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Socialist Party black and Asian members discuss the history of black and Asian struggle in Britain
Militant supporters (forerunner of the Socialist Party) on an anti-racist demo in 1978. Photo: Militant (Click to enlarge)
Isai Priya, Socialist Party Black and Asian group
The Socialist Party Black and Asian group met online on Sunday 16 May. Hugo Pierre introduced the main discussion on the history of black and Asian struggle in Britain, a history not taught in schools and colleges as the capitalist class tries to hide it from the working class and young people.
As Hugo said in his introduction: "When you look into the history, it makes it clear how racism was first used, and how it has developed. Racism is a tool for class oppression and, when you go through history, it couldn't be clearer that is exactly what it is.
"It has been a tool that has been used by the ruling class in Britain, in particular, as an imperialist power, to divide workers and to allow the ruling class to super-exploit especially blacks - first as slaves, then as workers."
Hugo's introduction also outlined how mass movements have changed social attitudes, and how we can build a united movement to smash racism; that the only way to end racism is by finding a way to bring about working-class unity through a socialist programme, and for that united working class struggle to overthrow capitalism.
The meeting discussed key historical events that demonstrate the power of united working-class struggle including; the Chartist movement, Mangrove, Notting Hill, Bristol bus boycott, Grunwick dispute, the mass movement following the killing of Stephen Lawrence, the shutting down of the British Nationalist Party headquarters, and more.
We also discussed the most recent example of mass action to win a victory - the marvellous mass protest in Glasgow which stopped the deportation of two Indian workers. Parallels were drawn with the anti-poll tax movement by Socialist Party members who took part, showing the strength of united mass action.
The Black and Asian group agreed to discuss 'South Africa: from slavery to the smashing of apartheid' at the next meeting in July. We plan to organise and build for a public meeting for Black History Month in October.
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