Only 2% of the population know what I am going to say next.
As a part of Black History Month, I want to focus on the contribution these communities made to the Britain as the contribution is rarely spoken about.
As my starting point I look to the days of the British Empire as it is part of an important narrative in how Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities from across the world have helped shape and make the UK what it is today.
Today the rights and wrongs of the Empire are much debated but actually what goes unspoken is the immense contribution of Black and Asian people to the wealth of the British Empire. They gave their blood, sweat and tears in factories, sweat-shops and mills. Many were slaves.
The impression that we have from our history books, TV documentaries and media is that all the credit of the “success” of the Empire is down to upper class toffs. Yes they were the ones who benefitted most from it, but what about those that put the graft in? As usual, history passes them by. It’s the part of the story within our rich cultural history that hardly gets an airing.
Why would it? These people were after all, subjugated. It comes down to how history is related, which, as we know, is written by the victor through their lens.
The realist in me and the historian in me thinks this is the way the world used to run. Back then might was right. If one country defeated another then they got the spoils of the war. It was how things were done. It is still how things are done.
The victors write history how they want it to be written. People who vigorously defend the Empire today are the same people that are now vigorously speaking out against Russian Empire building around the areas in the former Soviet Union. Isn’t that a little odd?
However, the contributions of Black and Asian people, wittingly or unwittingly- willingly or unwillingly (the slavery and injustice is important and should not be forgotten) are a part of this country’s success helping over the decades lead to better living standards.
In the summer of 1957 Harold Macmillan told the country: “you have never had it so good.”
But let me take you back to those times. Just watch reruns of programmes like On the busses or Love thy Neighbour. Look at the kitchens and furniture and compare them today nowadays.
When I was growing up in the ‘70’ and ‘80’s people had sofas until they collapsed. The average person never changed their kitchen and many people didn’t have phones or cars.
Now kitchen companies are grateful that quite a proportion of people change their kitchens nearly every five or ten years- settees the same and cars too.
Compared that with the 1950s, 60s and 70s the kitchen was for life, the settee too unless it collapsed and how many house-holds had a car let alone cars?
I won’t mention phones and I am not talking mobiles either!
The reason I mention 1957 was because it was around that time that people of my dad’s generation started coming to this country and the result is that the offspring of those generations are now doctors, dentists, nurses, business leaders, employers, altruists; Black and Asian communities still creating wealth, prosperity and jobs.
It continues to be a huge contribution. Think about how these communities prevent the NHS from collapsing.
One last point and it is an important one. If you go back to 1914, two million people from old India (Pakistan and Bangladesh did not exist then) fought for the British Army in the First World War. It was all 100% volunteers whereas forced conscription was needed in the UK.
It was the same in WW2 Indians incorporating Muslims Sikhs and Hindus fought in the Second World War for the British Empire. A staggering 400,000 Muslims were prepared to lay down their lives. Muslims cannot therefore be incompatible with life in the West. The contribution in that war of the African countries through the French Colonies was also huge.
When I was growing up I would often be told “My Grandad fought for your lot”. My reply was “ My Grandad fought for you” and he did in WWII.
So, there are lots of myths that need to be debunked because in Black History Month 2023. As we go forward let’s remember to focus on our similarities rather than our differences.
