Talking Culture: Public Discussion Group

Talking Culture is a series of friendly discussions where curious people can come together to think, talk, and explore today’s major issues.

The next session will take place on Thu 4 Jun, and will reflect on the events that led up to the Grenfell Tower Fire.‘Justice Delayed is Justice Denied’: The Grenfell Tower FireAround seven months before the Grenfell Tower fire, a group of residents wrote in a blog post that:“Only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord, Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO)… It is our conviction that a serious fire in a tower block or similar high-density residential property is the most likely reason that those who wield power at the KCTMO will be found out and brought to justice!”This was not the first time residents had pleaded for safer housing conditions, and the events of 14 June 2017 sadly proved them right.

When it comes to justice, however, nearly nine years on, it has yet to be served.In this discussion, we will reflect together on the events that led up to the fire and consider why accountability remains difficult in the current context.

Themes including social housing, safety, necropolitics, and who does (or does not) have a voice in political processes will be explored.

Attendees are also welcome to voice their own thoughts and bring along any themes of interest, but no prior knowledge is necessary.