History Commons^™

Blog: Radical Sydney/Radical History, Rowan Cahill, Terry Irving

Terence H Irving, Dr (Terry)

This blog was initiated in 2010 in association with the publication of the book "Radical Sydney" (UNSW Press: 2010) co-authoured by Rowan Cahill and Terry Irving. Since then it has morphed to focus on the authors' ongoing thoughts on the theory and practice of 'radical history'. The blog also has related essays by historian Humphrey McQueen, and disability activist Joan Hume.

Radical Sydney - Places, Portraits And Unruly Episodes, Terry Irving, Rowan Cahill

Terence H Irving, Dr (Terry)

Sydney is represented to its citizens and to the rest of the world as a postcard, an impressive, beautiful city, a desirable tourist destination.

But there has always been another Sydney not viewed so fondly by the city’s rulers, a radical Sydney they are intent on ‘disappearing’ beneath concrete and glass. In the arc of working-class suburbs to the south and west, menace and disaffection developed. From the early nineteenth century through to the late twentieth century these suburbs were large and explosive places of marginalised ideas, bohemian neighbourhoods, dissident politics and contentious action.

Through a series of snapshots of …