a thread on South Asian movement on racism in the 70s and 80s

1)If you were to look at historical videos and photos of South Asian movements against racism during the 70s and 80s era in Britain, you would notice many of them identified themselves as 'Black".

2)It can be seen written in the poems, signs, banners, posters, and fliers. Its because through their experiences with oppression, South Asians felt united with Africans and African-Caribbeans. At the time, 'Black' was not seen as a skin colour but a political colour.

3)Black allowed a united identity and enabled solidarity to develop in the collective struggle against oppression. In Britain only, the term 'black' recognized the imperative of the struggle against racism in order to ensure access to basic rights.

4) During that era, if you had politically identified yourself as 'Black', you were then someone who didn't accept, tolerate, and fear any racist attitudes towards any minority community or individual.

5)The right to live in Britain in peace and without victimization was always the primary concern - all struggles were your struggles. ⁣
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Source: The politics of Britain’s Asian Youth Movements by Anandi Ramamurthy./ Poem was taken from Kala Mazdoor Issue 1 - 1970s