Groundings with My Brothers

"This edition published by Verso 2019 First published by Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications 1969."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2019
Publisher: Verso Books

Walter Rodney, a Guyanese intellectual, emerged as a prominent figure in the anticolonial movement during his short life. He led movements across North America, South America, the African continent, and the Caribbean, advocating for working-class Black Power. Rodney's deportation in 1980 sparked the 1968 Rodney riots in Jamaica, a significant rebellion in the 20th century. His scholarship also played a crucial role in shaping the political thinking of a generation, training them to understand politics on an international scale.

Groundings with My Brothers, originally published in the 1970s, is a seminal work that explores the global circulation of emancipatory ideas during the anti-colonial era. The book takes readers on a journey from the black student movements in North America to the Rasta counter-culture in Jamaica and beyond. Rodney's writing is notable for its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of the international context while remaining grounded in grassroots politics.

Through his firsthand accounts of mass movement organizing, Rodney offers a unique perspective on the struggles and victories of the anticolonial movement. He highlights the importance of grassroots activism and community building in achieving social and political change. The book also sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by revolutionaries, including the need for strategic thinking, the importance of alliances, and the challenges of navigating different political landscapes.

This new edition of Groundings with My Brothers, edited by leading scholar-activists such as Carole Boyce Davies, includes reflections on the book's relevance in the contemporary political landscape. The editors argue that Rodney's insights and strategies continue to be relevant for today's struggles against oppression and inequality. They highlight the ongoing relevance of his ideas on black consciousness, nationalism, and the global struggle for justice and equality.

In conclusion, Groundings with My Brothers is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and politics of the anticolonial movement. The book offers a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the global circulation of emancipatory ideas, grounded in grassroots politics and the experiences of revolutionaries. By re-introducing this classic work to a new political landscape, this new edition ensures that Rodney's legacy continues to inspire and inform contemporary struggles for social and political change.

Weight: 154g
Dimension: 142 x 209 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788731157