Christian Frederick Cole: The Story of England's first Black Barrister


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The evening begins with the screening of the film Christian Frederick Cole, followed by a presentation. Pamela’s lecture will illustrate how Cole’s life intersected the complex intertwining of education, politics, and race in the early 20th-century. His impetus in travelling from Sierra Leone in 1873 to become the University of Oxford’s first black scholar. How he navigated the challenges and financial barriers at the University in a Victorian era of colonialism, and racial superiority promoted by fellow student, Cecil John Rhodes. His political consciousness, advocating for Black Lives through his seminal poetry Reflections of a Zulu War, against imperialism, and finally his historic achievement. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.