It’s Black History Month!

Written by Hana Mohamed

This month celebrates black culture and history across the UK - from London to Bristol to Edinburgh, all the way to our little community in North Kensington. Many of us in school learnt about black history from the American point of view and know very little about the history of black people in the UK. Over this month we will be highlighting famous black British figures as well as our own Midaye staff to celebrate the work they have done for our community.

This week, we are highlighting Paul Stephenson, the man who led the Bristol bus boycotts.

Like many other cities in England in the 1960s, racist and discriminatory policies within companies was rife and Bristol was no different. In Bristol, there was prejudiced employment policy within the bus companies called the colour bar and made it harder for black people to get jobs in the transport sector. Paul along with the West Indian Development Council decided that they would protest against this through the boycott of busses. Most of the West Indian community decided to join them as well as people of other races as well.

After 4 long months, on the same day as Martin Luther Kings ‘I have a dream’ speech, they were granted access to what they were working for and the colour bar came to an end!

 One month later, Bristol had its first black bus driver.

Without the resilience and determination of Paul Stephenson and the West Indian Development council, this wouldn’t have happened, certainly not as soon as it did. It shows how far as country we have come as we have become a more accepting with less prejudices.

The Bristol bus boycott is considered to be an influential factor in the Race Relations Act of 1965, which made racial discrimination unlawful in public places.