BLACK HISTORY MATTERS

Volume 1 MADE IN MANCHESTER BLACK CONTENTS HISTORY MATTERS MADE IN MANCHESTER 6 LEN JOHNSON 10 ADERONKE APATA As home of the industrial revolution, Manchester and the whole north-west of England have played a part in shaping 12 MANJEET KAUR events on the world stage. This book is dedicated to shining a light on some of 14 the people who have done extraordinary LEMN SISSAY things, and shaped events, both in the north-west and further afield, those who 17 OLIVE MORRIS have helped to build communities, or understanding, or ideas that have 20 impacted the lives of ordinary people. CHRIS OFILI ‘Made in Manchester’ takes a brief look at the lives and contributions of just 23 GUS JOHN some of the notable Black people who have come from Manchester or made n Published by: 26 the north-west their home, MANCHESTER STAND UP TO RACISM RAMILA PATEL remembering that these are just a October 2020 n Cover concept and illustration: 30 handful from amongst the multitude of Ruby Sherwood-Martin DR ERINMA BELL Black folks that have helped to build the n Design and production: region over the years. Andy Smith & Denise Bell 32 The book is dedicated to the memory n Printed by: Rapspiderweb, Oldham ANWAR DITTA of Olaudah Equiano, who is known as n Thanks to Raf Mulla and Mark Krantz for the ‘Father of Black Literature’ in the UK, help with the editing of this book 34 n CLR JAMES and who inspired so many that followed Manchester mural of George Floyd by Akse him in the centuries afterwards. n To buy more copies of this book please 36 WILLIAM ANDREW BELL We hope that you enjoy this snapshot email: [email protected] and welcome contributions and ideas as n Follow us on Twitter: @Manchester_SUTR to who to include in the next volume. n Facebook: @ManchesterStandUp 38 OLAUDAH EQUIANO 2 3 CONTRIBUTORS INTRODUCTION n Len Johnson n Ramila Patel Hello ! My name is Tamera. to make a difference here in my DEEJ MALIK-JOHNSON is a GEOFF BROWN is writing a I’m 15 years old and live in own country, but also in my own co-founder of Black Lives history ‘from below’ of the fight Manchester. city. I wanted to learn about and Matter Manchester, the Len against racism and fascism in I became more active as an be inspired by the people who Johnson Memorial Campaign the 1970s anti-racist after the death of fought and challenged racism in and ROSA Consultancy George Floyd. Along with most the streets and places I know. n Dr Erinma Bell people it made me feel sick and I was asked to write this n Aderonke Apata LAMIN TOURAY led a campaign angry. But I did not want to just be foreword, so I got to read all the JON-CONNOR LYONS is a that forced his Drama College angry, I wanted to take action so I chapters before anyone else. I Manchester Labour Councillor to acknowledge they were took part in protests and helped had never heard of most of these racist lead some, but I also wanted to people. There are people here I n Manjeet Kaur n learn. I wanted to learn about can relate to. I went through NAHELLA ASHRAF is co-chair Anwar Ditta fighting racism and about the care system like of Manchester Stand Up To VIJAY JAGADESHAM is a Black history. Lemn Sissay. My mum Racism human rights barrister who During an online IMAGE was a kid in apartheid represents asylum-seekers meeting with other South Africa, so n Lemn Sissay students, teachers, NEEDED Ramila Patel’s fight MOLLY BURBRIDGE started the n CLR James and activists we talked HERE clicked, and my mum online learning platform RAF MULLA is a long standing about how Black was also cruelly treated Alternative Curriculum campaigner for racial and history was taught in as an asylum seeker like JEANNIE BOYLE helped launch social justice schools. During Black Manjeet Kaur. Seeing parts of MUFC fans against racism History Month in my school, we my life in other people is n William Andrew Bell covered the same people and inspiring. n Olive Morris MARK KRANTZ is a long topics: Rosa Parks, Martin I hope you enjoy this first RAF MULLA is a long standing standing anti racist Luther King and slavery. Rosa volume of Black History Matters: campaigner for racial and campaigner Parks, Martin Luther King and Made in Manchester. If you are a social justice slavery again and again! We teacher, I hope it will give you n Olaudah Equiano watched the same films, looked ideas and confidence to explore n Chris Ofili LUCY MAIR is a human rights at the same websites and read Black History in your schools. Or EMMA MARTIN is an artist, barrister who represents the same books over and over. It if you are a student like me, I hope living and working in asylum-seekers and victims of made it seem that there were no it will help you see yourselves in Manchester. modern day slavery Black British heroes and that the the people who have made a fight against racism was just in difference and inspire you to n Gus John America. I felt let down by the make change happen. AMEEN HADI is the Chair of lack of representation. That is This pamphlet is a starting North West Unison Black when we discussed the idea of point, perhaps you want to Members Committee making this pamphlet. suggest people to include in As a young black person, I volume 2 or write a chapter for us wanted to know about people yourself? who had contributed and fought Tam, October 2020

4 5 First World War the Johnsons returned to Manchester and Len found work as an apprentice at a factory. It was after a fight with another apprentice that Billy decided to take Len and his Pictures: Manchester Libraries Pictures: Manchester brother to a nearby boxing gym to train and ultimately this was the start of Len’s boxing career. Between 1921 and 1933 Len fought 127 times winning 92, losing 29 and drawing six, LEN JOHNSON defeating some of the most world-renowned Middle and Cruiser weights. Len was due his shot at the British championship, but racist Incredible Mancunian campaigners and the home secretary Winston Churchill activist and organiser along with others, pressured the British Boxing Board of Control to introduce Rule 24. This IMAGE forbade non-white contestants Len Johnson was born in wartime hero, trade unionist in title fights. This meant that as Clayton, Manchester on 22nd and writer. NEEDED a Black British boxer, Len was October 1902, the first son of During his childhood the not allowed to compete for titles. Sierra Leonean William Johnsons were part of a small Despite protests, the ban Johnson (Billy) and Irish Black community in HERE continued until 1947 and Len Mancunian Margaret Johnson Manchester. Prejudice and retired to train other local young (née Maher). racism were rife and Len’s boxers. Although Len gained fame as mother was physically attacked During the Second World War a boxer, he was much more than and targeted by other white he served as a rescue foreman that. Even though he was denied women. Struggling to find stable putting out fires in Gorton and the opportunity to be a champion work in Manchester, the family Moss Side and saving lives of in the ring he was most definitely would travel with Billy around those bombed out by the Nazi considered a champion of the the country where he would blitz. people. Amongst his titles, he earn money as a boxer. Inspired by the fight against was a campaigner, organiser, Following the outbreak of the fascism, Len got involved in left >>>

6 7 >>> wing politics, he joined the Communist Party and became a IMAGE Breaking the leading member. NEEDED Len Johnson was invited to join the 5th Pan African HERE colour bar at the Conference (PAC) held in Manchester in 1945. Here, Black leaders from Old Abbey pub around the world discussed their plans for anti-racism and in Hulme independence, these attendees went on to be key figures in the first free governments of Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Kenya. Len went on to co-found the New International Club in 1946. This served Manchester’s growing Black population and was a welcoming space for its black and white workers. Members successfully campaigned around many causes, including desegregating lines at Labour Exchanges and overturning the laying off of Black sailors. In his later years Len continued to train young boxers and he campaigned for discovered Len it was a On Monday 28th September Party, Wilf was secretary of the improved safety standards in revelation. Here was this 1953 Len Johnson and Wilf Moss Side branch. With over boxing and the need for more incredible Mancunian activist Charles, a scaffolder, walked into 30,000 members nationally it sports facilities for working and organiser who did so much the Old Abbey pub in Hulme. was the most active force on the class children. Len passed away for the community and laid the Len, a lifelong teetotaller, left at the time. They wrote up in 1974 whilst living in Oldham, foundations for so many of us to asked to be served and was the story for the party’s paper, aged 71. build on. refused. Johnson and Charles the Daily Worker, and went to After being involved in On a personal note the fact protested strongly without the town hall to get support organising Black Lives Matter that he was a mixed race man is success and left the pub. from the lord mayor, city demonstrations and activities I a reminder that people like me Manchester was no different councillors and as many others became very interested in what have been around for a long from the rest of Britain. Colour as possible. came before us. From my mum time and that Black liberation bars were the norm in pubs, Three days later they returned and dad I would hear about and working class solidarity restaurants and dancehalls. with a large number of fighting the National Front in the have always gone hand in hand. Len and Wilf were both active supporters and a letter of protest. 1970s and 80s but when I Deej Malik-Johnson members of the Communist The landlord now served Len.

8 9 ADERONKE APATA

When one of her fellow Champion of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers inmates was facing removal, being dragged through the Aderonke Apata, a Nigerian acceptable relationship. She corridors by the guards, asylum seeker, has faced not could not hide who she was and Aderonke led a peaceful just systematic persecution for eventually was caught with her demonstration to stop the the colour of her skin, but has girlfriend. This led to Aderonke removal. This inspired many fled near-death because of being arrested, molested and inmates to stand up against the those she loves. persecuted by local police. She dehumanising nature of the She is an LGBTQ+ asylum was tried in court with the detention centre. It led to her campaigner who herself has accusations of witchcraft and imprisonment. During her time been driven out of her own home adultery. in prison, she recalled how some in Nigeria due to her sexuality, Her partner of 20 years was prison guards would sexually also losing her partner of 20 stoned to death. In order to assault and abuse women years at the hands of vigilante survive, Aderonke had to flee the because they knew they could groups supported by the country with the aim of seeking get away with it. Nigerian Government. asylum in Canada. She managed After a13-year battle over her Born in Nigeria in 1967, to get a flight to the UK. right to remain in the UK the Aderonke knew she was different When arriving in the UK in Home Office granted Aderonke from the age of 10 but this was 2004, Border Force did not refugee status. something she could never believe she was a lesbian and Aderonke is now a champion express and be open about. The refused to allow her through. of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and culture of homophobia, Aderonke was forced to submit their rights. The burden of proof established by western groups in video evidence of herself which is on asylum seekers and she Africa through colonisation, was proved she was a lesbian. In her says that there are changes that explicit and meant those who hour of need, she was let down need to be implemented in the found to be LGBTQ+, would be by a country that supposedly UK to ensure that what accused of being possessed by champions LGBTQ+ rights, happened to her never happens demons and evil spirits. This was dehumanising a desperate to anyone else. systematically embedded into refugee with no consideration or Aderonke founded the African the culture, with the empathy. Rainbow Family which seeks to consequences being extreme With her refugee claim being repeal the medieval anti- social exclusion as well as rejected, she was detained in LGBTQ+ legislation in countries almost certain death. Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre. across the African continent as In order to conceal her true Aderonke has said “I’m well as supporting those self, Aderonke did what many looking at you [the UK] as refugees who have to flee out of would do in her situation and someone who can save me, but fear of losing their own life.

force themselves into a socially what do you do? Lock me up”. Family Photo: African Rainbow Jon-Connor Lyons

10 11 Always there, leading from the front Home Secretary Theresa May She understood the announced her ‘hostile importance of solidarity action. environment’ policy, Manjeet As someone who used a publicly spoke out on ITN news. wheelchair and suffered from All asylum seekers are pain this was not easy but she expected to sign on at a Home was always there, leading from Office Reporting Centre each the front. As someone who had week. No one is allowed to to fight her entire life I don’t think accompany the asylum seekers she ever really understood just inside and once inside you never what an inspiration she was to know if you will return home or those around her. She would be sent to a Detention Centre. often wonder why she was That was hard enough but for asked to speak at so many MANJEET Manjeet, as a wheelchair user, it events. Like so many working was even harder because the class people that end up leading journey involved four buses. She movements for change, Manjeet KAUR led and won the campaign to just did what needed to be done allow her to ‘sign on’ by phone. to survive. Manjeet Kaur was born in and threats of rape and death, by Like so much of what Manjeet Nahella Ashraf Afghanistan in January 1979. men looking for her husband. In did, this set a precedent for other She contracted polio as a March 2011 Manjeet came to disabled asylum seekers. She child which meant that she had London where she had family always stood in solidarity with to use a wheelchair for most of and claimed asylum. others and frequently spoke out her life. Manjeet’s family were Like so many others, the not just about racism towards Sikhs, and were one of the many authorities housed her in asylum seekers but the wider groups persecuted by the Manchester, miles from any systematic racism in society that Taliban. In the early 2000s the family and friends without any impacted black people. family fled to India for their own consideration of what she had Many times she would travel safety and is where she met and already been through and the across the country to married Amitt Bhatt, a support she would need. demonstrate against far right campaigning journalist and Two months after coming to groups such as the English Panun Kashmir activist. the UK Manjeet contacted Defence League. These trips As a freelance journalist, he RAPAR, the Manchester-based were not easy for her but she wrote articles for a Delhi human rights organisation. She understood the importance of newspaper which were very became an active member of standing up against them. But critical of the Indian RAPAR and the disability rights Manjeet also blamed the system government’s policies in community, running a high- that created a world that allowed Kashmir. In February 2011 her profile campaign to support her racism to grow and fester in husband disappeared after his case for remaining in the UK. She every corner of our lives and colleague was murdered. was Chair of RAPAR from 2014- would speak about this on many Manjeet was physically attacked 2019. In 2013, when the then public platforms.

12 13 LEMN SISSAY ‘I am not defined by my scars but by the incredible ability to heal’ Lemn Sissay was born in His mother had been Lancashire in 1967. He was pleading for his safe return to born in St Margaret’s Mother her since his birth. Thirty years and Baby home to his Ethiopian later Sissay made a mother and she placed him in compensation claim against short-term foster care, while Wigan Social Services, and in a she completed her studies. last-minute attempt to avoid an His mother refused to sign the expensive court case, the adoption papers, and a social council and its insurer finally worker assigned the baby agreed to award Sissay a six- Lemn to long-term foster figure sum, along with a formal parents and changed his first apology. Recompense for name to Norman. stealing his name, his identity At the age of 17, after a and his family. childhood in a foster family Sissay’s journey to becoming named Greenwood, as the only a successful writer began black child in a small village, when, aged seventeen, he used followed by six years in care his unemployment benefit to homes, Norman Greenwood self-publish his first poetry was given his birth certificate. pamphlet Perceptions of the He learned that his real name Pen which he sold to striking was Lemn Sissay. He was British miners and millworkers in

Photo: Emma Martin and Ethiopian. Wigan. >>>

14 15 In her short 27 years, Olive harassment and feminism. Morris was a huge inspiration This led to her become an >>> When he turned 18 and was family. He speaks and writes and a relentless community accomplished squatter, no longer confined by the care frequently on the injustices organiser. Wherever Olive went someone who moves into empty system, he moved to present within the care system. she helped to set up support disused properties and converts Manchester. Although he now Around the country many organisations for those who them into useable homes. In the lives in London he spent many Lemn Sissay Christmas Dinners needed them most. early 1970s, there were many years in Manchester and speaks are organised by groups of Although most of her work empty properties in London of the city as home. ‘I came to volunteers, in the belief that no took place in London, where she while people struggled to find Manchester and I met people, I care leaver should spend moved to at the age 10, Olive had places to live. Olive linked the met Black people I had never Christmas Day alone. strong ties to Manchester and is wastefulness of the empty met before and Irish people and Sissay was elected as remembered for her work with properties to the homeless and Jewish people and the world just Chancellor of the University of Manchester Black Women’s campaigned for squatters’ opened up’. Manchester in 2015. At the Cooperative and community rights. He became a community installation ceremony held on campaigns. She was also heavily involved activist and, at only 19, he was Foundation Day in 2015 Sissay She was born in Jamaica in in work on police harassment of the literature development said: ‘Reach for the top of the 1952, but moved to England, the black community and worker with Cultureworld, the tree and you may get to the first when she was nine years old famously, aged 17, intervened to black publishing co-operative in branch but reach for the stars and lived in south London. help a Nigerian diplomat’s family Manchester. Today Lemn Sissay and you’ll get to the top of the Active in politics from a very after he had been held by police is a BAFTA-nominated award tree. My primary aim is to early age, Olive worked on under suspicion of stealing his winning international writer and inspire and be inspired.’ issues around housing, police own car! Olive ended up >>> broadcaster. He has authored Two years into this role he collections of poetry and plays. launched a bursary to support His landmark poems are visible and encourage more Black on the streets of London, students to take up careers in OLIVE Manchester, Huddersfield and law and criminal justice. Addis Ababa. In 2018 Sissay produced Sissay was awarded an MBE Superkids: Breaking Away from MORRIS for services to literature, was Care for Channel 4. awarded the PEN Pinter Prize in In the programme he meets 2019 and joined the Booker Prize seven young people who are in judging panel in 2020. the care of the local council and Sissay’s work is sets out to mentor and help Pioneering characterised by its portrayal of them express their experiences politics, the stark reality of through words, with a final community growing up in care and performance to a packed explorations of the emotional audience of decision makers. reality of human existence and Molly Burbridge & Jeannie Boyle organiser 16 17 >>> arrested and beaten by the sciences and helped to found police and threatened with the Manchester Black Women’s rape. This only made her even collective, which later became more determined to challenge Abasindi, and also Black not only the racist behaviour of Women’s Mutual Aid, which the police but the whole system focused on issues around that supported and promoted education. It helped to organise such racism. a supplementary school in Olive was an early member Manchester, with the aim of of the UK Black Panther Party, providing an alternative (inspired by but not part of the education to counter the racist American Black Panther Party) treatment of so many Black and most famously a founding children in the school system. member of the Organisation of Although Morris was only in Women of African and Asian Manchester for a short time, her Descent (OWAAD), the first impact was profound and the black women’s group in Britain. idea of community self-reliance, She played a pivotal role in the that she worked so hard to first Organisation of Women of support, took root in many African and Asian Descent organisations across the region. (OWAAD) conference, an event Olive returned to London in which changed the way that 1978, but soon afterwards was Black women in the UK would diagnosed with cancer and organise and co-operate. tragically died from its effects in In 1975 Olive moved to 1979. Manchester, to study social Raf Mulla The idea of community self-reliance, that she worked so hard to support, took root in many organisations across the region.

Olive Morris. Image reproduced by kind permission of London Borough of Lambeth, Archives Department.

18 19 Illustration: Ruby Sherwood-Martin

CHRIS OFILI Mancunian artist and winner of the Turner Prize Chris Ofili was born in the fear, anger, pain and Manchester in 1968. injustice of everyday racism and He was the second child and the threat of attack. It was this had one sister and two brothers. anger, pain and injustice that His parents were both Chris Ofili captured in one of his Nigerians, who had emigrated most famous artworks ‘No to the UK a few years before Woman No Cry’ for which, he Chris was born. They worked in became the first Mancunian and the McVities factory on the the first Black person to win the outskirts of Levenshulme. prestigious Turner Prize. When Chris was 11-years- Originally Chris intended to old, his father left the family and become a carpenter, but while returned to Nigeria. His mum studying on an art foundation had to work incredibly hard to course in Tameside College, he support Chris and his siblings. had an inspirational teacher and When Chris was 13 the Moss fell in love with painting. Side uprisings exploded. They Fortunately there was still were triggered by police funding available for working violence, racism and mass class people to study the arts. unemployment. This meant Chris was able Chris grew up in Manchester attend the Chelsea College of during this time of racism and Arts. After his degree he gained polarisation. He must have felt his Masters in ‘Fine Arts’ from >>>

20 21 An inspiration for my students

‘Ghost Town’, by This town is coming like a ghost town >>> the Royal College of Art. Past through customs!) He used this The Specials, students included well-known in his work. Sometimes it was released June 1981. Why must the youth fight against themselves? artists such as David Hockney, incorporated into the paint, Government leaving the youth on the shelf Barbara Hepworth and Bridget added as detail, or used as feet This place is coming like a ghost town Riley. for his paintings, which sat on While at the Royal College of the ground. It seemed to ground No job to be found in this country Art, Chris was granted a his work to his African roots in Can’t go on no more scholarship to study art in an unapologetic way. Berlin. This was a real Chris used both the markings The people getting angry inspiration for the young artist. from cave paintings and the The Berlin nightlife was dung in ‘No Woman, No Cry’. It fantastic, and with open access was a painting he created in to studios night and day the response to the racist murder of vibrant music, particularly Hip- 19-year-old Stephen Lawrence, Hop, began to find a home in his the failure of the institutionally work. Chris said of this time racist police to prosecute the “Music was the battery, fully killers and the dignity and pain charged. I wanted to paint things of Stephen’s mum, Doreen that would feel like that music.” Lawrence. It is a beautiful, Chris’s artwork merged layered, and painful artwork. It GUS JOHN popular culture and exploration caused outrage in the right- of race and identity to create wing media when he won the Key figure in the Moss Side exciting and riotous painting Turner Prize with this important combining, montage, collage, painting. Defence Committee and innovative materials. When I became an art In 1992 Chris won a teacher in Manchester, I used In 1981 ‘riots’ or uprisings took 300 people, not only to oppose scholarship and travelled to Chris Ofili’s ‘No Woman, No Cry’ place across the UK, most the criminalisation of Black Zimbabwe. While there he as an inspiration for my explosively in Brixton, youth but to challenge the studied cave paintings and the students when making a wall- Handsworth, Chapeltown, establishment attempts to earliest forms of African art hanging exploring racism. The Toxteth and Moss Side. blame the community itself. which had an influence in his work also helped me to In all those areas Defence Rather than recognise that both painting. reconnect with painting, which I Committees sprang up to police racist harassment and He was intrigued by the very had rejected as an artist, feeling defend Black young people racist government policies were round hard balls of elephant there was nothing new to do criminalisation by the police, the source of the rebellion. dung he would find while out with paint. Chris proved this courts and by the government. In the aftermath of the riots, walking. He brought some of the wrong in his powerful, In Manchester the Moss Side Gus John was a key figure in the excrement with him to the UK provocative, and inspiring work. Defence Committee was Moss Side Defence Committee, (I’m not sure how he got that Emma Martin launched at a mass meeting of which assisted with legal >>>

22 23 >>>support to the youths charged the media and establishment by the police, challenged police demonisation of their young violence and attempted to people and communities. convey to the press and public a IMAGE IMAGE Other tropes were also used different interpretation of at the time which many will the events which had taken recognise today. The attempt to place. NEEDED NEEDED blame “outside forces” for the rebellion was also claimed at Background the time. This is an attempt to In 1981, unemployment was HERE HERE blame anti-racist or socialist rising fast, particularly among organisations for provoking the the young, reaching 12 per cent “disturbances ". In modern form – 2.5 million, the highest level we can see this as Donald since the Second World War. Trump’s attempt to blame Unemployment “antifas" (anti fascists) for the disproportionately affected protests against the murder of Black and Asian communities Black people in the US at the and was specifically used by the Communities need leaders hands of the police. No Thatcher government to drive like Gus to provide clarity evidence, either then or now, is down industrial militancy and provided for such an organised resistance to big of ideas in challenging explanation. Uprisings are businesses and government. unorganised, spontaneous Alongside this was the structural racism responses to injustice. scapegoating of immigrant communities. In a 1978 Let’s get organised television interview for the are really rather afraid that this police was specifically used However, Defence Committees current affairs country might be rather against Black and Asian in 1981 showed the need for programme World in Action, in swamped by people with a communities, including racial communities to be organised to the run up to the 1979 general different culture.” profiling, with increasing try and achieve justice, not just election Margaret Thatcher Moss Side uprising frequency through the 1970s in terms of policing but also claimed that British people On 8th July 1981, a crowd of more and were seen as the trigger for housing, employment and feared being ‘swamped’ by than 1,000 youths besieged the the riots of 1981. health. They require leaders, immigrants from the new police station in Moss Side in like Gus John, to provide clarity Commonwealth and Pakistan. Manchester. All windows in the ‘Riots’ or uprisings of ideas in challenging When asked by the building were broken, and twelve Dr Martin Luther King once structural racism. This is what interviewer how severely she police vehicles were set on fire. described riots as “the language today the Black Lives Matter would cut the immigration This happened because of the of the unheard”. Movement and Stand up to numbers if she got to power, continual harassment of young The use of the term riots is to Racism are trying to achieve. Thatcher replied, “If we went on Black people by the police. portray the protests as mindless In my view, to have the force as we are then by the end of the The ‘sus’ law permitted a acts of lawless people. Justified to achieve genuine change we century there would be four police officer to stop, search and anger at racist policing is then need a mass movement not just million people of the new potentially arrest people on described as a poor excuse for against racism but a capitalist Commonwealth or Pakistan suspicion of them being in breach “irresponsible behaviour”. system that uses racism to here. Now, that is an awful lot of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act of The development of Defence maintain their rule. and I think it means that people 1924. The use of this law by the Committees was a rejection of Ameen Hadi

24 25 Opposite page: Below: With her Ramila with placard father at the Salt in Hyde in front of March memorial National Front leader site, Dandi, 1990. Martin Webster, 8th October 1977.

Ramila’s parents were from Gujarat in India. They moved to Uganda in the 1950s and Ramila was born in 1957. The family moved to Kampala a few months before Uganda gained its independence. One of her earliest memories is of standing on the street corner watching the Independence Day parade with her mother. The family moved to Bolton in Lancashire and both parents important and Ramila regularly worked in the textile mills. boarded a bus on a Sunday night Ramila’s family was political. in Manchester, bound for As a young man, her father had London, to join thousands of been involved in the Salt March others on the Monday morning with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 picket. protesting against British rule. At the same time, neo-Nazis In Bolton he joined the Labour such as the National Front (NF) Party. were growing in strength. With On a picket against the many Asian youth unemployed RAMILA closure of her art school Ramila and looking for a channel to vent became an active member of their frustrations, Ramila PATEL what became, from 1977, the helped to set up an Asian Youth Socialist Workers Party. Organisation and organise She leafleted, joined picket counter-demonstrations every An acute sense of lines and attended large Anti- time the NF marched in Apartheid demonstrations in immigrant areas. London. The Grunwick strike, Ramila remembers being solidarity with the crowd led by Mrs Desai, of Asian profoundly inspired by pictures women fighting for union of the school student uprising in

Photo: John Sturrock Photo: John recognition, was particularly Soweto in 1976, as Black youth >>>

26 27 >>> protested against being forced to Above: Poster for the Ten weeks later the newly- outside factories and ‘Reclaim Above right: with operated by the South African learn in Afrikaans in school. Northern Carnival formed Anti Nazi League (ANL) the night’ demonstrations. Nelson Mandela in army with ease. An NF march in Hyde in Against The Nazis in and RAR organised a Northern Sanctions against the Waterford Kamhlaba, She used eyes and ears in October 1977 was banned but, Manchester on 15th Carnival against Racism in apartheid regime in South Africa Southern Africa, in border areas and in places like with the assistance of the July 1978; Ramila Manchester, starting outside were at their height in the mid 1990. Below: with the phoney ‘homeland’, the addressing the ANL Ronnie Kasrils in Greater Manchester chief Strangeways Prison which had 1980s. In August 1986, Ramila Bantustan Bophuthatswana, rally beforehand at Johannesburg in constable, the NF leader Martin Strangeways. Photo: a notorious reputation for began her three and a half year 2016. looking for safe crossing points Webster was allowed a one-man Geoff Brown. employing prison wardens who mission to run a ‘safe house’ in into South Africa. march. He was accompanied by were members of the NF. Gaborone Botswana, on the The safe house was used 2,000 police. Ramila spoke to the 15,000- border with South Africa. mainly by one of the ANC leading Ramila was asked to be a lone strong rally. She remembers it Her brief was to establish a activists, Ronnie Kasrils. Ramila counter-marcher. On the day as an emotional moment, stable home and to operate would collect him from the she jumped out with her placard feeling “an acute sense of legally and avoid raising airport wearing a blue jacket walking in front of Webster. solidarity with the crowd” who suspicion. Ramila worked as as a signal it was safe to A grassroots campaign, Rock then marched to Alexandra a teacher at an international join her. To protect his Against Racism (RAR), was Park for the Rock against school. identity he was called formed in 1977 to counter the tide Racism gig. As a British ‘Frank’. Ramila only of right-wing hatred and Ramila Whilst studying art at passport holder, she learnt to use his real helped with a RAR club in Bolton Manchester Polytechnic Ramila could pass through name after the where teenagers were invited to joined occupations against fee the border mission ended. ‘Love Music, Hate Racism’. increases, strike pickets controls Geoff Brown

28 29 Voice for the voiceless on gun and gang crime

Manchester Area]. Our group their views about Moss Side. acted and placed itself as the My work has always been bridge between local grass roots, about ‘peace and conflict individuals and key stakeholders resolution’, creative ways of As a tribute to her work of our communities. methodology to resolve conflict in reducing gun and gang We initiated real, truthful a way which actually involved crime a statue of conversations about and around people doing something Erinma Bell is on gun and gang crime. We were also practically and not just talking display in Manchester a pressure group on local and about it. Town Hall. It was made central government and I involved all sectors of society from 50 recycled guns. managed to bring gun crime to in how to build social capital. Photo: Mark Krantz. the top of the government’s Bonding with local grass roots agenda, after six years. groups and individuals; bridging I led my team to be the ‘voice different communities together so for the voiceless’ when it came to as to bring about understanding gun and gang crime. and linking with institutions of a Speaking up for the young hierarchical nature for the use of African and Caribbean men and their resources. their families who were so easily We need to become a society stereotyped as gang members or which is safe and secure for all. gang members’ mothers or gang For all members of the society to members’families, we took on be able to respect and honour the Greater Manchester Police, local identity of each individual. Below: Lamin government, central government We need to be a society which DR ERINMA BELL (centre) with and even the media. is not afraid of having difficult Erinma (right). We pressured them to change conversations, as this brings “I was born in Rusholme, Our upbringing really educated understanding, peace and love. Manchester. My parents are of us about our identity. We were Positive Energy Always Creates Nigerian heritage. Biafrans and became Nigerians Elevation. PEACE. The way we were brought up after the civil war. We were We need to see more people of is that we were told by our Africans! different races and religions and mother that outside of the house Today with the worldwide backgrounds in ‘senior’ positions was Manchester, England, movement of Black Lives Matter of civic society; organisations both however, inside the house was it really feels like ‘enough is public and corporate as well as in ‘Nigeria’. enough’. the decision-making roles of our We were brought up to know As a response to the gun and society. our language, Igbo, to know our gang crime which was prevalent in Only when you see someone customs and traditions, our Moss Side and the surrounding who looks like you in a senior foods and our dress, even the neighbourhoods in 2003 I set up position will you know that society meaning of certain types of the charity CARISMA [Community is inclusive of people like you.” attire. Alliance for Renewal Inner South As told to Lamin Touray

30 31 after she attended an anti- was reunited. deportation meeting at Anwar’s fight came at a time Longsight Library in Manchester when the British government and the Anwar Ditta Defence was openly seeking to restrict Committee (ADDC) was formed. the rights of Black and Asian It organised rallies and immigrants and where the demonstrations all over the government’s own lawyers country where Anwar spoke. It admitted that the immigration was supported by numerous system was based on community and anti-racism “discrimination…on the ground campaign groups in and around of race or nationality”. Greater Manchester. When This was also the time of the Anwar’s appeal against the growth of neo-Nazi groups such government’s decision was as the National Front and the rejected – despite British National Party. Anwar extensive evidence, received sackloads of hate mail. ANWAR including witnesses, Despite all of this, Anwar photographic evidence never gave up and her DITTA and birth certificates – campaigning did not end with the Anwar did not give up her arrival of her children. In May fight and continued to 1981 Anwar and her children campaign for her children. marched in support of four Did not give up the fight In March 1981, Manchester- women also living in Manchester based Granada Television featured who were fighting anti- British-born Anwar Ditta couple decided they would live in Anwar’s case and arranged for a deportation campaigns. Anwar returned to the UK from the UK with their children and blood test , which Anwar had continued to come out in support Pakistan in 1975, but her three came over to prepare the way, always volunteered to undergo but of others who had suffered as a children were denied entry. finding work and a home in which the government had said result of discriminatory Her story is that of a woman in Rochdale. Although Anwar had a was unnecessary. The tests immigration laws, as well as her twenties with little formal British passport, her children showed conclusively that there other forms of racism. education who took on the British had to apply to enter as they were was a parental match. The Vijay Jagadesham government and succeeded in born in Pakistan. In May 1979 the government relented and after six For more details go to: reuniting her family. British government refused the long years of separation the family www.racearchive.org.uk She was born in Birmingham children entry and claimed they in 1953, and lived in Rochdale. were not Anwar’s children. Her father was part of the “I was devastated. There’s no generation of Commonwealth words to describe somebody citizens welcomed into the UK to turning around, saying fill essential jobs after the something that is yours, is not Second World War. yours. You carry your children for Anwar was sent to live in nine months, you give birth to Pakistan aged nine after her them and they’re just turning parents separated. She went on around and saying that they’re to marry Shuja Ud Din and they not yours. It was very painful…” had three children together. The Anwar’s campaigning began

32 33 landed a job at the Manchester Guardian as their cricket correspondent, a job which he held until he left the north- west in 1933. Nelson was a town built on the cotton industry, but by the time James arrived in 1932, the cotton industry was in decline, CLR and many people were out of work, unemployment was JAMES almost 20 per cent. Despite the hardships, Nelson was a town with a from the working people of the history of strong community, world. A Lancashire giant of where people looked after and The brutal response of the out for each other. Nelson had a British government to the politics and cricket strong trade union movement, strikes, had an impact on how a place where solidarity with James looked at the movement In the years before the Second (including Trinidad), Africa and your neighbour and colleague for independence in the World War, CLR James was Asia. After the Second World was strongly embedded. Caribbean and Africa, one of the leading intellectual War the anti-colonial James was warmly convincing him that if the British figures in the Pan African movement would change the welcomed and though one of government was prepared to movement, the movement that face of world politics, but at the only four black people in the treat working people in Britain ultimately led to the freeing of time James started town at the time, James had so badly, then it was clear that Caribbean and African campaigning, it seemed that no hesitation in saying: independence was something countries from British rule. decolonisation was an “I may tell you nobody tries that would have to be organised Famed for his commentary unobtainable dream. to make us feel inferior… in and fought for. and analysis on politics and On a journey that crossed not Nelson I can go to the best Shortly after this James sport he helped to shape the only over 4,000 miles over the home and the poorest home moved to London, where he ideas behind successful Atlantic Ocean but also crossed and the reception that I get in published some of the most liberation movements around cultural and intellectual both is very good.” influential books of the time and the world. boundaries, James moved from Two of the most James was strongly worked with independence Key to his ideas and direction Trinidad to Britain, to the small famous books by influenced by a strike of local movement leaders and future were the experiences that he town of Nelson, in Lancashire. CLR James: The cinema workers, whose heads of states to further the shared whilst living in It was at the invitation of his Black Jacobins employers tried to reduce their cause of anti-colonialism. Lancashire in the early 1930s. friend Learie Constantine, the (original edition, wages. The whole town However, so important was Born in Trinidad in 1901, first black cricketer to make a 1938, top) and boycotted the cinema until the his time in the north-west and James qualified as a teacher in career in England, who had Beyond A employers admitted defeat. with the people of Nelson, that Trinidad, and joined a group of been recruited to play for the Boundary. These direct experiences of he has been described as “a writers who campaigned town’s cricket club in the the power that working people Lancashire giant of politics and against British occupation and Lancashire League. had together, strongly cricket”, someone who was colonisation. At this time the James lived with influenced James, who came deeply touched by the North- British Empire covered large Constantine and his family and to believe that true change West and impacted it in return. parts of the Caribbean not long after arriving, James could only come from below, Raf Mulla

34 35 On 27th April 1862 William Manchester was in the Andrew Jackson made his middle of the Cotton Famine. escape from slavery. He crossed People across the whole region enemy lines, joined the Union were suffering; the mills were Army, and became a ‘spy’ all closed, there was no work reporting on what he had heard and people were suffering of the Southern general’s plans. hunger and starvation. Escaped slavery In America William Andrew When US President Lincoln Jackson spoke at emancipation signed a Declaration that on to be cheered by meetings across the North. He New Year’s Day the slaves in the was such a good speaker that South would be granted the Union Army promoted him. ‘emancipation’, three working thousands in In the autumn of 1862 he was men in Manchester decided to sent on a speaking tour of organise a solidarity meeting. England to make the case for Built in just a single day it was Manchester opposition to slavery and support massive. for the North. On New Year’s Eve 1862 at Which side to support in the Manchester’s Free Trade Hall WILLIAM There are statues to American Civil War was the William Andrew Jackson was the general Jefferson central political question the key speaker, cheered by Davis across the South debated across the country in the thousands of working people. ANDREW in America today, but 1860s. The working people of there just a single Zebrina Eastman heard Manchester had declared JACKSON image of his ‘former William Andrew Jackson speak support for Abraham Lincoln slave’ William Andrew at a pro-Union meeting in Bristol and the Union Army in the fight Jackson, printed in in 1862: “He is quite a sharp against the slave-owning Harpers Weekly in person and makes many hits: Southern States of America. 1862. and as a coloured man is here Reports of the meeting were always an oracle, there is no published in the New York William Andrew Jackson was general Jefferson Davis, gainsaying him.” papers and it became difficult the final speaker at a massive President of the Southern Britain’s prime minster Lord for Lord Palmerston to openly meeting held in Manchester on States of America. Palmerston was a keen support the slave-owning New Year’s Eve 1861. As a In 1860 the American South supporter of the South. The states. ‘fugitive slave’ he got the broke away from the North to Manchester Guardian and most William Andrew Jackson ‘biggest cheer of the night’. form a slave-owning British newspapers, the helped ensure that textile William Andrew Jackson Confederacy. This led to a brutal aristocracy, the great capitalists, workers, and working class was born in 1832 on a slave Civil War in America that divided the Church of England, the rich organisations across the plantation near the town of the country. and many in the middle class – country supported the North Richmond in America. The Northern Army of all supported the slave-owning and the struggle for freedom. “When I was thirteen years of President Lincoln was fighting South. Mark Krantz age I educated myself”. against the army of the His ‘owner’ moved to Virginia Southern Confederate States. and William Andrew Jackson The South was fighting to keep became the ‘trusted’ coach the slave system which made driver to his ‘master’, the immense profits.

36 37 Vassa, the African (1789). By 1792, it was a best seller and had been published in Russia, Germany, Holland and the United States. It was the first influential slave narrative, but Abolitionist and father was also one of the earliest first- hand accounts of life in Africa. of African literature In the introduction to his book Equiano writes: “Permit me, with the greatest deference and respect, to lay at your feet the OLAUDAH following genuine Narrative; the chief design of which is to excite in your august assemblies a EQUIANO sense of compassion for the miseries which the Slave-Trade Olaudah Equiano, known for Equiano was taken by Pascal has entailed on my unfortunate most of his life as Gustavus back to Great Britain and then countrymen. By the horrors of Vassa, was a writer and served as Pascal’s valet during that trade was I first torn away abolitionist who was born in the Seven Years’ War with France from all the tender connexions 1745 in Essaka, in what is now (1756–1763). He was also that were naturally dear to my southeastern Nigeria. He was expected to assist the ship’s crew heart…” known in late-18th century in times of battle by hauling Equiano travelled around Britain as the leading Black gunpowder to the gun decks. Britain and Ireland to promote campaigner for the abolition of Equiano was sold twice more his book and campaign against the transatlantic slave trade. as a slave, latterly to Robert King, slavery. Amongst other places His autobiography was one of a Quaker merchant from he visited Manchester in 1790. the earliest slave narratives and Philadelphia. King recognised With global sales of his book was used by abolitionists at the Equiano’s abilities and trained abolitionist in the 1780s, Equiano became the wealthiest time to further their cause. It is him to work in his stores and including as a pivotal member of Black man in the English- still widely read today. trading business. This enabled the Sons of Africa abolitionist speaking world. His book Equiano was kidnapped Equiano to save the money group. He lectured in numerous remains required reading today around the age of 11 from his which, in 1766, enabled him to cities against the slave trade, in most universities teaching home village, enslaved, and sent purchase his freedom for his published articles and often Black studies. to Barbados and then Virginia, original purchase price of £40 served as a spokesman for the Chinua Achebe called him "the where he was sold to Michael (roughly equivalent to £5,500 Black community. On 7th April father of African literature" and in Henry Pascal, a lieutenant in today). King wanted Equiano to 1792, Equiano married Britain he is seen as the founder the Royal Navy. Pascal renamed stay on as a business partner but Susannah Cullen, in of Black British literature. him ‘Gustavus Vassa’, after Equiano felt it was dangerous for Soham, Cambridgeshire and the Equiano died in March 1797, a a former King of Sweden. him to remain in the British couple had two daughters. decade before the end of the Equiano used this name for the colonies were he feared being Equiano is best known for his slave trade in Britain and forty rest of his life, including on all kidnapped and enslaved again. autobiography entitled The years before slavery was official records, except for his Equiano settled in London, Interesting Narrative of the Life abolished in the British Colonies. autobiography. where he became a leading of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Lucy Mair

38 39 BLACK MADE IN MANCHESTER HISTORY Volume 1 MATTERS

As home of the industrial revolution, Manchester and the whole north- west of England have played a major part in shaping events on the world stage. This book is dedicated to shining a light on some of the people who have done “This is a wonderful collection of accounts that extraordinary things, celebrate the lives of Black working class have helped to build people who have stood up against the racism of communities or expand the state. They show that by being organised and working in solidarity with others we can understanding, or n presented ideas that win.” NAHELLA ASHRAF (pictured above) have impacted the lives "This is an excellent, essential resource, of ordinary people. guaranteed to inspire young people with its list ‘Made in Manchester’ of Black role models and heroes associated with the north-west. takes a brief look at the n JOHN MORGAN, Manchester District lives and contributions of Secretary, National Education Union (NEU) just some of the notable Black people who have Manchester has a rich history of Black people come from Manchester in struggle that is rarely acknowledged. This book is a great contribution to remembering or made the north-west this past and the agency of key individuals – their home. They are just through developing our knowledge we will a handful from amongst strengthen our anti racist movement today. the multitude of Black n Dr SHIRIN HIRSCH, historian at Manchester folks that have helped to Metropolitan University build the region over the years. To buy more copies of this book contact Manchester Stand Up To Racism email: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @Manchester_SUTR £5 Facebook @ManchesterStandUp