Rock Against Racism is a body of photographs that Syd Shelton produced for and about the British Rock Against Racism movement (RAR) of 1976–1981.

    For Shelton, this work was a socialist act, what he calls a “graphic argument,” on behalf of marginalised lives.

    Shelton joined RAR in early 1977. He did so because he found his birthplace a more racist country than it had been when he left. This was marked by the increased political presence of the National Front, notably its gain of some 119,000 votes in the Greater London Council Elections of May 1977. Shelton, like millions of others, feared for the future of multi-cultural Britain.

    What is presented here are Shelton’s authoritative visual statements as participant-photographer on the social tempo in Britain at this time and the activist potency of RAR. As collective activism, RAR’s success was dependent on individual contributions to fuel the movement’s activities across the country. This unique national, and eventually international, charge incorporated the visual dynamic of how Black and white RAR contributors and participants styled their bodies as another antagonistic tool against racism.

    These were acts of style activism—the making of an activist identity through the considered composition of clothes, accessories, hairstyles, makeup, and body language. Shelton’s images prompt us to remember that the individuals at RAR carnivals, gigs, and demonstrations were the event—they were RAR.

    There are many versions of what RAR was and its legacy. Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism provides an auto/biographical telling of that historical moment. It reflects on how Shelton’s work as a photographer contributed towards social change at a critical moment of political and racial tension in Britain.

    Other Releases on

    Studio One Disco Mix
    Studio One's music in the 1970s took the label to new heights. The new style of Disco Mix brought many areas of Reggae together ­ Roots, Lovers, Disco...
    • Lloyd & Devon – Push Push
    • Judah Eskender Tafari – Rastafari Tell You
    • Doreen Schaefer – Ain't Gonna Change My Mind
    • Dub Specialist – Kampala
    • George Allen – Be Wise Brethren
    • Jackie Mittoo – Night In Ethiopia
    • George Dudley – Gates Of Zion
    • The Silvertones – Come Forward
    • The Ethiopian – Muddy Water
    • Willie Williams & Brentford Disco Set – Armagideon Time
    • Willie Williams & Brentford Disco Set – Armagideon Time (version)
    • Norma White & Brentford Disco Set – I Want Your Love
    • Norma White & Brentford Disco Set – I Want Your Love (version)
    • Alton Ellis – You Make Me Happy
    • Suagr Minott – Love And Understanding
    • Winston Francis, Jackie Mittoo & Brentford Rockers – Going To Zion
    Soul Jazz Records presentsStudio One Classics
    Studio One Classics features a non-stop selection of stone-cold classic Studio One killers! Spanning 40 years of the legendary label, this album is a celebration...
    • The Skatalites – El Pussycat Ska
    • Carlton & The Shoes – Love Me Forever
    • Sound Dimension – Rockfort Rock
    • Johnny Osbourne – Sing Jah Stylee
    • The Heptones – Pretty Looks Isn't All
    • Slim Smith – Rougher Yet
    • Lone Ranger – Automatic
    • Horace Andy – Fever
    • Prince Jazzbo – School
    • The Wailers – Simmer Down
    • Burning Spear – Rocking Time
    • Alton Ellis – I'm Just A Guy
    • Sugar Minott – Oh Mr Dc
    • Jennifer Lara – Consider Me
    • Don Drummond – Confucious
    • Michigan & Smiley – Rub A Dub Style
    • Sound Dimension – Full Up
    • Dennis Brown – No Man Is An Island
    Soul Jazz Records presents Studio One Soul (Black vinyl edition)
    New classic black vinyl pressing More classic Reggae from Jamaica's most important label ever . Studio One Soul tracks the link between American Funk...
      PUNK 45 The Bizarros/Rubber City RebelsRubber City Rebels/White Screen Movies
      Seminal punk from Akron, Ohio. Two KILLER tracks of early raw punk from the rubber city packaged in miniature 7" replica of the Bizarros/Rubber City Rebels...
      • – Rubber City Rebels
      • – White Screen Movies
      The TrapsHigher / Higher Version
      RARE CUTS! Very Limited edition bespoke Studio One Collector's 45ONLY AVAILABLE DIRECT FROM SOUL JAZZ RECORDS &...
      • – Higher
      • – Higher Version

      People also bought

      300% Dynamite!Ska, Soul, Rocksteady, Funk and Dub in JamaicaSoul Jazz Records
      Special new 25th anniversary edition of this most popular and highly-acclaimed of all Soul Jazz Records' Dynamite! series - 300% Dynamite is jam-packed...
      • Wayne Smith – Under Mi Sleng Teng
      • Big Youth – Cool Breeze
      • Sister Nancy – Bam Bam
      • The Freddie Munnings Orchestra – Coconut Woman
      • Bobby Ellis – Step Softly
      • Althea and Donna – Uptown Top Ranking
      • Jah Lloyd – Llama
      • Culture – Stop The Fussing and Fighting
      • Lee Perry and The Upsetters – Jungle Lion
      • Johnny and The Attractions – Let's Get Together
      • Augustus Pablo – Viva Tirado
      • Archie and Lyn – Rat In The Centre
      • Jackie Paris – Make Me Smile
      • Bobby Ellis – Shank I Sheck
      • Winston Wright and The Upsetters – Jam #1
      • The Ethiopians – The Whip
      • Chaka Demus & Pliers – The Boom
      • Glen Adams – Can't Hide Love
      • Johnny Clarke – Rebel Soldering
      • Dee Sharp – Let's Dub It Up
      Freedom Rhythm and Sound EVENTThu 18 Dec 2025
      Gilles Peterson + Stuart Baker (Soul Jazz Records) + Special GuestsAn evening of conversation, music and visuals 7.30-10pm Thu 18 Dec 2025 at The American...
        • EARLY BIRD Live Event E-Ticket£10.00
          In stockAdd to Bag
        The Way U Make Me Feel: UK Boogie & Street Soul, 1980-1994Freestyle Records
        Freestyle Records compile a killer overview of rare & undersung UK street soul & boogie tracks from across the 80s and early 90s, selected from the creme...
          The Mighty DiamondsThe Roots Is There (Raw Cut)Music Works
          DKR say.."After their epic run with Channel One beginning in the mid 1970's, the Mighty Diamonds moved to producer Gussie Clarke for a string of albums...
          • – The Roots Is There (Raw Cut)
          • – Dub Is There
          Keith & TexGroovy Situation (Dubplate Mixes)Studio 16
          First two 10" in new subsidiary label from Studio 16 "Black Art Dubplate Style" both featuring singer Keith Rowe of Keith & Tex fame. Recorded at The Black...
          • – Mix 1
          • – Mix 2
          Leroy BrownColor Barrier / Heart Of The CityKismet
          A KILLER late 70s roots version based on Bobby Bland's "Ain't No Love" recorded with Robbie Shakespear and the rest of The Revolutionaries, also with an...
          • – Color Barrier
          • – Heart Of The City
          Sugar MinottLive Loving (Studio One USA)Studio One
          Classic Studio One album alert! Sugar Minott picked classic Studio One rhythms from the vaults when he came to Brentford Road in the mid-70s. This is...
          • Sugar Minott – Jahoviah
          • Sugar Minott – Hang On Natty
          • Sugar Minott – Change Your Ways
          • Sugar Minott – Give A Hand
          • Sugar Minott – Come On Home
          • Sugar Minott – This Old Man
          • Sugar Minott – A House Is Not A Home
          • Sugar Minott – Live Loving
          • Sugar Minott – Love Gonna Pack Up Sample
          • Sugar Minott – Jah Almighty
          • Sugar Minott – Jah Jah Lead Us
          • Sugar Minott – Peace Treaty Style
          Barry BrownThings And TimeBlack Roots
          One of Barry Brown's best vocal cuts, deep roots rhythm from the Black Roots camp that needs repeat plays for this under the radar tune from 1980, mixed...
          • Barry Brown – Things And Time
          • Black Roots Players – Things Dub
          Jackie MittooReggae MagicSoul Jazz Records
          Jackie Mittoo’s ‘Reggae Magic’ is a new collection from the great Jackie Mittoo. The album features a mixture of classic tunes and rarities from...
          • Jackie Mittoo – Melody Maker
          • The Soul Vendors – Full Range
          • Jackie Mittoo – Ghetto Organ
          • Jackie Mittoo – Toronto Express
          • Jackie Mittoo – Black Out
          • Jackie Mittoo – Fireball Rock
          • Jackie Mittoo – Tropic Island
          • Jackie Mittoo – Sure Soul
          • Jackie Mittoo – Taste Of Soul
          • Jackie Mittoo & Sound Dimension – Soul Stew
          • Jackie Mittoo – Reggae Magic
          • Jackie Mittoo & Ernest Ranglin – West Of The Sun
          • The Skatalites – Hanging Tree
          • Jackie Mittoo – Peenie Wallie
          • Sound Dimension – Walk Don't Run
          • Jackie Mittoo & The Soul Vendors – Ba Ba Boom
          • Jackie Mittoo – Dark Of The Moon
          • Jackie Mittoo – Full Charge
          CimaronsHarder Than The RockA-Lone Productions
          Following on from their documentary film of the same name, The Cimarons release this strong 11 song collection of new roots recordings with Spanish producer...
          • – Ship Took Us Away
          • – Oh Jah
          • – Morning Sun
          • – Harder Than The Rock
          The Rolling Stones12 X 5ABKCO
          Recorded in Chicago, 12 X 5 is The Rolling Stones' second album to be released in the US. It was released on October 17, 1964, on London Records.
            Soul Jazz Records presents Studio One Ska Fire ! (Limited Edition Collectors 7" Box Set)Studio One Ska Fire ! (Limited Edition Collectors 7" Box Set)Soul Jazz Records
            Studio One Ska Fire Box Set, a limited-edition one-off pressing exclusive collectors seven-inch box set featuring 10 amazing and super-rare Studio One...
            • Don Drummond – Don D Special
            • Toots and The Maytals – A Man Who Knows
            • Bob Marley and The Wailers – Rude Boy
            • Derrick Morgan – It's Alright
            • The Skatalites – Something Special
            • Lee Perry – Open Up (aka Cook Book)
            • The Regals – Shammy Back
            • Bob Marley and The Wailers – Diamond Baby
            • Jackie Opel – The Mill Man
            • The Ethiopians – I Am Free
            • 5×7" Boxset SJR467£38.00
              In stockAdd to Bag
            • MP3 Release SJR467D£9.99
              5026328504674
              In stockAdd to Bag