Celebrating the Life of Darcus Howe

MEDIA RELEASE 

April 3,2017

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HAS LOST AN OUTSPOKEN VOICE IN DARCUS HOWE

The Minister of Public Administration and Communications, the Honourable Maxie Cuffie joins the rest of the world in mourning the loss of Trinidad-born British journalist and activist, Darcus Howe.

In extending condolences to his family, Minister Cuffie described Howe as “a solitary but outspoken voice” for Trinidad and Tobago and the West Indian community who provided them with inspiration and leadership during late 1980s.
Howe worked for the Guardian newspaper but spent a great deal of his journalistic years advocating for black rights; he is also celebrated for his Channel 4 series Black on Black and a late-night current affairs programme, The Devil’s Advocate. On Saturday he died quietly at his home in Streatham, London after ailing from prostate cancer.

Minister Cuffie said “he helped with the assimilation of the West Indian diaspora while staying true to his Trinidad and Tobago identity. He never forgot the country of his birth but he also embraced the wider Caribbean community in the UK in their struggles.”
Howe also served as chair of the Notting Hill Carnival.

He is described as one of the most prominent black activists of his time who adopted a quiet and less-confrontational approach to his activism. Minister Cuffie praised Howe’s dedication to country, adding said he has made an indelible mark both here at home and in the UK. Minister Cuffie said he will be an inspiration to a new generation.

Howe left for the UK in his late teens to become a lawyer. Instead, he embraced journalism and activism and became a prominent figure in the fight against racial inequality. He is the nephew of CLR James.

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