This year sees the launch of two books that exposes the philosophical foundations of the police and how the socio-political idea of the police is crucial to modern world-making. A Philosophical History of Police Power (Bloomsbury) by Melayna Lamb (University of Law) and Everything Is Police (University of Minnesota Press) by Tia Trafford (UCA) demand we reassess the idea of ‘police’ not simply as a culture or institution but a philosophical and ethical principle that maintains legal normativity, sovereignty, and white supremacy
For this book launch, Carson Cole Arthur (University of Law) will introduce Lamb and Trafford, who will then each speak about their books. Petero (p) Kalulé (LSBU) will respond, with an audience Q&A afterwards.
This event is hosted by LSBU Beyond Rights research centre and Decolonisation and Anti-racism Cluster; co-organised by Carson Cole Arthur and Petero (p) Kalulé.
Departing from traditional criminology and mainstream liberal discourse, Lamb and Trafford question explanatory origin stories of the police linked to European colonialism and examine its philosophical articulations in Enlightenment thought, while relating such histories and logics to contemporary issues of police brutality and reform. Moreover, both scholars respectively re-evaluate the arguments for police and carceral abolition, cautious of the liberal discourse that often delimits the possibility of abolition. Drawing from critical Black Studies and political philosophy, Lamb and Trafford radically re-examine the organising principle of police with the ultimate aim of rethinking what freedom means. This event promises to provide an introductory guide for those interested in such intellectual pursuits, in addition background to the books.
This is a free event and open to all. No booking required. There will be a drinks (alcohol & non- alcoholic) and food reception after the event. Poster credit: Karis Zenna
Venue
London South Bank University
Passmore Centre
12 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AN
Date/time
Tuesday 19 March 2024, 18:30-20:00
