a very important court case, Howe chose to represent himself. He and four others were found not guilty of all charges after a 55-day trial in 1971. The judge even said there was "evidence of racial hatred" from the police. This trial was a big step in recognizing racial injustice.
Leading Race Today Magazine
From 1973 to 1985, Howe was the editor of Race Today magazine. This magazine started by publishing academic articles. But under Howe's leadership, it became a radical black newspaper. He moved the magazine to Brixton and worked with other activists. Their goal was to actively campaign and highlight the struggles of the black community. The Race Today Collective included important figures like Linton Kwesi Johnson.
Involvement with Notting Hill Carnival
Darcus Howe was also deeply involved with the Notting Hill Carnival for many years. In 1971, he started the Renegades steelband. He later became the Chair of the Carnival Development Committee in 1977. He helped shape the carnival into the vibrant cultural event it is today.
Darcus Howe on Television
Broadcasting Career
In 1982, Darcus Howe started his television career on Channel 4. He worked on the series Black on Black. He later co-edited Bandung File (1985–91) with Tariq Ali. He also presented White Tribe, a show that explored modern Britain. Howe continued to write for the New Statesman and hosted the Channel 4 current affairs program Devil's Advocate.
Exploring Identity in Documentaries
Howe used television to explore important social issues. In 2006, he presented Is This My Country? This documentary was a reflection on his life. It explored his search for his West Indian identity. He wanted to understand his roots in the face of calls for people to assert their "Britishness."
Family and Legacy
His Family
Darcus Howe was married three times and had seven children. His third wife, Leila Hassan, also became editor of Race Today after him. His daughter, Tamara Howe, worked as a director for London Weekend Television and later for the BBC. His son, Darcus Beese, became president of Island Records, a well-known music company.
Later Life and Passing
In 2007, Howe was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He then campaigned to encourage more men to get tested. He passed away on April 1, 2017, at his home in London, at the age of 74. Many people gathered to honor him at events and his funeral. Tributes were given by his daughter Tamara and other close friends.
Lasting Impact
Darcus Howe's life and work continue to be studied. A book called Darcus Howe: a Political Biography was published in 2013. His personal papers, including writings and interviews, are kept at Columbia University Libraries. These papers help researchers understand his important contributions.
Darcus Howe in Popular Culture
Films and Music
Darcus Howe appeared in the 1973 documentary film The Mangrove Nine. This film tells the story of the famous trial. In 2020, actor Malachi Kirby played Darcus Howe in the Mangrove episode of Steve McQueen's film series Small Axe.
The poet and musician Linton Kwesi Johnson also wrote a song about Darcus Howe. The song, "Man Free," is on Johnson's 1978 album Dread Beat an' Blood.
Remembering His Work
In March 2023, a special edition of Race Today magazine was published to honor Darcus Howe. This was around what would have been his 80th birthday. It also marked the launch of the magazine's online archive. Events were held to celebrate his lasting impact on racial justice and media.
See also
Images for kids
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Darcus Howe
