Altab Ali

In the 1970s the Bangladeshis throughout the UK, particularly in the East End of London, became victims of intolerable racist attacks by the Nazi 'National Front' organisation and associated vicious racist skinhead groups. The first generation Bangladeshis in the UK were incapable of defending themselves, primarily because they were peace-loving and believed that they were no match for the racist thugs. They also felt that by taking direct action they would make the situation worse. Many were of the opinion that they had come to the UK to work and would then return to their country. They naturally looked to the authorities to take action to stop such racist attacks. However, they found that the authorities always turned a blind eye to the problem.

"The Battle of Brick Lane 1978"

Context and brief history

• The history of migration is entwined with empire and colonialism
• We were brought here to "build the economy and you went their to exploit"
• Powell gave momentum to "paki-bashing" after his "rivers foaming of blood speech" in 1968
• Thatcher gave political legitimacy to racism in 1979 by declaring that the UK has been "swamped by people of different cultures"