'Windrush 75th anniversary is reminder that long fight for justice is not over'

26 June 2023 , 21:07

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Darren Lewis at Kingston Port in Jamaica, where Empire Windrush set sail for England (Image: Humphrey Nemar)

IT felt strange watching the Windrush celebrations in England from Jamaica last week.

Then again, I can’t complain too much lest one or two of you hit me over the head!

All jokes aside, it was an education to see the same thing through two very different lenses.

Tracking events in the UK, I gained a sense of the good – with much of the coverage reflective of the changing face of our society, underpinned by the massive contribution from the Caribbean.

The bad: One huge radio station which shall not be named, dismissed the ongoing Windrush scandal as a “hoo-ha”.

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And the downright ugly, with the Home Office – you know, the ­government department that disbanded the unit responsible for reform in the wake of the scandal – toasting Windrush 75 with a Caribbean lunch.

To be fair, the “meal” on offer did look a bit of an abomination. They were welcome to it.

In the Caribbean, West Indians simply got on with their lives – just as they’ve always had to since their loved ones were lured away to the UK, 75 years ago.

They’ll never again be hoodwinked or seduced, as their relatives were back then, into believing western Europe is waiting for them with arms outstretched.

Thankfully, the full picture of the UK remains abundantly clear with the environment as hostile towards the immigrants as ever, thanks to PM Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

And therein lies the lesson.

Windrush 75 was not just a day, a festival, a country-wide street party or a patronising nod to the pioneers who braved a nightmare to inspire a generation.

It is a reminder of the betrayed, a call to arms for continued action. A demand for a status report on what this country intends to do to compensate the thousands affected by the scandal, and yet another chance to scrutinise the services failing ­descendants.

The Home Office must not be allowed to simply “move on” as Braverman is trying to.

In my Windrush story last weekend, I relayed the awe in which I hold that generation. Feel free to send me yours.

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Your tales of the friends you made, the classmates you had, and your success at rising above the negativity. Even if you didn’t, the fight goes on for justice.

Windrush 75 was never just about one day. More about a movement.

If you can't see the Empire Windrush anniversary quiz click here

Darren Lewis