Unityanti-Racist and Anti-Fascist Magazine Spring 2015 Issue 11 Uaf.Org.Uk

Plus Europe fact file

UnityAnti-racist and anti-fascist magazine Spring 2015 Issue 11 uaf.org.uk

George the Poet ‘Hear what I’m saying’

Inside this issue Paddington Bear Brown vs Board of The migrant from Peru Education: the case of the Cinema to remember seven year old black girl who The Holocaust on film changed US history spring 2015 Unity 3

Plus fact le Europe

UAnti-racist and n anti-fascist i magazine t y Vote for education on 7 May Spring 2015 Issue 11 uaf.org.uk Welcome to the latest issue of Unity The NUT wants magazine – sponsored by the National a strong vote for George Union of Teachers. education when the Poet The NUT’s Stand up for Education Britain goes to the ‘Hear what I’m saying’ manifesto has been going down a storm. polls on 7 May. It sets out a positive alternative that would Before people can benefit all children and young people. vote for A number of high profile figures have education recently endorsed the manifesto, including they need Inside this issue Paddington Bear Brown vs Board of Julia Donaldson, Benjamin Zephaniah, to get The migrant from Peru Education: the case of the Cinema to remember seven year old black girl who The Holocaust on lm changed US history Mark Rylance and Owen Jones. themselves NUT members are using the manifesto on the Unity magazine is distributed free to engage with parliamentary candidates electoral to members of the National Union from across the political spectrum. Before register. As things stand, there are 7.5 of Teachers for use with young they cast their vote, people need to know million people missing from the register. people in schools. To get free copies whether a candidate will stand up for One million of these have recently for your school, NUT association or education and: dropped off the electoral register because division, please email [email protected]. l protect education spending in real terms of changes introduced by the Government. uk. The magazine is also sent free to l provide a broad curriculum, rather than It is nothing short of a scandal that one in members of Unite Against Fascism. narrow tests seven people are not registered to vote. As Other individuals, union branches or l take urgent steps to eradicate child poverty the article in this issue points out, it is very organisations who would like to receive l reinstate councils’ power to open new quick and easy to sign up. copies should email the UAF office on schools For the latest information and updates [email protected] l ensure qualified teachers in every from the NUT please follow the Union on classroom twitter @NUTOnline. For advertising or editorial enquiries, l tackle the teacher workload crisis Best wishes, email [email protected] or l run education for children, not for profit. Christine Blower write to: Unity magazine, c/o UAF, Please sign our petition on these points at General secretary PO Box 72710, London, SW19 9GX www.teachers.co.uk/manifesto/petition. National Union of Teachers

Contents Unity spring 2015 News round-up ��4 Cover photo cre8ingvision.com Register to vote ��6 Production team Europe fact file: Bulgaria ��7 Weyman Bennett Mary Phillips Brown v Board of Education: the landmark civil rights case ��8 Thanks to Lee Billingham, Hassan Mahamdallie, The Holocaust in film ��10 Tash Shifrin Paddington Bear: the migrant from Peru ��12 Standing up to injustice Unite Against Fascism 0208 971 7426 Cover story: George the Poet ��14 [email protected] uaf.org.uk New teaching resources ��19 The NUT is proud of the work it does alongside Unite Against facebook.com/UAFpage twitter.com/uaf Greece: elections ��21 Fascism to campaign against racists and fascists. Unite Against Fascism Thanks to the contributions of thousands of teachers to the union’s www.teachers.org.uk/edufacts PO Box 72710, London, SW19 9GX UAF conference report ��22 political fund, the NUT is able to sponsor Unity magazine and to Love Music Hate Racism support campaigns against racist and fascist election candidates. [email protected] nut.campaigns lovemusichateracism.com The fight for justice will continue until we have equality for all Love Music Hate Racism teachers and students. PO Box 66759, London WC1A 9EQ @NUTOnline Printed by TU Ink 4 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 5

EDL and stand in solidarity with the Unity magazine teaching resource Muslim community of Dudley who were the principal target of the EDL’s hatred. Entertainment was provided throughout the day by Love Music Hate ‘My classroom went really quiet Racism—helped by the fact that in April 2014 we organised a Love Music Hate Racism festival in Dudley Town Hall with sponsorship from Unison, the GMB and NUT trade unions. as they drank the article in’ The acts playing on the anti-EDL protest included 1st May Band, reggae/ By Paul Sillett, Unite Against Fascism Like every school, football is massive “I had seen copies of Unity magazine hip hop DJ Shaka T, punk band Thatcher’s national campaigner here. Pupils were pleased and surprised at NUT conference. I contacted Unite Love Child and acoustic artists Ian Marrey to read the stories that had been Against Fascism and requested back and James Stevens of local folk band The TEACHERS ARE increasing their uncovered. It filled students with pride issues that dealt with the Holocaust and Empty Can. orders for Unity magazine – the to read about these players, who are the far right in Europe today. The music was interspersed with last edition, with a cover feature to often ignored in the wider media. “We found that the magazine gave speakers, including the Dudley Council mark Holocaust Memorial Day, was “Such positive role models like those the students a more focused and Geoff Dexter Photo: leader Pete Lowe, Jane Nellist from particularly popular. at the centre of that article were a step contemporary understanding of racism the NUT, Dave Pitt from the FBU, a The magazine is free to National Union forward for many and it was great to see today.” Dudley unites against racist EDL representative from Sikhs against the of Teachers members, associations and them reading so avidly. My classroom In the wake of the Paris attacks, EDL, Andrew Wickens from the Dudley school groups, who can order in bulk and went really quiet as they drank it in.” Anna, a teacher in a secondary school By Jerry Langford, Black Country UAF church, temple and mosque leaders and Interfaith Network and Imam Hashmi give out copies to students in lessons or Ordering back issues of Unity was a in Hackney, east London, organised a members of the public. Dudley Council from the Dudley Central Mosque. They tutor time. good move according to Joanne who series of assemblies to discuss the need THE ENGLISH Defence League’s visit to denounced the EDL’s visit, as did Labour emphasised our determination not to Sally, a member of the NUT who teaches English in the West Country. for unity. She used our European fact Dudley on 7 February was the occasion MP Ian Austin. be divided. teaches in Ipswich, said the feature on files to provide the basic facts on the rise for a clear community rejection of their Black Country UAF’s decision to Throughout the very cold day the Holocaust was extremely useful. Her Modern of the far right across Europe. poisonous politics of hate and division. call a counter-protest was supported the community centre of the Central school hosted an event to mark the day. Joanne said: “We studied the Diary of If you would like to receive a copy of From the outset their demonstration by Dudley Trades Council, Dudley Mosque was open and generously She explained: “A union colleague Anne Frank last term. I was looking for Unity magazine, or order copies in bulk was condemned across the community NUT, activists from the local interfaith provided a place to get warm, plus free told me about the magazine. I put a something modern, that students could to hand out to your students and use in with a unity against racism petition network and Dudley Central Mosque. hot food and drinks to all the supporters small order in and other members of get into, to try to complement what we lessons please contact the UAF office by signed by councillors, prospective On the day, up to 400 anti-racists of the Unity Rally. The whole day was a staff helped me distribute it around were reading. emailing [email protected]. Labour parliamentary candidates, gathered in Castle Street to reject the real expression of community solidarity school. We ordered more and gave the Conservative MP for Stourbridge, racist, Islamophobic nonsense of the and a celebration of our diversity. copies out to everyone who attended our Holocaust Memorial Day event. “Everyone found the articles on the Holocaust really useful and accessible. Some people even thought the school Election 2015: make sure there had composed it especially. We have now put in a regular order for the magazine.” Bradford teacher Anisha has also is no way back for fascist BNP used the magazine at school. She said: “Unity magazine was a hit with my students. The most popular article was By Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett, the BNP nor other fascist parties, such racism and the growth of the far right the one on black and Asian footballers. UAF joint secretaries as Britain First or the National Front— across Europe mean it is possible for both planning to stand candidates— the BNP to recover or another fascist THE CAMPAIGN to make sure voters are able to gain any support this time. type party to take its place. reject the fascist British National There are two key elements to our UAF will combat the BNP’s election Party in May’s general election was “Beat back the BNP in 2015” campaign. challenge. The fascist party has not yet Get free copies of Unity launched at Unite Against Fascism’s First is to ensure that as many people announced the seats it will contest, annual conference in February. as possible register to vote. An but we believe it will target around 20 Only five years ago the BNP had astonishing 7.5 million people are not seats. Other smaller fascist groups may two MEPs, a member on the London registered to vote in the UK—one in also stand. for your class Assembly and more than 60 local seven of all adults. UAF has produced tens of thousands councillors. It was a serious electoral They are disproportionately the of leaflets and posters to be used in the threat. Tireless campaigning by UAF young, the poor and those from minority run-up to the election. Wherever the Anti-racist features for lessons, tutor time or assembly and other groups ensured the BNP’s communities—the very groups that fascists stand, our local groups will be fortunes plummeted. It has been need representation most. UAF and using these materials in the community Let your students keep the magazines to read later reduced to just two local councillors— others have launched a voter registration and workplaces. We are determined to its two MEPs were routed in the drive to help give these people a voice. counter the BNP’s lies. If you can help in European elections last May. Second we want to ensure the BNP’s any way please contact the UAF office Phone 020 8971 7426 to order in bulk now Now we need to ensure that neither vote is as low as possible. The rise in at [email protected]. spring 2015 Unity 7 Europe fact file Register to Bulgaria: where one in eight MPs is fascist

ne in eight MPs in the Muslim population too. When he is not Roma areas destroying homes and Bulgarian parliament is a ranting about “Gypsy criminality”, party attacking residents indiscriminately. The Ofascist. Bulgaria, the poorest leader Volen Siderov is denouncing wave of violence was described as the country in the EU, currently has two the Turkish minority and “Ottoman worst since World War II. rival fascist groupings—the Patriotic domination”. Ataka suffered in general elections in VOTE! Front and Ataka (Attack). The Roma people make up around 2014 because of its association with the Ataka takes its name from Der Angriff ten percent of the population and suffer outgoing administration. On Thursday 7 May, the United Kingdom will go to the polls. This (German for “the attack”), the paper severe discrimination in housing, health, Ataka had propped up a government run by Hitler’s propaganda henchman education and employment. Many live made up of the Bulgarian Socialist could be one of the most important general elections in decades. Joseph Goebbels. Its symbol is a in neighbourhoods without electricity Party—a centre-left formation that swastika-style trident, superimposed on or sewage services. emerged from the old Stalinist Communist a Celtic cross design in the colours of the Party—and the Movement for Rights Across the world people have died fighting for the right to vote and Bulgarian flag. Pogroms and Freedoms, a centre party based on be part of a democracy—by registering to vote you’ll be showing The party’s ideology is based on In 2011, anti-Roma pogroms broke out Bulgaria’s ethnic Turkish minority. racism, ethnic nationalism and violence. in towns and villages across Bulgaria, The rival fascist coalition Patriotic that you think that right is important. It wants “Bulgaria for the Bulgarians”. after a young ethnic Bulgarian was killed Front was able to take votes from Ataka Ataka’s main victims are the Roma, by a minibus driven by a Roma man. in the general election by accusing it of Think about it this way—in the UK, less than 100 years ago, people but Ataka hates Bulgaria’s Turkish and Huge armed gangs stormed into selling out. n were killed during their struggles to get the vote for women. In South Africa, not until the end of apartheid in 1994 were black people able to vote for the first time. Today many people across the world are still denied the right to vote. Everything from roads and recycling in your area, to education and climate change—you may think you don’t want to vote now, but if an issue comes up that you want to have your say on, if you’re on the register you’ll have the chance to vote on it. Remember, registering to vote doesn’t mean you have to. It just means you can if you want to. To vote in UK elections you must be on the electoral register. Make sure you don’t lose your vote by ensuring you have registered. It only takes around five minutes and you have to register by 20 April. Ataka rally You’ll need your National Insurance number (if you have one). To register to vote, or change your address on the electoral register online please go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Ataka leader Volen Siderov Start now! Ivan Photo: 8 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 9 US Civil Rights Movement integrated schools On 1 December 1955, Rosa Parks, a black woman from Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. Her subsequent arrest was the spark that ignited the US Civil Rights movement Houston knew that it would take more on the Fourteenth Amendment of the in the US. 2015 marks the 60th than statistics to convince the nation that US Constitution. Here is an excerpt: anniversary of this inspirational segregation was wrong. His films showed Section. 1. All persons born or the poverty experienced by black naturalized in the United States and movement against racism and students and contrasted the unheated subject to the jurisdiction thereof shacks that black children were taught in are citizens of the United States and intolerance. Over the coming with the new brick schools white children of the State wherein they reside. No issues Unity Magazine is going were taught in. His films and statements State shall make or enforce any law played a central role in the NAACP’s legal which shall abridge the privileges or to look at some of the key campaigns. immunities of citizens of the United Houston teamed up with a lawyer States; nor shall any State deprive moments of that movement. named Thurgood Marshall; over the next any person of life, liberty, or property, We start with the campaign to five years they won a number of legal without due process of law; nor deny segregation cases. When Houston stood to any person within its jurisdiction the desegregate America’s education down as the head of the NAACP’s legal equal protection of the laws. system. team, Marshall took over its leadership. From 1946 to 1953, Thurgood and The US Supreme Court decided to the NAACP won some test cases and hear the case and a number of similar lost others. But it was the case of Linda cases. In the case of Brown v Board The great March on Washington LibraryPhoto: of Congress Brown that was going to bring the of Education of Topeka, it announced South’s racist segregated education its verdict on Monday 17 May 1954. policies crashing down. It found: “We conclude, unanimously, Seven-year-old Linda Brown lived that in the field of public education the in Topeka, Kansas. Her case rested on doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no Brown v Board of Education: the arguments that her education and place. Separate educational facilities are facilities were of a lower standard than inherently unequal.” white school students in her town and The Court stated that a quality therefore the Topeka school curriculum education was crucial for all children and God bless the child could not be equal under segregation. ruled that it was the state’s responsibility The central legal argument was based to ensure educational equality. The Court also noted that By Weyman Bennett institutionalised racism. The “separate was rare for a black person to reach segregation had a detrimental effect joint secretary, Unite Against Fascism but equal” doctrine was established such a prestigious position in the upon children of colour and that the by an 1896 case, Plessy v Ferguson, in 1930s. Working for the civil rights impact was more profound when it had magine living in a society that which the US Supreme Court ruled that organisation the National Association the sanction of the law. To reach this would not allow black children to separation of races was within the bounds for the Advancement of Colored People conclusion, the Court made the unusual Iattend the same schools as white of the Constitution so long as equal (NAACP) he toured the South in 1935 decision to rely on social science more children? Go back less than 60 years accommodation was made for black filming schools: the buildings, teachers than legal precedent. and you discover that this was the people. and students. He was recording the It was a historic verdict: segregation reality for all black children living in If all that wasn’t bad enough there disparity between black schools and in the Southern states of America was the Southern states of the US. were racist organisations such as the white schools. now illegal. Black and white school It wasn’t just education. In the Ku Klux Klan that lynched black people Charles Houston and other activists students would now share the same Southern states there was a series of laws and attacked their homes. It was like discovered that South Carolina spent schools, and share the same classrooms in existence known as “Jim Crow”, which apartheid South Africa. ten times as much on educating each and facilities on an equal footing with denied blacks the right to vote and to white child as on each black pupil. their white counterparts. equal treatment. These laws ensured black Prestigious Other Southern states did little better Despite the legal victory, it still people couldn’t use the same restaurants, Our story starts with one of the unsung —Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and took mass protests and campaigns to swimming pools, water fountains or train heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, Alabama devoted five times more desegregate many colleges and schools. carriages as white people. Charles Houston. Charles Houston was money to the education of each white It was going to take a further 15 years of The so-called “separate but equal” the vice dean of Howard University’s school student than that of each black heroic and bitter struggles to win black The NAACP legal team doctrine lay at the heart of this school of Law in Washington DC. It school student. LibraryPhoto: of Congress suffrage and to end segregation. n 10 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 11 Culture films Shoah (1985) This film has no rating but The Holocaust on screen is suitable for15 years and over his is one of the most to watch just sections of the film if The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime during powerful documentaries ever you want. Tmade. The film runs for nearly The director spent over 10 years World War Two. The Nazis also targeted other groups including Roma, disabled people, Poles, Russians, nine and a half hours, but don’t searching the globe for surviving let that put you off. It is possible camp inmates, SS commandants and socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses and LGBT people. These films help us reflect on this crime against humanity eyewitnesses of the Final Solution— the Nazis’ effort to systematically exterminate human beings. Without dramatic enactment or archival footage, but with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas extraordinary testimonies, Shoah renders the machinery of (2008) 12 years old and over extermination and the bureaucratic procedures that enabled the killing of millions. his is a very moving film. It young boy is wearing striped pyjamas. The most powerful sections are Schindler’s List offers a unique take upon the His name is Shmuel and before long the insights of the interviewees. THolocaust and is told through the two become friends. But the closer You will never forget the scenes (1993) 15 years the innocent eyes of a young these two boys grow, the more Bruno where they secretly film an ex-Nazi German child, Bruno. becomes awakened to the horrors guard who talks openly about the and over Bruno is son of a high-ranking unfolding all around them. extermination process. Nazi commandant who runs a The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a Through haunted landscapes his is Steven Spielberg’s concentration camp. The fact is Bruno very moving and enthralling film. The and human voice, the past comes masterpiece and ranks has been largely shielded from the film is fraught with emotion, as well as brilliantly alive. Tamong the greatest films harsh realities of the war. suspense and moralistic drama. While ever made about the Nazis’ One day Bruno ventures out from the narrative is devastating, there Holocaust. beyond his backyard and arrives at are also reminders of deep seated The film was adapted from a barbed wire fence. There he finds humanity. the best-selling book by Thomas a young boy just his age emptying This is a very good film for younger Escape from Sobibor Keneally and filmed in Poland rubble from a wheelbarrow. The children to study the Holocaust. with an emphasis on absolute (1987) 15 years and over authenticity. This is a film about heroism with his film was originally made Against all the odds they organise an unlikely hero at its centre— Night and Fog (1951) 15 years and over for TV, but its popularity an armed breakout.This is a heroic Catholic war profiteer Oskar Tmeant that it was transferred and gripping true story about the Schindler. to the big screen. largest ever planned escape from a He risked his life and went ean Renoir’s horrific and including torture, scientific and Sobibor was a Nazi death camp in Nazi death camp. bankrupt to save more than 1,000 harrowing documentary is by medical “experiments” and executions. Eastern Poland. Between the years Jews from certain death in the Jfar the most disturbing film The next part is in black and white 1942 and 1943, under the code concentration camps. related to the terror of Hitler’s and depicts the gas chambers and name Operation Reinhard, more By employing Jews in his concentration camps. piles of bodies. The final part of the film than 1.5 million Jews were gassed in crockery factory manufacturing It was made ten years after the portrays the discovery of the horror of the concentration camps of Belzec, goods for the German army, liberation of Nazi concentration camps the camps, and the questioning of who Sobibor and Treblinka. Schindler ensured their survival and features the abandoned grounds was responsible for them. This film shows everyday life for against terrifying odds. of Auschwitz and Majdanek. Night and Definitely not for the easily unsettled, the Jewish inmates in the Sobibor The film is shot in black Fog (Nuit et brouillard) was made in with shocking images of mass graves death camp. Most are immediately and white except in one scene collaboration with scriptwriter Jean and severely emaciated bodies, Night killed upon arrival but a few “lucky” where you see a young Jewish Cayrol, a survivor of the Mauthausen- and Fog does not gloss over the evil Jewish men and women are kept to girl running around the streets Gusen concentration camp. actions of the Nazis. However, there are work for the Nazis and maintain the wearing a red coat as the Nazis The documentary alternates also images of hope, as starving and camp. round up their victims to be between past and present and features malnourished Jews are found alive in When the inmates realise the Nazis transported to a death camp. both black and white and colour the camps and finally freed. are going to liquidate the camp, they Schindler was a flawed human, footage. The first part shows remnants This documentary just gives the bare work with a group of Russian POWs and Spielberg doesn’t flinch from of Auschwitz while the narrator Michel facts and allows the viewer to draw their to plan an escape.. showing Schindler warts and all. Bouquet describes the rise of Nazi own conclusions. It only lasts 32 minutes It soon becomes clear that for any The result is a film that combines ideology. He then addresses the sadism and therefore is a useful resource for attempt to work, all 600 prisoners will remarkable humanity with inflicted upon the doomed inmates, schools and colleges. have to escape at once. abhorrent inhumanity. 12 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 13 Migrants part of our lives Mr Gruber, the refugee were branded “inferior” or seen as enemies of the regime. Mr Gruber escaped on the Kindertransport, or Children’s Paddington’s friend, Mr Gruber, is also a migrant. Michael Bond, Transport—set up to help Jewish children come to Britain to get who wrote the Paddington books, says, “He’s important to away from the Nazis just before the start of World War II. But they Paddington because he is a refugee and has a real understanding had to come alone—most of their families were later murdered. of what it’s like to be thrust into an alien society. I based Mr Long before the film, Michael Bond said he originally made Gruber on my literary agent, Harvey Unna, who fled Germany Mr Gruber a Hungarian refugee—in 1958 when he began the Paddington Bear: the before the war.” books, there were many refugees from Hungary who came to In the film, we find out that Mr Gruber had to escape Britain when an uprising in the country was crushed by the Soviet from Nazi Germany because he was Jewish. Adolf Union’s army in 1956. Hitler’s Nazis were murderous racists—they killed 6 Many people still have to leave their own countries to escape migrant from Peru million Jewish people in what we call the Holocaust, war and persecution, often leaving their families behind. Mr along with Roma people, gay people, disabled Gruber helps Paddington feel at home by being his friend and people, socialists, trade unionists and others who sharing lots of buns and cocoa for elevenses. By Tash Shifrin, former editor, Unity magazine

addington Bear has been the star of more than 20 children’s books, a BBC animated TV series and now a smash-hit film. The bear everyone loves Calypso, carnival and culture Pmay be Britain’s best-known immigrant—he comes from Peru, in South America. Here we look at what Paddington’s story tells us about migration to In the 1950s, when the Paddington books were first written, Britain and find out some of the true stories behind his adventures. Britain’s public services were desperate for staff and Paddington arrives in Britain from Peru, all on his own, when his Aunt Lucy moves The luggage label recruited people from the Caribbean to meet the post-war to the home for retired bears in Lima, Peru’s capital city. labour shortage. People came The Brown family find the young bear looking lost at London’s Paddington station— When the Browns meet from Jamaica, Trinidad and other that’s where his nickname comes from. Now there is a statue of him at the station (see Paddington, they are surprised to Caribbean islands, with many picture, right). In A Bear Called Paddington, the first Paddington Bear book, he tells us he find he is wearing a label, as if he is settling in west London’s Notting does have a Peruvian name too—but sadly he doesn’t tell us what it is. a parcel. It says, “Please look after this Hill, very near Paddington station. The kindly Brown family take Paddington to their hearts. He is always polite and well meaning, bear. Thank you.” They faced a lot of racism—at even if he seems to get into quite a bit of trouble! Author Michael Bond remembered the time it was legal to bar black how, during World War II, children from people from jobs or refuse to rent big cities in Britain were sent to live in them homes. There were “race the countryside, without their parents, riots” against black people. poverty and starvation in Ireland, which was then to keep them safe from bombing raids— But the new immigrants A history of immigration part of the British Empire. Jewish people fleeing an internal migration within Britain. were determined to resist the When Paddington comes to Britain, he is following in persecution in Russia made up another group of They had labels with their names and racists and succeed in their new the footsteps of many migrants who came before him. immigrants at the end of the 19th century. details on. These children went to live lives. And they brought with For hundreds of years, immigrants from other parts of After the Second World War, people from the with families they didn’t know. It was a them exciting new music and the world have come to Britain and become part of Caribbean came to Britain, which desperately needed difficult wartime experience for many of culture—that’s how the famous our multicultural society. more workers to rebuild after the war and keep public the city children, although some made Notting Hill Carnival started. Major groups of immigrants to Britain over the services going. A large number of immigrants also came lifelong friends with their host families. Calypso music was another tradition the migrants years include many Irish people who came in the from India and Pakistan, which had also been part of Although most migrant children now brought with them—you can hear this in the soundtrack to the 19th century to escape the British Empire. come to Britain with their parents, some film. Listen out for the classic track “London is the Place for Me”, In recent years, a larger proportion of come alone when their parents have to by the famous Calypsonian Lord Kitchener (real name Aldwyn migrant workers have come from EU countries. send them away to safety from countries Roberts), who arrived on the Empire Windrush, the best known Membership of the EU gives citizens of each where they are in danger. In 2012, around of the ships that brought the new immigrants to Britain. country the right to live and work in other EU 2,150 children who arrived here without countries—this means people from Britain can go any adult relatives were living in care. and live in France, Spain, Germany or anywhere else in the EU too. There are many other people in the UK from Not a crime Making friends countries all over the world—just like Paddington. The Paddington stories show how About 13% of Britain’s population are migrants Migrants like Paddington come to people—and bears—with very different who were born abroad—but some were already Britain for all sorts of reasons—to backgrounds can get on together and British citizens. There are about 4.2 million foreign escape poverty and make a better life, to make friends. nationals living in Britain—and 5.5 million British get work or to find safe place to live. The Brown family have never met citizens living abroad. Migration works in both Sometimes migrants face racism anyone quite like Paddington before, directions! from people who attack them for being but they turn out to enjoy lots of the Many public services, especially the NHS, “different” or try to blame them for same things. And Paddington makes rely on migrant workers today. And lots society’s problems. But it is not migrants the family’s life more fun with his of people in Britain, who are not migrants who make cuts to public services, close adventures. Who wouldn’t want a themselves, are the children, grandchildren or down big companies to throw people friend like Paddington? descendants of migrants. out of work or put up fuel bills. It’s not a crime to be a migrant like Paddington. Pics, clockwise from bottom left: HarperCollins Children’s books, Studiocanal, [email protected], globalgroovers.com, noseinabook 14 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 15 Cover story George the Poet

people like Wretch who have made a name by being generally positive.” He attended Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, and studied politics, psychology and sociology at King’s College, Cambridge. It was there that he adapted his rap output into poetry. George says: “I think rappers are primarily expected to make money for the industry and provide party soundtracks, but obviously there are exceptions and grey areas. The poet’s ‘role’ is usually to provide thoughtful social commentary.” His socially conscious poetic verse George’s EP, The Chicken and the Egg has already attracted the attention of musicians, actors and politicians alike. In addition to breaking startling new ground on the poetry and spoken word The art of George the Poet circuit George is a Brits Critics’ Choice Award nominee and an adviser for the 1 In December 2014 George released the wonderful EP “The Chicken & The Egg” BBC diversity trust. 2 In February 2015 he released his first book of poetry, Introducing George The He is also making big waves on Poet: Search Party: A Collection of Poems the music scene. He has worked with 3 George came to national prominence when he performed YOLO on Later with Labrinth, Emeli Sande and Paolo Nutini Jools Holland. youtube.com/watch?v=yaO9j0PR8pg and has also collaborated with Idris Elba 4 Many regard George’s verse “My city” as a tour de force. It is a poem about the on his Mi Mandela album. If that wasn’t forgotten parts of London. youtube.com/watch?v=1zVhSKsMnok

vulive.co.uk Photo: enough he has also supported rap legends Nas and Common on tour. George is an artist who is not afraid to speak from the heart and is passionate about issues that concern him. A short history of spoken word poets Speaking out loud George has a brother, Kenny, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of George the Poet is a spoken word artist. Spoken word involves performance- seven. based poetry that focuses on the aesthetics of word play and storytelling. It Esteemed spoken word artist George the Poet is just 24 years old. He has already published often includes collaboration and experimentation with other art forms such as Change music, theatre and dance. his first book of poems and is about to release his debut album George believes, “People need to The origins of spoken word poetry can be found in the Harlem Renaissance change how they think about autism. movement of the 1920s—with poets such as Claude McKay, Langston Hughes and By Lee Billingham people see as a positive role model. He role. “I feel in the world of grime there Sometimes people think they might be Esther Popel. More importantly, its roots lie with the beatnik poets of the 1950s and Love Music Hate Racism was born to Ugandan parents on the St wasn’t much room for me to say the being clever when they laugh at people 1960s—Allen Ginsberg, Diane di Prima, William S Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. Raphael’s Estate in Harlesden, northwest things I wanted to say. There are a lot of with the condition, but knowing what The US Black Power movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s inspired a he first time I saw George the London, and began performing rap and egos and at the time a lot of negative I know, I can’t sit there and pretend it’s number of artists and groups to use spoken word poetry to convey their cultural Poet was when he performed grime when he was 15 years old. energy,” he has said. funny or it’s not ignorant.” and political messages—Gil Scott-Heron, the Last Poets and Watts Prophets. TYOLO (You Only Live Once) on But he wanted a slightly different “To an extent that’s changed with He explained what life was like In the late 1970s Los Angeles poet Wanda Coleman brought modern spoken- Later with Jools Holland last year. growing up for him and his brother word poetry into written form with the release of her poetry collection Mad Accompanied by just a piano, his Kenny in a recent BBC Radio 1 Dog, Black Lady in 1979. vocal performance and his lyrics stole documentary. The work of these artists has been a major influence on hip hop and rap. the show. ‘It’s not like the struggle against racism is “For many people with autism, During the 1980s and 1990s rap and “slam poetry” had a massive impact on Since that memorable performance, it’s almost impossible to interpret or spoken word poetry and were in turn influenced by it. Biggie Smalls, Mos Def George Mpanga or, as he is better over. Of course we are progressing as society. understand these kind of things,” says and Talib Kweli all performed at spoken word events. Today spoken word poetry known, George the Poet, has risen to George. “The rest of my brothers and has deep roots in the rap scene in the US but has increasingly become popular greater and greater artistic heights. But there is much more that needs changing’ I had to realise that the way we tease in feminist and LGBT clubs. George is someone many young each other might not be fair for Kenny.” 16 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 17 Cover story George the Poet Competition Kenny, who’s now 15, says he struggled at school. “I think when they heard the word autism they thought Win disabled instantly,” he says. “I used to hear, ‘Oh yeah, you stupid autistic guy. When I was younger I wasn’t very confident. Hearing all those comments just used to make me burst into tears and just not want to talk to anyone.” George the Poet’s George also supported last year’s UN Anti-Racism Day demo. The day of protest and culture was set against the backdrop of the rise in Britain and Europe of a number of neo-Nazi, extreme right wing and racist parties. new book or CD Organisers of the demonstration in London used the day to call on voters to Would you like to win a copy of George’s new book celebrate the diversity of Britain and oppose parties Introducing George the Poet – Search Party: A collection of that pose a threat to Britain’s successful multiculturalism. Poems or a copy of his CD The Chicken and the Egg? The thousands who marched heard It’s simple, just answer the question below and send your speeches from leading political figurers, answer with your name and postal address while Jerry Dammers of the Specials, grime to [email protected]. artist Ghetts and George the Poet all What was the title of performed at Trafalgar Square. the poem George Afterwards George explained why he was backing the performed on Later demonstration: “It’s not like the struggle against racism is over. Of with Jools Holland? course we are progressing as a society and generally society is getting more The names of those decent, less obviously violent and less obviously racist. But at the end of the who enter the day there is much more that needs changing. competition will be “We need more events like this that highlight inequalities and the drawn out of a hat problems we still face.” and the winners Where next for George? “If I can be seen prominently,” he says, “if I will receive their can embody a viable alternative, the idea that it might be OK prize by post. to stay in school, to aspire to university, then people will hear

what I’m saying.” n cre8ingvision Photo: 18 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 19 Teachers updated educational materials

1 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QE 020 7637 1848 l www.bookmarksbookshop.co.uk

Black and White on the Buses Walter Tull’s Scrapbook The 1963 colour bar dispute in Bristol Michaela Morgan, £6.99 (Age 7+) Madge Dresser £3 Born in Kent in 1888, Walter Tull became While civil rights marches took place in the first black British professional football the US, black workers in Britain were player and the first black officer in the fighting their own campaign for equal British Army. The Tottenham Hotspur rights to employment on Bristol’s buses. and Northampton Town player was This pamphlet, based on interviews with recommended for a Military Cross the participants, shows how the racist but never got one because of his skin “colour bar” was beaten. colour. He died, aged 29, in battle. Victims of Nazi

The Ghetto Fights The Three Degrees Marek Edelman £7.99 Paul Rees, £20 hardback persecution A remarkable story of Jewish resistance In 1978 West Bromwich Albion became one to the Nazis. Marek Edelman, one of of the first British football teams to field n 27 January every year Educational Trust have worked together coincide with this year’s anniversary of the the leaders of the Jewish fighting three black players: Cyrille Regis, Laurie Holocaust Memorial Day is to reproduce the free teaching resource end of the Holocaust and the liberation organisation, describes the heroic Cunningham and Brendon Batson. And Omarked in homes, schools Mosaic: Victims of Nazi Persecution. This of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The teaching pack uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. He they did so at a time when the fascist and communities both nationally teaching pack also represents the latest includes a powerful collection of materials, describes how the ghetto fighters took National Front was at its most virulent, and internationally. This year we in a longstanding working partnership focusing on the persecution by the Nazis on Hitler’s army with a few smuggled staging marches around the country. A marked 70 years since the end of between us: two organisations which of different groups of people. Who was arms. An inspiring story of resistance. story about sport and social change. the Holocaust and the liberation of are committed to promoting an persecuted, How and Why? Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi understanding of the history of the death camp. Holocaust, its lessons and its relevance Targeted On Holocaust Memorial Day we in society today. Some victim groups were targeted remember the millions of people killed The teaching resource focuses on because of their ethnicity and some for in the Holocaust and in subsequent minority groups targeted by the Nazis other so-called “crimes” against the Third genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia during the Holocaust and is designed for Reich. The Nazis also targeted political and Darfur. use with students aged 13 and above. opponents—primarily communists, We honour the survivors of these It should be used as part of a teacher’s trade unionists and social democrats— Black British Rebels regimes of hatred and challenge scheme of work and students will find it and people whose religious beliefs ourselves to use the lessons of their thought provoking. conflicted with Nazi ideology, such as Figures from working class history experience to serve as a reminder of Teaching about the Holocaust and Jehovah’s Witnesses. both the resilience of the human spirit Nazi persecution can be one of the This resource pack is intended to By Hassan Mahamdallie and the dangers of allowing hatred and biggest challenges that many teachers help address some of the most common intolerance to engulf society. face. It is a subject that is both detail- misconceptions about Nazi ideology The National Union of Teachers rich and pedagogically sensitive. This which arise in the classroom. The This pamphlet shines a light on key figures in in partnership with the Holocaust valuable resource has been updated to resources available include posters; British history who fought racism as they led case studies; and leaflets outlining the history of events affecting these groups great working class struggles. between 1933 and 1945. Guidance Lancashire resources available to share notes for teachers are also included. From Olaudah Equiano’s campaign against Mosaic: Victims of Nazi Persecution ancashire NUT, through Lancaster & Morecambe Trades’ Council, is copies can be ordered by emailing slavery to Jayaben Desai’s leadership of the proud to be working with the local Holocaust Memorial Day steering [email protected]. Copies can also be Grunwick strike, it covers more than 200 years Lgroup and gladly hosts teaching resources on the Holocaust that we downloaded from www.teachers.org. would like to make available to all secondary schools in Lancashire—and uk/teachingresources/holocaust. of history in multicultural Britain. beyond. Education can and does change The video commissioned by National Coalition Building Institute Lancashire attitudes. For further educational was produced by film makers Alison Cahn and Frances Bowen, with notes by resources and Continuing Professional Order it now Andy East. They worked with Stephen Breuer, who, having lived through the Development opportunities, please Bookmarks, 1 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QE Holocaust, has willingly over many years visited schools in the Lancaster area, visit the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Phone Bookmarks bookshop on 020 7637 1848 £3 where he lives, to describe some of his experiences and, perhaps, teach a few website at www.het.org.uk. lessons to young people. To find out more and to download the teaching notes Please let the NUT know what you Find us online at www.bookmarksbookshop.co.uk “Living Through the Holocaust” go to www.lancashirenut.org.uk/2014/12/living- have done in your school for Holocaust through-the-holocaust/. Memorial Day—use #HMD2015 and tweet us @NUTonline. n 20 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 21 Greece elections

Understanding the Holocaust Radical left coalition Syriza came second in the 2012 elections, but took first place in January 2015 Visit Krakow and Auschwitz Educational trip organised by Unite Against Fascism UAF is repeating its successful educational trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp and the city of Krakow in Poland in November 2015. The trip aims to offer a greater understanding of the Holocaust. Students and teachers are particularly welcome. The £270 cost includes flights, budget hotel and the coach trip to Auschwitz. There will be guided tours and talks about the Holocaust, Jewish resistance and fighting fascism today. For more information, please phone the UAF office on 0208 971 7426 or email [email protected] Adolfo Lujan / DISO Press Lujan Adolfo Photo: Belarusian State Archive of Documentary US Holocaust and Photography Archive Picture: Memorial Museum , courtesy Film of Belarusian State Become a UAF solidarity member All change, but fascist vote holds Help support Unite Against Fascism’s work with a regular donation of a few pounds a month and become a UAF n 25 January 2015 the people Education spending has been reduced by comes after its nature has been clearly solidarity member. The regular income from our solidarity members is vital to sustain our campaign against racism of Greece went to the polls. The 45%. More than 1,000 schools have been exposed with its leaders in jail, facing and fascism. Send the completed form to: UAF, PO Box 72710, London, SW19 9GX Oresults of the parliamentary closed since 2011. serious criminal charges following the elections have electrified the country The polarisation of Greek society has murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Your name ...... and its ramifications are being felt seen the fortunes of the fascist Golden Fyssas in 2013. Your address ...... Phone ...... across Europe. Dawn rise. It won over 6.2% of the vote But right now many people in Greece For the first time since the Second and now has 17 parliamentary MPs. This is feel very positive. Teachers’ union leader Email ...... Occupation ...... Union ...... World War a radical party of the left, only narrowly down on its 6.9% in 2012. Themis Kotsifakis said: “It is no wonder Syriza, has won. It has now formed a Golden Dawn is a hardcore Nazi that the actions of the Syriza government Standing order mandate government with ANEL, the equivalent party, it is unafraid to use swastika style have generated an enormous groundswell of UKIP in Britain. imagery and has a street-fighting wing of popular support in Greece. There is This will enable us to set up a standing order with your bank. It can be cancelled at any time simply by informing your bank. In second place came New alongside its electoral operation, in a palpable sense of relief and national Democracy (the Greek equivalent of classical fascist tradition. pride among ordinary Greeks, a sense of I wish to pay Unite Against Fascism by standing order [please tick amount] per month the Conservative Party) and in third And while the party was little known recapturing some dignity after years of £5 Solidarity £10 Solidarity plus £15 Solidarity super £20 “They shall not pass” solidarity place came the fascist Golden Dawn. in 2012, Golden Dawn’s vote this time being treated appallingly.” n Monthly payments. First payment to be made on _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ [please fill in date] As the BBC stated: “Politics in Greece is polarising to both the left and the right.” Party Votes Percentage Seats The reason for this political Bank name ...... Syriza 2,246,064 36.34 149 Bank address ...... earthquake is the austerity measures the New Democracy 1,718,815 27.81 76 Account holder’s name ...... people of Greece have suffered since 2010. Greece’s GDP has fallen by 25%. Golden Dawn 388,447 6.28 17 Account number...... Sort code...... /...... /...... This brings with it real human misery. The River (To Potami) 373,916 6.05 17 Please pay HSBC Bank plc, King’s Cross, 31 Euston Road, London NW1 2ST, account name Unite Against Fascism, Over 25% of the country is unemployed. sort code: 40-04-07; account number: 51336460, for the credit of Unite Against Fascism, the sum of the value indicated above For those under 25 the level is 61%. Communist Party 338,138 5.47 15 The average worker’s wage has fallen Independent Greeks (Anel) 293,406 4.75 13 Signed...... Date...... by a quarter since 2010. This has also led to massive cuts in public services. Pasok 289,482 4.68 13 22 Unity spring 2015 spring 2015 Unity 23

UAF Conference report Joint secretaries

Weyman Bennett Sabby Dhalu Assistant secretaries Jude Woodward and Brian Richardson National officers

Chair Honorary president Steve Hart Ken Livingstone

The packed conference hall Diane Abbott MP speaks out Aimee Valinski Aimee Photos:

Vice chair Vice chair Dangerous times Christine Blower Azad Ali

By Jo Cardwell, We Are Waltham Forest dangers that lie ahead for anti-fascists came second, winning 14.6% of the Also we heard from a group of refugees scapegoat migrants and the poor in times and anti-racists. vote. This picture is repeated in many from Glasgow who stopped their mates of economic hardship. She said some round 500 activists attended In France the fascist Front National countries. being deported from school. They were politicians were encouraging this and Unite Against Fascism’s 2015 came first in teh European elections, The first set of workshops at the part of a UAF organised delegation that warned that we were going to see a dirty Aannual conference in central polling almost 25% of the vote. It now conference included one on “How to visited Auschwitz last year. general election campaign with the risk of Vice chair Vice chair London in February. has 24 MEPs. mobilise against far right and fascist They spoke about how important it racism being at the forefront. Hugh Lanning Jennifer Moses The conference was entitled “Unite street movements”. was to bear witness to history and to When the conference was over Jeremy against racism, Islamophobia, anti- Poll There were speakers from Greece, remember the slogan “Never Again”. Corbyn MP spoke to the press, saying, Semitism and fascism”. But it’s not just France where we Germany and the UK. We heard horrific The hall was packed when everyone “This was an excellent conference, serious, It took place at a time when the are witnessing the rise of fascism. In stories of how the anti-Muslim Pegida came together for the opening plenary the kind of event which empowers people political landscape across Europe is Denmark the racist Danish People’s Party movement in Germany and the fascist on uniting against Islamophobia, anti- to do more.” shifting fast. The European elections topped the poll with 26.6% of the vote Golden Dawn in Greece are using their Semitism and fascism in Europe. And that is exactly what happened. in 2014 were a warning of the possible and in Hungary the openly fascist Jobbik marches and rallies to try and intimidate Inspired by the debates and speeches Muslims and immigrants. Union conference delegates took away over Activists in the UK shared their Billy Hayes, the general secretary of 70,000 leaflets publicising the Stand Up Treasurer Parliamentary officer Guest speaker: new rights for children experiences of pushing back the English the Communication Workers Union, to Racism demonstration on 21 March, Jane Loftus Peter Hain MP Defence League. reminded us why trade unionists and along with 20,000 leaflets against the It is 70 years since the liberation of workers have an interest in standing British National Party for use in anti-fascist of immigrants in Greece the Auschwitz concentration and death against racism as at times of economic election campaigning. It was a joy to hear from Nasos Iliopoulos, a leading figure in the radical Syriza camp. The meeting on the Holocaust crisis. “Divide and rule is the oldest trick The conference ended with a final party from Greece, which has just won the elections there. was incredibly moving. in the book.” He said the scapegoating plenary session. An amazing line-up He told the conference that one of the first pieces of legislation the new It was introduced by Colette Levy, a of Muslims now is like that of the Jews in of speakers brought together all the government passed was to grant the children of immigrants the right to live in hidden child refugee from Vichy France. the 1930s. different strands of the day’s debates. Greece as citizens with the same rights as everyone else. It’s not often you hear She reminded the conference that One of the most powerful speeches But most importantly, speaker after European officer European officer politicians challenging austerity and bankers and supporting refugees. we must never be complacent about in the final plenary was made by Diane speaker urged everyone to join the Claude Moraes MEP Glyn Ford fighting fascism and racism. Abbott MP. She outlined the tendency to Stand Up to Racism demo. n Official LMHR merchl tees l range of colours l order now [email protected]