From the West Indies to Britain
After World War II, the British workforce was left sparce and ill-equipped to rebuild England after suffering so much damage from the bombings.
With a need for strong workers to help with the shortage across the country, a British shipping company placed an advertisement in local newspapers across the Caribbean. This appeared to be an effective way to source workers who were willing to leave their homelands and board the "Empire Windrush". Due to the lack of available work within their own Islands, many responded to the call and set sail for Britain to seek new opportunities, leaving family and friends behind.
To most migrants, the idea of coming to help restore and re-build "Mother England" was rooted in an ingrained sense of loyalty and honour. Dressed in their finest Sunday best clothing, they first arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex on 22 June 1948 full of pride and intrigue, not knowing what was in store.
Short Video Empire Windrush
Despite there being black immigrants, migrants and visitors to britain before 40's, it was really from the point of the Windrush's arrival, that the heart and soul of multicultural Britain had begun to emerge. There were so many unfamiliar and colourful faces of Scholars, Writers, Poets, Directors, Ex-Service Men, Muscians, Teachers, Beauticians and more gracing the shores of Britain.
The majority of migrants had planned to return back home after a short stay, however many unexpectedly remained and began to call Britain their adopted home. Throughout the decades and across the generations, there have been so many compunding issues of social, political, economical and cultural complexity that the black communities have had to face, just to establish a legitimate legacy within the fabric of Britain. Still even today there is a struggle, sometimes a silent one and sometimes with a loud call to action.
Britain's Black Legacy
Acknowledging the real impact and legacy of the Windrush arrival and its generations is long overdue, so a celebration event seems like a great way to add to the foundations.
