Migrants In Britain: 4.5

Question 1

Give 3 reasons for the mass Asian migration to Leicester from 1948-72

Answer 1

• economic opportunities
  [] there was such shortage of labour in Leicester’s textiles and shoes industry that there were more job vacancies than people
  [] jobs available for BOTH men and women in textiles, hosiery, shoe etc. factories
• location
  [] it was easy to travel across the country from Leicester to see family
• cheap housing
  [] houses could be bought for as little as £1000 in the 1960s in the Highfields area of Leicester

Question 2

Which Asian communities settled in Leicester and in which decades ?

Answer 2

• Punjabi Sikhs (1950s)
• Pakistanis (1950s)
• Bengalis (1950s)
• Gujaratis/Punjabis from former British colonies in East Africa (1960s)
• Ugandan Asians (1970s)

Question 3

Describe the establishment of the Asian community in terms of social life and religious identity in Leicester

Answer 3

• by 1972, 3 Hindu temples, 3 Gurdwajas, 2 mosques + an Islamic foundation
• by 1972, 40 Asian social + welfare clubs
• 1968, spokesperson from the Indian Workers’ Association described Leicester as a please where “not only can [people] earn a decent wage, [but] there is less discrimination than elsewhere’

Question 4

What was the initial reaction of English people in Leicester to the influx of Asian migrants ?

Answer 4

• some hostility as in Bristol
• 1964, a club announced that wouldn’t allow more than 10% of its members to be of an ethnic minority
• 1967, school council said schools were being “flooded” by Indian children, “most of whom cannot speak English”
• some sympathised with the Asian community and demonstrated against colour bars in opportunities, and against KKK activity

Question 5

Why did Ugandan Asians begin to migrate to Leicester in 1972 ?

Answer 5

• Ugandan president in 1972 made “Africanisation” policy
  [] threw all Asians out of Uganda to make a ‘Uganda for Ugandans’ - had gained independence in 1962 and most likely wanted to solidify the feeling of freedom and agency in the country (inaugurated 1971, 3rd Ugandan president)
• some wanted to visit family in Leicester
• some sought safety and help from the existing Asian population in Leicester

Question 6

What was the initial English reaction to the influx of Ugandan Asian migrants ?

Answer 6

• August 1972, Leicester City Council complained to the Home Office that there were too many migrants for the city to support
  [] September 1972, ran an ad in the Ugandan press to discourage more migrants
  [] despite this, over a fifth of these refugees arrived anyway
• British Asian Welfare society helped these migrants find jobs and homes
• hostility from the NF (racist British political party) from 1974-79
  [] march in 1974
  [] won 19% of the Leicester vote in 1976
  [] march in 1979
  [] however, support fell in the 1980s as people were shocked by the party’s racism and violence
• British unions worried that English would ‘lose’ job opportunities to migrants who would do the job for slightly cheaper etc.
• many early Asian migrants had to take jobs they were overqualified to do, and faced discrepancies in the pay between white and Asian workers

Question 7

Describe how the negative English attitudes towards the Ugandan Asian migrants changed over time

Answer 7

• many had been successful businessmen in Uganda and had the experience of establishing a business in a new city due to being ‘twice migrants’
  [] at first, found work in existing industries, worked hard and saved up their money
  [] 1970s, many traditional industries in the area began to die out, leaving shops and business spaces empty
  [] the migrants filled these abandoned spaces and built their own businesses like corner shops, greengrocers, clothing shops, jewellery shops and food shops (at first for the Asian community, then for wider communities)
  [] many of these migrants had contacts in Africa and Asia - new trade
  [] helped Leicester recover economically
• LABA (Leicester Asian Business Association) set up in 1986 to give these migrants a better say in the economic prosperity of Leicester
• many of these businesses like Crown Crest (owns Poundstretcher) still make huge turnovers of millions of pounds today
• because of this, English liked the migrants for creating jobs, new industries and strengthening the economy

Question 8

What is the Belgrave Mela Festival ?

Answer 8

• began in 1982, Leicester, Belgrave Road
• celebrated the Asian community initially, now celebrates all communities in Leicester
• attracts many international visitors
  [] 120 000 by 2004

Question 9

What is the Golden Mile ?

Answer 9

• a nickname for Belgrave Road due to the amount of jewellers that opened there in the 1970s when Leicester’s economy was crashing
• huge tourist attraction
  [] mimics the styles of an Indian Bazaar
  [] hosts the world’s largest Diwali festivals outside of India