June 22 - 75 years since HMT Windrush.

June 22 - 75 years since HMT Windrush.

June 22nd marks 75 years on the HMT Windrush arriving in the UK carrying the first of a large group of post-war Caribbeans to the Mother Country. The ship carried 1027 immigrants as well as two stowaways on a trip from Jamaica in the West Indies, to London.

‘The Windrush's arrival has become symbolic of the generation of Commonwealth citizens who came to live in Britain between 1948 and 1971. (The Story of the Windrush).

These Caribbean descendents contributed to the fabric of British life. Coming initially to do jobs that others wouldn’t or couldn’t do after the war. The Windrush generation left the comfort of their homes for the promise of secure jobs. They worked in the production of steel, coal, iron and food. They did jobs within the NHS, working on the trains, and buses. As cleaners and cooks - often working night duty in various occupations. They came to work but they brought with them the sights and sounds of the Caribbean - enthusing a drizzly, wet Britain with colour and sound.

Despite their sunny disposition, their arrival in Britain was met with hostility by many white British. Even though they were invited, offered jobs and promised a successful future, the Caribbean immigrants were denied access due to the colour of their skin - and had first hand experience of the colour bar. The now infamous ‘No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish’ statement was written on adverts for jobs, housing as well as in the windows of public houses.

The HMT Windrush marked the beginning of a very long journey and fight that the Afro Caribbean community had to secure their status as equal British citizens and inclusion within society.

It was 2017 when a scandal involving the Windrush generation emerged - highlighting the unequal racist treatment that many had faced for years - brought onto the public stage. 

‘Commonwealth citizens were affected by the government’s ‘Hostile Environment’ legislation - a policy announced in 2012 which tasked the NHS, landlords, banks, employers and many others with enforcing immigration controls. It aimed to make the UK unlivable for undocumented migrants and ultimately push them to leave.  

Because many of the Windrush generation arrived as children on their parents’ passports, and the Home Office destroyed thousands of landing cards and other records, many lacked the documentation to prove their right to remain in the UK. The Home Office also placed the burden of proof on individuals to prove their residency predated 1973. The Home Office demanded at least one official document from every year they had lived here. Attempting to find documents from decades ago created a huge, and in many cases, impossible burden on people who had done nothing wrong. 

Falsely deemed as ‘illegal immigrants’ / ‘undocumented migrants’ they began to lose their access to housing, healthcare, bank accounts and driving licences. Many were placed in immigration detentions, prevented from travelling abroad and threatened with forcible removal, while others were deported to countries they hadn’t seen since they were children. (JCWI

After the scandal, the Home Office needed to be reformed. A team was formed to work on much needed changes. However recently Bravemen has announced that  the unit tasked with reforming the Home Office after the Windrush scandal has been disbanded, despite staff saying there is still ‘a lot to do.’

The UK home secretary, Suella Braverman, let it be known that she believes it is time to “move on.” ( Amelia Gentleman - The Guardian.) This decision to disband the transformation directorate marks a more decisive move away from the post-Windrush reform agenda.

Many are not surprised about this announcement - especially coming from Braverman who courts controversy and, despite being a person of colour, gives the impression of being hostile to other people of colour within this country as well as immigrants seeking refuge in Britain. After her inflammatory comments on slavery (arguing that white people should not feel any sense of collective guilt over their historical role in slavery) many are not surprised about her announcement to disband the task force.

‘Suella Braverman has hit out in the war on woke, arguing that white people should not feel any sense of collective guilt over their historical role in slavery. In a barnstorming speech, the Home Secretary lashed out at political correctness, saying the white population “do not exist in a special state of sin” and that nobody should be blamed for events in the past. Ms Braverman, the daughter of immigrants, events in the past.’ (Sypro,Steph. Calgie, Christian.)

After 75 years, the struggle continues. However, the Caribbean British are nothing if not resilient. They understand their worth. They understand their contribution to this country and they understand that they are completely and thoroughly Caribbean British. On the anniversary of the HMT Windrush, we see it as a time to celebrate, remember and take stock. For after the celebrations, the fight for equality continues.