By Leah Conway
Windrush Day is the perfect time to reflect on the African Descent community through the words of those from the Windrush Generation and their children within our local community.
There are rich histories and cultures of the African Descent community that stems back before the docking of Windrush in 1948 and extends beyond it too.
This year’s recent events have been a stark reminder that 72 years on there is still a struggle. With the continual need for the Black Lives Matter agenda, we could ask the question, how far have we come?
A recent poll by CNN shows that 55% of Black respondents do not trust the government to prevent another Windrush-type scandal. While 58% of Black respondents think the governing Conservative Party is institutionally racist.
However, today provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our community, or perhaps a more fitting description is communities.
As Hugh Goulbourne expressed in a recent interview with KLTV, “[the African Descent community is made up of] Individual Islands, individual cultures that’s something you do find in Huddersfield.”
Mr Goulbourne further stated that “I think sometimes people look from the outside in and want to express this thought that we’re all the same… we’re not; we’re actually from quite different histories and different backgrounds.”
While it is essential to acknowledge that no community is perfect and needs to continue to step forward, today is a day to celebrate and recognise the struggles, achievements and successes of the rich and diverse cultures and histories of the African Descent community.
Windrush Day is about acknowledging, not only the journey of those from the African Descent community but also the contributions people have made along that journey. Contributions which include participation in the World wars, helping to rebuild the country, being integral to the creation of the NHS and to the transport industries, and most recently in being some of the heroes of the NHS in battling COVID-19.
These are the feats that should be remembered, celebrated and taught, education is critical in moving communities forward, which is a sentiment echoed by Nitty in an interview with KLTV who said, “If you don’t know where you come from, you don’t know where you’re going…You need to know who you are.”
Louise Muhammad, from Huddersfield’s local African descent community, expressed her feelings of being from an African Descent background.
She said, “It gives me a sense of pride and joy, but it’s been a journey getting to that stage.”
Louise Muhammad continued by stating that the community needs to “mobilise” and have a “collective strategy” which will help to “uplift and advance” the African Descent community.
Speaking to members of our local and regional community highlights the diversity and richness of the African Descent community’s cultures and histories.
Not only do they highlight the positives but also the need for education and continual community development while still being proud, joyful, and hopeful about their heritage and background, which are sentiments at the core of Windrush Day.
Look out new Windrush The Years After: Educational Resource and Workbook, coming soon to KLTV!