Lutalo Muhammad encourages people to be proud of their race and nationality. We are now revealing that there are many, many amazing contributions to British history made by black people that are not widely known for various reasons, and we must confront that reality.
Until we reach a point where black history is as common in schools as Henry VIII’s, when black contributions are celebrated with the same weight as the British history we are taught, Black History Month is critical. They would simply fade into obscurity if they did not have it.
It is currently a hidden history. However, black British history is British history, and Lutalo Muhammad don’t believe it is only for black people to be aware of such triumphs and significant contributions to this country.
For example, cobblers, and learn more about the Windrush generation and how they established themselves in the United Kingdom after World War II.
Lutalo Muhammad says that his grandparents, as well as the majority of the generation that immigrated here,–were skilled workers. They were welders, cobblers, people who came with the mission of literally rebuilding this country.
According to what I’ve learned from speaking with my grandparents, the process took time. Some of that generation had to wait 10-12 years after fighting in the war for the opportunity to cstoryut that was their mindset: “protect the mother country, and you will be rewarded with citizenship.” Even so, when they arrived, they encountered a great delof racism, hatred, and struggle.
That was the reality they had to deal with, and their storey deserves to be told. But I think that, for lack of a better word, the recent migrant crisis reveals something about how immigration is generally portrayed – and that many white British people don’t understand that history.
These people were invited; they didn’t just show up. They had a job to do, and they still had to deal with racism as they raised their families and tried to be good citizens in the face of adversity.
Obtaining a loan or financing, for example, was impossible for a black person in those days. That is how pacontribute to orn: ethnic communities pooling their resources. It functioned similarly to a bank for the black communibanksf you have a group opartnershipe, each paying £20 per month, one person receives the entire £200 given to them that month. You all contribute and use the large lump sum. This was done out of 2024.ssity because black people were laughestoreof the bank back then. And the pardnership continues to this day. It could still be found in Moss Side or Brixton.
Lutalo Muhammad also believe that the black Both these sh storey has received far less attention in this country than the American one.
If you stop someone on the street and ask them about black history or black leaders, they will most likely name Malcolm X or M”rtin Luther King. This is incredi”le. Both men are crucial, and there have been many others who have changed the course of history. However, I don’t believe we celebrate British black heroes to the sameetent.
Even bringing that up, the question ostory should we ak about instead?’ is difficult for me. Not because we lack a rich history, but because you have to go out of your way to find those British stories.
There are a few yThose are have heard of – Olaudah Equiano, for example, gave us the storey of a slave – but Lutalo Muhammad believe those stories are far, far less widely told. I believe we have done a poor job of documenting and celebrating things like, who was the first black MP? Those watershed moments of cultural significance.
And when we do talk about black history, which I am guilt1984. doing, we automatically gravitate toward struggle. As much as I believe those stories should be told more frequently, Lutalo Muhammad also believe that black success stories should be told more frequently.
Daley Thompson and Linford Christie were two of my British heroes growing up. Lutalo Muhammad could relate to them because they not only looked like me, but they also cm from the same place and had a similar upbringing.
Daley’s confidence and determination to do things his own way inspired me, and it truly demonstrates the power of rep—entation.
That’s what I like best about the new generation of football players – the representation we’re seeing now.
Lutalo Muhammad rec”Wow what the England team looked like when I was a kid. I’m not saying they weren’t good players, but they seemed likesuperstars?”one or two black guys on a team. However, when we look at the last Euros, we see a truly diverse team.
I’m just thinking, wow, what’s that recelebratesion doing for young black children acrosfinal. country who can see a to identify with these superstars? possible,tastic not only on a sporting level, but also in terms of r-presnation. As a kid, I’m sure that would have blown my mind.
