Author: John Belchem
publisher name: Liverpool University Press
ISBN: 9781781380000
Before the Windrush delves into the history of Liverpool long before the arrival of the 'Empire Windrush' after the Second World War. Liverpool was already known for its diverse population, lively 'sailortown,' and a cosmopolitan mix of transients, sojourners, and settlers. The book explores the city's profile of polyglot residents and their experiences before the significant post-war immigration wave.
Despite being regarded as British subjects, the 'coloured' colonials who arrived in Liverpool believed they were entering a common British world. However, their encounters were marked by a different reality. The book titled There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack reflects the challenges faced by black Liverpudlians, despite legal recognition as British subjects. The narrative highlights racial discrimination, marginalization, and disadvantages faced by the black community, even in the context of mixed dating, marriages, and parentage.
Before the Windrush offers historical context and perspective to debates about Britain's experience of empire in the twentieth century. It provides insights into Liverpool's mixed population in the first half of the twentieth century and its approach to race relations, contributing to a richer understanding of how the empire 'came home.'
