Before multiculturalism? : Windrush activists and the London schooling system (1948-1971)

Abstract

This dissertation delves into the struggles of Black families against the British educational system. Emerging from the economic upheaval in the Caribbean post-World War II, these families actively contributed to the metropolis's reconstruction, linking their aspirations to accessing diverse educational opportunities for their children. In the face of global anti-migrant sentiments and the rise of right-wing parties, examining the immediate post-decolonization period becomes crucial to decipher the transformation of colonial racism into stereotypes that questioned the belonging of these migrants, revealing distinct shifts in racial formations since 1945 (Omi and Winant, 1986). Scholars have increasingly focused on migrant group agency since the 1990s (Grosvenor, 1997; Hammond-Perry, 2015). In Britain, migrants organized from the 1960s onwards to impact change in various educational realms (Warmington, 2014; Estèves, 2018). This thesis analyzes the ideas and actions of these parents, demonstrating how their protests complicated the process of comprehensive state education in Britain, a cornerstone of the post-1945 welfare state. The 1960s witnessed significant expansion and restructuring of London schools, aiming for education for all children and the establishment of more inclusive, egalitarian environments. Contrary to the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) claims, Black families discovered systemic discrimination and racism in British schools, with many children unfairly placed in "Special Education" classes, limiting their advancement opportunities. Drawing on archives, government reports, educational texts, and statements from parents and pupils, this research reveals how Caribbean parents utilized the organizational skills honed in anticolonial struggles to protest racism in the British school system. They linked the unequal treatment of their children to their experiences of housing and job discrimination, echoing the approach of the US Civil Rights movement.