Review: Policing Protests, Dream Space, Sing It Pink, Prom 21, Hip-Hop History

Policing Protest (BBC Radio 4) | BBC Sounds
Dream Space Factory+
Sing It Pink Aunt Nell
Prom 21 (BBC Radio 3) | BBC Sounds
Hip-Hop Is History Questlove

Policing Protest is a three-part series on BBC Radio 4, tackling the complex subject of how police handle public demonstrations. The series delves into varied approaches, from using force and arrests to more passive and communicative strategies. The pertinence of the topic is undisputed, especially with recent civil unrest, but the series was primarily crafted around earlier events such as Just Stop Oil protests and rolling pro-Palestine marches.

Mark Easton, the BBC’s home editor, brings an insightful and dignified narrative to the series. His style is notably traditional, lending weight to his conclusion that the “truth about modern Britain will be found at the barricade.” This, coupled with a theatrical reading of Shelley’s “The Masque of Anarchy,” ties the historical context of protest to the current landscape.

One of the key points in Policing Protest is the sheer frequency of protests, which creates an almost unmanageable burden for the police. The demand is particularly intense in London, where officers are often pulled from other areas, and breaks are canceled to handle the influx of demonstrations. The series adeptly highlights the fundamental tension in policing – maintaining public order while respecting citizens’ rights to dissent, a balancing act that has been scrutinized for over two centuries.

The series touches on various issues, from the historical origin of the Riot Act to the handling of Black Lives Matter protests. Interviews span a range of perspectives, featuring insights from police officers, academics, and protesters. Despite the informative tone, the series probes the question that lingers in the wake of more violent protests: How should law enforcement respond when peaceful demonstrations escalate?

Switching gears, Dream Space is a series hosted by Gemma Cairney for Factory International. Known for her diverse presenting gigs across 1Xtra, 6Music, and Radio 4, Cairney brings a unique charm to this show. The series features interviews with notable figures, starting with DJ Paulette, who describes her ideal dream space filled with water, music, and dancing family members. The audio format lends itself beautifully to creating an imaginary dreamscape alongside the host and guest.

Sing It Pink is a new podcast produced by the creators of The Log Books. It chronicles the history of the Pink Singers, Europe’s longest-running LGBTQ+ choir which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The series explores touching narratives from the choir’s past, including performances during the peak of the AIDS crisis. While the musical style may lean toward the theatrical, the podcast offers a poignant history worth exploring.

Turning to classical music, BBC Proms’ Prom 21 delivered an excellent performance conducted by John Wilson with the Sinfonia of London. This concert showcased American 20th-century compositions, including Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, and a piece by Wynton Marsalis titled “Herald, Holler and Hallelujah!” The program concluded with John Adams’s “Harmonielehre,” inspired by a dream of an oil tanker emerging from San Francisco Bay – a fascinating and visually evocative piece.

Lastly, an audiobook recommendation: Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove of The Roots. This captivating audiobook opens with Questlove recounting the pressures of assembling a special hip-hop segment for the Grammys, mixing tension with delight in a way that only Questlove can.

Source: The Guardian