The Museum is keen to hear from people who experienced the Brixton Riots in spring 1981 and would be willing to share their personal stories. They could have lived or worked in the area or may have been involved in the community, emergency services, local government or media at the time of the riots.
Participants need to be willing to be interviewed and photographed as part of the project and, if possible, have an object that represents the riots and could be donated to the project and Museum’s collection. Participants will be interviewed by young members of the Brixton community to increase intergenerational understanding of the riots.
The younger members of the community, who are currently not in education or employment, will be trained in reporting and recording skills. It will also provide them with an opportunity to learn more about the riots.
Lucie Fitton, Inclusion Officer for the Museum of London says, ‘This project provides an exciting opportunity for a younger generation of Brixton residents to learn about this important part of London’s story from those who experienced it first hand. It is also one of the ways in which we are working to include Londoner’s voices and stories in our new galleries.’
A workshop will be held at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning in Brixton on Thursday 6 November in the afternoon and early evening. The Museum is happy to pay travel expenses for those selected to be involved.
Anyone interested in volunteering to be interviewed should contact Lucie Fitton on 0207 814 5517 or email lfitton@museumoflondon.org.uk
