Latest news with #WindrushGeneration
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lenny Henry used humour to protect himself while dealing with racist childhood bullying
Sir Lenny Henry, who grew up in Dudley, opened up about the racist bullying he endured during his childhood Comedian Lenny Henry detailed how he used humour as his 'sword and shield' against the racist bullies in his childhood. The 66-year-old was born in Dudley in August 1958 to parents Winston and Winifred. His full name is Lenworth George Henry, and he was named after the doctor who delivered him at Burton Road Hospital. Sir Lenny previously revealed the horrific racist abuse that has plagued him, particularly as part of a Jamaican family in the West Midlands in the 70s. He had said that "Keep Britain white" was often painted on walls in the area he lived in, and that people would hound his mother on the streets, "asking where her tail was". In a new interview, the comedian said a lot of his defence from racism came from his late mother, Winifred. She had 'horrible things' yelled at her in the street after she moved to England from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation. At the time, Black children living in the area he grew up in were advised to be outside in pairs due to the racist abuse they went through. Speaking to The Sunday Times' Culture Magazine, he explained: "We were in the midst of this maelstrom, but you don't know that when you're kids. You just gravitate to people who like you, or want to snog you. "My humour became my sword and shield. I could deflect something with a joke. I was being beaten up by one kid when I started to talk about the ridiculousness of us rolling around on the floor like we were married. "People started to laugh and suddenly people thought I was worth something. I was still punched, but I'd have people protecting me. I had three white friends by the time I was 12: Greg, Mac and Tom. I still know them today and they saved my life, really. They encouraged me to be funny." The racism continued well into his career, with him previously explaining that the National Front smeared "N.F" in excrement on his and ex-wife Dawn French's door. They were even threatened with burning rags through the door and abusive letters. Dawn once said: 'We had words scratched into every panel of every car — very offensive, derogatory, racist terminology.' Lenny's career began when he appeared on New Faces at aged 15, eventually winning the show with his impression of Stevie Wonder. Two years later, he started doing a stand up routine on The Black and White Minstrel show, where performers in blackface sang minstrel songs. But being the only black performer in this intrinsically racist show gave Lenny "creeping dread". 'I would arrive at the theatre and know that I would be the only actual black person in the building, perhaps the only one within a 50-mile radius," he said.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lenny Henry, 66, says humour was his 'sword and shield' while battling racist bullying in his childhood because it encouraged others to 'protect him'
Lenny Henry has revealed he used humour as his 'shield' against racist bullies during his childhood, because it encouraged others to 'protect him.' The comedian, 66, opened up about his past growing up in Dudley in a new interview, where he detailed the challenges of being in the 'maelstrom' of divided Britain in the mid 1960s. Speaking to The Sunday Times' Culture Magazine, Lenny shared that much of his defence from racism came from his late mother Winifred. He said that Winifird herself had 'horrible things' shouted at her in the street after she migrated to the UK from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation. At the time, black children living in Dudley were advised to go out in pairs due to the fear of racist abuse they endured. Tensions were heightened when Conservative Enoch Powell delivered his much-criticised Rivers Of Blood speech about immigration in Birmingham, for which he was accused of stirring up racial hatred. But Lenny said he realised he could use his humour as a defence against the abuse, telling the publication: 'We were in the midst of this maelstrom, but you don't know that when you're kids. You just gravitate to people who like you, or want to snog you.' 'My humour became my sword and shield. I could deflect something with a joke. I was being beaten up by one kid when I started to talk about the ridiculousness of us rolling around on the floor like we were married. People started to laugh and suddenly people thought I was worth something. 'I was still punched, but I'd have people protecting me. I had three white friends by the time I was 12: Greg, Mac and Tom. I still know them today and they saved my life, really. They encouraged me to be funny.' In the interview, Lenny also reflected on his relationship with his late mother, who died in 1998, sharing he still goes to 'grief therapy' in the wake of her passing. Detailing his own mental health struggles, the Broadchurch star said he feels people have gotten better at admitting they 'need help' over the past decade, something he's encouraged after losing several friends to suicide. Earlier this year, Lenny who is currently starring in the play Every Brilliant Thing at London's Soho Place, hinted he may be making a return to stand-up comedy after a 15-year hiatus to focus on acting. Speaking about his return, Lenny told The Mirror: 'It's been a while, but there are plans in motion.' He hinted that his new material could include a mix of classic and fresh content and teased that some of his iconic characters from The Lenny Henry Show, such as Theophilus P. Wildebeeste and Delbert Wilkins, might make a reappearance alongside modern creations. He explained: 'It might just be me talking to the audience, but I love weaving in the characters. It's the 21st century, though, so I want to try something new.' The comedian also addressed concerns about navigating today's comedy landscape, saying: 'People can say anything they like, as long as they edit themselves. If you can't self-edit, that's when you're in trouble.' Sir Lenny first made his mark on shows like Tiswas and as a warm-up act for comedy greats Morecambe and Wise. More recently, he's earned acclaim for his acting, including a role in Harlan Coban's Netflix hit Missing You earlier this year. With his comeback on the horizon, Lenny said he's inspired by changes in society and politics, describing the current climate as 'a massive smorgasbord of subject matter.'
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
London artworks celebrating Windrush generation restored after vandalism
Portraits celebrating the Windrush generation in the heart of Brixton have been restored after a vandalism attack led to a global outpouring of support. The Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, displayed in Windrush Square, features 20 portraits and recollections of people who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean in the postwar era. The exhibition, a joint project involving community groups, social enterprises and creatives, was launched at the Big Caribbean Lunch event celebrating Windrush Day on 22 June in Lambeth. But, in the early hours of 3 July, the portraits were slashed and daubed with green paint. News of the attack led to community groups involved in the exhibition receiving support from all over the world, said Ros Griffiths, the chair of Friends of Windrush Square, with about £5,000 donated to an online fundraiser at GoFundMe in a week. The fundraiser has not yet met the £15,000 target, which meant the restoration work was only possible with a loan, Griffiths said, but organisers were keen to see the exhibition restored quickly, and would keep the fundraiser open. Griffiths added: 'Even though we did not achieve our target, we still went ahead and restored the portraits on credit because the stories couldn't wait. But we still ask everyone to continue to support the campaign to reach our goal, because every contribution helps to honour the legacy of our generation with the dignity and visibility it deserves. 'The public's response was overwhelming. The exhibition went viral. Messages of solidarity poured in from across the UK and beyond, as far away as Tokyo, any way they could connect with us, they did – people who had never set foot in Brixton. This is a testament of power of truth, visibility and collective pride.' The exhibition, developed with groups including Friends of Windrush Square, Empathy Museum, Black Cultural Archives, Photofusion and Born or Made, had been due to end on 10 July, but has now been extended for another fortnight, with talks under way to move it to the Home Office. The equalities minister, Seema Malhotra, visited the scene this week. The exhibition features a portrait of Clovis Samuel, one of the oldest members of the Windrush generation, who died recently, which gave this year's Windrush Day celebrations an added poignancy. In a post on GoFundMe, Ed Errington, of Empathy Museum, said: 'This exhibition is more than just images. It's a proud and public celebration of the Windrush generation and their descendants – a space for collective memory, recognition, and resilience.' The Metropolitan police said they arrested a 24-year-old man on Saturday 5 July, on suspicion of vandalism, and that he was taken to hospital due to concerns for his welfare. He was further arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property, although officers added that 'based on additional inquiries', they did not believe the incident is racially motivated, but are continuing to 'explore all possible motives.'
Metro
06-07-2025
- Metro
Man arrested after Windrush exhibition vandalised in south London
Police have said the vandalism of an exhibition honouring the Windrush generation is 'not a hate crime' after arresting a suspect. Officers were called to reports of vandalism in Brixton, south London at 6.00am on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said. As many as 20 photographs of members from the Windrush generation had been sprayed with paint and attacked with a sharp object. A 24-year-old man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of vandalism, the force said. He was taken to a police station where he remains in custody. According to the Brixton Blog, most of the images were gouged around the eyes, leaving 'irreparable damage'. Based on investigations carried out so far, the incident is not being treated as a hate crime, the Met said, adding that further enquiries will take place to establish the circumstances. Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, who leads policing in Brixton, said: 'We understand that those in the community will feel distressed about vandalism to the Windrush exhibition in Brixton. 'We believe that this was not a hate crime, and I want to reassure anyone with concerns, that a man has now been arrested. 'Local neighbourhood officers have been in contact with the organiser of the exhibition, and remain in the area to respond to any questions or worries that people may have.' A fundraising page has been set up to restore the exhibition, which has so far raised more than £2,000. The Windrush scandal involved the wrongful detention, denial of rights, and deportation of legal UK residents, mainly Caribbean immigrants who arrived between 1948 and 1971. Due to a lack of official documentation and hostile immigration policies, many faced loss of jobs, housing, and healthcare, despite having lived in the UK for decades. Lambeth's council's cabinet member for stronger communities, Donatus Anyanwu said before the arrest:'We are deeply saddened that the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition has been vandalised, and strongly condemn anyone responsible. 'The exhibition and the events held in Lambeth to mark Windrush Day in June were a brilliant way of honouring and celebrating the significant contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to British life. 'This act of vandalism sours the community spirit and sense of unity that we've built, but we won't let an act of criminality derail our commitment to celebrating our diversity, or our commitment to making Lambeth a borough of equity and justice.' MORE: 'Nightclub predator' rapist joked about videos of his attacks in WhatsApp group MORE: Man caught hurling his elderly dog over a fence and onto concrete path MORE: Paramedics 'triage overheating passengers' on stuck train in more chaos for Eurostar
BBC News
06-07-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested over damage to Windrush portraits in Brixton
The vandalism of Windrush generation portraits is not being treated as a hate crime, the Met police said after they arrested a man in connection with the featured in the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, currently installed in Windrush Square in Brixton, south London, were damaged on Thursday.A 24-year-old was detained on Saturday on suspicion of vandalism and remains in police of Windrush Square had said on Thursday the vandalism was "an attack on public art" and claimed it was driven by "racial hatred". 'Considerable distress' On Sunday the police said: "We believe that this was not a hate crime, and I want to reassure anyone with concerns, that a man has now been arrested."The Met also said they "understand that those in the community will feel distressed about vandalism to the Windrush exhibition in Brixton" and officers have been in contact with organiser of the art installation features 20 portraits of those who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1970s alongside first-hand accounts of their experiences. Friends of Windrush Square said the vandalism had caused "considerable distress" to local residents, artists, volunteers and project partners, "many of whom are directly connected to the Windrush legacy".
