Read on Twitter
This semester I will focus my twitter threads on the Windrush generation. There is currently a great need to understand and share their history with the public. #phstmu /1 (
: The Guardian)
: The Guardian)
The Windrush generation are Caribbean migrants who were invited by the British government to help rebuild the country after WWII. Between 1948-1971, HMT Empire Windrush & other ships transported passengers from Jamaica & other islands. /2
Upon arrival, the Windrush generation faced discrimination and violence. Despite all their obstacles, thousands continued to arrive. They became crucial members of the workforce and also sparked a shift in British arts and culture. /3
Although the Windrush generation arrived legally, the Home Office failed to issue proper paperwork regarding their legal status. Landings cards provide an alternative form of identification, however, the Home Office destroyed thousands of them in 2009. /4
Many members of the Windrush generation were wrongfully deported since they could not prove their citizenship. Children of this generation who moved with their parents were usually not documented either. People who lived in Britain for nearly 70 years feared deportation. /5
A review of historical cases reveals that at least 83 people had been deported. Others were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, and in some instances denied healthcare. This scandal highlights the importance of public records. /6
Thankfully, passenger lists have been discovered which document the names of thousands of people who were accused of entering Britain illegally. These records were made public and digitized in the National Archives. /7 (:Royal Museums Greenwich)
:Royal Museums Greenwich)
Examining this topic and its intersections with public history is important. We can learn from the mistakes of the recent scandal while also celebrating the rich history of the Windrush generation. /8
