On the one hand, there is often a political edge to such demands for atonement and also to the teary response. And no apology is worth a fig if it is not actually meant. Does it really make a difference to the aggrieved if a politician on-the-make holds an onion to the eye and begs forgiveness for events which occurred long before his or her birth? Does it really matter if a statue of, say, an aggressive colonialist is removed only to be stuck in the corner of a museum storeroom? After the initial exhultation of triumph by campaigners is anything gained if there is no educational legacy and/or no genuine remorse and reparation.
On the other hand, politics are important to society (which is why it is unfortunate that so many folk - particularly in Sandwell - are disinterested in what is happening to the world they inhabit.) Some grotesque events remain devisive such as those that have befallen the Sikh community from Amritsar to much more recent times. Almost all of the "comfort women" are now dead but their treatment is still an open sore in South Korea's relations with Japan. And there are intelligent and creative ways to make amends. One Oxford College is ploughing money into education in the Caribbean in recognition that much of its wealth came from slave-trading.
I am just a poor - in every sense of the word - scribbler and will leave you to ponder these issues but I have just been reading about events at the Causeway Green Hostel in Oldbury in 1949 and my piss is at boiling point. I thought I would share this disgraceful story with you.
To set the 1949 scene, Britain was on its knees. Europe was devasted and in the throes of enormous upheaval. We were desperate for labour to re-build our Empire and so actively encouraged immigrants (compate with the views of many of the Brexiteers today.) Thus many Polish folk, displaced and otherwise, came here pursuant to the European Voluntary Workers Scheme. In Birmingham and the Black Country, industry were delighted to welcome the white workers. Two hundred found themselves living at the Causeway Green Hostel in Oldbury via the National Service Hostels Corporation (NSHC) and were all busy working away for King and adopted Country.
Sixty-Five Jamaicans found themselves in the same hostel. Their ability to find work was very different. A local Employment Exchange Manager told one of their number, Mr Horace Halliburton:
"I am sorry for you. It is talent wasted but the factories will not employ coloured men. Do not blame us - blame the management - and they in turn will blame their employees. British workmen do not like sharing their benches with a coloured man and that is an end to it."
At the hostel the groups mingled but then the NSHC decided to segregate black and white. Halliburton opined:
"In my opinion a man has to live with his neighbour before he really gets to know him properly, whereas splitting the races leads to suspicion and estrangement."
Some of the Jamaicans were also aggrieved that they were segregated noting that THEY were supposedly citizens of the British Empire (but note the recent Home Office Windrush scandal here) and, indeed, some of them were British armed forces veterans. But, as Horace chillingly continued, "the Jamaican is coloured, and he is not allowed to forget it."
Tensions mounted and there was a "riot" at the Hostel following a dance. I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Yes, indeed, the 65 Jamaicans were told to leave. The NSHC offered them rail warrants to anywhere in the country just to see the back of them. But this was not voluntary - the Ministry of Labour, NSHC and my dear friends the Police ordered them to go. A NSHC official told the press, "We don't want to kick out the Jamaicans but they are in the minority." A curious view from a British apparatchik four years after the end of the Holocaust!
Remember too that this disgraceful episode all happened during what was supposedly our "socialist Golden Age".
#Justice for the 65? Racism is still rife in Britain. I am not sure that any sort of "official" expiation is called for (particularly noting the mostly low-grade dictatorial dimwits making up the bent Labour Council). Maybe you disagree? But what should happen is that this shocking incident should be remembered locally and young people shown by example that we are (as the virus is making crystal clear) all one people. Kids are not born to be racists. All adults need to educate them that all racism is just fundamentally wrong and totally unacceptable (as with any other conduct which discrimates against minorities.) This is not a matter to fob off on "schools" - it is a matter for all society. I've told you the story - pass it on.... Do it for Horace Halliburton, Sammy Walker and their 63 other comrades.
This is the 21st Century - love the World!
Red Yvonne's Round Robin
This blog has frequently mentioned that the bent Labour Council lavishes over half a million pounds a year on the hapless "Press Office" - mostly to send out tweets about dog sh*t or to indulge in epistolary mutual masturbation sessions with Sandwell Police.
The Skidder was perplexed to receive a number of messages yesterday from Sandwell folk about a letter received from the failing Council. The comrades are incessantly ranting about using local businesses for their services (an open door for yet more Labour corruption) but use a mailing service from a company in, er, Bath. Thus many folk simply binned it believing it to be junk mail!!!!
Those that got round to opening the letter found this (page 1 only):
As you will see there is no use of the Council's letterhead and there is a direct request for people to send a lot of personal date to the Labour dictatorship ie name, address, telephone number and email address even if you do NOT want help from the Council. Thus a number of people expressed concern whether this was, in fact, some sort of a scam to get their details. (It is not but you can see why people would be concerned.)
(By the way - Red Yvonne has authorised the expenditure of thousands of pounds for lawyers to cover-up a data breach from 2017! A great use of OUR taxpayers' money.)
Bizarrely the letter is asking for people to contact the corrupt Council even if they do not want help. (?) But the same phone number is given as that for people who DO want help with inevitable consequences of folk not being able to get through and, if they do, this is what one caller put on Facebook yesterday (slightly garbled but you get the drift):
Of course, press office are spending a lot of time and (our) money saying what a fantastic job the Council is doing but this letter is sh*thouse (and you might need it there if you run out of bog-roll......) But the Liebour Propaganda Department are still spot-on politically - the letter makes no mention whatsoever of the myriad help schemes set up but the, er Tory Government.
(Incidentally Red Yvonne is refusing to say how many staff are off work at the Council at the moment even though that figure must be readily available.)
This crap letter went out under Yvonne Davies's name. I am not sure whether she is living at her rented house in the Borough at the moment or at her real home, the Herefordshire retreat, but she despite this fiasco she has taken to Twitter to lambast Boris Johnson for the way HE is handling the current crisis. "LOL" as we might say - those in glasshouses.
(And still no reported sighting of The Squealer in Smethwick so that it is assumed he is living as usual away from you lot in Derbyshire!)
Whether or not you find this blog distasteful - now wash your hands!!!!!
THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - COMMUNITY NEWS - READ THE SKIDDER, KIDDER!
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