“No Pets, No Blacks, No Irish”, a few famous words which would be emblazoned on ads in shop windows for people intending to rent accommodation in 1960s Britain; my father declares. I am shocked I can’t believe it. Migrating to Britain post Windrush, Black people from the West Indies thought was a clever move. Britain promised jobs, a better way of living moreover a chance to earn decent salaries to send and provide for family members back home.  These offers were not as ideal as they appeared to be.

 Instead of feeling welcome, most of the British publics response to “darkies and coloureds” (insulting definitions for black people) were disrespectful, racist and prejudicial insults. Ignorance is to blame and was used as an excuse for past attitudes and behaviour.

 Andrea Levy’s novel Small Island tells the story of a Black couple from Jamaica and a White British couple with their personal experiences pre and post war in Britain.
Reading the novel made me curious about my own father and his personal journey through time in Britain.

My father Simon George shares his experiences with me on life in 1960’s Britain.

In 1957 Simon 21 left the Caribbean island of Dominica to come to Britain, the land of opportunity, premise and new beginnings.

“I was young at that time. It was a great challenge. I did appreciate coming here to a different land, meeting different people. Britain is a cosmopolitan country with different cultures. Over the years I gained a lot of experience by talking and socialising with people.

This was a period where parties were free for all.  They were heard through word of mouth, everyone was invited and everyone would have a good time. But according to Simon, this cannot be done these days.

“You used to go a party to have a good time but young people today don’t want that they pass a gun on you and out your light.

From his father’s experiences, combined with tales of Britain being the land of opportunity from teachers at school, he took his chances and came to Britain.

“They told us “London streets are paved with gold”. I’ve yet to see that gold.

“I just left school, there was nothing much going on so I said this is an industrial country where a lot is going on a lot of opportunities for people so I might as well take a chance.

“I have been living here ever since. Home is where you live, where the heart is.

His high expectations of Britain were tarnished by the unhygienic living habits some British people had.

“Sometimes we have high expectations but we go overboard. There are a lot of things you expect that are not how you expected it. Some people used to put fish and chips in newspaper.

Simon admits that racism was apparent in Britain but thankfully he has never been

racially attacked or subjected to racial abuse.

“I have not had any one come up to me and insult me. You have to be fair but we know it was there. I was lucky. In certain areas things were worse. Some people resented black people.

“The media didn’t help, they sensationalised things. They would hype things up, taking the mickey out of Black people.

Jobs were another predicament. They were far from scarce but racial discrimination affected employment for Black people.

“I went for a job and someone came with me. As soon as we entered the room, two White people said “What are you looking for?”

I told them and they said “there is no such thing here”, rather abruptly.

“I was naïve, inexperienced. It was the norm. A lot of people had worse experiences.

“Some times you would go to the Labour Exchange( the equivalent to the Job Centre today) and they would give you a letter and even call but it was no good. People protested about job rejections.

Housing was the same. Many ads would appear in local shop windows on rooms and houses to let. Yet certain conditions applied. Four simple rules.

“No coloured, Irish, no babies no dogs. Two or three people used to share a room with people you know.

Surprisingly it was the Jewish community who helped the Black community. Making Simon very appreciative of Jewish people.

“They rented properties for us and when they made money they sold their properties to Black people.

He continues telling me when the Labour Party came to power in 1964 they legislated various acts such as the Race Relations Act in 1966 where enticing racial hatred was made illegal.

However this act was criticised for failing to deal with discrimination in housing and employment. Yet was a step closer in helping Black people.

These sudden changes in the legal system did not impress the Tories, resulting in them using various advertising tactics so the White British public would refrain voting for Labour.

“Coming up to the general elections Tories would use immigration to discuss Black people.

“The Tory party in the 60’s was incredibly racist. One of their slogans were

“If you want a nigger for a neighbour vote for Labour”.

“I remember vividly a man from Smethick, Birmingham, a Labour candidate was a radical. Tory slogans on immigration were aimed at him and his ideals.

“Tories would bring that fear in people as if we came here to take over. This gave people bad examples about Black people.

Education was an ongoing problem for Black children. Discrimination overshadowed pure talent making children feel inferior resulting in the self fulfilling prophecy of their failure.

“Education is where the crooks come in.

In the late 60s early 70s a scheme called ESN (Educationally Sub Normal) for Black kids was a streaming system. You would learn nothing in these classed and it affected a lot of children.

People protested until the law was changed. Up to this day people are still messed up.

Education has improved yet is still an issue with Black children today. In certain areas in the UK Black children are still underachieving.

Nonetheless he does not justify criminal activity committed by Black youths.

“They should be more strict with crimes committed. I will not defend any criminal. I have worked hard all my life and paid my debt to society. I came to work to seek a better life.

“Government is there to legislate. Society owes you nothing. Get up and make yourself somebody. In some cases it’s the system. When it comes to education black boys are not doing well. Is it the system or parents?

In Simon’s opinion racism and discrimination will always be existent in the employment industry but these are the times to make the most of it.

“There has always been discrimination in jobs and will always be. Other communities came after us and are doing better. There is a loophole.

“If you can’t make it here you can’t make it anywhere. Britain is the land of opportunity. Our people should seize the opportunity and time.”