Black History is World History: G.W.F. Hegel, C.L.R. James and the Black Enlightenment

In the face of Hegel's assertion that Africa had no historical significance, numerous black intellectuals have reappropriated his philosophy to challenge and reshape his ideas. Historian and Marxist theorist C. L. R. James explored the Haitian Revolution in "The Black Jacobins" in 1971, and later in "Notes on Dialectics." This talk explores James's Hegel-inspired portrayal of the Haitian Revolution, positioning it as a world-historical event that extends the Enlightenment's freedom ideal beyond Europe. In doing so, James subverts Hegel by positioning the struggles and triumphs of African descendants at the forefront of global development, rewriting the narrative of freedom's evolution by placing black quests for universal liberty at its core. Black history is, undeniably, world history. 

The event is organized by the A&H EDI, the Sarah Parker Remond Centre, the Royal Institute of Philosophy and UCL Philosophy (a local partner of the Royal Institute of Philosophy). For any questions, please contact s.aimar@ucl.ac.uk