INVITATION TO OUR 165th ICC (+AGI) ZOOM PUBLIC MEETING
“Coolies: How Britain Re-Invented Slavery” is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary film produced by the BBC. This eye-opening production delves into a dark chapter of history that has often been overlooked – the exploitation of Asian Indian indentured laborers, known as ‘coolies,’ during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Through meticulous research, powerful storytelling and poignant interviews with historians and descendants of coolies, the documentary sheds light on the harsh realities of this forgotten form of slavery. It vividly portrays the immense suffering and deplorable working conditions these individuals endured while toiling on British colonial plantations, railways and other labour-intensive projects across the globe. By exposing the legacy of systemic abuse and the lasting impact on communities, “Coolies” challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and reflect on the enduring consequences of this historical injustice.
The documentary film also delves into the broader historical context of imperialism, labour exploitation and the British Empire’s role in shaping the global economy. It unravels the complex economic and political motivations that allowed the coolie trade to flourish, revealing the callousness of the colonial powers in treating human beings as mere commodities. Through its masterful storytelling and visual narrative, “Coolies: How Britain Re-Invented Slavery” presents a poignant and essential exploration of a topic that demands recognition and remembrance. By confronting the atrocities of the past, the documentary urges audiences to contemplate the impact of modern-day labour practices and advocate for a more just and equitable world for all.
Please join us THIS SUNDAY for the 165th weekly ICC (+AGI) ZOOM Public Meeting, Sunday July 30th 2023 at (1.00 p.m. Belize), (3.00 p.m. New York/Eastern time), (3.00 p.m. Trinidad/ Atlantic time), (3.00 p.m. Guyana), (4.00 p.m. Suriname), (8.00 p.m. England), (9.00 p.m. South Africa), (11.00 p.m. Mauritius), (Mon 12.30 a.m., India), (Mon 7.00 a.m. Fiji).
TOPIC: Coolies: How Britain Re-Invented Slavery – BBC documentary film screening
DISCUSSANTS:
- PROF. DAVID DABYDEEN (UK, Guyana) – Novelist, poet and academic. Honorary Fellow, Selwyn College, Cambridge University, England. Former Ambassador to China and former Ambassador to UNESCO. Co-narrator in the film.
- DR. UMA DHUPELIA-MESTHRIE (South Africa) – Professor Emeritus of History, University of Western Cape. Author of A Chronicle of Indian South African Life. Great-granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi. Interviewed in the film.
Followed by Q&A
Join Zoom Meeting THIS SUNDAY by touching or clicking on this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82559510739
ZOOM Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 825 5951 0739
No Passcode Needed
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbHbiMGTeW
Live-streamed on the YouTube channel of the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre
https://www.youtube.com/@dmahab/streams
Hosted by www.indocaribbeanpublications.com + https://ameenagafoorinstitute.org
WhatsApp +1 868 756 4961 or +1 868 329 7051
indocaribbeanstaff@gmail.com, dmahabir@gmail.com
is a full-time anthropologist at the University of Guyana (UG) and Fellow of The Eccles Centre for American Studies, British Library (2022-23). He is a former Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). He obtained his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida (UF). As a doctoral student, he won a Florida Caribbean Institute Award, an A. Curtis Wilgus Grant, and an Organization of American States (OAS) Fellowship.
Mahabir received a National Award (Hummingbird Silver Medal) for his contribution to education in his country in 2011. He was among 50 recipients who received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the UWI Alumni Association.
Mahabir is the author of 12 books to date.