Today was Windrush Day. As a proud Black man from Jamaican heritage, I’ve had mixed feelings throughout the day. On the one hand I’m so proud of what you (our elders) achieved and the foundations you laid so our futures would be better than your colonised and enslaved past 1/9

I’m proud, that despite you/us being descendants of slaves, displaced from Africa, our identities stolen, names taken and our bodies brutally exploited by colonial rule - you never lost your fight. You the Windrush generation believed in the best of Britain - & many still do. 2/9

I’m proud that when you arrived to Britain with the odds and history against you - you pushed on. Despite the rejection, racism and abuse you experienced in many aspects of public life. You stood firm, you stood together - you built, contributed, created and dreamed. 3/9

But today has also been a day of sadness. After all these years you and your generations that have followed (us), are still to be treated as equal citizens. 4/9

I’m saddened by the intergenerational trauma we experience & still endure -you had to sacrifice too much. I’m saddened that the colonial rule of Britain is still alive, & in many ways still seeks to oppress, extract & exploit. The divide & conquer strategy has been perfected. 5/9

I’m saddened, that those who say they serve us in political offices, fail to recognised the implicit, complicit and explicit racism that exists and is perpetuated in our systems. They then tell us it’s in our imaginations, patronise us and invalidate our lived experiences 6/9

I’m saddened that those who are meant to represent us, reveal too often the dual personalities of the ‘masters’ that oppressed us for so long on plantations and became rich and materially accomplished in the process. 7/9

To my Grandparents and ancestors - it may at times seem like what you have endured is in vain, but it isn’t and won’t be. It’s 2020 but your blood still flows in us. We’re organising, creating and reimagining. Our hearts are still fearless and our resistance will not falter. 8/9

Today honour the Windrush generation. I honour my grandparents and all those that came before. Without you, the world would not be the same. Without you, much of what we have and will achieve will not be possible. Your journey, your truth, your dreams will not be forgotten. 9/9