More Windrush wounding as UK government re-traumatises Black elders

The Independent Race Report Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE January 31, 2023 View online Hi everyone,   Welcome to another edition of your fortnightly Race Report newsletter.    February is just around the corner and will bring with her some key dates: from Black History Month in the US and almost every other country but the UK  to World Cancer Day, Safer Internet Day, World Orphan Week, Reggae Month, Bob Marley and Dennis Brown's birthdays, plus more.   As ever, a lot has happened in the past two weeks and I'm here to give you that realness. If you have any ideas, tips and suggestions for future newsletters, please contact nadine.white@independent.co.uk.    In the meantime, here's a run-through of some key headlines:   Floella Benjamin hits out at UK government's 'disrespect' of Windrush generation as it takes set on Black elders, unprovoked   Baroness Floella Benjamin has appealed to the UK prime minister to address the "complete lack of respect" for the Windrush generation as his government u-turns on key reform pledges.   Last week, Home Secretary Suella Braverman confirmed the decision to drop commitments after a scathing independent review into how the Windrush scandal unfolded, sparking a torrent of backlash over this "cruel" move.   "The latest situation has increased the burden of trauma on the many dignified people who have suffered injustices; some as you know have even paid with their lives," Baroness Benjamin, Lib Dem peer and iconic television presenter, wrote in a letter to Rishi Sunak.    This is happening on the eve of the Windrush migration's 75th anniversary - when thousands came from the Caribbean to rebuild this war-torn country from June 1948 onwards - and while many Windrush victims still await compensation. Talk about gratitude! Rodney King's lawyer on Tyre Nichols: Racist policing has plagued the US for decades   US police officers' deadly use of force against Black people is pervasive and lessons have not been learned over the decades, the lawyer for Rodney King exclusively told me.   The comments come in the wake of the death of Tyre Nichols, 29, who was savagely beaten by five Black Memphis Police officers on January 7. He died three days later in hospital.   As I type, Memphis Police are "shielding" the only white officer involved in the beating by putting him on administrative leave quick and fast - while all five of the Black officers have, rightly, been fired and charged with murder. This case is ongoing.   Like many, I still can't bring myself to watch the footage of Tyre being beaten to death. Heartfelt condolences to Tyre's family and all who loved him.   Sickle Cell: NHS staff 'failing to follow healthcare guidelines'   NHS staff are failing to follow guidelines for providing care to sickle cell patients - and some of the official advice has been branded as "unfit for purpose". Read more here - it's unacceptable.   This was uncovered through NHS Race and Health Observatory-commissioned research which explores the lived experience of people undergoing emergency hospital admissions for sickle cell and managing crisis episodes at home.   Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that predominantly affects Black people. It is estimated that there are between 12,500 and 15,000 people living with the illness in the UK. King Charles' Africa Centre visit branded 'lip service' by campaigners   "What is it about Black British institutions and their eagerness to accommodate the monarchy, while ignoring views from within the Black communities they purport to serve?," one person asked me. I couldn't answer that.   Black luminaries dismissed King Charles' visit to a centre for African culture last week as a blatant PR exercise by the palace to "sanitise their battered image" around race - as well as a missed opportunity to address issues of racism and colonialism.   The monarch visited the new headquarters of the Africa Centre in London on Thursday, where he viewed a climate change exhibition and heard about "the role the Africa Centre plays in connecting Africans in the UK to the global diaspora".   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our welcome offer when you join today. Original Flava, the dynamic Jamaican-British cooking duo, have landed their first permanent restaurant residency at Markethouse in Brixton, south London. The opening date is tomorrow, 1 February Black author, aged nine, hopes to inspire others to 'live in the power of their name' The Black Pound Day team have announced the opening of their Westfield Stratford pop-up store on Saturday, 4 February A community 'madressa' - a Muslim school - dedicated to children with special needs has opened In Preston. It reportedly aims to "provide Islamic Education" to children and young adults as there is no provision in the area that provides this service Claudia Jones, renowned activist and publisher, to be honoured with a blue English Heritage plaque outside her former London home in Vauxhall US Reverend Al Sharpton will be collaborating with the newly-launched UK civil rights charity, Black Equity Organisation, to deliver a keynote speech on 'The Future of Black Activism in the UK' next Tuesday, 7 February A new podcast startup initiative is offering free training to dozens of investigative journalists in Africa Journalist Yolanthe Fawehinmi and New Strange will launch the first episode of 'BLACK PROSE' on February 1, the podcast where some of the best and most talented Black writers of our time — from journalists, and authors to songwriters and rappers — talk about their careers and top tips Essential reading Black women are up to two times more likely to receive a late-stage diagnosis for some cancers than white British women in England, new analysis shows 'I've never been afraid to cry': Micheal Ward on Empire of Light, life after Top Boy, and kissing Olivia Colman NHS racism shame: One in three Black and minority ethnic staff face discrimination or bullying The family of Bolton teacher, Jenna Patel, who died from rare cancer have started a fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK ahead of World Cancer Day on Saturday 'The UK is institutionally racist', United Nations warns as ministers urged to act 'Pointing out that the officers involved in Tyre Nichols' death were Black is a dangerous distraction' | Nylah Burton We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle Join now If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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