THE WINDRUSH SPECIAL
Six in 10 people (61%) feel that the 75th anniversary of Windrush is important for the country. That rises to 71% of ethnic minorities and 84% of Black Caribbean Britons.
Source: Why The Windrush Matters Today Report 2023
CONTENTS PAGE
Page 4
1948: A significant year
Page 5
New arrivals
Pages 6 - 7
Making progress
Page 8
Stories from our past
Page 9
Important conversations
Pages 10 - 11
Pushing on
Pages 12
Hear the stories online
Page 13
Special announcement Pages 14 -15
Acknowledgements & Contact information
1948 - A SIGNIFICANT YEAR
When HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in 1948 it was a historical moment, bringing one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom. The ship carried 1027 passengers and two stowaways on a voyage from Jamaica to London in 1948. Caribbean migrants, who were hard working people coming to the UK, by invitation, to contribute to the country's post-war reconstruction efforts.
Many hoped to stay only for a few years and are still here to this day.
NEW ARRIVALS
Windrush is relevant to several aspects of black history as it is a time that has impacted Black citizens in the United Kingdom and beyond. The Windrush generation are those who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1973. When one considers the Windrush generation, we might think about challenges relating to work, racism, false promises, opportunities, exclusion, resilience, struggle and of course the ongoing fight for justice.
MAKING PROGRESS
And, though this is a time to celebrate how far we have come since 1948, there is arguably still a lot of work to be done - especially since the rise of the Windrush scandal in 2018 which unveiled a number of injustices faced by descendants of the Windrush generation.
Recent polling by Focaldata, with a large sample of Black Caribbean and other ethnic minority respondents, finds a balanced picture of attitudes towards the progress made on race and the progress still needed:
Some 71% of the public and 68% of ethnic minorities agree that “The UK has made significant progress on racial equality in the last 25 years”. But 80% of ethnic minorities and 66% of the public as a whole agree that “The UK needs to make much more progress on racial equality in the next 25 years.”
Source: Why The Windrush Matters Today Report 2023
STORIES FROM OUR PAST
As a Black led organisation, Ubele wants to share some of our staff’s achievements, stories and experiences since 1948.
There are webpage links in this newsletter on page 12, where you can click and watch/hear Ubele staff experiences, growing up as children of Windrush.
IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS
Anglo-Caribbean identities were formed from a Windrush generation who settled in Britain, raising ongoing conversations and challenges around migration, identity and societal transformation. Black UK Citizens must continue to be part of important conversations that enable us to become a more inclusive society.
We must continue to make progress and push for justice, in collaboration with others, to continue the fight against racism and discrimination, so that we may leave a legacy for those who come after us.
PUSHING ON
Statistics from the 2021 Census data show that 82% of people in England and Wales are white, and 18% belong to a Black, Asian, mixed or other ethnic group. We have come a long way and continue to push through.
In this special edition of the Ubele newsletter, we focus on Windrush stories and highlight experiences that depict collective action, resilience, strength, and determination, as a reminder of the progress that can be achieved through unity and activism. There are many significant points in history that are relevant to this time.
Since then, there are many more significant events, individuals, and achievements that have shaped the Black British experience and continue to contribute to the rich history and cultural heritage of the community.
We have come a long way since 1948.
HEAR THE STORIES ONLINE
You can view a short video series that were created to share some of our Ubele staff stories and experiences, on our YouTube channel. We have included a few of the videos, in the links below:
What makes you a child of Windrush?
Click here
Experience of separation in Black British families? Click here
Why is it important for Ubele to do this work? Watch this
CONGRATS!
The Ubele Initiative are delighted to announce that our CEO and Founder, Yvonne Field, has become a RIBA Honorary Fellow 2024.
Yvonne Field OBE is one of nine nonarchitects that have been awarded with a RIBA Honorary Fellow Award in 2024. Read more here
THE WINDRUSH SPECIAL
WATCH THE YOUTUBE CHILDREN OF
WINDRUSH VIDEO SERIES
We hope you've enjoyed this special edition. Please do share the link online with friends and family. You can also view it in PDF on the Ubele website.
Newsletter produced by: Communications@ubele.org Photography used with permission from Howard Grey. Thank You.
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