James Baldwin, African Odysseys, Professor Gus John @BFI
At the BFI, we are united against racism but we have not been actively antiracist. We know there are some longstanding and endemic issues within the organisation which can harm people and undermine our values. Whilst we are not alone in confronting this truth, it is crucial that we have uncomfortable conversations not just with each other, but also with those who have been marginalised or ignored
Ben Roberts BFI CEO 20 June 2020 HERE
If Ben Robert's statement is true, why has the BFI refused to have any conversation with Professor Gus John on three separate occasions ? It seems that Professor John and the 18,500 people he represents, have been marginalised and ignored by the BFI for two years.
I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do
James Baldwin
Baldwins birthday was 2nd August so it’s worth revisiting his words in relation to those of the BFI. If the BFI is ‘anti-racist’ why would they repeatedly refuse to converse with one of the leading race equality campaigners in the UK ? Especially when he was offering his services for free. Check out the CV of Professor John HERE and ask yourself, if you were really committed to racial equality, would you turn down a meeting with him?
Professor John wrote a nine page open letter about African Odysseys to BFI CEO Ben Roberts and Chair of Governors Jay Hunt on on 1st October 2024 HERE
His offer was rejected by Ben Roberts who had to publicly apologise to Faisal Qureshi on 10th October 2024 for how his five-year old race complaint was handled HERE An odd parallel.
On 4th November 2023, African Odysseys curated a James Baldwin/Horace Ove crossover event. The Q&A panel included Professor Gus John. The session is a testament to the unique quality of African Odysseys events and can be viewed HERE
As can be seen in the Q&A, filmed by a volunteer as the £127 million BFI said they had 'no money' to film African Odysseys events, Indra Ove, daughter of esteemed filmmaker Horace Ove, was in the audience and commented about the film her father made about Baldwin. Ms Ove also signed the petition and left this comment:
This (African Odysseys) is of vital importance to Black film . It must not go . It has been crucial in Black cinema , lifting up and giving a platform to so many Black film makers across the African diaspora . Who may other wise not be seen . We , the BFI have a responsibility to these works . It has pioneered the work of my father Sir Horace Ové making his works available to all . This is a very necessary platform for Black film and cinema . I think it would be deemed racist to remove it from the BFI now in 2024 . We must continue to support Black arts and give it greater visibility and accessibility
The BFI chose to ignore her and marginalise 18,500 people. One must ask, if 18,500 people wrote to the BFI and said they'd like to see Harry Potter films once a month for the next year would the BFI take the same approach?
Professor Gus John was a box office draw in his own right as on 14th March 2015 the film on his life '50 Years of Struggle' sold out the 450 seat BFI Southbank, another testament to the popularity of African Odysseys . That Q&A with Professor Gary Younge can be seen here HERE
That film will be repeated at the much smaller Black Cultural Archives on 26th August HERE where Professor John will discuss Black British Civil Rights, the BFI’s breach of equality laws and its disregard for the Black community.
On the 19th August, at the same venue, Judge Peter Herbert will discuss 61 years of Race Equality Laws and the BFI HERE
Please continue to share the petition and African Odysseys events. They celebrate its 20th year of screening historical/educational, anti-racist films in small, grassroots venues now because of the BFI's broken 2023 promise to host the 20th anniversary at their luxurious 900 seat cinema, funded by the taxpayer.