What is the Windrush generation, you are tempted to ask? Well, do you recall this statue at the #londonwaterloo station? Ever paused to read what it is about? Relax, let me help you out today with a bit of black history.
Origins of the Empire Windrush
Stay with me, let’s pause in front of this monument and talk about the #windrushgeneration.
After #WWII, the Great Britain needed help to rebuild. Almost every sector of the economy needed help, transport, the nascent health service (NHS) and what have you.
Therefore, the government reached out to one of its commonwealths (West Indies) and made them an offer;
“Guys, see we are short of manpower here and really struggling. Come help us revive our economy and in turn, we would take care of you. Automatic citizenship with the right to live, work et al”
Deal was sealed and in June 1948, the first set of Caribbeans, mostly veterans from the war, landed on Essex dock. Yes, look at them dangling all over that ship in excitement…….finally coming to live in the land of the Queen and the White man
Cultural Contributions and Challenges
So it was that between 1948 – 197, they arrived. Bringing their highly sought after skills and expertise. In those baggage with them, also came their culture, traditions and language – think #nottinghillcarnival
“you called, we came”
poem at windrush monument
They also enjoy (enjoyed?) the privilege of being recruited into the British military from their homelands. Yes, like you are sitting at home and the British come calling, asking you to sign up and come over
Aha, now you understand why you have so many Caribbeans in positions which other Africans still struggle to access?
Meanwhile, because, then, Britain didn’t have an immigration Act, they didn’t require any documentation. And none was given.
The Windrush Scandal and Calls for Justice
However, by 1971, the UK enacted an Immigration Act which required you to have/show a document attesting to your right to live and work here.
Well, remember I told you, those early arrivals weren’t given any because it wasn’t a requirement in their terms of engagement? right
Unfortunately, as is the nature of contracts without signed documentation, things went away. And in 2018, like the Brits say; shit hit the fan or in Nigerian parlance – kasala burst
“But Amara, were you there? even your mother wasn’t born then”
Life in Britain: Stories of the Windrush Generation
Well, it was Floella Benjamin – through her book – who introduced me to that world about 2 years ago. And I read. And that curiosity led me online for more. So here I am, inviting you to search out this #blackhistory for yourself, instead of taking my word for it.
All you do when people don’t show you love is show love yourself
floella benjamin
Finally, as we move on, next time you find yourself at this station, and you have a few minutes to wait for your train, I encourage you to stop by this monument. Pause and appreciate the great sacrifice of those men and women in building the system you enjoy today. Most, left their children back home in foster care in the quest for a better life. Some, never saw their motherlands again.
How has the Windrush legacy shaped your understanding of British history? Read another of our #blackhistorymonthuk series here about the captured ivory tusk of the Benin kingdom in Portsmouth
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmmr4xs
#blackhistorymonth #windrush #caribbean
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