Sapphire

Sapphire is a 1959 British crime drama. The film is about a pregnant girl who was found dead. Sapphire appears to be white , but her brother arrives at the police station to give evidence and he is black. It then becomes evident to the police officers that this girl has been 'passing for white'. This film reveals the underlying insecurities and fears of ordinary people that exist towards another race, the black race especially.

In the film black people are presented negatively and are perceived as beings that obtain negative attributes. As the film progresses, there is a constant reference to the word 'coloured' to describe black people. This suggests that a majority of black people were seen as foreign people and that if you are black you are different. The detective says towards the beginning of the film that 'I think she died because she was coloured'. This reflects the racist attitudes during that time and shows how negative people were towards black people. There was almost an outrage at the thought of white individuals marrying someone from another culture due to the amount of negativity attached to it. Therefore, this set a boundary to love during that era as it was almost 'impossible' to be in love with an individual that was a different race/colour from you.

The fact that Sapphire used a different identity by 'passing for white' shows that she was ashamed of her colour or knew that there were negative stereotypes attached to her race. The film implies that it was a disgrace to be associated with a 'coloured' person because it is a negative thing to be black and they are much different from white individuals solely because of the colour of their skin and it also tarnishes the reputation of the person being associated with the 'coloured' person.

It was a mind blowing concept to grasp considering white people would actually marry someone from another culture and of different colour due to the amount of negative stereotypes related to it. There seems to be an unspoken law that there should be no mixing of race relations and there was a boundary to love during that era as it was almost impossible and unthinkable to be in love with an person that was of a different race/colour from you.

Overall, the film was made to educate people and to show people that such attitudes towards black people were wrong. Although it has gotten better considering that we have moved on from those times. Black people were also seen as subordinates and below white people simply because of their skin colour and they were not allowed to be free in their own environment.

Pressure

Set in Ladbroke Grove, West London, an area with a large Caribbean population since the 1950s, Pressure explores the ingestion of Caribbean people into British society.
The film focuses on one black Caribbean teenager, and his attempt to find his way in a white-dominated society. As Anthony's initially high hopes are repeatedly dashed - he cannot find work anywhere; potential employers treat him with suspicion because of his colour - his sense of remoteness grows. While his family come from Trinidad, Anthony was born in Britain and is British. When a Black awareness meeting is violently raided by the police, and Anthony sees these 'organised forces of repression' at work, his political awakening begins.

1. What event occurred in the 1970s and 1980s that represent the presence of racial tensions?
The 1970s and 1980s were decades of conflict and collisions in British society. It was a period of widespread unemployment on behalf on the Caribbean people which seriously affected them economically. Discrimination and poverty were also issues that sparked a series of riots in Black-British communities such as Brixton, Tottenham and Notting Hill Gate.

2. Why do you think Pressure was made?
Pressure was made to show a social awakening of young, black British men and women, which focuses on the changing attitudes of White British people towards Black British people. It also shows the changing economical and political situation of Britain in 1970s and 1980s. This is shown through Tony's brother Colin in the film Pressure. He tries to get young black people to join together to change the system, the way black people were treated everyday in their society. The film also highlights the difficulty of getting a respectable job as a young black person despite having many qualifications. The character Tony is shown to have difficulties getting a job as a secretary mainly because he is black, and his friends who are white got a job as soon as they left school.

3. What examples of racism are represented in Pressure?

Racism is represented very clearly in Pressure. The first example we see is when Tony explains that he has been going to numerous job interviews since he left school but as soon as he leaves the interview, he never hears back from them. Further example is shown when he goes to a interview and because his name looked English on paper the employer assumes he must be white, and because he is black he is not given an opportunity.
Another example is, when Tony goes with his friend Sheila to where she is presumably renting a room with a white woman, and she refuses to let Tony in her house when she sees. However when she is questioned why, she doesn't give a clear reason except for 'I just don't want them kind of people here'. This suggests that young Black people in the 1970s-1980s were all thought of as criminals or rogues who do harm to the society.
Lastly, the scene where Colin and his group have a meeting with young black people in a community hall and a group of police arrest a lot of them for no reason particularly. They also portray black people badly in the newspapers by claiming that many white people were injured by black people when it was the reverse that happened. This shows that the police thought they could do whatever they wanted to black people and if they didn't like how they were treated they will be forced to leave the country. It was a way of making black people feeling uncomfortable without saying anything.

4. How does the theme of collective identity come across in Pressure?
The theme of collective identity is shown at the breakfast scene when the Caribbean born and bred Colin accuses Tony of trying to be white by eating fish and chips instead of the traditional Caribbean food. He says 'this is what we eat back home' he tries to encourage Tony to be part of the collective identity of Black British people by eating the same foods they all eat.
In the same way, Colin tries to encourage to join him in campaigning for Black rights because he is black. Colin tries to explain to explain to Tony that he can't be black and still be influenced by white culture, he has to represent his Black culture.

5. How do you think Pressure differs from mainstream representations of black Britons?

The film Pressure differs as it aims to show Black Britons as victims instead of the representation that most young black people are violent and dangerous. Black people in the film are showed in uncomfortable situations where they have to fight to get any solution.

Research

Britain between 1948-1962
Between 1948 and 1962 workers from the colonies could migrate to Britain without restriction. Until 1962 every Commonwealth citizen was entitled to enter the United Kingdom at will.
This right had been freely exercised for many years but it was only in the 10 years from 1952 onwards that substantial numbers of people from the Commonwealth began to think of settling in Britain.
Under the British Nationality Act 1948, citizens of British colonies could simply apply to the Home Office for registration of British nationality and were issued with certificates.
The South Asian citizens who could obtain certificates included many who came to Britain from other colonies, such as indentured labourers from the West Indies and families who had settled in East Africa.
A Commonwealth citizen who wanted to work and settle in the United Kingdom had to obtain Ministry of Labour Vouchers, which were issued under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 and 1969. The vouchers were issued in three categories:
Category A: For applications by employers in this country who had a specific job to offer to a particular Commonwealth citizen
Category B: For applications by Commonwealth citizens without a specific job to come to but with certain special qualifications (such as nurses, teachers, medical doctors )
Category C: For all others.

How was the social landscape changing?
There is another paradox in our new social landscape. The nation is devolved into Scottish, Welsh and British parliaments, while a mayor presides over London. Yet on our streets there has been a loss of distinctiveness: we have fewer pubs, independent shops, post offices and social clubs, but more supermarkets and chains. Local newspapers are vanishing, as are local services.
Britain’s population is more global too. The highest ever peacetime levels of immigration have shored up our young population, birth rates and labour force. But the net gain of more than 3m non-Britons has also fuelled an anxious debate over national identity.

How did the changing social landscape lead to a 'racialisation' of British Politics?

Social landscape lead to a 'racialisation' of British politics as they mas much anxiety as to the amount of 'coloured' immigrants in Britain, this was uttered by the Conservative Party. The prospect of black immigration was immediately viewed negative as two days after the Empire Windrush a letter was sent to Prime Minister Clement Attlee (at the time) by 11 Labour MP's pleading for the control of Black immigration. During these years black individuals were portrayed as scapegoats as they were blamed for the growing difficulties that the British economy. In the year 1962, introduced the first legislation act which restricted entry on British Commonwealth citizens by making primary immigration dependent on the ownership of a work voucher.

Task 6

What is Black British culture?

I think that Black British culture is a combination of things. Firstly, when I think of them term Black British, migrants of African and Caribbean countries come to mind as they have come to the United Kingdom for something that their native lands couldn't offer them; a better life and opportunity.

Black British people bring their traditions, food, music, religion , fashion and different way of talking with them as they do not forget where they come from but embrace it still as they will begin to embrace the British culture they will come to encounter as they live as Black Britons.

The people born in the UK of various backgrounds will regard themselves as 'Nigerian', 'Black British Caribbean', 'Black British with Ghanaian heritage' and 'British' or 'Black British'.

The radio extract shows that black people know their origin and where they come from. They associated their countries through their parents as they were born there.

As people leave their native lands for a better life, they think that the UK will be better; but they were in for a rude awakening, as they didn’t get a warm welcome as the white British people felt as if they were taking over.

Black style shows how they made their identities after being targets as a way for them to keep their pride. The music that they listen to and the way they did their hair brought back their flavour of being ethnic.

This generation is more accepting as both children and their parents came over.
The impact America had on England was noticeable as the way people dressed was imitated.
Black style is not just for black skinned people but everyone else; snapbacks, baseball jackets, baggy jeans, whiter than white trainers, tops 4 sizes too big and bling (jewellery) are the things associated with being/acting black but as it is such an attractive lifestyle, people of all nationalities cannot be said to be acting black because black people behave in a way which other nationalities may deem desirable. Being black is not always seen in a positive light, as there are stereotypes associated with negative things. Being black and acting black are two different things but people cant help them things they like or are into as non black people may have grown up in a black majority area.

The majority of black people that first came to Britain were the Jamaicans and they brought with them their loud patios language, but eventually toned it down when they realized that it sounded aggressive.
The introduction of reggae and Rastafarianism taught people some of the Jamaican language as they listened to it frequently and embraced it.
‘You get me?’ this phrase was widely and frequently used not only by the black Jamaicans but also by everyone else.

It has been found that white defendants were found guilty but more black people were sent to prison. Black boys are also doing the worst in school as they are solely focused on the gang and street life because they have no fathers present and their mothers’ can only do so much.

Young black people feel alienated because they have been demonized as some of them may be living in poverty, which may lead them to sell drugs and kill for money.

Black music (dancehall, hip hop, garage and grime) has some controversies as they are not always the cleanest but are embraced by all nationalities. Black music isn’t just for black people as it attracts all types of people, which makes this types of music flourish.

Task 5

The Notting Hill race riots took place in 1958, which resulted with the narrowing of ignorance toward the integration of black people into british society.
This extract represents the ongoing war/ feud between the Caribbeans that have come over from their countries with the white English people already living here. It is evident that a white person is the commentator, which shows that the station it is aired from is a predominantly white one.

However, I think that this extract is trying to say the feud should end. Even though the commentator describes the black people as ‘something new and ugly’ and wanting to remove them as they posed as a threat and caused a problem; this problem they think can only be solved with violence against the black people.

Both black and white people are being represented in the extract as the commentator is white and represents the majority white population. The black Caribbean man that is featured in the extract represents that minority of black people which have been targeted and abused; though he is on the extract, it might symbolize change.

The representation is communicated by the fact that it is on radio station being aired to millions across the country; this broadcast hopefully will send the message of peace and equality between both races. As both a black man and white man are on this radio extract, it may represent they coming together of two races, which will be communicated to their audience as they are listening.

Task 4

The Windrush Years (1948-1958)
After the second world war came the windrush years where Britain was infiltrated with 500 immigrants from the West Indies.
Many West Indians decided to stay after they had helped Britain to fight in the second world war and, they hoped they would be welcomed the same way they were welcomed during the war however, hostility grew in society towards West Indians and they were soon told to leave and go back to where they came from.

Part 1: The 50 years historic voyage of 500 West Indians. June 21st 1948 everyone wanted a way of the life of Britain. West Indians were brought as Britains in the Caribbean, they had the same lifestyle as people had in Britain because they went to Catholic school, sang english songs and respected the Royal family. During the war West Indians and Britains lived and died together. In 1957 200 men went back to the West Indies on intention to comeback.

Part 2: When the West Indians decided to come back to settle in Britain hostility began to grow because those who had fought in the war brought their families back. The slogan K.B.W (keep Britain white) started appearing everyewhere which alienated the West Indians.

Part 3: British people realised that the West Indians were here to so, they began race riots and mob violence, black homes were targeted and damaged.

Part 6: Mosley's leader of Britain's fascist anti-immigrant movement started targeting black men and beating them up. The police took sides with British people and were unable to defend the West Indians. This would have made the West Indians feel very unwanted and would have felt used as they were only used to fight the war and maybe British people only put up with them for the duration of the war. If a white woman was seen with a black man they will both be beaten up because it wasn't proper for them to be together.

Part 7: 1 September 1958 petrol bombs were made to target the West Indians and were thrown through the window into the homes of the West Indians. Many white people disagreed with Mosley's fascist ideas and rebelled but they had to be careful because if they were caught they would be beaten up by Mosley's teddy boys. West Indians had to protect themselves becauese the streets were dangerous and they decide to be not be passive anymore. They set up a headquarters to protect families street by street.
In May 1959, 8 months after the riots a West Indian man named Kelso Cochraine was murdered, which made it the first race murder in Nottinghill. However, because no one was arrested for his murder the black community felt they could expect little protection from the law.

Part 8: It wasn't only the black people that was dismayed by the death of Kelsp Cochraine many white people, felt that the violence on their streets had to be stopped. Kelso Cochraine's funeral, brought together people from all the different comunities. After Cocharine's funeral people's attitudes began to change in Britain towards the West Indians, they became more tolerant towards them. After Mosley's resignation from politics people attitudes changed further and West Indians were no longer guests in Britain.
The Blues party was introduced in the 1960s which was were black people went and was a place where they felt safe.

Part 9: New contact was established between young black men and whites girls through caribbean music. The scandal of Christine Keeler who crossed the line of high society and black street life. She had a string of West Indian lovers. Problems began when she started dating two West Indians Lucky Gordon and Johnny Edgecombe.
The new movement of Pentecostal church began to flourish when West Indians formed their own congregation.

Part 10: By the mid 1960s the visitors to Britain began to stay permanently. Black political action in Britain found its focus in 1963 in Bristol where the colour bar was still a fact of everyday life. A boycott was arranged by Paul Stephenson to allow black people to sit on buses in Bristol. It took four months before the boycott achieve what it wanted. Harold Wilson's Labour government came into power in 1964 and it took them a year and a half to introduce the first Race Relations Act.

Part 11: The RAS organisation formed Micheal X created a black house; a black power commune in London. Since the end of the 50s right wing immgration groups had been growing in strength and completed the formation of the national front in 1966. They were scared because they thoguht the West Indians were a threat and wanted a to change Britain from being northern European to become something else.

Part 12: Enoch Powell in 1968 began an anti-immigration message split the nation. Some people supported it and some didn't.

Part 13: In January 1981 a fire killed 13 children in a home in South London. At the beginning of the 1970s there was a shortage of jobs and it was three times as harder for a black child to get a job than it was for a white child. Black children started their own clubs because it was difficult for them to get into white clubs. Young blacks behaved differently from their parents, in the sense that they didn't put up with the insults and constraints their parents had to put up with. By the early seventies it was becoming an expected wisdom that black pupils would fail at school. Conflict between black youths and the police developed further by an incident in Nottinghill.

Part 14: The police began to follow black youths around everywhere searching them unnecessarily. People assumed that black youths were involved in most of the crimes in society because of the high number of crimes committed in that year. The Nottinghill carnival in August 1976, which showcased the culture of the West Indians became the unlikely setting for a bloody confrontation between black youths and the police.

Part 15: Bob Marley's music offered a different identity for black youths in Britain. His music, achieved huge popularity in mainstream British pop music. Many black youths began to live the Rastafarian lifestyle. In 1977 the National front staged a demonstration against black crime which would march through one of Britain's most significant black communities: Lewisham in south London. Black youths went to the demonstration prepared and planned to ambush them. That event did little to repair the relationship between the black community and the police.

Collective Identity- Task 2

Black Britain on Prezi