“Behind its placid facade, Marshall Street is a street of mistrust and fear – a microcosm of Smethwick’s running sore, the racial problem.” Birmingham Post , 8 December 1964
2025 marks sixty years since Malcolm X – revolutionary, Muslim minister, African American human rights activist – visited Marshall Street in the Black Country town of Smethwick. He was invited by local anti-racist campaigners in response to a proposed segregation scheme for the street, which built on years of prejudice and discrimination in “the most racist town in Britain.” This study day brings together experts on Smethwick, the politics of race and racism in post-war Britain, and on Malcolm X to provide the context for his visit and to better understand the important place this event holds in Black Country, British and global history.
Speakers
Jagwant Johal (Birmingham Race Impact Group) - MX60: life, legacy, lessons
Dawn Carr and Garry Stewart (Black Heritage Walks Network) - The settlement of people of colour in the 1960s
Dr Marc Collinson (University of Bangor) - The Road to Smethwick's 1964 contest: activism, candidates, and elections
Jagdish Patel (Coventry University) and Savita Vij (University of Birmingham) and Krishan Patel (student) - 1964: Making History – reflections on arts, heritage and the archive
Stephen Page (filmmaker) - Screening of Malcolm X: A Day in Smethwick (2005) with Q&A
Dr Martin Glynn (Birmingham City University). - Noir Birmingham
Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley DY1 4AL