Ethnic Diversity in the Making of Britain

DOCUMENT RESUME ED 429 155 UD 032 881 AUTHOR Frow, Mayerlene TITLE Roots of the Future: Ethnic Diversity in the Making of Britain. INSTITUTION Commission for Racial Equality, London (England). ISBN ISBN-1-85442-179-4 PUB DATE 1997-03-00 NOTE 138p.; For the companion "education pack", see UD 032 882. Photographs may not reproduce clearly. AVAILABLE FROM Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E95LN, England, United Kingdom (9.95 British pounds). PUB TYPE Books (010) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Cultural Awareness; Cultural Differences; *Ethnicity; Foreign Countries; History; *Immigrants; Immigration; Instructional Materials; Multicultural Education; *Racial Differences; *Social Change; Urban Areas IDENTIFIERS *Great Britain ABSTRACT The aim of this book is to show that Britain has benefited enormously from immigration and ethnic diversity throughout history. The first part of the book, "Immigrants Past and Present," gives an account of the role played by a few of the migrant communities who came to Britain and settled before the end of World War II. The contributions they have made and the difficulties they have faced are outlined. The second part of the book, "The Contributions of Britain's Ethnic Minorities," focuses on the 50 years since the end of World War II through a selection of "snapshots" of key areas of society where immigration and ethnic diversity have enriched life in Britain. The final section, "Roots of the Future," emphasizes the importance of recognizing ethnic diversity in planning for Britain's future. A list of key dates in British history is included. (Contains 77 references.)(SLD) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** , s F THE FUT RE ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN THE MAKING OF BRITAIN , OtkA os. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Improvement PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND Office of Educational Research and DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) BEEN GRANTED BY XThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. L., Morreson 0 Minor changes have been madeto improve reproduction quality. ciee TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES this o Points of view or opinions stated in INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy 4a. BEST COPY AVAILABLE ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN THE MAKING OF BRITAIN RIM COMMISSION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY -0 A. 0 1/4 9 ,4 4 \,C JUST S' 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book could not have been writtenwithout the generous help and advicewe have received from numerous individuals andorganisations. The Commission for Racial Equality would like to express its gratitude fortheir support and encouragement. In particular, it would like to thank RozinaVisram, who undertook initial research for the book; Jennie Karrach, whowas responsible for the picture research; Annabel Ossel, who assisted with picture research;Michael Wye ld, who helped with the research and indexing; the Inter FaithNetwork for their advice and assistance; and Professor Colin Holmes of Sheffield University,who was especially generous with his time and expertise. Final responsibilityfor the publication, however, rests solely with the Commission for Racial Equality. Writer and researcher: Mayerlene Frow Designer: Louis Mackay Editors: Matthew Brown, Judith Hanna A great number of people at the Commission forRacial Equality have been involved in the Roots of theFuture project, and thanks go to them all. C Commission for Racial Equality Elliot House 10-12 Allington Street London SW1E 5EI-1 All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval systemor transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,photographic, recorded or otherwise, without prior permissionof the copyright owner. First published 1996; revised March 1997 ISBN 1 85442 179 4 Price £9.95 Printed by Belmont Press, Northampton 4 CONTENTS A message from HRH the Prince of Wales Foreword by the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality vii INTRODUCTION 1 I. IMMIGRANTS PAST AND PRESENT 5 The earliest immigrants 7 The first Jewish community 8 Merchants and craftworkers 11 Protestant refugees 13 High life and street life 15 Slaves and subjects 17 Industrialists, bankers and political emigr6s 21 From over the Irish Sea 23 Escaping the pogroms 25 For king and country 27 From the Commonwealth and from Europe 32 II. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BRITAIN'S ETHNIC MINORITIES 37 Ethnic diversity in Britain today 39 Industry and enterprise 40 Retail and business services 47 Transport 51 Medicine and science 53 Hotels and restaurants 58 Food and cookery 60 Sport 63 Music 69 Dance 78 Theatre 82 Television, film and radio 86 Literature and publishing 91 Art and architecture 97 Intellectuals and scholars 103 Faiths and beliefs 106 Social justice 110 III. ROOTS OF THE FUTURE 117 Key dates 122 Bibliography 124 Index of names 128 Picture sources 132 ST. JAMES'S PALACE "Roots of the Future" is an imaginative initiative developed by the Commission for Racial Equality as part of its Uniting Britain for a Just Society Campaign. It aims to highlight the contributions and achievements made by immigrants and their descendants in almost every aspect of life in Britain. This contribution is incredibly wide and varied - from the economy, politics and the public service to the law, medicine, the arts and even our cooking. It is a contribution which today forms part of our national identity, and it adds immeasurably to the richness and creativity of modern Britain. I am delighted to support this initiative, and I hope that it will not only enlighten and inform its readers, but also act as a spur to greater mutual understanding in theyears to come. UKwu. 6 FOREWORD Who am I? Who are we? o be British is to be part of a global network that encapsulates and transcends a variety of traditions and cultures. The people of Britain represent acom- monwealth of different inheritances, backgrounds, influences, perspectives and experiences, and these are reflected in theirown individual images of Britain. Yet most of us know very little about each other or how people from such varied backgrounds have contributed, and are still contributing,to Britain's cultural, social and economic well-being. A better understanding of the people of Britain will helpus to appreciate and value the historic and contemporary contributions of allour citizens and residents, and recognise that they are an integral and invaluable part of the Britishnation. Roots of the Future provides an illuminating insight into Britain's rich diversity.It is a small, initial, but significant step in understanding our modern, mixed society. It should help children and adults, students and tutors, citizens andpoliticians, employ- ers and employees, leaders, followers, businesses, consumers, and those whoare out of work to understand one another and see each other inmore positive ways than we have up to now. It has not been possible for this publication to cover all the positive contributions that are being made to Britain's cultural, economic and social developmentby its var- ious people. Nevertheless, it provides people of all backgrounds and localcommuni- ties with an opportunity to examine their own 'roots of the future' by lookingclosely at the many strands and contributions that make up their local cultures. This is the beginning of an exciting project. It is about knowing each otherbetter, valuing our differences, and understanding and respecting eachother. When questions are asked about Britain, its people, identity and,ultimately, belonging, we should have clear answers. Our goal should bea society in which we appreciate and value our differences, one whereeveryone can learn, work and live free from racial prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence.That is the vision we must strive towards for Britain and all the people of Britain,as part of global cultural diversity. I am what I am. We are what we are. gtittatv.avatki Sir Herman Ouseley Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality vii INTRODUCTION thnic diversity is nothing new in Britain. People with different histories, cultures, beliefs and languages have been coming here ever since the beginning of recorded time. Logically, therefore, everyone who lives in Britain today is either an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant. Most ofus can probably trace the immigrants in our own personal histories if we go back far enough. People have come to Britain for many different reasons:some came peaceably, as settlers, others were hostile invaders. Thousands arrivedas refugees from wars, famines, or civil or religious persecution in their own countries. Somewere invited by the monarch or the government to settle here because they had particular skills that were in short supply in Britain. Some were brought against their will, as slaves or servants. Throughout the Er k ages, Britain has been a magnet for those seeking a better life, in much the same way as Britons have emi- grated, in large numbers, to other parts of the world. International movement has always been a normal part of life and, until 1914 when the First World War broke out, there were fewer restrictions. It was possible to travel to many countries without passports, visa requirements, or work permits. People could decide to make a new life somewhere else, provided they had money for the passage. Over the centuries, there has also been consider- able migration within Britain, for example between the separate countries of Scotland, England and Wales, which only became politically united as Great Britain in 1707; and between Ireland and the rest of Britaineven before Ireland became part A of the United Kingdom in 1801, its proximity to England, Scotland and Walesmeant A painted roll of a Westminster tournament that Irish people came over regularly in search of work. Therewas also migration held in 1511 to celebrate the birth of a son between the countryside and the towns, so that by the end of the nineteenthcentury, to Catherine of Aragon.

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