By Walter Rodney: Revolutionary Scholar & Voice For The Oppressed
Walter Rodney: Revolutionary Scholar and Voice for the Oppressed
●Early Life and Education
Walter Rodney was born in 1942 in Georgetown, Guyana. An exceptional student, he graduated with top honours in history from the University of the West Indies in 1963. He went on to earn a PhD in African History from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London by the age of 24. His ground-breaking thesis, later published as A History of the Upper Guinea Coast, 1545–1800, challenged prevailing views and established him as a serious scholar early on.
●Activism and Expulsion from Jamaica
Rodney returned to UWI Mona in Jamaica in 1968 as a lecturer, where he quickly became known for his engagement with the working class and marginalized communities, especially the Rastafarian movement. His lectures, rooted in African history and anti-colonial thought, attracted widespread attention and concern from authorities. After attending a conference in Montreal, he was barred from re-entering Jamaica, sparking widespread protests known as the “Rodney Riots.”
●Years in Tanzania and Literary Contribution
Following a short stay in Cuba, Rodney moved to Tanzania in 1969. At the University of Dar es Salaam, he taught and collaborated with several African liberation movements such as the ANC, FRELIMO, and MPLA. Immersed in Pan-African and socialist ideals, he became an active participant in political discourse in East Africa. His most influential work, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, was published in 1972. The book exposed the structural exploitation of Africa by colonial powers and remains a foundational text in African studies and development theory.
●Return to Guyana and Tragic Death
Rodney went back to Guyana in 1974, aiming to teach at the University of Guyana, but political obstruction blocked his appointment. Undeterred, he became a central figure in the Working People’s Alliance, challenging the repressive rule of President Forbes Burnham. His political activities made him a target. On June 13, 1980, Rodney was killed by a car bomb in an attack widely believed to have been orchestrated by state agents.
●Enduring Impact
Walter Rodney’s life was cut short, but his ideas live on. Through his scholarship and activism, he illuminated the mechanisms of colonial exploitation and inspired resistance among oppressed peoples worldwide. His work continues to influence contemporary debates on development, justice, and decolonization.
Written By: Omotade Kehinde Samson
What's your reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
