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.