nottinghill Flashcards
(32 cards)
why did caribbean migrants come to notting hill
push- poor economy, jobs and opportunities, wages 4 times lower than britains; 1944 natural disaster and price of main export dropped
pull-affordable/available ships to make journey, job opportunities with good wage- london transport and NHS, better life due to existing community and excitement of swinging sixties. 138 million vacancies needed to fill
what was the problem with lack housing
many landlords refused to let black people in, racist signs “no blacks”, notting hill was the one area which rented to black people
what were the housing problems
landlords rented unattractive, dirty, boared up, damp, not repaired ans bombed houses to migrants to take advantage. charged high rents (2/3 times more than white tenants)as no statutory tenancy agreement like with white tenants, overcrowded (4-5 strangers per room) HMO- gave legal right to rent to multiple families.
what act introduced fair housing
the Rent act 1965
who was peter rachman and what did he do
polish man who owned 80 properties which he rented to black people. 1959- making £80,000 a year. he took advantage
who was bruce kendrick what did he do
church minister, shocked by housing in notting hill, he raised money to buy homes to rebuild. gained support from church and guardian newspaper. raised £20,000. 1963- set up Notting hill housing which bought 5 houses and housed 57 people. 1970- NHH housed 1000 people
what is portobello road
market adapted to caribbean communmity needs, sold yams, dasheens, sweet potatoes, gave opportunity to other black people to set up their own stalls.
1969- island records moved here and brpught over caribbean styles like Ska, jazz, calypso
attitudes about pub cafes and restaurants
black people not welcome. The apollo was the first pub to serve black people in london.
1959- frank crichlow opened El rio cafe serving caribbean food and space for migrants. he then opened the Mangrove on All Saints road the first black restaurant in the area.
attitudes about nightclubs/parties
refused black people entry, The metro club opened in 1968 as youth club- queues of 400 people. shebeens were unofficial clubs in homes. police often raided which increased tensions
what were some mutual self-help organisations
The London Free school: arranged dances, education, workshops, childcare for kids.
The Unity Association: helped homeless black people by giving professional training
The Black People’s Information Centre: provided legal advice, welfare support and education about black history
what was the pardner schemes
helped black people buy homes.
the metropolitan police in 1950’s
1952- 16,400 officers and 97% were white and male.
what was institutional racism
when any organisation allows racist attitudes such as unfair treatment to black people to continue. police were guilty of this. black complain claiming discrimination were ignored or accused of creating trouble. colour bar was allowed to exist.
what did the West indian federation do about the lack of police training leading to institutional racism
suggested to man in charge of metropolitan police- joseph simpson- that the relationship between the black community and police could be improved if training of police about caribbean culture. simpson refused.
who was norwell roberts
born in caribbean and was first black officer to join metropolitan police in 1967. he attempted to join in 1965 but had been refused for no reason given. he experienced racism, isolation, bullying and prevented from promotions. he served 30 years
what were the anti-immigration groups
teddy boys-young white men, deliberately looked for black people to verbally abuse or attack
the white defence league- neo-nazi group “n word hunts” unified with other groups like BNP
the union movement- far right political party led by oswold mosely, made violent speeches to attack black people, rallying cry “keep britain white”
what were the causes of the riot
1958- gangs of teddy boys began to attack homes/businesses of black residents with petrol bombs/bricks
24th august- a gang of white youths assaulted 5 black men with metal poles. the white guys were arrested
30th august- maj-britt morrison was outside night club and called “black man’s trollop” by white youths
what was the riots on 30th august
a mob of 400 white people attacked homes of caribbean migrants on bramley road. this carried on for 6 nights. some black community members counter-attacked and were accused of rioting.
police refused to do anything as race wasn’t seen as the issue
consequences of the riots
108 arrested, 72 white 36 black. 75% found guilty were white
impact of the riots
continued support for black activism, leaders of caribbean community told police they were worried about uprising of violent attacks yet no action taken. these worsened relations of black community and police
what was the murder of kelso cochrane
17th may 1959- stabbed by group of white youths and died
what was the significance of the murder of kelso cochrane
first black murder since war, gained international media attention
what was the role of the police in the kelso cochrane murder
murder was played down as a simple “robbery” rather than racially motivated. prime minister of jamaica, Norman Manley, visited Notting hill to find out what happened whilst talking to members of notting hill community was told by police to “move on”
reaction of black organisations
coloured people’s progressive associate (CPPA)- formed motto “united we stand, divided we fall”
inter-racial friendship co-ordinating council (IFCC)- met with british government to make race-related voilence illegal and called for police to remove “racial bias” government failed and prime minister gave permision for WDL to hold rally in trafalgar square in london 24th may 1959
