Dear Editor,
THURROCK BME Group celebrate The Windrush Day along with many migrants and the children and grandchildren of migrants across the UK.
Thurrock is the epicentre for Windrush, as the ship landed in Tilbury 72 years ago. Unfortunately the passengers’ excitement was immediately dashed as the signs on the doors displayed the hostility of the community they had long looked forward to settle and work in: ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No dogs’ screamed loud and clear.
72 years later, we still see racism in our community, whether from brutal killing of black people, more arrests or longer prison sentences, these issues are still quite prominent.
While, thanks to Black Lives Matter campaigns, we appreciate all the efforts being done to ensure that there is a level playing field in the community, and has signalled that more will be done. It is too little and too slow. We need clear strategies not signals, token gestures or handouts.
Thurrock BME Group is willing to work with all authorities to ensure we address the root of the issues and work towards equality for all. If you want to know more about our work, please contact us via email: admin@thurrockbme.org.uk’
