UNISON Lych briefing issue 4 black history month

Issue 4

Your Briefing

October 2016

Welcome to your Leeds & York Community Health Branch briefing

Celebrating Black History Month 2016

ARTICLES  The Windrush Generation  Why Black History Month is celebrated and who started it all  Wilma Rudolph - “The Black Gazelle”

By Milton Allen (Black Members Officer)

Website: http://www.unison-lych.org.uk UNISON LYCH

@UNISONLYCH

UNISON Office, St Mary’s Hospital, Green Hill Road, Leeds, LS12 3QE. Telephone: 0113 305 5168

The Windrush Generation In view of Black History Month I have reviewed some archive notes to put together a journey of those who travelled from the Caribbean on the SS Windrush The Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Dock, Essex on the 22nd of June 1948. On board were 492 passengers who had made the long 8,000 mile journey from the Caribbean to England seeking work. Most of the passengers were ex-servicemen who had fought for Britain during World War II and who’d came in order to fill gaps in the labour market caused by the devastation of the war. Many had seen advertisements in newspapers, heralding Britain as the ‘Mother Country’, promising jobs and a better standard of living. On arrival they were initially housed in a deep air raid shelter in Clapham South, London, before finding work and establishing new lives.

Their arrival marked the beginning of post-war mass migration and they later became known as the ‘Windrush Generation’. They could not have imagined that their journey would begin an important landmark in the history of London and the rest of the country.

In the years to come many women came to Britain to train as nurses, following an invite from Enoch Powell (the Tory Health Minister from 1960-1963). It was he who caused uproar with his anti-immigration 'rivers of blood' speech in 1968.

In reality the response to the call for labour was minimal and by 1958 only 125,000 workers had arrived in Britain from the Caribbean islands. However, there were also other factors at play - an increase in prosperity in the Caribbean, mainly from tourism and bauxite mining, meant that there was more money available for the passage overseas. The USA had always been an attractive and preferred destination with opportunities such as the Farm Work Programme. However, in 1952 the McWarren-Walter Act was passed which considerably restricted the number of Caribbean people who could settle there and with this door closed to them many looked to Britain where, as Commonwealth citizens, they’d gain British citizenship.

Settlement patterns seem to suggest that people from particular islands and even from particular parts of those islands, often came to the same towns and cities.

This was because they could join others who had arrived earlier, who were able to offer help in finding jobs, accommodation and even financial assistance for the overseas passage.

In the Midlands, semi-skilled workers were needed to work in the furnaces and forges of the manufacturing industries which were expanding. The new arrivals also went to areas where the cost of living was high.

There they were needed as porters, cleaners, drivers and nurses – jobs paying so badly that few whites wanted them.

In post-war Britain industries such as British Rail, the NHS and public transport recruited almost exclusively from Jamaica and Barbados. Though African-Caribbean people were encouraged to journey to Britain via immigration campaigns created by successive British governments, many new arrivals were to endure prejudice, intolerance and extreme racism from sectors of White British society. This experience was to mark African-Caribbean people's relations with the wider community over a long period.

Early African-Caribbean immigrants found private employment and housing denied to them on the basis of race. Trade unions would often not help African-Caribbean workers and some pubs, clubs, dance halls and churches would bar black people from entering. Housing was in short supply following the wartime bombing, and the shortage led to some of the first clashes with the established white community. Clashes continued and worsened into the 1950s, and riots erupted in cities including London, Birmingham and Nottingham. In 1958, attacks in the London area of Notting Hill by white youths marred relations with West Indian residents, leading to the creation of the annual Notting Hill Carnival, which was initiated in 1959 as a positive response by the Caribbean community. Some of the racism and intolerance was stoked by explicitly fascist or anti-immigration movements including Oswald Mosley’s Union Movement, the League of Empire Loyalist, the White Defence League, the National Labour Party, and others. Influenced by this kind of propaganda, gangs of Teddy Boys would often attack blacks in London. Historian Winston James argues that the experience of racism in Britain was a major factor in the development of a shared Caribbean identity amongst immigrants from a range of different island and class backgrounds. The shared experience of employment by organisations such as London Transport and the NHS also played a role in the building of a British African-Caribbean identity.

Demographer Ceri Peach estimates that the number of people born in Britain from the West Indies grew from 15,000 in 1951 to 172,000 in 1961. In 1962 Britain passed the Commonwealth Immigrants Act restricting the entry of immigrants, and by 1972 only holders of work permits, or people with parents or grandparents born in the UK, could gain entry - effectively stemming most Caribbean immigration. Despite the restrictive measures, an entire generation of Britons with African-Caribbean heritage now existed, contributing to British society in virtually every field.

And so the journey continues with numerous personal testimonies both happy and sad. I hope this has given us all an insight of the journey many of those of our parents made.

Black History Month Do we know why Black History Month is celebrated? Do we know who started it all? Well for those who don’t; let’s take a look and see: Negro History Week (1926) - In 1926 historian Carter G Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week” in the USA. This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln (12 Feb) and Frederick Douglass (14 Feb), both dates Black communities had celebrated since the late 19th century.

The primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of American blacks in the nation's public schools. Whilst it was initially met with a lukewarm response, the event was regarded by Woodson as "one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association," and plans for a continued apace. Woodson contended that the teaching of black history was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual survival of the race within broader society: "If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization.”

United States: Black History Month (1976) - Leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University proposed an expansion to Black History Month and the first celebration of the Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, in February 1970.

In 1976 Black History Month was officially recognized by the U.S. as part of the United States Bicentennial.

President Gerald Ford spoke in regards to this, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honour the toooften neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history."

United Kingdom (1987) - Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987. It was organised through the leadership of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who then served as a coordinator of special projects for the Greater London Council (GLC) and created a collaboration to get it underway. It was first celebrated in London and has become a national institution.

Criticism - Black History Month often sparks an annual debate about the continued usefulness and fairness of a designated month dedicated to the history of one race. Criticism includes questions over whether it is appropriate to confine the celebration of black history to one month, as opposed to integration of black history into the mainstream education the rest of the year.

Another criticism is that contrary to the original inspiration for Black History Month, which was a desire to redress the manner in which British schools failed to represent black historical figures as anything other than slaves or colonial subjects; Black History Month reduces complex historical figures to overly simplified objects of hero worship. Another criticism, usually levelled by whites, is that the celebration is racist.

Black celebrities such as actor and director Morgan Freeman and actress Stacey Dash have criticized Black History Month, with Freeman saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." Freeman has argued that there was no White History Month, because white people did not want their history relegated to just one month.

UNISON is proud to support Black History Month. But our commitment to inclusion and equality lasts a lot longer than four weeks.

It goes deep into the heart of our union and helps to explain why we are the UK’s leading public service union.

During Black History Month and beyond I would like to introduce people whose dedication, selfwill and determination continues their legacy.

Wilma Rudolph “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion, the potential for greatness lives within each of us”.

Wilma Rudolph became the first woman in history to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympics. She was called “The Black Gazelle”, “The Tornado” and “The fastest woman on earth”.

Born prematurely in 1940 in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee she was the 20th of 22 children. As a young child she contracted polio and she also suffered from serious bouts of pneumonia and scarlet fever, leading to her wearing a metal brace for several years. Wilma’s loving and devoted family had to massage her legs four times a day and she wore a leg brace from aged 5 until 11, until one day she removed it and walked by herself. At age 13 Wilma got involved in organised sports at school and soon she was running and winning races. At this time she caught the attention of Coach Ed Temple, women's track coach at Tennessee State University, and he became Wilma's most important professional influence.

Wilma participated in the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia in 1956 and brought home a bronze medal for the relay race. At the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome she set a world record for the 200 meters during the heats and then won three gold medals (100 meters, 200 meters and the 400 meter relay), making her the first woman to win three gold medals in track and field in one Olympics.

When she returned to Tennessee, she was honoured with her hometown's first racially integrated parade. She made numerous appearances on television and received several honours, including a Sullivan Award, which is given annually to the top amateur athlete in the United States, as well as being honoured in the Black Sports Hall of Fame, the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the National Women's Hall of Fame. In 1993, she became the first recipient of President Clinton's National Sports Award. She wrote an autobiography "Wilma Rudolph on Track” and a movie was made about her, “Wilma”.

Wilma Rudolph died of from brain cancer at the age of 54 on 12 November 1994. The Olympic flag covered her casket at her funeral.

She will always be remembered for her inspirational determination to overcome her physical disabilities. Through the love of her family and her religious convictions she rose above the racism and segregation of her time.

Friday 21 October 2016 Show Racism the Red Card Organised by Show Racism the Red Card, Wear Red Day is a chance for people across the country to help raise much needed funds for anti-racism education work.

Friday 21 October 2016 is all about uniting against racism for one day by wearing something red and donating £1. Organised by Show Racism the Red Card, Wear Red Day is a chance for people across the country to help raise much needed funds for anti-racism education work.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism education charity, set up in 1996. It works in schools throughout England, Scotland and Wales, delivering anti-racism workshops to more than 50,000 young people every year, while also providing training to teachers.

But still, young people continue to experience racial abuse. SRtRC’s educational work is crucial in challenging racist attitudes in society and breaking down barriers within communities.

So wear something red on 21 October and help show racism the red card.

You can pay your £1 via their Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/theredcard Tweet your pic or story - #WRD16

PLEASE PRINT & ENJOY Across: 2-McDonald. 6-Abbott. 10-Jamie. 11-Campbell. 12-Cole. 14-Frank. 15-Seacole.18-Nicola Adams. 19-Rosa. 21-Windrush. 22-Bob Marley.

DOWN 1 Actor who played Detective John Luther (5,4) 3 Which other country holds MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards?

4 In 1948 the NHS was created. Enoch Powell recruited much of the workforce from ___ 5 Singer married to Jay Z 7 Black Disney princess 8 John Godson made history in 2010 by becoming the first black ___ parliamentary MP 9 First name of world number one tennis player 13 Lenny ___, British comedian 16 In 2001 Halle Berry won an Oscar for Best ___ 17 In 1833 ___ was abolished in the British Empire 20 Most successful woman on television in the World

DOWN: 1-Idris Elba. 3-Netherlands. 4-Caribbean. 5-Beyonce. 7-Tiana. 8-Polish. 9-Serena. 13-Henry. 16-Actress. 17-Slavery. 20-Oprah

ACROSS 2 Surname of ITN’s first black journalist 6 Diane ___ first black woman elected to the House of Commons 10 ___ Foxx played Django in Quentin Tarantino's movie 11 Famous supermodel, Naomi ___ 12 Footballer with most appearances for England, Ashley ___ 14 First name of former world heavyweight boxer 15 Mary ___, nurse who saved many British soldiers during the Crimean War of 1855 18 First female black boxer to win an Olympic gold medal (6,5) 19 Civil rights heroine, ___ Parks 21 Ship that brought the first post-war Caribbean migrants 22 World famous reggae singer (3,6)

Get active in your workplace UNISON needs you. Did you know that people in workplaces with union reps statistically earn more, get more holidays, get better training and are less likely to be discriminated against?

Join UNISON’s large network of people across the UK who tackle problems at work and improve conditions for themselves and their colleagues.

Being a member of UNISON is more than just carrying a membership card; it’s about what we build together to become a more powerful union. UNISON relies on its members and their time to run the union. UNISON workplace representatives (reps), stewards and other activists are the most important link between the union and its members.

You don’t have to commit a lot of time, or be an expert to get more involved, a little time and a lot of enthusiasm are all that’s needed; give it a try, you’ll be amazed how much you get out of

it.

There are different role in the branch:  Workplace contact  Elected workplace steward  Health & Safety reps  Union learning reps  Equality reps To find out more click here or call us on 0113 305 5168

Your Workplace Needs Health and Safety Representatives If you want to express an interest or even just have a chat then email paul.bullivant@nhs.net or tel. (0113) 3055168 to speak to me or leave a message Safety representatives have specific duties and responsibilities and also have important legal rights.

A health and safety representative has the right to training and to raise issues which affect the health and safety of members.

I look forward to hearing from you Paul Bullivant Health And Safety Officer To fulfil this role you will be fully trained and supported by myself and the branch