Homework: 'Racialisation'

Racialisation- Processes of the discursive production of racial identities. It signifies the extension of racial meanings to a previously racially unclassified relationship, social practice, or group. -allwords.com

Emigration- To leave ones place of residence or country to live elsewhere. –Merriam-webster.com

Migration- To move from one county, place, or locality to another. –merriam-webster.com

Immigrant – A person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence. –merriam-webster.com

Investigate what was happening in Britain between 1948-1962

Asian Immigration was high in Britain between 1948 and 1962; workers from the Asian colonies could migrate to Britain without any restrictions. U until 1962 every Commonwealth citizen was entitled to enter the United Kingdom whenever they wished to.

The British Nationality Act of 1948, allowed citizens of British colonies to simply apply to the Home Office for registration of British nationality and then were issued with a certificate confirming this.

The South Asian citizens who were able to obtain certificates included many of whom had come to Britain from other colonies, such as indentured labourers from the West Indies and families who had previously settled within East Africa. 

How was the social landscape changing?

The Commonwealth Act of 1948 meant all citizens of the ex-Empire could come to the UK. 1948 saw the SS Empire Windrush bring over thousands of Jamaicans and Caribbean service men and women. The West Indians and Asians took many of the jobs that British would not do. The previous pressure on food supplies had disappeared by 1954.

Both British capitalists and sections of the British State were encouraging emigration to the UK from the Caribbean and Jamaica during the 1950s and 1960s. In the 60s Government ministers and private employers both started to recruit directly from the West Indies. A concern had risen due to the number of ‘coloured’ people in the 50s, but race had not become an issue until the Watershed year (1958). The Notting Hill and Nottingham riots added race to the social and political agenda, making race a big issue. During the riots groups of white men-otherwise known as the Teddy boys-both assaulted and harassed black people because of the colour of their skin. 

How did the changing social landscape lead to a ‘racialization’ of British politics?

            Concern arose as early as 1948-after the Empire Windrush had arrived- as people believed the harmful effects of Black immigration had on the ‘racial character of the English people’.  The Labour party had addressed the Conservative party over this issue.

Key events altering the social landscape of Britain:

·       1962 Act: State regulation of Commonwealth immigration, entry restrictions on British Commonwealth citizens (primary immigration dependent on a work voucher) – intended targets were Black or Asian

·       1962-Commonwealth Immigrants Act

·       1968-Commonwealth Immigrants Act

·       1971-Immigration Act

·       1981-Immigration Act

·       1981-Nationality Act

·       1985-New Visa System

·       White people became increasingly concerned that those from the West Indies were taking all the jobs, which in turn made it more difficult for the white people to get a employment

·       1960’s: over 12000 Kenyan and Asian refugees came to Britain due to ongoing violence in their country. Politician Jim Callahan passed a Commonwealth Immigration Bill meaning that there would be no free entry for commonwealth immigrants.

·       MP Enoch Powell:  described the country as ‘mad’ to allow such a high number of immigrants into the country (‘The River’s of Blood’ speech)