Since its release almost 30 years ago, only English speakers have been able to dive into "Rasta and Resistance, from Marcus Garvey to Walter Rodney", written by Horace Campbell. Published in 1987, "Rasta & Résistance" has now been translated from English by Nicolas Basalgète, with a new preface by Jérémie Kroubo Dagnini, who coordinated this French version.
A professor of African-American studies and political science at Syracuse University in New York (he has also taught at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania), Horace Campbell is also a political activist.
Indeed, far from reeling off the clichés of the Rasta movement, "Rasta & Resistance" analyses the movement from a political angle, delivering a Marxist analysis that links the Rastas to the proletariat and their struggle against Babylon to the class struggle. A curiosity for Rastas, who have always proclaimed themselves apolitical, something Horace Campbell regrets.
Race and class are at the centre of this analysis, which reviews the resistance of slaves, Marcus Garvey, Leonard Howell, Walter Rodney, but also the IMF, Jamaica's two-party system, and repatriation to Africa.
Rasta & Resistance: from Marcus Garvey to Walter Rodney - Horace Campbell
Available since 20 March 2014
Publisher: Camion Blanc
Price: €38
580 pages