Prince William says racism is ‘all too familiar’ to black people in Britain today

As he and Kate Middleton helped unveil a national memorial to the Windrush generation at London’s Waterloo Station, Prince William said black men and women in Britain still face racism in 2022

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Prince William speaks at the unveiling of the Waterloo Windrush statue

Prince William said black people still face racism and discrimination in Britain today as he paid tribute to the Windrush generation.

William was speaking as he and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the unveiling of a national monument at London’s Waterloo Station to celebrate the dreams and courage of the Windrush generation who came to help Britain rebuild after the Second World War.

The memorial is a 12ft statue – of a man, woman and child in their Sunday best standing on top of suitcases – unveiled today to mark Windrush Day.

In a speech to those who gathered for the unveiling, which included Windrush passengers and high-profile members of the black community, William spoke about how the nation would be poorer without their efforts and how he and Kate would have learned a lot from their recent experiences touring through the caribbean

He said, “We know without question that the Windrush generation has enriched our culture, strengthened our services, and made our countrymen safer.”

William also spoke about the Windrush scandal, which surfaced in 2017 after it was revealed that hundreds of Commonwealth citizens, many of whom were from the Windrush generation, had been unjustly imprisoned, deported and denied their rights.

He said: “Unfortunately the same is true for members of the Windrush generation who have been victims of racism upon arrival here and discrimination remains an all too familiar experience for black men and women in Britain in 2022.

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“Just a few years ago, tens of thousands of this generation were deeply wronged by the Windrush scandal. This rightly resonates throughout the Caribbean community here in the UK and in many other Caribbean countries.

“As such, it is important not only to celebrate the diversity of our families, our communities and our society as a whole – which the Windrush generation has contributed so much to – but also to recognize how the future they have sought and deserved is yet to come.” pending go.

“Diversity makes us strong and reflects the modern, cosmopolitan values ​​that are so important to our country.”

The next year marks 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks in 1948, bringing 500 passengers from the Caribbean.

William spoke about the broad areas of British life shaped by the work and skills of the Windrush generation and their descendants, including commerce, manufacturing, sport, science, engineering and fashion.

They have also done valuable work for the transport system and the NHS which was formed two weeks after the Empire Windrush hit England in 1948.

The Government, which has pledged £1million for the memorial, said it “symbolizes the courage, dedication and resilience of the thousands of men, women and children who traveled to Britain from 1948 to 1971 to seek a new life start”.

It also recognizes the Windrush generation’s “outstanding contribution” to British society and aims to be “an enduring place of reflection,” it added.

The Queen also sent her congratulations on what she described as a “historic occasion”.

In a personal message, she wrote: “The unveiling at Waterloo Station on Windrush Day is a fitting thank you to the Windrush pioneers and their descendants, in recognition of the profound contribution they have made to the UK over the decades.

“I hope the memorial will serve to inspire present and future generations and I send you my warmest congratulations on this historic occasion.”

The Waterloo station was chosen because thousands of people arriving from the Caribbean passed through the station on their way to new lives across the country, the government said.

The unveiling is one of dozens of events and activities across England to celebrate Windrush Day 2022.