British Culture After Empire - Race, Decolonisation and Migration Since 1945

Following the UK's 2016 decision to leave the European Union, discussions surrounding the entangled histories of empire, colonialism, racial justice and decolonisation have become topics of national interest and fierce public debate in Britain. This book brings into view the historical and cultural background to these contemporary debates by exploring the local histories, texts and institutions of empire which have shaped Britain since 1945. In doing so, the diversity of Britain's 'postcolonial' history and society is emphasised and the depth and breadth of the Empire's legacies are revealed.

Bringing together intersecting inquiries in history, literary studies, cultural studies, anthropology and more, this collection explores how the cultural legacies of empire shaped everyday British life, from the postwar era to the present day. Featuring chapters on gig venues, beauty salons, bestselling memoirs and more, this journey across post-imperial Britain investigates how the colonial past is firmly embedded in local and national cultures alike. To do so, the book uses a wide range of methodologies, from close textual analysis of literary and historical sources, to archival research and spatial analysis. When viewed in concert with one another, these offer a view of Britain after the end of the Empire which connects the steps of the British Museum to community-based theatre spaces in West Yorkshire.

About the author

Josh Doble is the policy manager at Community Land Scotland and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh

Liam J. Liburd is Assistant Professor in Black British History at the University of Durham

Emma Parker is Lecturer in Literature and Gender at the Department of English, University of Bristol

Product details

• Authors: Josh Liburd Doble
• Assisted by: Josh Doble (Editor), Liam Liburd (Editor), Emma Parker (Editor)
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 10.12.2024
• EAN: 9781526182548
• ISBN: 978-1-5261-8254-8
• No. of pages: 296
• Series: Studies in Imperialism
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > History > Modern era up to 1918; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Colonialism & Post-Colonialism, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / 20th Century, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Literary studies: post-colonial literature, National liberation & independence, post-colonialism, National liberation and independence, Literary studies: postcolonial literature