Notting Hill Carnival Helmed by the West Indian community in Britain, it is attended by over one million people every year. This festival is a celebration of dance, music, and culture, which brings people to the city from across the globe, making it London’s most prominent festival. Although Nothing Hill Carnival guarantees a total sense of euphoria and it’s a celebration of love and creativity, culture and togetherness, its early British narrative was marred with violence.
Nottinghill Carnival 2018
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
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How the West was won.
ot long after the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush on June 22nd 1948, over 300, 000 West Indians settles here in Britain with the largest population being in Brixton and Notting Hill. Workers brought to Britain from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, to help fill post-war UK labour shortages. On the evening of August 29th 1958, outside of Latimer Road Tube station, what started as a disagreement between a mixed-race couple, soon transpired into an argument, with little thought of what was about to unfold. It became a catalyst for several racist attacks by a subset youth movement called the Teddy Boys, who shared racist views regarding West Indian immigration to the North Kensington area and interracial relationships. Notting Hill erupted in violence the following night as hundreds of young white men took to the streets, throwing home-made firebombs at the houses of black families. The violence continued until September 5th and led to the arrest of 108 persons. The following year, January 30th 1959, in response to the horrific Notting Hill race riots, an indoor Caribbean Carnival was held at the St Pancreas Town Hall and televised by the BBC. It was organised by Claudia Jones, a journalist and influential activist from Trinidad and Tobago, who was the editor for the influential black newspaper, The West Indian Gazette. The Carnival aimed to showcase a cabaret styled Caribbean Carnival with renditions from several Calypsonians including, Mighty Terror and Hi-Fi Steelband, dance troupe. The night ended with a Caribbean Carnival Queen beauty contest and an after-party. Another important contributor to the formation of Notting Hill Carnival was the London Free School-inspired festival in Notting Hill, which was the first organised outside event, in August 1966. It was arranged by Rhaune Laslett, who was unaware of any indoor events organised by Claudia WWW.INSIDESOCA.COM
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DECEMBER 2020
