The 'R' Word

Race and racism remain an inescapable part of the lives of black people. Daily slights, often rooted in the fears and misperceptions of the 'other', still damage lives. But does race matter as much as it used to? Many argue the post-racial society is upon us and racism is no longer a block on opportunity.

Skin colour has followed Kurt Barling around since the age of four, when he wished 'I had blond hair and blue eyes'. He grew up in a confused and confusing world, in which 'blackness' defined so much social discourse.

Racist press coverage of the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985 helped Barling decide on a career in journalism. In the thirty years since the riots, much has changed.

Overt racism is certainly much less present. Music, youth culture, sport and the obsession with the body beautiful have all made 'blackness' commercial. But is this all just an illusion conveniently masking a culture of denial? The 'R' Word explores a changing country in a changing world, and our relationship with notions of race and racism.

About the Author

Kurt Barling is a multi-award-winning journalist who has worked for the BBC since 1989, on news and current affairs programmes including Newsnight, Today, Assignment, Correspondent, The Money Programme, Black Britain and, more recently, The One Show. He was the special correspondent for BBC News in London for over a decade. Kurt has also worked extensively across Radios 4 and 5, and has made dozens of documentaries on a range of subjects, including the celebrated Who Killed PC Blakelock? and the fi-lm that exposed radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza, Trouble at the Mosque.

He has a PhD in International Relations and an MSc in Government & Politics from the London School of Economics, and was appointed Professor of Journalism at Middlesex University in November 2013.