Windrush - 21st century news about race and racism

WINDRUSH & BRITAIN'S HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

The Windrush generation refers to the Caribbean men and women who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971, invited to help rebuild the country after World War II. They and their descendants played a pivotal role in shaping modern British society, contributing to industries, culture, and public life. However, in recent years, the UK government has faced significant criticism for its policy, which aims to deter illegal immigration by creating an unwelcoming atmosphere for migrants. This policy has disproportionately affected Windrush citizens and their families, many of whom, despite having lived in the UK for decades, were wrongfully detained, denied healthcare, threatened with deportation, and stripped of legal rights. The 2018 Windrush scandal exposed how Britain's colonial history continues to haunt its treatment of Black immigrants, undermining the notion of a truly inclusive society. Below you will find a selection of articles and videos relating to the Windrush generation in Britain, their legacy and the scandalous assaults on their rights to remain in the country they and their families have contributed to for generations.

“Home Office unlawfully stopped family joining Windrush woman, court rules”. By Amelia Gentleman. The Guardian. 6 May 2021.

“Research reveals structural weaknesses in Windrush Compensation Scheme remain as legal challenge of refusal to provide legal aid to victims is to be heard”. By Shaila Pal. King’s College London, News Centre. 13 February 2024.

“Windrush victim says Home Office ‘waiting for us to die off’ before paying compensation”. By Neha Gohil. The Guardian. 1 April 2024.

“Home Office asks Windrush man's son for DNA test”. By Adina Campbell and Anthea Lee. BBC News. 15 May 2024.

“The Hostile Environment explained”. The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. 11 June 2024.

“Home Office acted unlawfully by dropping Windrush recommendations”. Public Law Project. 19 June 2024.

“Windrush pensioner facing homelessness at 89 as Home Office ‘unable to verify her identity’”. By Nadine White. The Independent. 2 July 2024.

“Wrongly denied Windrush payments causing ‘further harm and injustice’”. By Amelia Gentleman. The Guardian. 6 September 2024.

“Home Office forced to release critical report on origins of Windrush scandal”. By Amelia Gentleman. The Guardian. 26 September 2024.

“Home Office publishes critical report on origins of Windrush scandal”. Leigh Day. 27 September 2024.

UK Home Office

“There is no understanding Englishness without understanding its imperial and colonial dimensions.”-

Stuart Hall

“Caribritish: me, my family and the legacy of Windrush”. By Hugh Muir. The Guardian. 7 June 2018.

“Barrel Children: Windrush families and the emotional burden of migration”. By Nadine White. The Independent. 27 January 2022.

“Windrush scandal victim finally back in UK after 40 year exile in Caribbean”. By Nadine White. The Independent. 15 April 2024.

“Windrush Child”. By Laura Rennie. The Childhood, Law & Policy Network (CLPN), Queen Mary University of London. 5 August 2024.

“Windrush family reflect on six decades of NHS contribution”. By Ella Devereux. Nursing Times. 10 August 2023.

“Daughter of Windrush man loses bid to remain in UK”. BBC News. 20 November 2024.

Windrush Families

Windrush Pioneers and Campaigners

“Tributes paid to Windrush campaigner Paulette Wilson”. City of Wolverhampton Council. 24 July 2020.

“The Windrush generation: how a resilient Caribbean community made a lasting contribution to British society”. By Les Johnson. The Conversation. 2 June 2023.

“Windrush campaigners demand citizenship for all families in first 100 days of new government”. By Nadine White. The Independent. 21 June 2024.

“They survived and thrived in a hostile Britain. That’s why we revere the Windrush pioneers”. By Hugh Muir. The Guardian. 22 June 2023.

“Tributes paid to Windrush pioneer Alford Gardner”. By David Spereall. BBC News. 2 October 2024.

“Windrush pioneer Alford Gardner dies aged 98”. By Geneva Abdul. The Guardian. 2 October 2024.

NHS Legacy

“The NHS, Windrush and the debt we owe to immigration”. By Gary Younge. The Guardian. 22 June 2018.

“Windrush generation memories shaping today’s NHS”. South East London ICS. 21 June 2023.

“Windrush Day is a reminder that the NHS is still dependent on overseas workers”. By Dionne Daniel. NHS, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals. 21 June 2024.

“Windrush nurses share memories of the 1960s NHS”. By Elizabeth Baines and Emily Johnson. BBC News. 22 June 2024.

Coded Black gameplay screenshot showing a kitchen scene with a family who are glowing figures.

“In pictures: The Windrush generation and pioneering films about Caribbean immigrant life in Britain”. By Nigel Arthur. BFI. 22 June 2018

“Windrush Generations: 1000 Londoners”. Produced by Chocolate Films and created by founders Rachel Wang and Mark Currie.

“Windrush [Four part documentary series]”. By David Upshal. BBC. 1998.

Episode 1: "Arrival" (30 May 1998)
Episode 2: "A New Generation" (6 June 1998)
Episode 3: "Intolerance" (13 June 1998)
Episode 4: "A Very British Story" (20 June 1998)

“Windrush Cymru @ 75”. Dir. Will Langley. 2023. Watch the trailer here.

“Windrush: Portraits of a Generation”. Dir. Suniti Somaiya. BBC. June 2023.

“Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle”. BBC. 2019.

“Windrush: Movement of the people”. By Sharon Watson. Performed by Phoenix Dance Theatre. 2019. Watch the trailer here.

Windrush in the Arts

Videos

“Who are the Windrush generation? – video explainer”. By James Bullock. The Guardian. 17 April 2018.

“Windrush family reunited after spending decade apart”. 5 News. 3 May 2018.

“Windrush - Finding My Family: A Newsround Special”. Newsround. CBBC. 18 June 2018.

"No one puts their children in a boat, unless the water is safer than the land. No one would choose days and nights in the stomach of a truck, unless the miles traveled meant something more than journey."

Warsan Shire, 'Home'