My UK Jamaican Experience

WRITTEN BY CLIVE HENRY

Clive Henry’s, autobiography is a David and Goliath story. This is one man’s fight to overcome adversity. Turning lemons into lemonade, this an inspiring story. Against all odds, this is a moral message to never give up. He fought a race discrimination case with his employer in 2010. His parents was part of the Windrush generation to help rebuild England after the war. All credits go to his parents. “Without my parent raising me with strong values and knowing my history, I would not have been able to overcome all of the obstacles in my life.”

I was the sixth and last child of my Jamaican parents. They came to England in the 1960’s for a better life. Part of the Windrush era. When Britain invited people from the commonwealth to help rebuild Britain after the war. No Blacks; no dogs; no Irish signs that were common to see in England at the time. Every Black parent knows they have to school their children to the evils of racism in addition to normal standards of raising a child.

I had one brother and four sisters. One of my sisters, Carole, died as a baby. She is in the spirit world now watching over us. My brother, who was fifteen years older than me was living his best life. I didn’t see him much; therefore, all of my young memories are with my sisters. I remember so many fun times in the 70’s. We had hot summers then. It was a time of minimal technology. These were the days of black and white T.V. I remember using gold lucozade wrapping paper to imagine we were watching programs in color, dreaming we had a color T.V. Such things people take for granted today. I was very impressionable. I did so many Mr. Bean, stupid things as a child. It was like living in an episode of The Cosby Show. I remember watching a cop show, with somebody hanging on the top of a car roof. So, you know I had to try it! As a result, my parents would beat me so many times for nearly killing myself. My parents instilled the great Jamaican righteous spirit to do right in the eyes of God, work hard, welcome all, but fight for what is right.

I was raised on all the great Jamaicans like Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley and The Maroons - to mention a few. I have visited Jamaica three times. Twice to visit family and explore our rich history, and once as a tourist at Ocho Rios. I’m so proud to have my heritage in such a great nation of people. Without my parents raising me with strong values and knowing my history, I would not have been able to overcome all of the obstacles in my life.

Written by Clive Henry: Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/clivehenry1 Twitter: @clivehenry1 Instagram: racismisreal