Raz O'Connor

I am a musician-activist based in Bristol, UK. I perform music at political events such as fundraisers or protests, write political songs and try to spread political messages at other performances. ‘The Lights of Tangiers’ (below) is song I wrote about West African refugees and migrants struggling at the Morocco-Spain border, which has been the main cause I was involved in. You can hear my other music here: https://razoconnor.bandcamp.com/.

I currently work full-time and have 2 small children so have had to reduce my music and political activism considerably. Now I am mainly studying theory in anticipation of becoming more politically active once my children are older, but in the past I was heavily involved in what I would describe as ‘Anti-Authoritarian Socialist’ politics.

This meant being involved in movements fighting for the interests of the working class and against the interests of capitalism, whilst also opposing authoritarian tendencies within those same movements. Generally within any movement I advocate that there should be robust structures of democratic accountability for the leaders, with a high degree of autonomy for individuals and grassroots groups.

The causes I was heavily involved in as a musician-activist included: Anti-War/Arms Trade (especially Afghanistan + Iraq), Anti-Arms Trade, Free Education, Climate Justice, Palestine Solidarity, Migrant Solidarity (No Borders Calais and Morocco), Squatting, Anti-Austerity and Workers’ struggles.

I have a Masters Degree in Global Political Economy. Academically I adopt a Marxian perspective, with some Foucauldian influences. My research was mainly on the situation of Black African transit migrants at the Morocco-EU border (see ‘The Lights of Tangiers’ video above). I am currently working on PhD applications.