019: The New Cross Fire

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of The New Cross Fire on 18th January 1981... This week's episode will look at the fire and place it into the context of race relations in Britain in the 1980s.

The fire led to the tragic deaths of 14 young Black people, after a fire broke out at 439 New Cross Road during the early hours of a 16th birthday party. Whilst inquests have ruled the fires cause unknown, the aftermath illuminated just how little British society cared about Black lives. An important message for us to understand in the era of the BLM movement, as we honour those lives lost in the fire by educating ourselves on what occurred that night and in the following days, months and even years.

Articles mentioned:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/15/how-the-new-cross-fire-became-a-rallying-cry-for-political-action

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/may/15/race.london

Documentaries mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThykFdpuFkA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0WnoGdTkqw