Walter Anthony Rodney, born on March 23, 1942, in Georgetown, Guyana, was a historian and revolutionary whose influence spread across the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond. An academic by profession, Rodney’s radical views on colonialism, racism, and capitalism earned him a devoted following, particularly among Jamaica’s youth.
His teachings at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, made him a symbol of Black Power and working-class empowerment. Rodney’s expulsion from Jamaica in 1968 ignited what became known as the Rodney Riots, a key moment in the country’s post-independence history.
Rodney’s Intellectual Roots
Rodney’s early years in Guyana were shaped by the country’s anti-colonial movement. He excelled academically, earning scholarships that took him first to UWI, where he graduated with first-class honours in History. By the age of 24 Rodney had earned a PhD in African History from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.
Rodney quickly began to draw attention for his pointed critiques of colonialism and capitalism, particularly their destructive impacts on African and Caribbean societies. He travelled the world lecturing and speaking on black issues all the while garnering a reputation as a staunch activist for the working class, scholar and superb orator.
Persona Non Grata
In 1968 Rodney returned to Jamaica to take up a post as a lecturer at his alma mater the University of the West Indies, Mona. His focus extended beyond the classroom. Unlike many academics of his era, Rodney engaged directly with the working-class population and Rastafarians in West Kingston.
His discussions on Black Power and African history resonated with the island’s underprivileged communities, challenging the existing social and economic order. Rodney’s critiques of the political elite and his calls for revolution made him a target for the Jamaican government.
In October 1968, Rodney travelled to Canada to attend a Black Writers’ Conference. Unbeknownst to him, the Jamaican government had decided that his growing influence posed a threat to national security. On October 15, as he attempted to return, Rodney was barred from re-entering Jamaica, a decision that would have explosive consequences.
His expulsion angered not just university students, but also many in Kingston’s working-class communities who felt Rodney was a voice for the oppressed.
The Rodney Protests Erupt Into Riots
The following day, October 16, 1968, the largest student protest in the History of the Caribbean erupted. Angered by the government’s decision over 900 students from the University of the West Indies (UWI) marched in protest to demand Rodney’s reinstatement. The government’s response was swift. Police forces were deployed, to repel the protesters using tear gas and batons.
By the afternoon the student protesters had largely disbursed but the demonstration found new steam and escalated into a full blown riot when Rastafarians and disaffected youths from the city’s poorest areas joined the protest.
Demonstrators clashed with police, blocked roads, set fire to buses, and looted businesses particularly those of Canadian and American further intensifying the situation. As the protests morphed into a broader expression of dissatisfaction with Jamaica’s post-independence political landscape.
Police were eventually able to quash the protest, which resulted in six deaths and millions of dollars in damages. For a full recounting of the events that led up to the riots as well as what happened during the riots and the aftermath, listen to “The Walter Rodney Riots” by Tenement Yaad.
The Rodney Riots marked a turning point in the political consciousness of many Jamaicans. Rodney’s expulsion was seen as an attack on free speech and the growing Black Power movement, and the riots exposed the frustrations of a population still grappling with inequality and exclusion.
Deeper Issues at the Root of the Riots
While Rodney’s deportation ignited the riots, the unrest was symptomatic of deeper social and economic issues. Jamaica’s post-independence era had seen little improvement for the majority Black population, many of whom were descendants of African slaves.
Despite the promise of freedom and progress, power and wealth remained concentrated in the hands of a multiracial elite, leaving much of the country’s population disenfranchised. Rodney’s message of Black empowerment tapped into a growing sense of disillusionment, particularly among the youth.
His advocacy for reconnecting with African heritage and rejecting the structures of colonialism resonated deeply with those who felt left behind by the island’s political and economic system. The Rodney Riots, therefore, were not just about one man; they reflected the broader struggles of a nation coming to terms with its identity and future.
Rodney’s Assassination
After being barred from Jamaica, he briefly resettled in Cuba before returning to the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. He continued to write and speak on African history and colonialism, producing his most famous work, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, in 1972. This book remains a seminal text in post-colonial studies.
Rodney’s commitment to social justice did not waver, and he returned to Guyana in the late 1970s to play an active role in politics. He joined the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), a political party that sought to challenge the authoritarian government of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham.
However, Rodney’s activism came at a high cost. On June 13, 1980, he was assassinated in Georgetown, Guyana, by an explosive device planted in his car. His assassination was widely believed to have been orchestrated by the government, though it was not officially confirmed until decades later.
Rodney’s Legacy
The Rodney Riots of 1968 were a defining moment in Jamaica’s history, exposing the deep social and political divisions in the country. Walter Rodney, through his activism and scholarship, had become a symbol of resistance against oppression, and his deportation sparked an outpouring of anger that shook the nation and had widespread implications across the region.
Although the riots were swiftly crushed, they left an indelible mark on Jamaica’s political landscape, igniting conversations about race, class, and the unfinished business of independence. Rodney’s legacy continues to inspire those fighting for justice and equality, not just in Jamaica but across the world.
