On Tuesday 24 September, I attended a ‘voluntary’ interview with West Midlands Police, under the threat of arrest for not attending. The investigation is based on Calvin Robinson’s complaint that I accurately described him as a House Negro in a video I made to defend Marieha Hussain in her meritless Coconut Trial. I gave a prepared statement to, which was abridged on legal advice explaining the ludicrous nature of the investigation. I have shared it here and encourage all those involved in policing Black political thought. This persecution has a long history in Britain and it needs to end immediately. If you find yourself subject to similar investigation feel free to use any of the statement and get in touch at mip@blackunity.org.uk
It is deeply disturbing that I find myself having to explain my intellectual work to a police officer. In a supposed democratic society academics should not be dragged in, at threat of arrest, to have our thought policed. The words that have led to this farcical interview have been a staple of my academic output for the past decade. In fact, the use of Calvin Robinson as an example of a ‘House Negro’ features in my last book the Psychosis of Whiteness. If further action is taken, then the only logical next step will be to seek to try to censor the book, and I hope this demonstrates the extremely dangerous ground that West Midlands Police are walking with this interview.
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