The centenary of a remarkable black communist
Billy Strachan was a pilot, a lawyer, a mentor and a supporter of the anti-colonialist struggle. DAVID HORSLEY tells his story
The welcome news that Cuba has finally been removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is tempered by the fact that Donald Trump, the man who put it there, is returning to the White House, warns NATASHA HICKMAN
Thanks to impressive progress in Britain with wind and solar generation, clean electricity now costs a fraction of the price of gas — yet the current system keeps bills artificially high to protect fossil fuels, writes TOM HARDY
By spreading race-based conspiracy theories, the billionaire tycoon turned right-wing provocateur has been seriously undermining the case against those who really did let victims of the grooming gangs down, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
Many Western countries are grappling with deep political instability. What are the causes of this, and what could be a possible way forward? asks MARC VANDEPITTE
KEITH BENNETT explains why, despite its present meagre economic outcomes, an honest and fruitful partnership with China is worth pursuing
Nick Wright talks to photographer and author JANINA STRUK
BILLY STRACHAN was born 100 years ago today, on April 16 1921 in Jamaica, then a British colony.
Aged just 18, he paid his own way to Britain in 1940 to join the Royal Air Force to take part in the war effort against Nazi Germany.
He rose through the ranks to become flight lieutenant, a remarkable achievement for a black person at that time.
More from this author
DAVID HORSLEY recalls the dedication and activism of dedicated communist militant Win Langton
DAVID HORSLEY honours the black British communist who fought the fascists from Cable Street, to Spain, to the concentration camps of Nazi Germany
DAVID HORSLEY pays tribute to a remarkable anti-racist communist campaigner, born 91 years ago this month
DAVID HORSLEY recalls the militant origins of the Notting Hill Carnival which takes place this weekend
Similar stories
Two new releases from Burkina Faso and Niger, one from French-based Afro Latin The Bongo Hop, and rare Mexican bootlegs
ANDY HEDGECOCK celebrates the way that US writers have always used crime and sci-fi to explore and express dissident ideas
