The 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation helping to rebuild post-war Britain will be marked later this year as a “diamond jubilee for modern and diverse Britain”, campaigners have said.
The Windrush 75 network of national organisations, including the charity British Future, which aims to advance racial and cultural harmony in the UK through education, is co-ordinating events to celebrate the historic moment.
Actor Sir Lenny Henry, historian David Olusoga and members of Parliament from both sides of the political spectrum are among those who have spoken about why it is important to reflect on the anniversary of the first arrivals on June 22.
Patrick Vernon, co-ordinator of the Windrush 75 network, said the anniversary events would celebrate the generation’s “legacy”.
He said: “Windrush 75 is like a diamond jubilee for modern and diverse Britain.
“We are celebrating four generations of contribution, legacy, struggle and positive change.
“It is a moment to look into the future as well, how we deal with the challenges that will come.”
Sir Lenny, who has written a show and TV series to highlight the plight of the Windrush generation – which includes his mother Winifred – said he wanted to show “respect” to earlier “pioneers”.
The Rings of Power star said: “This year it is vital to celebrate the courage of those Windrush pioneers 75 years ago who gave up the life they knew to seek a better one here in Britain.
“They paved the way for us who have followed it.
“With my one-man show in August in England and the upcoming TV series Three Little Birds, I want to bring their stories to wider attention in 2023.
“Great respect for those pioneers – we stand on their shoulders.”
Historian David Olusoga said the anniversary deserved to be marked in a “significant way” because of the role the Windrush generation played in shaping British culture.
He said: “The coming of Windrush is a pivotal moment in black history and British history.
“We see her legacy every day, when we turn on the radio or TV, walk down the High Street or cheer for England at the World Cup.
“So it is important that the anniversary is marked in a meaningful way and that everyone is invited to participate.”
Paul Elliott, special adviser to the chairman and chief executive of the FA, highlighted how some of England’s best World Cup stars come from families who immigrated to the UK.
He said: “The performance of England’s footballers at the World Cup inspired the nation last month.
“They show why our diversity is our strength – without parents and grandparents who moved here from abroad, there would be no Rashfords, Sakas or Bellinghams wearing the Three Lions.
“So in 2023 football will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Windrush and the great contribution the descendants of those early pioneers have made to our beautiful game.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said June 22 would be “an emotional day in many communities” and “a time to celebrate how migration and diversity have helped build modern Britain”.
The Labor MP added that politicians should “put pressure on the Government to finally give the victims of the Windrush scandal the compensation they deserve”.
Former minister Sajid Javid said: “For many of us who owe our lives in Britain to family who traveled here from abroad, Windrush has a special resonance.
“That generation made a deep and lasting impact on this country and the 75th anniversary is a moment to celebrate the contribution they continue to make to our economy, health service and society.”
Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, reflected on the Windrush movement as the beginning of Britain’s post-war migration story.
He said: “2023 will be a special year for Britain, a year of identity. A coronation year ushering in a new era. One as we mark 75 years of pride in the NHS and 75 years of Windrush, the moment that symbolizes the post-war migration that has shaped our society today.”
The Windrush Generation refers to people who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries as part of a scheme to help fill the post-war labor shortage.
On 22 June 1948, the first citizens from this wave – around 500 workers from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – arrived on board HMT Empire Windrush, which was docked at Tilbury, Essex.
The government has been heavily criticized for its handling of the Windrush movement, after many people from the generation were denied access to the NHS, work and housing despite having a legal right to be in the UK.
