Oluwale Matters

The event, Ouwale Matters, was organised by Dr Emily Zobel Marshall and hosted by The School of Cultural Studies and Humanties at LBU and The David Oluwale Memorial Association at the Leeds Members Library. The event provided students with a rare opportunity to hear from expert sociologist Max Farrar, who has long been researching Oluwale's life and death in Leeds, to listen to an in-conversation between Emily and Caryl Phillips and to take part in a creative writing workshop with Caryl Phillips, David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) patron and world-renowned author.

Caryl Phillips supported the students to write their own creative responses to the Oluwale story. Peepal Tree Press will then publish the anthology of creative responses in Spring/Summer 2023.

The event gave students the opportunity to discuss how we can find ways, through revisiting the Oluwale story, to tackle issues of racism and homelessness today through the arts. Hear from Leeds Beckett PhD student, Athira Unni, below about her experience of the event.

Can you tell us what the event 'Oluwale Matters' was?

'Oluwale Matters' was an event to commemorate David Oluwale, who was hounded to death in Leeds in 1969. As a Nigerian immigrant, he suffered racism, was imprisoned, and spent time in a mental health asylum, leading him to be homeless. The event that took place on April 25th was the unveiling of a blue plaque in the name of David Oluwale at the Leeds bridge. At the Oluwale Matters event, Caryl Phillips, who grew up in Leeds, talked about his writings on Oluwale at the Leeds Library. Oluwale remains an example of how a society can oppress a man through racism, causing mental health issues and homelessness. The event saw active participation from the Leeds community, and I was fortunate to have attended on both days.

How did you find out about the event / what enabled you to attend?

I came to know about the event through social media. I was already aware of the story of Oluwale through my supervisor, Dr. Emily Zobel Marshall.

What was it like hearing from Caryl Phillips about his work?

Listening to Caryl Phillips alerted me to how one can have tenuous connections to one's hometown and still have searing and genuine recollections. He talked about how he used to walk past the Library to his school every day, just past where Oluwale used to live as a homeless person. When he talked about how the person can be weaved into a historical narrative, I was reminded of the subjective nature of all historical narratives. He highlighted the importance of form and perspective when writing about the familiar in a new light for an audience who might be unfamiliar with the narrative. My takeaway that day was the sense of how to do that and what is accomplished when you weave the personal and historical together.

Why do you think it's important to tackle issues such as racism and homelessness through the arts?

When we hear of injustices, we have a visceral reaction to them, however small or big. In a busy society, we are sometimes conditioned to reason the effects of such crises and distance ourselves from them. Tackling issues such as racism and homelessness through arts is a way to bridge that distance between the survivor and us. It is a way to feel a more enhanced visceral reaction, capturing it in words, colour or tune.

Most artists and writers develop a sense of empathy by diminishing distance, taking on the persona of a survivor, witness, or someone close to the survivor. When we do this, it helps us understand the issue in a new light. Sometimes it allows us to see our own experiences differently. I believe that the most effective solutions to such issues arise when we understand them through the arts.

I am glad that the David Oluwale Memorial Association recognises this and that they actively encourage arts. Oluwale himself was, reportedly, someone who loved to dance! I also think the arts is a great way to keep a story alive, as a cautionary tale or as a burning memory. 

What was it like taking part in a creative workshop with Caryl Phillips?

As a poet, I was most excited for the creative writing workshop with Caryl Phillips. I had missed the sense of community offered by a writing workshop where you can creatively respond with other writers and share your work with them. I listened to the diverse responses that emerged at the workshop where we considered Oluwale's story and realised that this was a great way to commemorate a man who was perhaps alone and lacked that feeling of community. I was acutely aware of how different each of our responses was. We had all perceived the narrative of Oluwale together, albeit picking our unique points of entry.

What did you learn and enjoy the most about the workshop?

How do opportunities such as attending this event/workshop help you develop as a creative writing student?

I am primarily a PhD researcher at the School of Cultural Studies and Humanities at Leeds Beckett University, but I have been a creative writing student since high school. I wrote short lyric poetry and had my first book of poetry, Gaea and Other Poems, published in 2020. Attending socially relevant events that build community spirit and recognise the work of arts is right up my alley. 

As an international student, I value my time in Leeds, and these events are my opportunity to be a part of the Leeds community. I am thankful for that. Also, anything to do with writing will always be exciting to me. Sharing your work, listening to others' creative responses and giving feedback are positive ways to engage with like-minded people. 

In the past, I have developed close friendships by participating in creative writing workshops, as these are spaces where people are vulnerable and open. I value that a lot. It is always comforting to know that others want to listen to and share poetry.

You can hear a recording of Emily’s conversation with Caryl Phillps here, on the platform Writer’s Mosaic, who also supported the event.