SATURDAY 22nd JUNE
Portrait of a generation
Gilbert Clark honours those who sacrificed their lives in WW2 in service of ‘The mother country’ £3.95 WHERE SOLD
For a comprehensive list of all Windrush events visit www.windrushday.org.uk
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company 02653887.
Š Dennis Morris assisted by Bolade Banjo
Rudolph Walker, 79, Actor
If you’re a black man over 45, you have an increased risk of prostate cancer. Diagnosing it early can make a difference.
CONTENTS PUBLISHED BY SUGAR MEDIA AND MARKETING LTD Unit 4, 2a Glenville Grove London SE8 4BP Tel: 0203 105 2161 www.windrushday.org.uk www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk PUBLISHERS: Ian Thomas, Abdul Rob EDITOR: Joy Sigaud EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Serena Lee PRODUCTION MANAGER: David Ruiz DESIGNER: Becky Wybrow PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Mohammad Sadegh ADVERTISING: Ayana Hussein, Kanan James, Onu Igbokwe CONTRIBUTORS: Jim Grover, Stuart Lawrence, Lord Bourne, Simon Hinds, Ciara Leeming, Baroness Floella Benjamin COVER IMAGE: Jim Grover WINDRUSH 2019 WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE: Black Cultural Archives, The National Theatre, The Jamaican High Commission, The British Library, BBC,The British Caribbean Association, The Windrush Foundation, Keith Taylor, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Kevin Gopal.
6 WELCOME
Editor Joy Sigaud welcomes you to Windrush Day Magazine 2019
8 WINDRUSH DAY INTRODUCTIONS
Featuring Prime Minister Theresa May, Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable
10 WINDRUSH: PORTRAIT OF A GENERATION
By Jim Grover
14 H.E SETH GEORGE RAMOCAN, CD
Message from the High Commissioner for Jamaica
16 WINDRUSH: THE STORY OF MODERN BRITAIN
By Communities Minister Lord Bourne
18 BARONESS FLOELLA BENJAMIN ON COMING TO ENGLAND
By Baroness Floella Benjamin
22 REMEMBERING NURSES OF THE WINDRUSH GENERATION
By Professor Laura Serrant
24 FASHION & WINDRUSH - VOYAGE, HOPE, AND POPPING STYLE By Serena Lee 26 POST WINDRUSH FEARS CONTINUE
Owen Haisley’s story By Ciara Leeming
28 WINDRUSH GENERATION: FAMILY HISTORIES UNFOLD & TOLD
By Sharon Tomlin
30 WINDRUSH PIONEERS AND CHAMPIONS
Book review and resource pack By Joy Sigaud
30 AFRO-CARIBBEANS CALLED TO LOBBY PARLIAMENT By Simon Hinds
21 WINDRUSH DAY 2019
31 WINDRUSH MOVING FORWARD
By Lord Herman Ouseley
Jamaica continues to stand with diaspora
32 THE WINDRUSH GENERATION, CHARACTER AND DESTINY!
By Dr Donald Palmer and Dr Dwain A. Neil
BHM 365 ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVES: Debbie Lawrence, Wayne Nembhard, Lorna Holder, Sonia Caesar, Peter Herbert, Primrose Granville.
34 BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES, WHO ARE WE?
Windrush Day 2019 Magazine is the sister publication of Black History Month Magazine
By Arike-Oke, OBE
35 LONDON THEATRE REVIEW Andrew Levy’s epic ‘Small Island’ receives standing ovation at the National Theatre
36 A TIME TO LIVE, A TIME TO LOVE, A TIME TO CHANGE By Stuart Lawrence
37 IN PRAISE OF THE WINDRISH GENERATION - CULTURE HEROES!
By The National Caribbean Heritage Museum
38 NEW DAUGHTERS OF AFRICA
Margaret Busby book review www.windrushday.org.uk
ADVERTORIAL
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HUMAN RESOURCES BERNICE DZEKASHU
I am Senior Aircraftwoman Bernice Dzekashu. Before I joined the Royal Air Force, I already had an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Wales. I am also a part-qualified chartered accountant with just one course left to complete my chartered accounting programme with ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountant). The RAF has been supportive and keen to invest in me. I am now considering commissioning, to send a message to a lot of highly skilled and experienced civilians like you, that there is a career in the RAF, which is just as rewarding (if not more) as any in civvy street. My decision to join the RAF has been one of the best decisions of my life. My fitness and lifestyle has greatly improved and every day I proudly wear my uniform knowing that I am serving this great country.
There are lots of diverse roles on offer at the Royal Air Force. Meet some of the individuals working in these exciting jobs…
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oday’s modern Royal Air Force is the UK’s aerial, peacekeeping and fighting force. It’s made up of impressive full-time Regulars and spare-time Reservists who come from hugely diverse backgrounds and work side-by-side to make a difference at home and abroad. When it comes to recruitment our focus is on attracting the best personnel, and ensuring that they’re well taken care of during and after the service in the RAF. The unique skills and values that diverse individuals bring to the RAF are an essential facet of our business and underpin all we do. Whether at home supporting our communities or overseas on operations, we know that our true strength lies in the diversity of our people. Whatever your academic background, there are a range of great opportunities in the RAF. Some require minimal qualifications; others require specialist skills, higher qualifications and/or a degree. The RAF has more than 50 available roles and multiple career development opportunities. We employ everyone from Chefs and Photographers, to Cyberspace Communications Systems Technicians, Linguists, Doctors and Pilots. One route to joining is as an RAF Apprentice – this offers you the chance to gain a UK-recognised trade qualification as part of a challenging and unique career. The RAF is a Top 100 apprenticeship provider, has the best apprenticeship completion rate of any national employer (over 99%) and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Not only will you gain a civilian-recognised professional qualification, but upon completion you’ll also have a guaranteed job in your chosen field. You’ll receive the very best training and as well as getting paid to learn, the chance to travel the world, play sport and perform a vital national role. Alternatively, should you have the appropriate qualifications, you could apply for a Commission and become an Officer in a wide range of branches including Engineering, Intelligence, Air Battle Manager, or Air Traffic Control, among many others. Whatever your role, the Royal Air Force is committed to investing in every one of its truly valued personnel.
TO FIND OUT MORE Please visit our website www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/about-the-raf
LAWYER IPHIE MODU
I am Flight Lieutenant Iphie Modu. I started my Royal Air Force career in 2004 as a part-time Reservist with No 600 (City of London) RAuxAF Squadron, RAF Northolt. Following a call to the Bar of England and Wales in 2009 I joined the RAF Legal Branch in 2014. My rationale at the
time was that because I loved the law and the military, it made perfect sense to combine the two. My interests include social justice, youth work and community development. I also enjoys poetry, amateur field hockey and fencing.
ADVERTORIAL
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SOLOMON WARISO
MEDICAL
TOSIN TALABI
I am Wing Commander Tosin Talabi, a consultant physician working in the regional occupational medicine department at RAF College Cranwell. I am one of many specialists in occupational medicine within the Defence Primary Healthcare. I left the NHS in January 2000 to join the RAF as a specialist entry officer. I planned to serve for only six years but I am still serving 17 years later! In the RAF, I have worked as a GP, aviation medicine instructor, manager and trainer, training other doctors to become specialists. I have worked in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, UAE and the Falkland islands. Being a doctor in the RAF means doing a wide variety of jobs. It is never boring and you are always trained and supported before undertaking new roles.
PHILLIPA BULYA
My name is Corporal Phillipa Bulya, and I am a nurse in the Princess Mary Royal Air Force Nursing Service. After graduating as a nurse in the civilian world, I worked in King’s College London Hospital, one of the best hospitals in the country, but I still desired to achieve more, not only in my career but also for the chance to develop myself and enhance my personal attributes. I joined the Royal Air Force in 2015. This has seriously broadened my opportunities to work in various medical areas. I have now worked in Emergency Care, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Surgery; thus making me a more rounded nurse with a lot more experience towards my clinical career. Additionally, the RAF has given me the ability to take part in amazing activities such as adventurous training, which have really pushed my limits and made me discover many resilience and personality traits I did not realise I had in me.
CATERING PASCAL ZGAMBO
My name is Corporal Pascal Zgambo; although born in Malawi, I have mostly lived a nomadic life across Africa and Europe before permanently settling in the United Kingdom in the summer of 1999. I attended University of East London for my tertiary education where a careers fair enticed me into joining the Royal Air Force. My persistence in furthering myself and others through continuous personal development saw me get specially selected into an instructional role (Catering) within the Joint Services Food Service Wing. Having excelled in this role, an opportunity was presented to me to join the Apprenticeship Centre and champion the intermediate apprenticeships that we offer to our trainee Chefs and Logistics Caterers.
My name is Aircraftman Solomon Wariso, and I am the former Editorat-Large of The Powerlist magazine, as well as a former Team GB relay reserve at two Olympic Games and a world-class 200 and 400 metres runner. I worked for several years as a journalist and then as a sports agent. In 2015, at the Powerlist Influencers’ Dinner, I met members of the Royal Air Force, a meeting which changed my life. I’m now a very proud part-time Reservist member of 2623 RAF Regiment RAuxAF Squadron at RAF Honington in Suffolk. Giving something back to the country is one of the best experiences of my eventful life.
SALIM HILL
My name is Corporal Salim Hill. I was born in Edgware in North London and I am 33. I have served in the RAF for 12 years, seven months as an Aircraft Technician. The RAF offers a lot of sporting opportunities, which was a major factor in me joining. I have boxed for the RAF, represented the Combined Services and won an English National title. I have also boxed all over the UK and in international competitions. The RAF has given me the opportunity to undergo an Engineering Management degree which I am working towards. I am a BME Ambassador which gives me an opportunity to access and recruit individuals from ethnic backgrounds.
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
Welcome It’s one year since National Windrush Day was announced to commemorate the first wave of people who arrived on the SS Empire Windrush. Since that time thousands have ventured to Britain and now have a legacy and a place they call home. We all recognise and acknowledge the struggles faced with integration, recognition and social cohesion but as a resilient people we have overcome many adversities and continue to campaign for rights and justice in all walks of life where it is wanting. This first and pioneering issue of The Official Windrush Day 2019 Magazine captures the very essence of some of those struggles as well as some of the countless positive and uplifting stories as we continue the walk of life producing seeds that bear good fruit. We continue to face challenges on a daily basis, not least of which is the mentoring and training of those who fall into crime or victims of racial bias, abuse, or mental health problems - all of which are regularly featured on our website, but not to be ignored are the potential challenges of Brexit for the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora all of which are topical at the moment. In the midst of this, we celebrate. National Windrush Day is a day that, thanks to the foresight of those early pioneers, will be documented in British History and it is those pioneers and all who came after that lead the way for all migrants to be recognised and valued in Britain as we know it today.
Encompassing people from all walks of life and professions, from artists to nurses and carers, teachers to engineers, politicians, scientists and entrepreneurs it is truly a multi-faceted and inspirational story that has just begun to be told. www.windrushday.org.uk
FROM THE EDITOR JOY SIGAUD
WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
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Today’s modern Army has roots in Caribbean bravery
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eople from the Caribbean and Africa have served in the British Army since the 18th Century, fighting in the Napoleonic Wars, the Ashanti War in West Africa, and in both World Wars. Despite this significant contribution by many thousands of soldiers, recognition of their bravery and sacrifice has been limited here in the UK. In contrast, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) stages a number of events commemorating the acts of bravery of two outstanding West Indian soldiers of the West Indian Regiment, which had been created by the British Army in 1795. These soldiers made history by being among the first non-Europeans to be awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for bravery in the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces. Samuel Hodge, from the British Virgin Islands, was awarded the VC in 1866 for storming an enemy position under intense fire; William Gordon, from Jamaica, was awarded the VC in 1892 for being shot while pushing his commander out of the line of fire. Both men served in the West Indian Regiment of the British Army (upon disbandment the 1st Battalion became the modern Jamaica Regiment within the JDF). These examples of courage inspire us to commemorate the contribution of Caribbean and African people to our Armed Forces. Since the Windrush Generation this contribution has continued, with people from the Caribbean continuing to serve this country and their children doing the same. On 30 May the British Army will hold its own inaugural VC Day. It will celebrate the bravery of West Indian men such as Hodge and Gordon, as well as notable others who made their own impact: Mary Seacole, the British-Jamaican nurse who treated soldiers during the Crimean War; James Africanus Beale Horton, a British Army medical officer born in Sierra Leone who served in two wars
and later became a successful businessman and political writer; Walter Tull, a footballer of Afro-Caribbean heritage who played for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur before serving in World War One, during which he became an Army officer and was cited for gallantry before his death on the Western Front. Today the Army celebrates the diversity in its ranks and the achievements of all those who serve. There are networks to provide support and guidance to religious and minority groups and the Army always seeks to engage with the wider community to stay connected with all parts of society. VC Day allows us to join with the community and commemorate the actions of one part of society that has not always had the recognition it deserved. One organisation attending the event is The National Caribbean Monument Charity (TNCMC), who want to ensure the bravery and service of Caribbean soldiers is remembered and are fundraising to commission a monument in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. It will be a fitting way to immortalize VC winners such as Hodge and Gordon, and all those from the Commonwealth who served in all parts of the British Army up to the present day. By Major James Eppleston. James’s mother was born in Guyana and emigrated to the UK in 1963.
Today the Army celebrates the diversity in its ranks and the achievements of all those who serve.
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
THERESA MAY PRIME MINISTER
I’m honoured that as one of my final acts of being Prime Minster of this great nation is to support the first National Windrush Day Celebrations, which I announced last year backed by funding, and a Windrush Commemoration Committee to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants. We know that Britain today in the 21st Century is a diverse multi-ethnic democracy, and it is one that I’ve been immensely proud to lead. It is now 71 years since some of the first arrived in the UK aboard the Empire Windrush and we have a chance to celebrate the enormous contribution that people from around the Commonwealth – and their children and grandchildren – have made to Britain over seven decades. Our culture has been enriched and our society has been made stronger because of the people who travelled here to build new lives in the UK. While we’ve made great strides to improve equality of opportunity, I know there is still more work to be done to ensure our society works for everyone. That’s why, on becoming Prime Minister, one of the first things I did was commission the Race Disparity Audit to shine a light on how people from different ethnic backgrounds are treated across our public services. We are the first country in the world to do this and I have been clear that if these disparities cannot be explained they must be tackled. We have made a start with a £90 million programme to help tackle youth unemployment, a review of exclusions in education, and a commitment to take forward a number of recommendations in the David Lammy Review of the criminal justice system. I’ve been determined to deliver on my promise to root out injustice wherever they occur in our society. That includes the Windrush scandal last year, which made many Commonwealth citizens feel unwelcome in this country – their home – for which I am still genuinely sorry. Once again, I’d like to thank Sugar Media and Marketing for taking this opportunity to mark the many ways in which Black British men and women make this country great – and for reminding us that Black history is British history, and belongs to us all. I want to thank all those from the Windrush generation for their contribution and want them to know, Britain has always been – and will always be – their home.
VINCE CABLE
LEADER OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS www.windrushday.org.uk
This year we celebrate the 71 years since the arrival of Caribbean migrants on Empire Windrush. This wave of mass migration is an important part of our nation’s historical narrative. It tells the story of post-war Britain and the people who were instrumental in helping our country rebuild following the destruction of WWII. Our National Health Service is undeniably our greatest national treasure, yet its establishment and development would not have been possible without the Windrush Generation. The arrival of Caribbean migrants at the point of our greatest
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The Windrush scandal is not over, and we must all keep campaigning for justice for all the victims of DIANE ABBOTT & JEREMY CORBYN the Windrush scandal. BY LABOUR PARTY
T
he bond between the Windrush generation and all of us is unbreakable. In June 1948, the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury with over a thousand people on board, mainly from the Caribbean. Responding to a Commonwealth recruitment call from the ‘mother country’, the Windrush generation were invited here to help re-build Britain after the Second World WarThey contributed immeasurably to the rebuilding of our country after the destruction of war, filled labour shortages in our public services and helped to build the newly formed National Health Service – our country’s proudest achievement. We must keep this context in mind when we consider the scandal surrounding the mistreatment of the Windrush generation and their descendants at the hands of this Tory government under the hostile environment – a scandal that has ruined many lives and damaged our international reputation with the Commonwealth and our allies. It is particularly important to remember just what the Windrush scandal has involved under this government’s hostile environment policies, imposed by Theresa May when she was Home Secretary. This scandal has seen our own citizens deported, detained as prisoners in their own country, denied vital healthcare, and many have lost their jobs and been made homeless. Over a year since this issue was first raised in Parliament, we still do not know the full scale of this scandal. All of this occurred even though the Windrush generation have always been fully, legally entitled to be here. Indeed, when they were invited to this country they were invited as citizens and equals. There can be no justification for further sordid mistreatment of the Windrush generation. Yet the compensation scheme announced by the government falls woefully short of what can be considered as fair and just. It does not go nearly far enough to remedy the injustice and hardship members of the Windrush generation and their descendants have experienced at the hands of this government. This scandal is far from over, and with the Tories refusing to learn the lessons of Windrush and continuing the ‘hostile environment’ unabated, it is inevitable that we will see further such scandals in the future. Another important factor that needs to be recognised when we consider the Windrush scandal is that government policy, ministerial rhetoric and media coverage consistently fails to treat migrants as people, and this toxic combination
need, not only built our public services but supplied much needed labour in sectors such as construction and agriculture. Yet, despite coming here by invitation, many were sadly victims of racism and discrimination and as the years have rolled by their contributions to British history have often been side-lined and overlooked. This disregard became all too apparent in the fall out from the Windrush Scandal, which exposed the impact of the Government’s “hostile environment” immigration policy. The treatment of the Windrush generation throughout this
contributed directly to this scandal. Addressing this issue, Labour has not only exposed these cruel policies of the Windrush scandal but has also outlined the steps that a Labour government will take to end the Tories’ toxic and inhumane immigration system. Under Labour, the hostile environment will end. And when it ends, the Tories’ bogus immigration target will go with it. You can either have a fair, rational target for immigration or you can have a bogus target – you cannot have both. Labour will end indefinite detention and close down Yarl’s Wood and Brook House detention centres. If we are to really learn the lessons of Windrush, and to make sure the scandal isn’t repeated, this means honestly assessing how dog-whistle rhetoric and a race to the bottom in how we discuss the issue of immigration led directly to it. In light of the Windrush scandal, it is more important now than ever that we reflect on our shared history and understand the role and legacy of the British Empire, colonisation and slavery. Black history is British history, and to make sure these injustices can never be repeated Labour will improve the teaching of Black British history and the history of the British Empire, colonialism and slavery. Labour is clear. We will not rest until there is justice for the Windrush generation and in government Labour will end the ‘hostile environment’ for good.
scandal has inflicted great misery on a generation of people whose hard work and sacrifice is nothing short of remarkable. For some, very little has changed in the last year; many remain in acute financial difficulties, with many still struggling to find employment, pay debts or even open bank accounts. We demand better. This scandal was and remains a betrayal of British citizens. The Government’s disregard for those who have made such incredible contributions to our national way of life has been a total disgrace and there has been very
little evidence of improved sensitivity or understanding of impact to those affected. This must change. As we celebrate this year, I want to say a personal thank you to the Windrush Generation and your descendants for your immense and ongoing contributions to our economy, our communities and our national way of life. Your hard work and tenacity are an inspiration to many. This year and every year, we celebrate your lives, your work and your legacy.
www.windrushday.org.uk
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
WINDRUSH: PORTRAIT OF A GENERATION
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n a Thursday evening in June I pushed through a large brown swing door and stepped, somewhat apprehensively, into a large clubroom filled with West Indian men, playing dominoes. The Queen looked down from a portrait on the wall. It was a revelation, I had no idea this parallel world existed on my doorstep in Clapham. I had been invited to see whether there might be a photo-story to be told about these dominoes players. My photography interest is capturing people and their communities in South London, where I have lived for 30 years, and to document their daily lives and relationships. I want to tell stories that haven’t been told before, to bring to life ‘the unseen’. On that first evening, I was simply after a ‘dominoes story’. But as I spent time with this lovely group of people over subsequent weeks, heard some of their stories and found out more about
www.windrushday.org.uk
BY JIM GROVER
their lives, I realised that there was a much bigger and more important story to be told. A story about the very particular way the proud community of first generation migrants from the Caribbean live their daily lives in South London. A story that many of their fellow south Londoners know little or nothing about. So my eleven-month journey began. It was to take me to homes, clubs, community centres, churches and cemeteries around Clapham. At first, it wasn’t easy. I was a stranger in their midst (with a camera and sometimes a voice recorder!) and this close-knit community were, understandably, a little wary of me and my intentions. But as we got to know each other, these warm-hearted people opened up their lives and homes to me, and enabled me to tell their story. Knowing that I wanted to capture the totality of the particular ways this generation live their lives gave me some structure for my endeavours over the ensuing months, although I was constantly discovering ‘new treasures’, resulting in new chapters being added to their story. My passion for this project drove constant
pleas for advice, help, contacts and, that most precious thing for a photographer is ‘access’, and one story often leads to another possibility. I knew, for example, that I had to capture a ‘Nine Night’; I was determined to find an intact example of the legendary ‘Jamaican Front Room’; I wanted to experience, first hand, a Friday ‘open house’ when as many as four generations of a family come together to be family for the night. And I absolutely had to track down an original ‘Windrusher’, which eventually led me to Leeds and the delightful Alford Gardner, a proud new arrival in 1948, now aged 92! And so a single story about dominoes progressively becomes one of 12 stories that together seek to describe how this wonderful community live their lives today, true to their traditions and culture. The more I immersed myself in this project the more I realised that I was capturing living history. As this generation passes away, and the successive 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations pursue their own lives here, some of these traditions will inevitably weaken and may even become lost forever. And so it felt imperative to document www.windrushday.org.uk
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this way of life and to record these stories before it becomes too late. It has been such a privilege and pleasure to have shared in the lives of this community that I live alongside. I have so much respect and admiration for how they live their lives, what they have created here, and what they have brought to these shores. The launch exhibition of ‘Windrush: Portrait of a Generation’ in the Oxo gallery on London’s south bank in May 2018 was a wonderful success. An incredible 13,000 visitors came over the 3 week run and we had some wonderful moments in the gallery: visitors dancing to the 1960s Jamaican music we were playing, 3 and 4 generations of the same family coming along, and strangers talking to each other as images rekindled shared memories. The entire exhibition, including the remarkable and inspiring life stories, is contained in a 245 page book and is available from www.windrushportraitofageneration.com, or from Amazon. For the month of [June], to coincide with the publication of the Windrush Commemorative Magazine there is a special price of £25 (the usual price is £35). The exhibition will also be re-staged later in the year. Please visit the website for further information. www.windrushday.org.uk
Alford Gardner, whose passport is shown, arrived on the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948. Having spent time in the United Kingdom during the war he recognised the hope the country had to offer and looked forward to returning one day. The call for colonial dependants to come to the UK post WWII provided the perfect opportunity for him to return and now at 92 years old his insight and historical value has not gone unnoticed. He was also an ‘advisor’ in the new “Small Island” production - a play based on the late Andrea Levy’s much acclaimed book where his character was superbly portrayed by Gershwyn Eustache. Alford Gardner
WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
PROSTATE CANCER TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT THIS In the UK, 1 in 4 black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men, who have a 1 in 8 chance of getting prostate cancer. Actor Rudolph Walker tells us about his Caribbean roots and passion for the cause.
What do you know about prostate cancer? My awareness of prostate cancer is really something very close to home, my uncle died of prostate cancer, I was very fond of him. It was a very painful experience for me, so when I was approached quite a few years after to be involved with Prostate Cancer UK, I just didn’t hesitate. I also encouraged EastEnders to do a storyline about prostate cancer, which they did in 2014 with the character Stan Carter played by Timothy West – that raised quite a lot of awareness. What do you think about the increased risk of prostate cancer amongst black men? One in four black men will get prostate cancer – those statistics are not encouraging. My background, coming from the Caribbean, we have a mentality where we don’t talk about anything to do with our private parts. It’s to do with our pride and being macho. Prevention is better than cure and if you capture something like prostate cancer early, then you stand a better chance of beating it. Why are you supporting Prostate Cancer UK? I’m supporting Prostate Cancer UK because prostate cancer has affected my family and friends around me, including friends I grew up with in Trinidad. So, it is extremely important that we spread the word. What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer can develop when cells in your prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way. Prostate cancer often grows slowly and may never cause any problems. But some prostate cancer grows quickly and has a high risk of spreading. This is more likely to cause problems and needs treatment to stop it spreading. What is the prostate? The prostate is a gland. Only men have a prostate. The prostate is usually the size and shape of a walnut. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube men urinate (pee) and ejaculate through. The prostate’s main job is to help make semen – the fluid that carries sperm. Does prostate cancer have any symptoms? Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the risk factors too. Prostate cancer is most common in men over 50. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have a particularly high
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risk and may want to speak to their GP from the age of 45, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Some men with prostate cancer may have difficulty urinating. Men with prostate cancer that’s spread to other parts of the body might have pain in the back, hips or pelvis, problems getting or keeping an erection, blood in the urine, or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms are usually caused by other things that aren’t prostate cancer. For example, if you notice any changes when you urinate or have trouble controlling your bladder, this could be a sign of an enlarged prostate or prostatitis. But it’s still a good idea to talk to your GP so they can find out what’s causing them.
‘Prevention is better than cure and if you capture something like prostate cancer early, then you stand a better chance of beating it.’ Why are black men at higher risk? We don’t know why black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men. But it might be linked to genes. Genes are sets of instructions inside every cell in your body and are inherited from your parents. What is the risk for men with mixed black ethnicity? If you have mixed black ethnicity, you are likely to be at higher risk of prostate cancer than men who aren’t black. But we don’t know your exact risk because we don’t have enough information on prostate cancer in men with mixed black ethnicity. And we don’t know whether it makes a difference if it’s your mother or father who is black. If you’re a black man over 45, speak to your GP about your risk of prostate cancer. You can find out more information by visiting prostatecanceruk.org or speak to our Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383.
www.windrushday.org.uk
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
Message from H.E SETH GEORGE RAMOCAN, CD High Commissioner for Jamaica I warmly greet the readers of the Official Windrush Commemorative Magazine as I welcome this opportunity to share with you on this important occasion. The commemoration of this important anniversary provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the close to five hundred Caribbean migrants who arrived, settled and provided well needed assistance in the rebuilding of a post-war Great Britain. At the same time, the anniversary is a time of mixed emotions and reflections. On the one hand, we are able to highlight the positive strides of the Windrush generation and on the other, we are forced to recall the many injustices, pain and humiliation suffered by some members of the Windrush generation. Over the past year, there have been a number of notable developments which I believe is useful to highlight, including the decision by the British Government to officially declare 22nd June as Windrush Day. This is certainly important and will give due respect to the Windrush generation. I thank all who have campaigned over the years for this important recognition. I look forward to the implementation of the Government’s plans to erect a Windrush Memorial as a fitting and lasting tribute, to the contribution of the Windrush generation. Also of relevance were the Government’s efforts to address the Windrush crisis through the establishment of the Commonwealth Taskforce in April 2018, as well as the Windrush Compensation Scheme. The Scheme which was launched after a protracted delay, though not perfect, is also welcomed as a critical step towards compensatory relief and restitution. www.windrushday.org.uk
The Government of Jamaica and of the Caribbean will continue in its diplomatic interactions to ensure that the concerns which have been highlighted are addressed and that the requisite legal aid will eventually be made available to support those that need it. I am pleased to inform that the High Commission in collaboration with the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) UK, is currently preparing a publication entitled, “Jamaicans in Britain: A Legacy of Leadership”, to highlight the contribution of the Jamaican Diaspora to the development of British society. The publication which has benefitted from a Windrush grant through the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government, will be available later this year and will be distributed in schools, libraries and educational institutions across the UK. Undoubtedly, there is much to celebrate as we reflect upon the Windrush generation, many of whom have excelled in various fields including nursing, education, and the arts. Through hard work, faith and tenacity they have enriched the British society in so many ways. I note, in particular, the many Caribbean Nurses that have helped to build the National Health Service (NHS) including stalwarts such as Jamaican Dame Karlene Davis, DBE, who was among seventy persons honoured last year by the NHS. Also of note is Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, the first Midwifery Officer for England and a descendant of the Windrush generation. I also recognise the invaluable work of persons such as Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, noted Scientist and human rights activist, who was recently appointed Jamaica’s first Honorary Consul in Scotland, among others. As we pay homage to the members of the Windrush Generation, let us help to preserve their legacy for the benefit of future generations.
A Diverse Employer & Place of Study
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A Diverse Employer & Place of Study
The University of St Andrews is committed to equality through our ofAndrews the Athena SWAN Charter; Themembership University of St is committed to equality through our membership of the Athena SWAN Charter; Carer Positive Carer Positive Employer award; LGBT Charter; Stonewall award; Stonewall Diversity Champion; DiversityEmployer Champion; andLGBT as aCharter; Race Charter member. and as a Race Charter member. We are the first University to become a signatory of ‘The Prince’s Responsible Business Visit our webpages for employment or studying Network: Business in the Community Race at Work Charter’ opportunities at Scotland’s first university and become in June 2019.
part of our diverse community.
Visit our following webpages for employment or studying opportunities at Scotland’s first university, and become Job vacancies: www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk part ofwww.st-andrews.ac.uk/study our diverse community. Study:
A Diverse Employer & Place of Study
Email queries: diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk
Job vacancies: www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk Study: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study Email the EDI Team for advice or information: diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk The University of St Andrews is committed to equality through our membership of the Athena SWAN Charter; Carer Positive Employer award; LGBT Charter; Stonewall Diversity Champion; and as a Race Charter member. Visit our webpages for employment or studying opportunities at Scotland’s first university and become part of our diverse community. Job vacancies: www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk Study: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study Email queries: diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
WINDRUSH: THE STORY OF MODERN BRITAIN By Communities Minister, Lord Bourne
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eventy-one years ago, on 22 June 1948, passengers disembarked from the MV Empire Windrush, docked at the Port of Tilbury, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of a generation. Although those on board could not have known it, their arrival to this busy working port heralded a landmark moment in Britain’s history. The men, women and children who left that ship stepped out into the unknown, with their lives in this country ahead of them, and with no easy way of turning back. The Windrush Generation, as they have come to be known, had left their homes and family in the Caribbean for a new life, drawn by the prospect of new opportunities in post-War Britain and a calling to what many considered their Mother Country. It is hard to imagine now what that may have felt like. Boarding the ship that they would call home for weeks, there must have been unforgettable moments during the crossing. In a world far removed from smartphones and broadband, there was little way of really knowing what was to come. Reflecting on the experiences of those first passengers in this way brings home to me again just how momentous their arrival - and the subsequent crossings of tens of thousands of other hopeful passengers - truly was. The Britain they encountered upon their arrival in 1948 was still reeling from the effects of the Second World War. The economy had faltered, with much of the working population falling casualty to the war, Britons went about the difficult task of rebuilding their lives, their communities and their neighbourhoods. It was into this post-war gloom that the www.windrushday.org.uk
Windrush Generation disembarked, and new arrivals found that life in the UK was hard. The Windrush Generation faced monumental challenges, in circumstances which called for great sacrifice. We have heard how people who arrived in the UK during the 1950s often endured racism and abuse; despite their status as citizens of the Commonwealth. The resilience and tenacity of those who built lives, bought houses and made the UK their home for life in 1948, and in the years to come, is nothing short of astonishing. Instead of looking back, the Windrush Generation pushed on and helped drive this nation forward. This generation and their descendants have gone on to carve out leading roles in our local communities and in public life. Their contribution has touched every corner of our national life, from our vital NHS and transport systems in the public sector to every aspect of business, the arts, culture, religion and sports. Windrush Day was launched in 2018 to mark this legacy. It is absolutely right that we publicly recognise and celebrate this important part of our shared heritage. The purpose of Windrush Day is to encourage all communities across the country to listen, tell and share in the Windrush story, both now and in years to come and to celebrate on a local and national basis. The national celebration is backed by an annual £500,000 Windrush Day Grant. The scheme is supported by a Windrush Day Advisory Panel of community representatives, to ensure that grants are used in the best way possible throughout the country. In the coming months, 50 community groups
and local authorities will deliver projects from a share of the grant funding to educate, commemorate and celebrate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. Across the country, communities will come together around food, dance, sport and song to commemorate this momentous event. In Leeds, the Caribbean Cricket Club will be hosting a cricket and dominoes tournament while in London, The Nurses Association of Jamaica will publish a book celebrating the contribution of 500 men and women, with copies to be given to schools, community centres and libraries around the UK. Charity Age UK will showcase a photography and art exhibition in Lambeth, while Portsmouth will play host to an exhibition depicting the role played by the Windrush Generation in the Royal Navy, in the years following the Second World War. I will be attending a National service in Manchester to mark the day, and in the historic Port of Tilbury preparations are underway to hold the Tilbury Carnival later this summer. These are just a few of the celebrations taking place. The legacy of Windrush will be seen all over the UK this summer from exhibitions and screenings in the arts, to research and publications informing history and culture, from TED talks to street parties and school projects. I very much look forward to joining this year’s celebrations and urge everyone to get involved, to make this a landmark date in our national calendar. The Windrush Day Grant Scheme will serve each year to keep the Windrush story alive and educate future generations, ensuring that we all recognise and celebrate this vital part of our shared history together.
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Sofia Aatkar is a Midlands4Cities funded PhD student at Nottingham Trent University and her research focuses on Caribbean-British travelogues. To commemorate the Windrush’s 70th anniversary, Sofia and Kelsi Delaney (Midlands4Cities, University of Leicester) directed the ‘Caribbean Journeys’ project which was committed to giving a platform to the previously undocumented stories of Caribbean migrants living in Nottingham. In collaboration with the National Caribbean Heritage Museum and Journey to Justice, they designed and hosted a series of travel writing workshops for The Gedling Caribbean Elders Group. Sofia and Kelsi published the participants’ travelogues as an anthology called Caribbean Journeys. The variety of stories within the anthology reflect the diverse nature of migration experiences, not only for those living as part of the Caribbean diaspora, but on a global scale, too. Caribbean Journeys is available in several university and public libraries across the UK.
www.ntu.ac.uk
The Caribbean Journeys project was generously funded by Midlands4Cities.
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Baroness
Floella Benjamin on coming to England Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE, arrived in Britain in 1960 from Trinidad, and considers herself part of the Windrush generation. Here she describes her first impressions of a new country, as well as her struggles against racism and prejudice, reflecting on how her early experiences ‘gave me the tools and fortitude to become the person I am today’. Written by: Baroness Benjamin
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am very much part of the Windrush generation because I came to Britain from Trinidad as a 10-yearold in 1960. Many of my childhood experiences in that new culture and unbelievably hostile environment, were character building. They gave me the tools and fortitude to become the person I am today. Often people ask me why I chose the alliterative title of Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, when I was ennobled. Well it’s a tribute to my mum and here’s why. I remember at least a dozen police officers stood poised by the ‘For Sale’ sign at the gate of the house my mother, accompanied by her six children were viewing. The neighbours had rung 999 saying black people were stealing the fixtures and fittings from the empty house in white middle class Beckenham. Thankfully the first policeman on the scene was sympathetic, he was married to a black woman and explained this kind of thing happened all the time. He waved his eager colleagues away, saying it was a false alarm. My wonderful, determined and charismatic mother defiantly folded her arms across her ample bosom, stared at the group of neighbours who stood watching and said loudly, ‘We are going to buy this house’. She and my dad lived there for 40 years until she died of bowel cancer, which is why I am patron of Bowel Cancer UK. My mother, Marmie as we called her, oozed wisdom and courage. She was a great motivator and gave us so much confidence. Every day she told us ‘Education is your passport to life’. She believed that if we lived in a middle class area we would get the best schooling, health care and jumble sales! Suffice to say after much abusive behaviour, most of neighbours moved www.windrushday.org.uk
out, except the Polish family next door, who had had the same treatment bestowed upon them when they moved in. Oh how my life has changed since then in such a positive way. Because that was in 1965 and ten years before that a chain of events meant life changed dramatically. The first eight years of my childhood were spent nurturing my identity in a country where I was a person, not a colour. But suddenly life took an unexpected and traumatic turn. My adventurous, philosophical father, Dardie, who was a talented jazz saxophonist, was becoming frustrated with the music scene in Trinidad where he found it hard to play the kind of music he loved. Adverts frequently appeared in newspapers inviting Caribbeans to travel to England to help re-build the war ravaged country. He had heard stories that the streets were paved with gold and good money could be made playing in jazz bands. He saw this as a perfect opportunity to further his musical ambitions, as well as earning enough money to support his family. But Marmie, was not too happy with this idea, especially as part of the plan was to leave her children behind in Trinidad with family friends. Eventually Dardie decided to go to England alone and follow his dream of becoming a jazz musician, the plan was he would send for us all later. We weren’t too unhappy about him going because we still had Marmie and she poured love into us every day, something every child needs when they are growing up. School in Trinidad was formal but rewarding, the teachers were strict, no one ever answered them back and lateness was not tolerated. We would line up in the playground each day and sing ‘God Save the Queen’
‘Our epic two week journey, four unaccompanied children, sailing 4000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, was a daunting but exciting voyage of discovery.’
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and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ because we were told we were British and part of the Motherland. We were taught British history and literature but nothing about our own African heritage, of how our ancestors were transported across the ocean as enslaved people. About the brutally inhumane treatment they had to endure. But at that time it didn’t matter, because it gave us a sense of pride, of belonging, we were brainwashed to believe that we were valued. After Dardie had found work and a place to live he sent for Marmie and my two youngest siblings, Cynthia and Roy. This was the day our lives changed and my happy, carefree world fell apart. Marmie had sworn she would never leave us, but she was persuaded by Dardie to join him leaving me, my sister Sandra and two brothers Lester and Ellington with the most cruel, wicked foster parents. It turned out to be 15 months of the darkest days of my life. Many children at that time were left behind in the Caribbean and did not see their parents again for years, leaving them with lasting emotional scars. My siblings and I all suffered harsh treatment, which still lives in our hearts to this day… that’s why I always say ‘Childhood lasts a lifetime’ and I have devoted my life to making a difference to children’s lives. We rejoiced when the letter arrived from Marmie, bringing the long awaited news that we were going to be a united family again in England. Our epic two week journey, four unaccompanied children, sailing 4000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, was a daunting but exciting voyage of discovery. However when we arrived at Southampton we realised our pretty colourful dresses, thin shirts and shorts were no protection from the freezing morning drizzle. But Marmie was waiting for us on the quayside, gazing up at us like an angel and thank goodness she had brought some warm clothes for us. My first impression of England was the myriad greens of the fields and trees as the train chugged towards London. Eventually they were replaced by grim looking buildings shrouded in fog. Waterloo Station was a thronging mass of rush hour commuters, the men in bowler hats, carrying umbrellas, the women in dark blue, grey or black coats. It was all so disorientating, but more was to come as Marmie led us down the terrifying escalators to the tube train. By the time we arrived at our new home, 1 Mayfield Avenue, Chiswick, we were well and truly traumatised. But the final blow was the realisation that all eight of us were to share one small room in a house full of other tenants, with a communal outside toilet. And even worse was to come, because at school and on the streets we were subjected to humiliation, violence and racist bullying. I remember crying with disappointment and thinking of ways to escape back to the sun. Then as winter set in something magical happened... snow arrived. I remember waking on a freezing morning, the smell of the paraffin heater still lingering in the air. The room was filled with a strange eerie, white light. I climbed out of bed, wiped the condensation from the window and there it was, a pure dazzling blanket of snow. I will never forget that feeling, especially how it
seemed to obliterate the greyness and depression that had enveloped me in my new homeland. I had fallen in love with snow and the joy of nature filled my heart. But life still remained a struggle. Every day was a battle and whenever I left the safety, comfort and security of my loving home I knowing I would have to face insults and abuse, from adults and children alike, as I walked the streets. When Marmie sent me shopping I knew the person behind the counter would ignore me, as though I was invisible and serve customers behind me in the queue. There was no question of going home without the shopping because my mum would say ‘Go back to the shop until they serve you’. That taught me resilience, persistence and determination. It was during one of those encounters that I had what can only be described as my first spiritual moment. I was 14 and had fought with what I called ‘the enemy’ almost every day since I had arrived in Britain. I was walking to the shops when a boy around my age started verbally abusing me. My usual reaction was to go on the offensive, as I just couldn’t stand the injustice of being racially targeted. I grabbed the lolly he was sucking and shoved it down his throat and he started to choke. But then I heard an ethereal voice in my head and it said ‘Floella, stop it… stop it now. You know who you are, you know your Marmie and Dardie love you, start respecting yourself too. You can’t change the colour of your skin and if this boy has a problem with the colour of your skin, it’s his problem, not yours. Start loving yourself Floella’.
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‘Every day was a battle and whenever I left the safety, comfort and security of my loving home, knowing I would have to face insults and abuse.’
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That was a moment of enlightenment. I pulled the lolly from his throat and said ‘Yes, so what!’ It was then I stopped fighting with my fists and started fighting with my brain. That was the day I learnt to smile at adversity, which made me stronger and I’ve been smiling ever since. My story is similar to many of my generation whose parents answered the call and left for a better life in the ‘Motherland’. Children who had to suffer in silence, carrying the huge burden of rejection, living with the hope that life would get better, although sadly for many it never did. An indirect consequence of this was family life broke down and we are still seeing the effects today after seventy years. When we first arrived in England we had no access to a garden, which made my mother very sad as she was a great natural gardener. She was so proud of her garden back in Trinidad and as soon as we moved into the house in Beckenham, she set about creating one. This year she would have been thrilled because, for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, I created a ‘Windrush Garden’, to celebrate the Windrush arrival 70th anniversary... And it won a Gold Medal... Who would have thought! It wasn’t easy though, because two years ago I set about trying to raise sponsorship for the garden. But like the majority of the nation, most of the companies I approached knew hardly anything about the Windrush or the history behind it, so I wasn’t having much success. Fortunately Birmingham City Council came to my rescue. They backed the idea and began work on the fabulous design for the garden, which the RHS loved and supported wholeheartedly. The purpose of the garden was to represent the vibrancy of the Caribbean, the epic sea voyage and to symbolise the contribution and influence Caribbean people have had on British life. I had wanted my garden to be seen as a celebration and acknowledgement of this part of our history and a legacy for future generations. Then all of a sudden Windrush became a huge media story! It was catapulted into the headlines and overnight the British public became aware of the sacrifices and emotional torment the
Windrush pioneers went through and the shameful treatment some were receiving. In Parliament I had suggested a ‘Windrush Day’ but was told it wasn’t needed, because we have a ‘Black History Month’ but that’s missing the point. The arrival of the ship in Tilbury in 1948 is a focal point of great magnitude for the Caribbean diaspora. Yes we all know African and Caribbean people have been present in Britain for centuries, but the Windrush arrival marked a turning point, when Caribbeans came here to help re-build Britain, to work in the transport system, factories and the newly created NHS. So for those who to had to overcome so much adversity, it has great significance. On arrival they were treated abominably, which in many ways, was due to the lack of information put out by the Government of the day, explaining why Caribbean people were arriving in Britain in such numbers. The most poignant memory many Windrush pioneers have, as they searched for accommodation, were the signs saying, ‘No coloureds, no Irish and no dogs’. But they bore the insults with dignity and resolve. I am proud to say my pleas were answered and this year the government announced that 22nd June will now be an annual Windrush Day. But even more significantly the Prime Minister, Theresa May, has asked me to Chair a Windrush Commemoration Committee, to create a permanent memorial as a legacy to the Windrush Generation
and I can’t wait to get started. I have always campaigned for equality and fairness when it comes to cultural diversity. It started back in 1970s when I was told by a television producer it wasn’t realistic to have Black and Asian people playing professional characters in dramas. I knew that was not the case and it became my mission to change that perception in everything I got involved in. I persuaded the producer of Playschool to have diverse representation in the illustrated stories on screen, as well as getting publishers to reflect diversity in their publications, especially in their picture books. Because I believe children needed to see themselves illustrated in stories to make them feel worthy, as though they belong and part of our great country. Despite being told over the last 44 years to back off, shut up or you’ll never work again, I still continue to campaign in the hope that society will grasp what I call the elusive ‘diversity nirvana’ concept. It’s a struggle but I will never give up until my last breath. Twenty-five years ago I was the Chair of Women of the Year Lunch, back when its founder, the late great Tony Lothian was President. She was my friend and mentor who showered me with so much love, encouragement and advice. She was a phenomenal campaigner, a visionary and fighter for justice, equality and freedom. She would have been appalled by the recent treatment of some of the Windrush Generation. But also delighted that out of the scandalous revelations has come enlightenment, appreciation and understanding amongst the public of the Windrush story and recognition of the part played by those pioneers. I often look heavenwards and imagine Marmie sitting looking down on this chaotic world and sending me messages in the form of white feathers, which I frequently find at my feet when I need strength and inspiration. My latest mantra is, ‘Progress doesn’t always take us forward’. So as we rush blindly towards an uncertain future I hope and pray there are visionaries like Marmie amongst us. Inspirators who with sheer determination and force of character, will guide us along the path of common sense, togetherness and reason, and save this environmentally wounded, materialistic and socially unbalanced world from destruction, for the sake of our children.
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WINDRUSH
DAY 2019 by Lord Herman Ouseley
ollowing the end of World War II, as the rebuidling of Britain gathered pace, the need for skilled workers and personnel prompted the British government to reach out to places like the West Indies to invite citizens from its British colonies to come and help. They duly and loyally responded to the “mother country”, many having served in the allied forces during the war. Thus they came, they saw, they served. They overcame most obstacles, they stayed and along with their descendants and dependants over the next seven decades, contributed to the change that is now modern Britain in 2018. The Windrush 500+ arrivees could not have been aware of the welcome in store for them as they stepped on to the shores at Tilbury Docks on 22nd June 1948. For a start, there was no accommodation available until last minute negotiations enabled many to settle in air raid shelters on Clapham Common in South London. One occupant of such accommodation, Rene Webb, a former RAF service person, became active in community and social work for deprived young people during the 1970s in Brixton. He was a skilled engineer but had to take what was on offer and spent the rest of his time helping others, a pattern reflected among the lives of many others who settled in the UK from the Carribean. They had to experience the colour bar, which formally existed until the mid-1960s, when it became unlawful to display signs such as “Job Vacancies: No Blacks, No Coloureds, No Irish need apply” and “Rooms to let, No Blacks, No Coloureds, No Irish, No dogs”! Ruthless landlords offered access to slum housing in the private accommodation on extortionate terms and public housing was a no go area for “Immigrants from the New Commonwealth”, notwithstanding their classification as British subjects from the colonies. Having to face up to racism was not an unfamiliar experience for the new Black presence in Britain, as they had to cope with racism and exploitation in the colonies of the former British Empire. What was difficult for the indigenous population in responding to the arrival of Black families in their streets and neighbourhoods, was how to overcome their own bias and prejudices inculcated by the hierarchy in a society that denied them the truth and the knowledge they needed to
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overcome their ignorance about Black people and their historical contribution to Britain. The Black presence could be traced back to Roman times when, for instance, Hadrian’s Wall was guarded by a Garrison led by African Septimius Serverus. In Tudor England, towards the end of the 16th century, it was estimated that there were some 10,000 Africans resident in London. Even though they were largely successful self-contained and self-sufficient African communities, they drew the ire of Queen Elizabeth I, who proclaimed that there were too many “Blackamoors” resident here and they should be rid from these shores. Nowadays we are better informed with facts and recently were enlightened to learn that “Cheddar Man”, from 10,000 years ago, was very dark-skinned, suggesting that the Black presence in Britain may have an even greater significance than previously understood. The obsession with dark skinned immigration therefore was as evident centuries ago as it is today. Coupled with that has been the journey for the Windrush settlers in having to deal with the race hatred and violence on the streets, discrimination in the workplace, biased and oppressive policing, institutional racism, and an unjust criminal justice system. The challenge to defeat racism and fascism required exceptional leadership from among the Black and Asian communities and necessitated the coming together of progressive white people with the power, influence and the political will to pursue justice for all. While recognising that racism was the main focus of injustices, it was necessary for the race, sex and class struggles to be intertwined to achieve equal access to opportunities for all and especially for those people who are most disadvantaged in society. The Windrush legacy, as we look forward to life in Britain beyond 2020, is of progressive and better educated multi-ethnic and multi-cultural communities facing up to prejudice, bigotry and ignorance; challenging inequalities and exclusion; and helping Britain to be an inclusive and fair society in which every person is able to live their lives without the fear of harassment, discrimination and exclusion and be able to see ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in all aspects of a modern cohesive society.
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Remembering nurses of the Windrush generation
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ontrary to popular belief the increased migration to England post war, was not solely the result of peoples from the Commonwealth countries (former British colonies) wishing to seek a better life for themselves: In the case of Nurses, midwives and other care staff, there was also an active invitation from the British government to come to England and help staff the newly formed National Health Service. The National Health Service had been formed in July 1948, following the dedicated campaigning, planning and sheer hard work of Aneurin Bevan who envisioned a high quality health service for all citizens in Britain, free at the point of need. However, it became clear very quickly that in the aftermath of WW2, there was a shortage of qualified health care staff to fulfil the ever increasing demands for this neophyte national health service – The answer? To turn to the British Commonwealth, and its peoples. African Caribbean nurses arrived en masse to Britain, alongside other skilled and unskilled workers with the arrival of the HMS Windrush and other ships from July 1948 – and have been major contributors to the British NHS since its inception. The arrival of nurses and new trainees
to help bolster the workforce in the UK was crucial. Without their input, it is likely that the NHS would not have survived, failing before it really had time to be established. Britain simply did not have the workforce required to run the service. However, despite being invited by the British Government, no preparation had been made to receive them and the British people themselves were unprepared for the influx of large numbers of migrants. As a result, far from the welcome they expected, these, nurses, midwives and other workers were introduced into a largely hostile social and work environment. There are many stories of the
WRITTEN BY PROFESSOR LAURA SERRANT
challenges faced by black people of the ‘Windrush generation’ – experiences of racism, isolation and rejection as they tried to fulfil the duties they were assigned. Many found that their qualifications from the Caribbean were not validated in GB and had to work twice as hard to ‘regain’ the recognition and professional levels they arrived with. Sadly, many never did. In October 2017 I wrote a poem to reflect, recognise and celebrate the contributions made by Black Nurses to the health system of England post World War 2. But more than my own personal pride, this poem shines a light on the hardships, prejudice and challenges faced by the brave men and women like my parents who responded to the call from England to leave their island nations and rebuild “The motherland” after WW2 – a sense of duty, of pride and responsibility which not only saved the NHS but changed the shape of Britain, themselves and their families forever. For those who wanted to hear the whole poem…here it is. I dedicate it the ancestors and those like my parents who braved the seas, and answered the call. Remember, Britain... you called.
YOU CALLED... AND WE CAME. You called…and we came. In ships bigger than anything we had seen, dwarfing our islands and covering them in the shadows of smoke and noise. Crowded, excited voices filled the air, traveling to the ‘motherland’ - over weeks, over oceans that threatened to engulf us. Driven by a wish, a call to save, to rebuild and support efforts to establish ‘health for all’ in the aftermath of war. You called….and we came. Women and men of position in our homelands; nurses with a pride in the excellence of our care. With experience of management, organisation and a sense of duty. We appeared. Smiling and eager to work on the wards, communities and clinics of this England. You called….and we came. Our big hearts, skilful hands and quick minds encased in our skins - of a darker hue. Which had shimmered and glowed in our sunnier climes. But now signified our difference www.windrushday.org.uk
- our un-belonging. Matrons became assistants Nurses became like chambermaids. All the while striving to fulfil our promise - to succour, to serve, to care. You called….and we came. The blue of the sister’s uniform - seemed as far away from us as the moon. Unreachable by our dark hands in this cold land. But we were made of sterner stuff. The hot sun, which once beat down on our ancestors, when they too left their lands, Shone within us. Forging our hearts and minds with the resistance of Ebony. You called….and we came. Rising like the Phoenix , from the heat of rejection. We cared, we worked and we organised. Until the quickness of our brains and the excellence of our care made it hard for you to contain us. And slowly, so slowly, the blue uniforms had dark and lighter bodies
beneath them. The professional care in our touch was valued despite the strangeness of our speech and the kinks in our hair. You called… and we came. A new millennium - new hopes spread across this land. New populations, engaging and reflecting the varied, diverse and vibrant nature of these shores. Challenging and reflecting on leadership for health. Moves to melt the ‘snow’ at the peaks of our profession. Recognising the richness of our kaleidoscope nation. Where compassion, courage and diversity are reflected In our presence and our contribution: Not only the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. - Human values needed to truly lead change… and add value. Remember… you called. Remember… you called YOU. Called. Remember, it was us, who came. ©Professor Laura Serrant 2017
St Andrew’s is a charity which provides specialist mental healthcare for people with complicated mental health needs.
We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and our patients, and value the enrichment that a diverse workforce brings to our patients’ care. We promote inclusion and equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment, irrespective of disability, gender, race religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status. In April colleagues Akim Bande (Nurse Manager) and Juliet Muzawazi (Modern Matron) joined forces to lead the launch of St Andrew’s BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) employee network. The BAME Network is designed to provide peer support and networking for people of all ethnicities.
Committed to Inclusive Healthcare
It’s a welcoming forum that facilitates conversations and activities to help everyone get the best out of their employment by raising awareness of the issues that BAME colleagues face. Events tailored to the needs and tastes of BAME network members are an important element. For Akim this is an “initiative that many BAME colleagues are supportive of and an opportunity to create a space for them to celebrate their diversity and be recognised.” Juliet believes “this is an opportunity to help BAME colleagues realise their potential and grow their careers, whilst providing the best care for our patients in their recovery.” The network has been openly supported by CEO Katie Fisher, “I am very proud to join an organisation recognised in Stonewall’s top 100 employers index, and a NHSE Diversity and Inclusion Partner. In supporting Inclusive Healthcare, the Board and Charities Executive Committee appreciate that a highly diverse organisation is a high-performing one, and we are actively seeking ways to become more inclusive and cohesive. I’m looking forward to supporting the initiatives the BAME network develop and championing with our Diversity and Inclusion team.”
This means providing patient outcomes and employment opportunities that embrace diversity and promote equal opportunities. Our goal is to ensure that Inclusive Healthcare is reinforced by our values, and is embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our patients and staff. If you have an interest in mental healthcare either from a clinical or support aspect and are committed to Inclusion we’d like to hear from you.
stah.org/careers
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“Dressed in an odd assortment of clothes, many wearing ties of dazzling designs, over 450 Jamaicans arrived at Tilbury Docks on the Empire Windrush to settle down in the Mother Country� Thurrock Gazette headline 1948.
BY SERENA LEE
FASHION & WINDRUSH VOYAGE, HOPE, AND POPPING STYLE
In the run-up to the Windrush anniversary the vintage images of the men and women arriving in Britain, encapsulated the hopes and expectations of thousands of people who left the Caribbean in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The images were an indication of the long complex and on going relationship between Britain and the Caribbean. Just looking at the images, fashion was an important part of Caribbean culture. The images record motivated people coming to Britain to create opportunity. www.windrushday.org.uk
WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
The 1950s was a decade for youthful freedoms breaking away from the woes and restraint of the turbulent 1940s. The Caribbean islands experienced economic strain; Jamaica saw low wages, strikes and political divide. Britain ‘The Mother Country’ needed men and women to rebuild an economy weakened by the war years. Many Caribbean men and women fought for Britain in the Second World War, many felt they would be welcomed in Britain. The international appeal from Britain to Commonwealth countries must have been a welcome call to those wanting a better life, adventure or both. Footage filmed by British Pathe show the large white ship slowly docking, bursting with young sartorial cool cats that journeyed to Britain with optimism and charisma. A builder, a carpenter, an apprentice, accountant, a welder, a teacher, a spray-painter, a boxer, a musician, a mechanic, a valet, a calypso singer, a seamstress, a tailor, and a law student - were just some of the occupations of the passengers on board. A pamphlet produced by the West Indies high commission in 1959 advised Caribbean’s who wish to travel called ‘Going To Britain? - BBC pamphlet’ points out the practical importance of the types of clothing needed cooler temperatures, there were stories of those catching flu, bronchitis and pneumonia.
“
Dress For The Cold! We have to say over and over that England is a cold country. This is my third visit here, so when I was leaving home on New Years Eve of 1958, I dressed myself in warm woollen socks and underwear, a serge suit, a sturdy pair of shoes, and I carried my woollen sweater, scarf, and heavy overcoat. I decided not to take any risks with my health.
In 2016, ‘Stories in a Suitcase’ exhibition by National Caribbean Heritage Museum explored what the Windrush generation may have brought with them to the UK, this included 1950s-1970s mock-ups of luggage. Notice the hot comb,
curlers and tongs in one of the cases. Many women and men straightened their hair by coating it with protective pomade and straightening it with a heated metal comb. This technique transformed the tight curls of Afro hair into straight hair with a pomaded sheen. The hair remained straight until it had contact with water; many women wore stylish headscarves which were already fashionable in different ways to protect the hair from the rain. The ‘50s American movie and garment industry was at its height; the prominence of film stars set the tone for fashion and style. Many desired look-alike copies of outfits, accessories and jewellery worn by the most popular screen idols like Eartha Kitt, Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. Caribbean’s like most western countries, wanted to emulate what they saw on the big screen and recreate the designs. Mail order catalogue’s like Littlewoods, Freemans and Sears were a veritable wonderland of the latest fashions, including sewing patterns. Popular trends, rounded shoulders, shapely bust lines, closely defined waistlines, and full billowy skirts defined women’s fashions. The tea dress arrived and the shapes were easy to construct, by following the sewing instructions, many taught themselves the necessary skills, running up a dress in a few hours. The electric sewing machine, made sewing easier as it had various stitch features and speeds, neatening and quickening the process. The garments made then were fully lined in true couture style, with quality materials. Most men wore a cotton shirt with a collar and tie and formal leather shoes. The prevailing suit designs were wool, cut fuller and more comfortable. The fashion must have for Caribbean men was the fedora hat and the two-tone cap shoes. Brown and white leather combined with wool fabric or mixed with suede, embossed leather, reptile or other thick textures. The mixing of smooth and rough textures and shade of colours is very iconic of 1950s men’s shoe style. Daring Caribbean men, inspired by African-American jazz musicians, often wore Zoot suits. It consisted of high waisted, wide-legged trousers, worn with a long jacket. A generation of dressmakers and tailors have
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a long legacy in British Caribbean communities. Most Caribbean’s knew or know of a dressmaker or tailor, with the skills to sew a whole outfit. My late grandmother, a full time nurse at the time, was that person; people from church and community would ask for all manner of garments for weddings, conventions, holidays, christenings, the list went on. I remember helping by pinning and tacking garment after garment. Caribbean style is born of a dynamic blend of cultures formed over hundreds of years, vibrance coupled with poise and a carefree spirit. Fashion for the first Windrush generation was a means of respectability and self-importance; a way to rise above stereotypes, despite this, on arrival many would face alienation and racism at every level. This treatment included not being able to find accommodation, open bank accounts, or secure loans or mortgages. Howard Grey, an amateur photographer in 1962 photographed new arrivals at Waterloo station to capture ‘rowdy’ Caribbean’s causing disruption, instead, he explained his expectation was wrong, he said ‘it was all very ‘English’ and quiet’ as families greeted each other on the platforms. The visual record of the first Windrush images are an important part of British and Caribbean visual history, a valuable part of our cultural memory. The images capture style and the birth of the Windrush legacy; of integration and struggle. They also serve as a mirror of the times, desires, habits, customs, and mode of living. For many the images are a reminder of the hopes and personal sacrifices made by that generation who were journeying to Britain, for a new life.
www.windrushday.org.uk
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POST WINDRUSH FEARS CONTINUE OWEN HAISLEY’S STORY The first time he was almost deported, OWEN HAISLEY came almost within spitting distance of the plane. Holstered in a van, he was minutes away from being put on a Virgin Atlantic flight to Jamaica when his lawyer’s last-ditch application to the Windrush scheme saw his removal postponed. His ordeal had begun when he was released from HMP Risley in 2017 on an immigration bail, which required him to report to a Home Office centre every week. After a year he was detained and almost removed, before being eventually freed. Haisley’s Windrush application was rejected in October and despite his lawyer putting in additional evidence, he was detained again earlier this year. He says: “They told me my children would be okay without me, that I could bring them up over Skype. How could they say that?” The paperwork handed to Haisley explained he could be deported within days – and that only an injunction or judicial review could prevent this happening. Known as the “Removal Notice Window,” this approach to deportation has now been halted by an injunction by the charity Medical Justice, pending a judicial review. This time, Haisley told his friends what was happening to him – and they quickly built a campaign which gained massive support. He says: “I was embarrassed to tell people that I had served a prison sentence and the reason why. How do you tell people what’s happening when you have a problem with your immigration status? It had been been eating away at me. But if I hadn’t told people what was happening this time, I don’t know where I’d be now.” After being told by the Home Office that there is no evidence of his being in the UK before 2001, Haisley is now collecting his own proof to the contrary. He has visited his primary school and found registers with his name on them. He says living in limbo for two years is taking its toll on his mental health, but with no recourse to public funds he is unable to seek professional help. “I’ve had to find my own coping mechanisms – going to the gym, listening to music, speaking to my kids and keeping in touch with the other guys I met in detention,” he says. “But when I get time on my own it’s been hitting me. I try to keep myself busy so I don’t fall apart.” Owen says “even if things go well and I win my case, I’m not giving up. I’ll be encouraging other people to speak out. I know what not speaking out does to a person on the inside because that was me last year.” www.windrushday.org.uk
BY CIARA LEEMING
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Windrush Generation: family histori
O
n Monday 21st June 1948 a total of 1027 civilian passengers and military personnel were recorded aboard the ship, SS Empire Windrush as it arrived at Tilbury Docks (now Port of Tilbury) in Essex. The countries at which passengers had embarked were Trinidad, Jamaica, Bermuda and Mexico. 86 children travelled as part of family groups, ranging from infants to those aged 12 years old. Some passengers had made prior arrangements others had not, many were skilled, others were not recognised as skilled workers on arrival. Researching the family history of ancestors that sailed on the SS Windrush and other ships is one way that will enable the recognition of those that form the Windrush Generation. This article will give an overview of research tools on our ancestors that have sailed to United Kingdom. One major significance of mass migration to Britain from the West Indies in 1948 was the creation of the British Nationality Act 1948. This was introduced in part as a response to tackle the labour shortage of unskilled labour in Great Britain. Despite the warnings that life in Britain would be challenging, migrants were keen to travel to seek work and to improve their lives in Britain. Some individuals planned to stay for a short time then return “home”. Most self-funded the trip to a cost of £28 according to an article in The Daily Gleaner (Jamaica) 14th July 1948. During the voyage to Britain those that travelled from Jamaica were arranged into three groups: • Migrants with friends and prospect of a job and prior arrangement of residence in Britain. This group was issued travel warrants and 10 shillings against future insurance contributions. This group numbered 204 people. • 52 Ex-Service men who wished to re-join the army or the Air Force. This group was taken to the Colonial Office in Wimpole Street, London. • Migrants with neither friends, nor prospects of a job and no arrangement of residence. This group was taken directly to Clapham South in London where the Colonial Office supported 236 “friendless and jobless” individuals. The internet and both local and national repositories such as the National Archives based in Kew, Surrey have provided useful resources in tracing ancestors that have migrated to United Kingdom.
Select sources of information PASSENGER SHIP’S LIST Passenger ships list have existed since the 18th century. Before 1878, information recorded were patchy. For incoming passengers records since www.windrushday.org.uk
Image: courtesy The National Archives, Board of Trade 26 – Passenger List, SS Empire Windrush
1878 original records were created by the Board of Trade. The series for incoming passengers is Board of Trade (BT 26) collection series. It covers the period 1878-1888, 1890-1960. Many ships manifest were destroyed by the Board of Trade in 1900. Each entry contains the following: • Name of passenger • Birth date or age • Occupation • Arrival date • Port of departure • Port of arrival • Ports of voyage, if recorded • Vessel name • Shipping line, if recorded • Official number, if recorded • Source information (The National Archive collection number, piece, and item numbers)
The occupations recorded on the SS Empire Windrush passenger ship’s manifest were varied include, musicians, dental surgeon, lawyer, clerks, mason, accountants, band leaders, artists, painters, shoemakers, carpenter, farmer, butcher, agriculturalist, bookkeeper, plumber, cabinet maker, projectionist, electrician, welder, chemist, chauffeur, radio engineer and boxer. The country of last permanent address recorded were mainly from British Guiana (Guyana), Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada, England, Scotland, Burma and Bermuda ELECTORAL REGISTER A register of individuals eligible to vote that is compiled at the local level. Introduced in 1832 in England. The register would contain name, place of abode, the ward/ constituency, the county or borough. Migrants that were taken to the shelters in
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
ries unfold & told
BY SHARON TOMLIN
DIG DEEPER, LOOK CLOSER, THINK BIGGER KEY MOMENTS IN
BLACK BRITISH HISTORY
Clapham, London were recorded to be eligible to vote in Clapham North ward. About two-thirds were located on the electoral register. Case study – Mr Ansel Mclaren Mr Ansel Mclaren travelled from Jamaica a self-declared musician who intended to further his studies in piano and the organ. He was one of few musicians recorded that was of great renown. He declared on the ship’s manifest “the proposed address” on arrival in Britain to be Blythe Road, London. Mr Mclaren was located as a resident listed on the London Electoral Register (online courtesy of Ancestry) at the Deep Shelter in Clapham South, London. This indicates that he did not arrive at the address originally declared on the ships manifest. This likely to have occurred for a variety of reasons.
1966
1965 plays
Cy Grant Othello
Cy Grant stars as Othello at Leicester’s Phoenix Theatre. He was one of the first black presenters on TV and in the late 50s he sang calypso versions of the news on BBC Tonight!
Caribbean Artists Movement
1968
First black head teacher
1984
Thompson wins Olympic gold
1993
Britain’s home secretary Reginald Maudling announces that Commonwealth citizens lose their automatic right to remain in the UK under the government’s new Immigration Bill.
1994
1993
Iced by Ray Shell
First black England
2004 wins 2
2004 Dobbs
Holmes Olympic Gold’s
Linda
Mary Seacole
Paul
Trevor McDonald joins ITN as a reporter from the BBC World Service and becomes Britain’s first black TV news reporter. Trevor rose through the ranks and joined the News at Ten. He received an OBE in 1992 and a knighthood in 1999.
Kelly became the nation’s sweetheart when she won the 800m & 1500m at the Olympics in Athens. After the Olympics 40,000 people lined the streets of her home town of Tombridge for a parade. She was also made Dame Kelly.
1996
1995
Bruno wins WBC
Frank Bruno wins the WBC heavyweight title. He defeats American Oliver McCall at Wembley. It’s a welcome return to from after he’d lost to Lennox Lewis in ’93 at Cardiff Arms Park- that had been the first all-British World Heavyweight title fight.
Black Britain first screened
TV programme Black Britain is screened on the BBC. It reflects the lives and experiences of the UK’s black population and is billed as the BBC’s first programme specifically for black viewers.
2005
Private Beharry
Johnson Beharry (born in Grenada) is awarded the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for a soldier, was serving in Iraq when his unit were ambushed twice. He risked injury to rescue others. He needed brain surgery for head injuries.
Viv Anderson plays for England
Viv Anderson became the first black British footballer to play for England in an international tournament against Czechoslovakia.
1989
First director of education
1991 Morris
1990
Bill
Benn wins WBO Middleweight
Bill Morris is elected the first black leader of
American Gus John becomes Nigel Benn beats Doug Dewitt in Atlantic Britain’s first black City. Benn is the first director of education of a the title since local authority - London Briton to win but he Borough of Hackney. Alan Minter in 1980 loses it later this year to Chris Eubank.
1998
Justin Fashanu dies
1999
Lawrence Report
The MOBO’s launch After a long campaign by Footballer Justin Fashanu The Music of Black Origin Lawrence, dies. The elder brother of Doreen & Neville Awards was televised on a report by Sir William John, he was one of the Channel 4 to emphasis Macpherson is published. first British sportsmen the achievements of black It looks at the police to be openly gay. In the music and artists. In the handling of Stephen’s the first black first year Goldie won two, ‘80s he was murder and contains for £1m, the fugees won two and player transferred a withering attack on yet after coming out, his Jazzie B received one for the career fell apart. racist attitudes within Outstanding Contribution Metropolitan Police force. to black music.
2008
1978
1975
1988
Lewis Hamilton
Claudia Jones (born Trinidad) founded the first major black post-war newspaper “The West Indian Gazette”. Claudia was also a political activist and community leader. The Gazette was crucial in her fight for equal opportunities.
Lenny Henry’s TV debut
Naomi Campbell
1996
1958
1948
Windrush arrives First black newspaper in
The Empire windrush arrives in Tilbury Dock, carrying 492 first generation post-war Caribbean settlers to Britain. Most onboard only intended to stay in England for five years but many stayed.
Lenny Henry makes his television debut winning the New Faces talent competition by doing stand-up comedy and impersonations. Lenny is now one of Britain’s bestknown comedians.
At age 18 Naomi Campbell Paul Gilroy released his Bernie Grant and Diane became the first black book There Ain’t No Black Abbott Bo won seats for female to grace the cover in the Union Jack. The Labour in the ’87 General politics of French Vogue. It helped Election. Grant made book looks at racial accuses catapult her to supermodel his mark by wearing a in England. Gilroy status. British intellectuals and traditional Ghanaian robe. politicians on both sides Diane Abbott was active in of the political divide many political areas. She’s of refusing to take race still MP for Hackney North seriously. & Stoke Newington.
Stephen Lawrence and captain Using street languagetells A-Level student Stephen poetry, shell’s debut Paul Ince becomes the Lawrence is murdered by a the story of Cornelius first black Captain of the group of white men while Washington, Jr., a 40-yearEngland football team. He waiting for a bus in Eltham, old crack addict. Described captained the squad for a South-East London. Failure by Maya Angelou as “a total of seven games. Sol to capture his killers powerhouse”, it was part provoked his parents to Campbell is the other black of new black wave a of player who was captain begin a campaign to shame fiction in the UK. (’98). the authorities. No-one has been convicted.
voted Greatest Black Briton of all time
1987 Gilroy
UK’s first black MPs
Broadwater Farm riots Riots broke out in the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham, triggered by the death of Cynthia Jarrett. She collapsed after four policemen burst into her home on a raid. PC Blakelock was murdered during the riot.
Linda Dobbs becomes the first black QC to be appointed as a judge for the British High Courts of justice.
First black news reporter
New Immigration Bill
1987
1985
Walter Toll dies
Walter Toll dies as the Battle of the Somme he is recommended a military cross for his bravery.
1973
1971
1968
Clyde Best signs to West Ham
Clyde Best signs for Dr. Beryl Gilroy became Caribbean Artists West Ham United. The London’s first black Movement founded in 186 games headmaster at Beckford Bermudan plays London. It protects the and scores 47 goals in 7 Hampstead. literary, academic and Primary in West seasons. He was a role She later became a performance skills of model for many black writing Caribbean writers and successful novelist, during the 70s. stories for and about her youngsters artists and provides them in believing students, forum. a with literature that could “heal”.
Daley Thompson became only the second competitor in history to win the decathlon at two Olympic Games, winning gold medals in 1980 and 1984. He was awarded the MBE in 1982, CBE in 2000 and BBC Sports Personality of 1982.
John Archer first
Mary Seacole death
black mayor Mary Seacole’s reputation John Archer became after the Crimean War Britain’s first black mayor (1853-1856) rivalled of Battersea. He was also Florence Nightingale’s. the first black person to She got herself out to the hold civic office in Britain war by her own efforts and at her own expense as councillor, alderman and then mayor. bring to life her and risked comfort to the wounded and dying soldiers.
Britain passed an act
1917
1913
1881
1833
Slavery outlawed
officially outlawing the institution of slavery. In the space of just 26 years, the British government outlawed the slave trade that Britain had created and went on to abolish the practice of slavery throughout the colonies.
2013
Doreen Lawrence
British Jamaican Lewis Hamilton wins his and the mother first World Championship campaigner of Stephen Lawrence, who title with McLaren in was murdered in a racist 2008 before moving to East London Mercedes, where he won attack in South in 1993, created a Life back-to-back titles in 2014 Peer in 2013. In January and 2015. 2016, she was unveiled as the new Chancellor of De Montfort University.
a British trade union; Morris takes up the post of General Secretary of the transport & General Workers’ Union.
1959
First “Notting Hill”
1981
First black woman
1982
The Voice published
1992
Linford Christie Olympic gold
Linford Christie (illustrated below) wins the sought after 100m gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Mike
Deputy Assistant Commissioner is the 4th highest rank in the Metropolitan Police. Fuller said: “The perception of the glass ceiling is finally being broken.” He was then made the first black Chief Constable in 2004.
Zadie’s first novel, White Teeth – a story of multicultural London, told through three ethnic families is published to much acclaim. It wins five awards including the Commonwealth Writers Prize for first novel.
VS
Val McCalla started the newsreader weekly newspaper The Moira Stuart has presented Voice. The newspaper almost every news went on to become the programme on the BBC, mouthpiece of Britain’s including News After Noon black community and made and the Nine O’ Clock News. him a multi-millionaire. In 1994 Moira was named Best Female Television Personality by the Black Journalists’ Association.
2001 Fuller
2000
Zadie Smith’s White Teeth
1961 Naipaul
VS Naipaul wins the Carnival Somerset Maugham Award The fist carnival was his novel about growing actually not held in for up in the West Indies. Born Notting Hill. It was small, in Trinidad in 1932 of Indian indoor showcased for heritage, he moved to Caribbean talent held in England in 1950. In 2001 St Pancras Town Hall that VS Naipaul is awarded the was organised by the prestigious Nobel Prize for West Indian Gazette editor Literature. Claudia Jones.
2003
Baroness Valerie Amos Valerie Amos became the first black leader of the House of Lords.
Rageh Omar
Africa and Iraq war correspondent wins the prestigious EMMA for the Best TV news Journalist.
2017
Record of BAME MP’s
The general election of 1987 saw the “Famous Four” of BAME MPs; Diane Abbott, Bernie Grant, Keith Vaz and Paul Boateng elected into Parliament. Fast forward 30 years and the 2017 General Election results has seen a new record of 52 BAME MPs elected. DEMOCRACY IN ACTION! 25/09/2017 09:53
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Black History Month Schools Resource Pack We have created the first Black History Month pack available for distribution to all schools and educational establishments. 31 years has established us as a key fixture in the school year. So lets make Black History Month and the Celebration of Black History in our schools a fixture of school life 365 days a year. WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Image courtesy: Douglas Miller/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Case study – Jamaican Boxers Several Jamaican boxers – John Hazel (far left of the image), Vernon Sollas, Calvin Reid and Ansel Everal qualified to travel to Britain on the SS Empire Windrush on 21st June 1948 to train and compete in boxing competitions. They travelled to Ireland, Scotland and Europe to compete over the years. John Hazel’s occupation was registered as a boxer. They arrived at the training camp which was a house in Bridge Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire now an industrial estate. Useful web links – some websites provide free to access. • Electoral registers (for some counties): www.ancestry.co.uk (cost) • UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 - www.ancestry.com (cost) • Familysearch: www.familysearch.org (free) • Find My Past: www.findmypast.co.uk (cost) • National Archives: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with your-research/research-guides/passenger-lists/ (free & cost) • Newspaper Archive: The Daily Gleaner (Jamaica) www.newspaperarchive.com (cost) The process of tracing your ancestor can be challenging especially when we come to a brick wall – become stuck for clues and evidence. Each element of the story it is important to verify with physical evidence. As it could provide the basis for further analysis through generating clues. However, through understanding the records collections utilising both on and off-line resources can aid in dispelling myths and preconceptions of who we are. It lends for a productive and rewarding experience. Enjoy the journey! Sharon Tomlin Family Historian & Genealogist, Tutor and Facilitator, with over twenty years experience working with the wider community. E: sharon@routeschange.com W: routeschange.com
ONLY £39.50
• 5 posters of different sizes - Black History Month Timeline – PLUS POSTAGE Key Moments in Black British History - Sporting Icons – Winning as a Way of Life - Poets to Writers – Saying it Beautifully - Global Icons- Simply the best - Movers and Shakers – People who say yes we can • 52 Individual British and Global Icons Posters – A4 Downloads to Print • Downloadable Head Teachers assembly notes • Downloadable Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 notes • Downloadable worksheets We have commissioned a special editorial board of teachers, academics and historians and notable people from public life to help develop and support our schools pack ORDER NOW FOR £39.50 PLUS POSTAGE Email us packs@blackhistorymonth.org.uk and join the thousands of schools who celebrate Black History and Black History Month. GLOBAL ICONS
SIMPLY THE BEST
DIG DEEPER, LOOK CLOSER, THINK BIGGER
SPORTING ICONS WAY OUT IN FRONT
DIG DEEPER, LOOK CLOSER, THINK BIGGER
BOB MARLEY MUSICIAN
HIM Haile Selassie - Pan African Leader
Martin Luther King - Civil Rights Leader
ANTHONY JOSHUA BOXER
Nicola Adams BOXER
IAN WRIGHT FOOTBALLER
ROSA PARKS CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
NELSON MANDELA world leader
MAYA ANGELOU author & poet
Dame Kelly Holmes ATHLETE
Sir Mo Farah ATHLETE
LENNOX LEWIS BOXER
MUHAMMAD ALI BOXER
MALCOLM X Human Rights Activist
Marcus Garvey LEADER OF PAN-AFRICANISM
LEWIS HAMILTON F1 DRIVER
LINFORD CHRISTIE ATHLETE
Kadeena Cox ATHLETE
Leading Lights
Winning as a Way of Life
SHOWING THE WAY BHM_A3_9icons_2017_2.0.indd 1
Discipline, dedication, belief 25/09/2017 09:58
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www.windrushday.org.uk
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WINDRUSH MAGAZINE 2019
Windrush Pioneers and Champions - Book Review an
T
he Windrush Foundation was founded in 1996 by the late Sam B. King and Arthur Torrington CBE to honour the first wave of British subjects who arrived on the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948 and to promote good community relations. It has been pivotal in raising general awareness of the many contributions that Afro Caribbeans have made to British society through the arts, culture and socio-economic contributions and much more. Moreover, the contributions of the Black British men and women
Arthur Torrington co-founder of the Windrush Foundation. Photo courtesy of Arthur Torrington.
who served in both world wars have been brought to the forefront through the preservation of stories and facts. The Windrush Foundation have now published a comprehensive resource pack, key stage 2 approved, as well a book which forms part of the 70 year commemoration of the historical voyage depicting some of the people who were instrumental in bringing to the forefront the significance of the first ship of emigres from the West Indies to Great Britain. It is to be noted that many followed later and went on to do great things both in their own lives and for the communities in which they lived, however this book serves as a typical example of the great contributions made to British society in a land they now call home. The new book “Windrush Pioneers and Champions” is a comprehensive listing and commemoration of just some of the numerous men and women who came to the UK and contributed to the social and cultural wellbeing of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora as well as to the United Kingdom itself as a whole. It is an enlightening resource for those who wish to delve further into these great individuals and a comprehensive record of their lives and activities. Featured in the book are the late Sam Beaver King RAF veteran who returned after WWII to make a new life for himself and eventually become a community activists, founder of Windrush Foundation; Connie Mark poet and narrator also
a WWII veteran; Activists Darcus Howe, Bernie Grant who devoted their lives to bringing injustices to the forefront; Lord David Pitt, an experienced political activist from the land of his birth who came to England in 1933 to study medicine. Although he was made a life peer in 1975, he was already an extremely well known lifeline serving the Caribbean community as Dr Pitt. Simultaneously, Windrush Foundation have prepared teaching notes, information and guidelines. This is a valuable aid for those who wish to teach or know more about the lives, background and events that led up to and followed the arrival of those pioneers from the Caribbean who arrived on HMT Empire Windrush. Windrush Day is celebrated annually on 22nd June.
AFRO-CARIBBEANS CALLED TO LOBBY PARLIAM The British Caribbean Association is an organisation created to lobby the concerns of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in Parliament. In the wake of the Windrush scandal in 2018, Simon Hinds argues that not enough people are coming forward to voice their concerns: The people of our community often complain about racism. Rightly so. But do we make demands on our decision makers on a collective basis? We could lobby but we don’t. Google ‘black-people+blackcommunity+lobby+Parliament’ and funnily enough the two records are Black History Month org.uk. Google has few examples of black people putting forward their concerns and to MPs. So do political leaders feel they can ignore us?
www.windrushday.org.uk
Perhaps it is no surprise that the government felt they could get away with creating their ‘hostile environment’ that then became the Windrush scandal. As an ethnic community Simon Hinds says we need organisations that will lobby and campaign in our interests and lobby political leaders. One organisation that could do just that is the British Caribbean Association (BCA). The BCA was formed by the efforts of the Late Lord David Pitt after the Notting Hill riots to improve relations between the Caribbean community and Parliament. It has established relationships with members of Parliament and Lords. The current Presidents are The Hon Bruce Pitt LLB, son of Lord David Pitt, and The Right
Honourable The Lord Boateng. The Chairman is Clive Lewis MP while the Deputy Chairman is The Rt Hon David Lammy MP. A former chairman is Conservative MP, John Hayes. Recognised by politicians The BCA has a documented history and is well placed to lobby with the aim of influencing government policy in the long-term interests of the Caribbean People both in their Countries and in Britain. The BCA has taken up Windrush matters. Seeking to reflect the main views of the community, it drafted letters about Windrush that went to every MP including government ministers and the PM with some positive response.
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nd Resource Pack BY JOY SIGAUD ‘...an enlightening resource for those who wish to delve further into these great individuals and a comprehensive record of their lives and activities.’
Sam B. King co-founder of the Windrush Foundation
MENT By Simon Hinds In the letter, BCA pledged that it would press the government to ensure protection from deportation, obstruction to re-entry, access to work, housing and health services to long-standing British residents of Caribbean heritage. The Government responded to the letter. The Minister of State for Immigration, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, wrote to the BCA stating: “I want to reaffirm my commitment to put right the wrongs faced by the Windrush generation and their families. Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 had a legal right to be here then and I do not want any member of this generation to be in any doubt of their right to be here.”
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Windrush moving forward Jamaica continues to stand with the diaspora On 18th May Senator The Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade met with selected members of the community to inform them of Jamaica’s ongoing commitment to their countrymen abroad. Hosted by His Excellency Mr Seth George Ramocan at the Jamaica High Commission in London, Senator Johnson Smith gave an encouraging talk on a number of topics pertinent to the diaspora whilst outlining policies, existing and new, that are in place to facilitate returnees, visitors and potential investors alike. In relation to Windrush this is what she had to say: “I must emphasise that the Government of Jamaica is very committed to your well-being in the United Kingdom. In this regard, the Windrush crisis remains a matter of paramount importance. It would be remiss of me not to mention the ongoing impact of the Windrush Immigration Crisis on the Jamaican Community. Many of you will recall that Jamaica‘s position was fully articulated to Prime Minister May by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his meeting with her in April 2018, when he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting here in London. The Government of Jamaica has remained consistent in its position that the victims of the Windrush Immigration debacle should be afforded fair, just and adequate compensation for the injustices suffered over the many years. Mindful of the significant contribution of the special category of migrants, including their contribution to the post war reconstruction efforts in Britain, it was imperative that their rights to residency in and citizenship of the country they have called home, be appropriately resolved, including the granting of citizenship and compensatory relief. Compensation Scheme. We are indeed pleased that the British Government recently announced a compensation scheme and that there will be no cap on amounts which will ultimately be paid out to individuals. My Ministry will examine the provisions and operationalization of the Scheme in greater detail, in consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers, as we continue to monitor the situation. The Ministry has also placed advertisements in the main print media, while also utilising its social media platforms, to disseminate information on the scheme. Additionally, we have emailed individuals on the Ministry’s database of possible Windrush Immigrants who had initially contacted the
Ministry. A few of those persons have contacted the Ministry to seek clarity or confirm how they should proceed.” Deportation “Another matter of great concern to you is the deportation of Jamaicans especially those who have been resident in the UK for a long period. In February of this year a Charter Flight from the UK arrived in Jamaica with 29 individuals. This resulted in a public outcry and protests outside of the High Commission. We will safeguard the rights of our nationals by ensuring that the necessary procedures have been followed in the removal process established between Jamaica and the UK Government. These include the number of returnees per charter, verification of their Jamaican nationality and arrangements with the Ministry of Health and Wellness with respect to those who will require medical and mental health care. At the same time, Jamaica will not resale from its responsibility to receive its nationals who are being removed, once it is clear that they have exhausted all legal measures to review their right to remain here in the UK. My fellow Jamaicans let me assure you that the Government of Jamaica is committed to the safe and orderly reintegration and rehabilitation of Jamaican nationals deported from all countries, including the UK, into the Jamaican society as part of its broader national development strategy. We will continue to review measures that will ensure that all our people, including those who have been returned to Jamaica, can lead rewarding lives, while being responsible contributors to their communities and to society as a whole.” www.windrushday.org.uk
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The Windrush Generation, character is destiny!
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or the Modern Black Community 2018 was a significant year. It is the platinum anniversary of the UK arrival of the first cohort of roughly 500 men and women from the Caribbean region, in response to the British government’s invitation to the healthy, young adults to help in the post war rebuilding effort. During the 20 years, after the arrival of the first wave of Windrush pioneers in June 1948, several more people of Caribbean background responded to this call. The records show that almost 200,000 migrants from the Caribbean region responded and they proceeded to take up work in the brand new National Health Services (which also was formed in 1948) as nurses, doctors and ancillary staff. Some took up employment in the transport system in London and other urban centres. Others worked in factories helping to rebuild the manufacturing base; and others worked in the construction sector rebuilding homes and offices destroyed by Nazi bombs during World War II. These are the people who came to the UK from the
Lewis Hamilton www.windrushday.org.uk
Caribbean region, to strengthen the local workforce; these are the people we are remembering when we speak of the Windrush generation. It is common knowledge that life in the UK was not a bed of roses in the time of the Windrush generation. They knew that work was scarce in the Caribbean islands of their birth, and many had children who were dependent on the money they could send back to family members who were caring for their children. Consequently, they had to make a success of their enterprise to the unfamiliar and distant “mother country”. The Windrush generation found that accessing work was not as challenging as accessing a place to live. For this reason the Windrush generation expanded the “pardner” system of group saving, which helped them to raise the money needed to purchase homes. It is common knowledge that the state schools were wrongly assessing the abilities of the children of the Windrush generation which resulted in too many being relegated to low sets which trapped them in pathways which led to second class qualifications, and low paid jobs. The Windrush
Jessica Ennis-Hill
Diane Abbott, MP
generation responded to this assault on their children by developing thousands of supplementary or Saturday schools, which changed the academic trajectory for significant numbers of their children. It is also common knowledge that the workplace was another hostile environment for the Windrush generation, and the development and growth of churches led by ministers from the Black community provided places of refuge, and fellowship, and spiritual fortification. All of which helped the Windrush generation to become resilient, and hopeful of a better future. In 2018, some 50 years on from those tough and demanding two decades, we can state with a deep sense of pride and cultural esteem that the Windrush generation succeeded in the creation of a robust platform on which today’s Modern Black Community is built. Indeed, it is their fight for racial equality and justice that paved the way for legislation; thereby forming the basis of our current Equality laws in the UK. Today it is clear to see that the descendants
Lord Herman Ouseley
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of the Windrush generation have found common cause with the descendants of migrants from several countries in Africa, and the Dual Heritage descendants from both Caribbean and African parentage to create the Modern Black Community. Members of the MBC may be seen in both Houses of Parliament (such as Lord Herman Ouseley and Lord Victor Adebowale in the Lords; and Diane Abbott, MP and Helen Grant, MP in the House of Commons); and in local government as both elected councillors and career professionals in social care, education, the Police Services, and National Health Services. Other MBC members are well placed in Civil Service departments, and in private sector firms (such as Sir Kenneth Olisa, who is also the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London). Some MBC members are millionaires from a variety of sectors such as Lewis Hamilton in F1 motor racing,
Jessica Ennis-Hill in athletics, to Sir Damon Buffini in merchant banking; from property entrepreneurs like Fitz Thomas, to the high tech entrepreneurs like Piers Linney, the founder and CEO of Outsourcery. And some are medical professionals like Professor Frank Chinegwundoh, and university professors like Gus Johns. It is without doubt that members of the MBC are now contributing to virtually all aspects of life in the UK, including the aristocracy to which Emma McQuiston became the UK’s first marchioness from the MBC a few years ago. For these reasons, today’s MBC owes a debt of gratitude to the Windrush generation for their enterprising spirit, their fortitude, their creativity, and for their will to succeed against the odds. It is for these reasons why they rightly should be seen as the symbol of the start of the MBC in the UK, which now stands at more than 3 million British citizens; all of whom are proud to be contributors to the ongoing robustness and prosperity of the UK. An example of the resiliency of the MBC is the social enterprise known as Reach Society which was founded in 2010 by Dr Dwain Neil, Mr Rob Neil, OBE, and Dr Donald Palmer, and which also won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 for its voluntary work. Its vision is to ensure that every young person in the MBC makes an emotional connection with at least one professional in their community, to be encouraged, motivated and be inspired to choose pathways to success, and to increase their sense of cultural esteem. Reach Society’s cohort of professionals have visited schools, colleges and community groups; and have led workshops and organised careers conferences in order to inspire young people. It has so far impacted more than 12,000 young
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people, and it is just one example of the confidence in the MBC. Other examples of MBC confidence is the Seventh Day Adventist Church which is managing more than a dozen schools and a theology college; the Excell3 organisation which is managing roughly two dozen mentoring franchises and the King Solomon International Business School for the development of young people, aged 5 to 19; also the Amos Bursary which prepares high achieving young Black men before they enter high value universities to successfully complete their studies. Wherever we look in the UK, there is evidence of the MBC taking responsibility for its affairs, which augurs well for the future; character is destiny!
Dr Donald Palmer is an Associate Professor of Immunology at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Immunology at Imperial College London. He is co-founder/co-director of Reach Society, Chair of Governors of a school in North-West London and a Professional Mentor for Amos Bursary. Dr Dwain A. Neil is a co-founder of Reach Society and its chairman. He is the director of Leriko & Associates, a management consultancy. He is a co-author of 3 books published by Reach Society Publishing; and a father of four children, three boys and a girl, who have completed their studies in high value universities and are working.
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stablished in 1981 and situated in its iconic building in Brixton’s Windrush Square since 2014, Black Cultural Archives (BCA) is the only national repository of Black history and culture in the UK. The power of an archives is how it relates to our identity and community, and how we understand our place in the world. We are the keepers of stories of activism, struggles and successes and we open them up to visitors so that they can choose their own path through them. It’s a unique collection which goes beyond documentary heritage and includes photos, objects, videos and oral histories from the world of Black British theatre, culture, dance and more. It includes objects like a rare Roman coin thought to be the earliest currency to feature a person of colour and artefacts from the early Black Power movement. We work with partners to create exhibitions that present the Black British experience and have a public reading room and library where materials from the archive can be viewed. BCA was founded over 30 years ago as our co-founder Len Garrison grappled with the fundamental question of “Where are our monuments? Where are our martyrs? …” His words continue to echo throughout the country today, as we are still asking these same questions in the face of institutions that are still unable to value our contributions and heritage. In the many years since BCA’s inception, our community has faced challenges, most recently the Windrush Scandal. When it was first discovered in 2018, we felt it was a shameful lack of appreciation of the courageous citizens who helped to create what we know as Britain today. The government’s hostile environment policy affected people from our community who have been living and working in Britain for over 70 years. It reflected the general lack of appreciation of the continued presence of the Black community in this country throughout history. This is not an immigration story, not a moment of migrant history, but is central to British history, and a turning point in the then Empire..
By Arike-Oke CEO The history of Black people in Britain dates back centuries, yet this history has been long hidden. It is our duty to unearth and share these histories with everyone for a better and deeper appreciation of British identity, ultimately eradicating the injustices borne of ignorance and lack of empathy. The “Windrush generation” travelled as individuals, later bringing their families to join them. The resilience and courage of the generations that followed have shaped today’s Black British community. The fact that citizenship questions are being raised decades later is highly problematic. BCA’s archive collection holds a copy of the 1948 Nationality Act which gave all colonial subjects British citizenship, as well as copies of subsequent Immigration Acts which attempted to remove that right. Our collection holds historical evidence of the oppositional campaigns to the racist 1962 Immigration Act, known as the Colour Bar Immigration Act, which expressly limited the movement of British citizens from its colonies. The destruction of the landing cards that provided evidence of the Windrush Generation’s arrival would not have happened had they been entrusted instead to BCA’s national collection. BCA exists to ensure the preservation of this history, our
archive differs from national or government archives, as our remit is to preserve the narratives of the people. We have been entrusted by generations of individuals, families and organisations to safeguard these materials, our history, British history. We have been working with and alongside government and community initiatives to support the wider community to navigate the current situation and help to overcome the distrust and distress that has arisen. Legal clinics were held at BCA and we became a central point of contact for the community and a safe space to ask critical questions and make enquiries. We continue to tell the story of Windrush with our forthcoming programme dedicated to the resilience, impact and legacy of the Windrush Generation.
‘Stories past and present will come to life, presenting visitors with the real voices of Windrush.’ The programme will amplify the voices of those who lived through this case of modernday history, and will acknowledge the ongoing contribution of all those that came after. Stories past and present will come to life, presenting visitors with the real voices of Windrush. We hope people from all communities will learn how Windrush came to be and the true stories of a people displaced, even though Britain should have been a home from home. This programme is for all communities who will uncover hidden dimensions to this familiar story. It is for all people to learn about the struggles and contributions of Black British Caribbeans - and beyond - during this time. BCA welcomes everyone who wishes to use it’s resources, share their stories and participate. More information can be found on our website https://blackculturalarchives.org/
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Andrea Levy’s epic ‘Small Island’ receives standing ovation at the National Theatre
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ollowing the success of the book and TV series of the same name, Helen Edmondson’s adaptation of the late Andrea Levy’s book for the stage was a resounding success. Bringing the lives of a handful of Jamaicans in the 1940s to the forefront of London Theatre. Although we would have liked to see Hortense’ character given the same depth of recognition and understanding as Queenie it cannot be denied that little literary expense has been spared in bringing this sweeping tale to the stage. A stirring story of desire and stubborn realities. In the wake of writer Andrea Levy’s death earlier this year, her celebrated novel ‘Small Island’ bursts onto stage for a new play at the National Theatre. The sweeping adaptation written by Helen Edmundson, explores post-war migration from Jamaica to Britain. The story is pinned on two heroines; Hortense from rural Jamaica and Queenie from a Lincolnshire pig farm. Both women long for a different future in London with similar hopes, yet, through the daily realities of post-war Britain their expectations are tested through cultural rifts and racism. Gershwyn Eustach Jnr gives a stunning performance from start to finish characterising many of the issues that young black males still have to face today. The venue’s artistic director Rufus Norris directs a 40-strong cast, backed by an impressive technical production. Katrina Lindsay’s set design skilfully conveys intimate scenes combining floating windows and home furnishings on a shifting circular stage. The costume design is on point capturing the essence of the 1950s -two-tone shoes, high
waist dresses and fedora hats. Jon Driscoll’s curved projections were outstanding including historical footage from billowing palm trees of Jamaica, to the grey streets of northern England. The best use of this effect was the poignant scene of the HMS Empire Windrush leaving Jamaica, a foreboding sight considering the present on going Windrush scandal. The cast give worthy performances, the main characters intermittently sermonize their thoughts to the audience. Queenie’s character played by Aisling Loftus is a courageous yet unfulfilled landlady that takes in veterans whose life intertwines with Gilbert and his wife Hortense. Gilbert, played by Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, tellingly portrays the hopes and stinging disappointments of Caribbean migrants who travelled to British shores in their Sunday best suddenly faced with hostility and racist populace. The venue’s artistic director Rufus Norris directs a 40-strong cast, backed by an impressive technical production. Katrina Lindsay’s set design skilfully conveys intimate scenes combining floating windows and home furnishings on a shifting circular stage. The costume design is on point capturing the essence of the 1950s -two-tone shoes, high waist dresses and fedora hats. Jon Driscoll’s curved projections were outstanding including historical footage from billowing palm trees of Jamaica, to the grey streets of northern England. The best use of this effect was the poignant scene of the HMS Empire Windrush leaving Jamaica, a foreboding sight considering the present on going Windrush scandal. The cast give worthy performances, the main characters intermittently sermonize their thoughts
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to the audience. Queenie’s character played by Aisling Loftus is a courageous yet unfulfilled landlady that takes in veterans whose life intertwines with Gilbert and his wife Hortense. Gilbert, played by Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, tellingly portrays the hopes and stinging disappointments of Caribbean migrants who travelled to British shores in their Sunday best suddenly faced with hostility and racist populace. Hortense, brilliantly played by Leah Harvey, is upright, and prideful with a desire to move to England and become a teacher. Although the original story written by Levy is centred on Hortense, Queenie’s character is brought to the forefront, elements of Hortense’s depth and nuances are disappointingly unexplored. Norris’s scope derives from the depth of characterisation by Levy. He treats the gritty narrative with a punch of comedic prowess; this follows on from Levy’s work, always moving, uncompromising and funny. A riveting story well adapted for the stage, a timely production of hope, kindness and intolerance, charting the beginning of Britain’s future attitudes to identity and immigration.
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Stuart Lawrence, former secondary school teacher and younger brother of Stephen Lawrence has introduced three short films for the BBC Teach programme for GCSE aged students with these personal thoughts about his brother’s death and its impact on British society. The timely message is heartfelt in this climate and an inspiration to all, students and adults alike. “My name is Stuart Lawrence and I am the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence (13th September 1974 - 22nd April 1993). Stephen was a black British teenager from Woolwich, south east London, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Well Hall, Eltham on the evening of 22nd April, 1993.
I stayed in education and followed a creative path which focused on graphics and design, taking a keen interest in typographical design. After I completed a course at London College of Printing (which is now London College of Communications), I attended Northampton University to read Graphic Communication. My working life has been varied; I have worked for the Home Office, HMP Belmarsh, and have recently finished a teaching career which spanned over 15 years at a secondary school in the south west London area. Being in the education field, first as a teacher for over 15 years and now as a consultant, I understand the special and unique position that you, as teachers, are in. I hope that you feel you have the confidence to use your own personal experiences and knowledge to help give your students a better understanding around these topics or areas, which some might struggle to relate to. I now spend most of my time with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to help promote Stephen Lawrence Day (22nd April). My mum, Doreen Lawrence was elevated to the peerage as a Baroness on 6th September 2013, and is formally styled Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, of Clarendon in the Commonwealth Realm of Jamaica. The honour is rare for being designated after a location in a Commonwealth realm outside the United Kingdom, and due to her not being married the rights that would be bestowed on her husband then went to her son and daughter, thus my full title is ‘The Right Honourable Stuart Andrew Lawrence’.
Treat others how you want to be treated. This statement takes an action that starts from yourself – ensure that you are polite and respectful to others because who would want someone to be rude or horrible to them? This is one of the most important and best memories I have from my childhood and I believe that if we can get others, especially young people, to have this sort of idealism, then we will be leaving the country and the world in a better place. I would like to think that these films have this underlining theme running through them all. There were more than enough examples where we as a family could have given up or even considered finding justice another way. These films should also be a reminder that we are all humans with emotions and feelings no matter of skin colour, religion or sexual orientation. The things that we say and do to others in a negative way can have, and do have, lasting effects that can change the life of not just an individual but of that person’s whole family and even members of that family that have not even been born yet. I hope that these documentaries can be used as a catalyst to start the difficult and meaningful conversations that will help to deal with issues that have always been there but are hard to talk about. As a final message I would like to leave you with this... Where you are right now; this city, this country, this world is yours to discover and explore, go out and Live Your Best Life because tomorrow is not promised to anyone and life is short. The secret to life? TIME and LOVE.”
A time to live, a time to love, a time for change BY STUART LAWRENCE
www.windrushday.org.uk
‘...ensure that you are polite and respectful to others because who would want someone to be rude or horrible to them?’
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Images courtesy of: Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum
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IN PRAISE OF THE WINDRUSH GENERATION - CULTURE HEROES!
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useumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum, was set up in 2015 to celebrate and commemorate the contributions of Caribbeans to the UK. One phrase we hear a lot in our work at the museum, from children and grandchildren of the Windrush Generation, when they need to know important family or cultural information but a loved one has passed, is “if only I had asked…” followed by the name of the family member in question, or “I wish I had asked…”. It’s at a time of loss and bereavement when people unfortunately realise what the Caribbean saying “you never miss the water till the well runs dry” truly means. Realising the importance of older age and learning from the life experiences of others may be one of the best things you ever do and that’s certainly true when it comes to talking to the Windrush Generation – whether you’re of Caribbean heritage or not. The whole country has woken up to the significance of that generation, who despite great odds, raised children and grandchildren that are such a credit to their families and the UK. How they did that needs to be remembered, recorded
and shared in these difficult times, especially when many in society threaten the future of Windrush descendants. The closeness of the extended Caribbean family, where three or four generations live together or nearby, is not a myth. It’s still widespread, even though, like all families, there can be issues! As a member of the Caribbean community and a child of the Windrush generation myself, I know how important it is for family members to talk to each other, not at each other, which unfortunately many of us are rather good at! We need to spend time with each other and have a good old chin wag. “Listen and learn” is an often-used phrase and it’s especially relevant in this context. Listening to and learning from the Windrush Generation could introduce a valuable Caribbean tradition into British society – the idea of counsel under the village tree, or to put it into a UK context, an Open House policy where elders make themselves available for these important, life-changing chats with younger generations. Caribbeans have done this for centuries in their island homes, where under many a village tree, elders communed with each other and young people, sharing and explaining cultural traditions, or as the Caribbean saying goes “showing them points”. In the UK, just like everywhere, many young people are looking for heroes and mentors and the Windrush Generation are more than qualified for these roles, many of them pioneers and achievers, but unfortunately, all too often, unsung heroes. Being around people with such powerful stories to share can be life-affirming and liberating for the next generation, both for those of Caribbean descent and those from other communities. In just four years, since the museum launched, we’ve seen the growth of groups and organisations
focused on Black heritage and long may this continue. The Windrush Generation has so many stories to tell and their 70 years of experience gives both individuals and UK society as a whole so many lessons to learn from, if we are all prepared to listen. Sadly, as we lose more and more members of the Windrush Generation annually, it’s more vital than ever that we start having meaningful conversations with them, so we can continue to build on the heritage and legacies they’ve provided for us and give them the recognition they deserve. Not just through an annual national Windrush Day, but through the wider stories we share about British history, heritage and culture, of which the Windrush Generation was, and is, such a vital part. Because, if we don’t listen now, we’ll find out as a country and as a people what “you never miss the water till the well runs dry” really means.
Do you have a story to share? Perhaps you’re a member of the Windrush Generation and you’d like to share your story of coming to the UK? Or maybe you’ve benefited from the wisdom and experience of a family member who’s part of that generation? Whatever your story we’d love to hear from you. Call: 0746 918 9550 Visit: museumand.org Follow: @Museumand_ on Twitter and @Museumand on Instagram and Facebook.
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New Daughters of Africa Publisher and Editor Margaret Busby’s landmark anthology showcases more than 200 contemporary female writers of African descent from around the globe to much acclaim… Margaret Busby OBE, Hon. FRSL (Nana Akua Ackon) was born in Ghana and educated in the UK, graduating from London University. She became Britain’s youngest and first black woman publisher when she co-founded Allison & Busby in the late 1960s and has published notable authors including Buchi Emecheta, Nuruddin Farah, Rosa Guy, C. L. R. James, An editor, broadcaster and literary critic, she has also written drama for BBC radio and the stage, judged numerous literary competitions, and served on the boards of such organisations as the Royal Literary Fund, Wasafiri magazine and the Africa Centre. A long-time campaigner for diversity in publishing, she is the recipient of many awards.  Her latest book “New Daughters of Africa brings together the work of a new generation of female writers of African descent and magnificently achieves its aim of honouring a unified heritage while showing the remarkable range of creativity from the African diaspora.” - The Bookseller Editor’s Choice Showcasing the work of more than 200 women writers of African descent - including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zadie Smith, Warsan Shire, Malorie Blackman, Patience Agbabi, Roxanne Gay, Bernadine Evaristo and a host of literary notables of the future this major international collection celebrates their contributions to literature and international culture. Twenty-five years ago, Margaret Busby’s groundbreaking anthology Daughters of Africa illuminated the “silent, forgotten,
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underrated voices of black women” ( Washington Post). Published to international acclaim, it was hailed as “an extraordinary body of achievement... a vital document of lost history” (The Sunday Times). New Daughters of Africa continues that mission for a new generation, bringing together a selection of overlooked artists of the past with fresh and vibrant voices that have emerged from across the globe in the past two decades, from Antigua to Zimbabwe and Angola to the USA. Key figures join popular contemporaries in paying tribute to the heritage that unites them. As Margaret Busby notes in her introduction: “Custom, tradition, friendships, mentor/ mentee relationships, romance, sisterhood, inspiration, encouragement, sexuality, intersectional feminism, the politics of gender, race and identity within these pages is explored an extensive spectrum of possibilities, in ways that are touching, surprising, angry, considered, joyful, heartrending. Supposedly taboo subjects are addressed head-on and with subtlety, familiar dilemmas elicit new takes.” Featuring women across the diaspora, New Daughters of Africa illuminates the richness and
cultural history of this original continent and its enduring influence, while reflecting our own lives and issues today. It spans a wealth of genres autobiography, memoir, oral history, letters, diaries, short stories, novels, poetry, drama, humour, politics, journalism, essays and speeches - to demonstrate the diversity and remarkable literary achievements of black women who remain under-represented, and whose works continue to be under- rated, in world culture today. Bold and insightful, brilliant in its intimacy and universality, this essential volume honours the talents of African daughters and the inspiring legacy that connects them - and all of us. Margaret Busby will be speaking at events around the UK in the coming months.
New Daughters of Africa is available from Amazon, Waterstones and most leading bookstores.
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Our current portfolio of established, high quality, specially-targeted print and on-line publications focus on Education, Training, School Leaver and Graduate Careers and widening access to social and business opportunities and ranges from issues of Racial Diversity to Sexual Identity. We take great pride in working with a wide range of partners and clients who understand that being forward-thinking on equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace makes sense. They recognise that employees from different backgrounds bring unique knowledge, skills and experience to their businesses. To support the needs of our partners and clients as part of our overall service, we have a team of experienced associates who are experts and specialists that work with under-represented groups and support organisations in the areas of: • Board Level Diversity & Inclusion Champions • Supplier Diversity • Executive Coaching • Executive Search & Selection • Self-Assessment Centres • Art, Design and Branding services • Multicultural Management • Corporate video and film facilities • Peer Review of Diversity & • Staff Network Development Inclusion strategies and policies
www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
ISSUE 01 SUMMER 2017 21/08/2017 22:26