With Black History Month in Britain well under way, it is no surprise that with now over a million black people living in the UK this year’s events has been bigger than before.
Although it was only celebrated for the first time 24-years ago, it’s relatively new existence represents the youth of the “black-British” identity that established itself through a series of unforgettable events that are sure to go down in the world’s history books.
We take you through the top five moments that have changed black britain.
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1. The Windrush
The image of thousands of caribbean men and women pouring out of the Windrush ship in 1948, became a legendary scene that landmarked the beginning of the modern black-British population.
While many of the first generation only planned to stay for a few years to find work, nearly five decades on, traces of their culture can still be found everywhere.
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2. Notting Hill Carnival
Feathers, food, loud music, and more shaking than an overloaded washer…yup, that is Notting Hill Carnival! Known as Europe’s largest annual street party, it attracts over 1 million revellers every year, and was established in 1964 by black activist Claudia Jones to celebrate the UK’s caribbean community.
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3. The Brixton riots
Tensions between the police and the then biggest black community in London came to a head in 1981, after officers were accused of not helping a young black man who had been stabbed, resulting in thousands of people protesting in anger.
While it was heavily reported that unrest had been growing in the south London community for months due to police harassment and high levels of poverty, it was only in the aftermath of the riots that an official investigation revealed black people were being discriminated against by the police.
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4. The death of Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence was a teenager who was stabbed to death by a gang of white youths in 1993, in a shocking racist attack.
Five men were charged with murdering the 18-year-old student but were never convicted, causing outrage from the public who accused the police of mishandling the investigation.
Earlier this year it was announced that one of the original suspects and another man are set to face trail over his death.
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5. London riots
Thought have been sparked by the death of Mark Duggan, 29, who was shot to death by police during a botched arrest attempt on August 4, it is still clear that nobody expected the UK riots to become as violent and widespread as it became.
Although starting out as a peaceful protest outside of a police station on August 6, looting and arson, soon began to rip through the inner cities as clashes between the police and rioters came to a dramatic collision.
While it must be stated that this was NOT a “black” riot, it’s effect on the black community was profound as it forced debates on how black people were being treated by police, and also raised questions on the racial tensions still prominent in British society.
