In loving memory: Chris Freeman

I did not find it easy to acknowledge that Chris has departed physically from this world on August 16, 2010. I did expect to see him because when I met him some three months ago, he assured me that I will be able to see him again. His mind was sharp. His memory was intact. His dignity was striking. I had no reason but to believe that we will meet again. It broke my heart to hear the sad news that I did not expect to hear. When colleagues saw me completely consumed in grief and tears, they encouraged me to write my story and even an obituary implying that will make me feel better. But every time I started to think of writing, I got overwhelmed by an icy sadness. I got energy from communication from Gabriela, Luc, Jonathan and finally Carlota. How I wish I can see you and all the good friends of Chris and embrace you to share the grief I know you all have. I am at the moment in South Africa away from family and the close friends who know Chris as I do. I look forward to see you and share our fond memories together. The memories we have are many, alive and deeply soulful, so touching and inspiring. I cannot possibly articulate all my thoughts about Chris in a few words as I am writing this note today.

It is nearly 30 years since I met Chris in 1981 when Robin Murray left as the chief economic Advisor to the Greater London Council. Robin told me that Chris and I will work together and was sure that Chris could provide me full support. Chris told both Robin and me that he had so much work that he was not sure he can give me all what I may expect from him. At that time he was still the Director of SPRU. We discussed it also with Luc and Giovanni and finally Chris agreed. From the day he agreed until he passed away, I experienced nothing but full support, love, respect and commitment to make sure my exiled existence as an academic in UK succeeded. In the period of supervision, it was often Chris who travelled from Sussex to Burdett Road, Mile End in East London where I stayed with friends. He showed genuine engagement and enjoyed discussing with me long hours about my thesis: Capitalist Technology and Socialist Development. What I remember was how we discussed that the USSR system that came stuck in spite of various experiments would probably implode sooner than later. He was also very interested in the journal we were producing at the time: Russia and the World. I enjoyed in the flat in Mile End his services and kindness where he often made tea with amazing, unexpected and touching humility.

In my post-thesis life Chris was always involved and I was able to see him in Brighton, Lewes and in London. In all the work I asked him to be involved, he always agreed and never failed. For nearly thirteen years he came to Middlesex and gave lectures and personal mentoring to so many younger students, some of whom did their PhDs in SPRU. I remember how much they look forward to learn from him. What was great about him was that he was never in a hurry. When he came to visit us, he stayed not just to give a lecture, but the whole day and interacted with genuine interest with all the students. Middlesex University acknowledged his dedicated service by asking me to ask him to be an Honourary doctor, which he accepted.

What touches me deeply is not just the influence of his rare intellect. It is his disarming humility, and rich humanity that is natural to his being and personality. Above all, what I admire and respect about Chris is the value he held so evidently that remained consistent from his days as a young man: the sincere commitment to see the intolerable condition and situation change for the better for the billions of ordinary people that live especially in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania and other parts of the world. I remember how Chris in 2001 wrote a Foreword to a book we edited on Putting Africa First: The Making of African Innovation System, 2003, Aalborg University Press. Chris wrote: “Especially at this time of global economic instability, this work is needed more than ever to protect science and education from inept and misdirected programmes of ’structural adjustment’ and to put the last first. Then the stone that the builders rejected may indeed become the cornerstone of the arch.” There are many Africans who put Africa last, but Chris was prepared to put Africa first! Bal also joined Chris and us in supporting the goal of ending Africa’s humiliation by making its positive transformation a priority. When we launched the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation for Development (www.ajstid.com), he reflected on why he spent his life on the economics of innovation and wrote for the website supporting the importance of the journal by wishing it sustainable success.

Chris was born on September 11, 1921. September 11 represents the Ethiopian New Year. I remember one year in the 1980s when Chris joined me and many Ethiopians at Covent Garden in London as we celebrated the Ethiopian New Year and his birthday at the same time with cultural shows. He had visited Ethiopia and recollected how much he enjoyed his visits to my country. He was always positive when I express my frustrations on how slow things are taking place in Africa from football to research and higher education. He told me also he visited South Africa prior to the 1996 white Paper on South African National Innovation System, though he did not say much regarding his possible contribution beyond acknowledging some participation.

Finally, there are no words to express what Chris has become to mean to me and all those, I am sure who crossed his world. He even spoke with his reticence and silence by spreading positive energy with his inestimable, unique, quiet and humble style. For someone like me who hopes to try to devote ones head, soul and heart to help remove Africa’s historic humiliation and contribute to the imagination of liberation, Chris’s support, understanding and quiet sympathy was simply a heaven-sent gift. It is not easy to speak or write all that Chris has become to signify and mean to me and others. I felt his love until he left this world. I will continue to feel his spirit from now on, though right now it feels empty without him. I just say that his spirit, humanity, humility and concern for the underdog will live on beating the fear of time. It is the principle that remained consistent throughout his life. It is the one I share deeply as a value and principle that continues to inspire me. If I am not mistaken, I sense an ‘Ubuntu spirit’ in Chris’s life. ‘There is an I in You, and there is a You, in I’. I feel that this simple but profound African humanism captured as the ‘ubuntu’ spirit probably guided his life and the special way he related to children and adults in his world.

Chris was a giant in the creative combination or innovation of the finest intellect with the highest humanity. He remained grounded and with a common touch by shunning all hubris and pomposity that come as hazards and vices to many academics. He understood to tower intellectually without becoming socially elitist. He was a great man who saw and comprehended the limits and drawbacks of greatness itself. He will continue to lead and influence us by his example and wisdom even long after he departed from this world.

It is hard to acknowledge he is no more with us, and not to continue to enjoy all the positive energy that comes from the genuine love and contact I had with him. I will always miss him very much and will remember him fondly and lovingly until I leave this temporal world myself. Let his soul rest in tranquillity for eternal time.

Read more Chris Freeman Remembrances on: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/about/chris