Windrush Flashcards
(5 cards)
1
Q
When?
A
- june 1948 - ship called empire windrush brought first of many migrant from caribbean
2
Q
Why leave caribbean?
A
- poverty/hardship common in caribbean in later 1940s - jamaica devastated by hurricane in 1944
- britain short of workers - people encouraged to move there
- WI’ taught in school england was mother country where they could feel supported and welcome
- tourist industry not yet developed to provide jobs in caribbean
3
Q
Impact of windrush?
A
- not all white britons welcomed immigrants - feared lose jobs to immigrants
- “colour problem” - some politicians demanded ships sent back
- many worwked in low-paid jobs as cleaners/hospital porters
- difficulty finding places to live - racism/colour bar - prevented black people renting houses
4
Q
Fact?
A
- despite problems, thousands stayed in britain
- by 1960 - 40,000 west indian immigrants arriving per year
5
Q
Work of claudia jones?
A
- born in trinidad - moved to new york as child
- worked on newspapers - equal rights for african americans - safe working conditions
- considered extreme radical in america - deported - gained asylum in britain in 1955
- 1958 - founder of indian gazette - first black british weekly newspaper
- following notting hill and nottingham race riots in 1958 - jones helped launch annual “mardi gras” event in 1959 - aimed to show culture and talent of caribbean to british people - later became notting hill carnival
