How Time Flies - Arif Ali And Hansib Publications Celebrate 50 Years

The adage reminding us that 'time flies' is often used as a stern reminder to make use of the time which we have left. However, for those fortunate enough to use that time well, the phrase stands as a remembrance to diligence and achievement.

For Arif Ali and Hansib Publishing who are celebrating their 50th year this is very much the case. Back then in 1970, the Guyanese-born entrepreneur had no experience in publishing. What he did have however was a passion for his Caribbean roots, and where this led was to decades-long work in campaigning and activism. For our younger audience, this may seem a dubious link, but the context of the '70s and continuous prejudice in which those from African, Asain and Caribbean backgrounds faced meant that this activism was sorely needed.

Growth of the Hansib umbrella

1971 saw the launch of the West Indian digest, a thought-provoking magazine chronicling the affairs of West Indian communities back home. Soon after, forays into newspapers would arrive. The Caribbean Times, Asian Times and African Times would follow as well as the Root magazine which would arrive in 1987. Publications all underneath the Hansib umbrella and looking to document affairs at home and within these respective communities in the UK. Underpinning all of this though was an authentic approach to community-driven activism. Hansib themselves describe their role as having created a 'template for resistance'.

What is most interesting is that the long-running success of Ali's creation provides a visible reminder that for change to occur, activism can and often should adopt an approach from multiple angles. Both on the ground, through the airwaves and in Hansib's case via words, a multifaceted approach can lead to real change.

Ali was also instrumental in bringing together the first national conference of BAME councillors, back then we were all 'political Black', and it was the Black Councillors conference with over 200 delegates.

Home to culture

The Hansib website still hosts the strong library of culture which propelled its influence so far. Books focused on Caribbean, African-Caribbean and Indian-Caribbean perspective are easily available to access, meaning that Cheddi Jagan's Forbidden Freedom chronicling the story of British Guiana is readily available. This is also the case for other works from the minds of Marcus Garvey, Walter Rodney and Samuel Kennedy Yeboah.

Our own director Simon Woolley has nothing but reverence to whom he describes a 'great man and a dear friend', he adds, 'Arif Ali is perhaps the quietest, loudest, passionate man about race equality I know.' 'When we met in the late '90s in his offices in Fonthill Rd, North London, he pulled me aside and said in his Guyanese accent, 'Young man, I have two publications the Caribbean Times and the Asian Times, you must use them to spread the word that we have to be registered to vote and have that power voice. Do you hear me?' He emphasized squeezing my arm. " I hear you sir, and thank you" was his timid but respectful response.

The work of Hansib Publications and Arif Ali, in particular, is being celebrated by OBV and their many friends today. Zita Holbourne's commemoration is perhaps the most fitting in what will see a long line of communities and activists looking back with pride. 50 years may have flown by but for Arif Alif, it has been 50 years well spent.

Thank you, Arif, thank you so much.

OBV

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A call to action...

For 24 years OBV have fought to ensure black and minority ethnic participation and representation in civic society. Efforts in continuing to do so though, relies on your help. That way we can continue this fight for greater race equality. What would give us a tremendous boost is if today, you made that small donation yourselves, but even more importantly if you encouraged others to do likewise.