Introduction
The Importance of Self-help
Housing
Education
Welfare and Overcoming Isolation
Directions for Further Learning
Introduction
Prior to the war a small number of organisations related to different ethnic and religious communities existed in Birmingham however, the numbers increased significantly from the 1950s onwards as more migrants arrived in the city from overseas. Early examples included the Pakistani Welfare Association (1940s onwards) and the Afro-Caribbean Organisation (1950s). Many community organisations developed in response to the particular needs of migrants particularly in relation to the issues of housing, employment, racism and education. Due to what was perceived as the failure of the authorities and 'mainstream' organisations to meet their requests for assistance, self-help became an important way of migrants being able to gain rights, benefits and access to the services they were denied (McLeod, Owen & Khamis, 2001).
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The Importance of Self-help
Self-help was an important concept and practical solution for black and minority ethnic migrant groups in Birmingham. It relied on local people organising to find their own solutions to their needs rather than waiting for the assistance of state organisations. The Pakistani Welfare Association was one such organisation which started out in 1945 to protect the interests of Pakistanis in Birmingham. Welfare officers based at the voluntary organisation visited people in hospital, made arrangements for disabled people, assisted with language difficulties and raised money for people in crisis [MS 1914/8/1 Sparkbrook Association newsletter, April 1964]. Early organisations had little funding and relied on the resourcefulness of individuals to find ways of becoming self-sufficient and providing growing communities with support. A welfare office of the Pakistani Sports and Welfare Association was hence operated from the front room of one of its members [MS 1914/1/5/3/1 Sparkbrook Association Voluntary Work Report, 1963].
Whilst some organisations accepted state funding the attitude of others was that accepting it would imply giving the state control of their future. Not only did self-help fulfil unmet needs in the community, but it also gave expression to initiative and to an extent enabled migrant groups to assume control over the direction of their futures in the city. Self-help fostered pride and consolidated group identity since it often brought together those who were in a similar position in the community. Confidence was essential to the concept within the African-Caribbean community: "If you have no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won even before you have started!" (Marcus Garvey). The policy of the African Caribbean Self Help Organisation, which was established in 1966, was to promote self reliance by developing an economic base; establishing educational institutions; and providing the means by which the community could control all aspects of their lives. Self-help thus entailed a vision of independence, self-determination and self-respect:
ACSHO, from our experience also realise that we need strong institutions in our community, to promote self esteem, education, economic self sufficiency and a theory of liberation. For not only are our economics controlled by others, but so too are our education and our daily lives." [MS 2192/C/D/1/1/1]
The many Birmingham-based organisations classified under the broad term 'self-help' included amongst others:
- Harambee Organisation
- Asian Resource Centre
- The Afro-Caribbean Self-Help Organisation
- Chinese Community Centre
- Catholic Housing Aid Society
- All-Ireland Counties Development Association Ltd
- Lozells Action Centre
- Birmingham Black Sisters
- Asian Youth Movement
- Birmingham Polish Catholic Association
- Afro-Caribbean Association
- West Indian Happy Link Club
- Pakistan Sports and Welfare Association
- Pakistani Welfare Association
- Indian Workers Association
- West Indian Federation
In addition to self-help, the major functions of migrant organisations were overcoming isolation; affirming values and beliefs; conducting social and pastoral work; and acting as quasi-unions and defending members' interests (Rex, 1967). Many undertook campaigning activities for social justice and worked alongside each other in furthering various causes. You can read more about this in the module Campaigning for Social Justice.
Three areas in which some of the above organisations worked are highlighted below.
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Housing
The housing situation affecting migrants in post-war Birmingham was one of the issues which migrants organised themselves to address. One of the early migrant-led organisations addressing poverty and homelessness among Irish settlers was the Catholic Housing Aid Society which operated three branches in the city (Birmingham Mail, 29/10/1965). To counter the desperate need for housing the Society let flats and helped couples save for deposits for their own homes. The Trocadó Cost Rent Society, which was established by the All-Ireland Counties Development Association, similarly helped Irish people to secure homes.
Focussing on homelessness amongst young black people, the Harambee organisation was formally set up in 1972 by a group of black social workers. The organisation established a hostel for young homeless people in Hall Road and acquired other houses in the same street in Handsworth which it turned into flats. Harambee, whose name means 'working together' in Swahili, was influenced by Pan-Africanism and undertook projects which were intended to reaffirm black identity and dignity.
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Education
Lack of provision for the arrival of children from the Commonwealth during the 1960s and 70s meant that schools were often unable to cope with educating non-English speaking pupils and provided little support in confronting racism. Government education policy and the attitudes of teachers contributed to the construction of black children as a 'problem'; rather than confronting the problems that the children themselves were faced with such as negative stereotyping and racism. In addition, the branding of black (particularly African-Caribbean) pupils as 'educationally subnormal' led to many pupils being isolated and experiencing low self-esteem and low achievement.
Supplementary schools were developed by organisations such as the African Caribbean Self Help Organisation (ACSHO) to tackle these issues. In the late 1960s ACSHO pioneered the first African supplementary school in Birmingham which held classes in English, Maths, and African history [MS 2192/C/D/1/1/1 ACSHO Tuesday Meetings programme]. The teaching of black history, which was ignored by mainstream schools, was identified as a route to empowerment for children and the wider community. Harambee held summer schools from 1970 which included a trip to Colwyn Bay to celebrate Marcus Garvey's birthday and the exploration of black role models amongst its activities (Rex & Tomlinson, 1979). Recognition of the importance of education and knowledge about the 'black self' was embedded in the Harriet Tubman bookshop which was opened by Harambee on Grove Lane in Handsworth. In addition, Harambee opened the Marcus Garvey Nursery in 1976 to address the question of underachievement from an early age by providing an understanding of their heritage and a positive identity for black children. Photographs of the bookshop and nursery can be found in the Vanley Burke archive [MS 2192].
Other schools were set up to teach children their 'mother tongues'- an important aspect of migrants' culture and ethnicity. The Asian Resource Centre was one organisation which tried to counter 'the unvoiced fear' that mother tongues could become extinct within a generation by holding classes in South Asian languages at its premises [MS 2478/B/3/5 Asian Resource Centre Progress Report, 1979]. As well as organisations, individuals like Matiullah Dard, lobbied the city's Education Committee to promote the teaching of South Asian languages in Birmingham schools [MS 2255/2/032].
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Welfare and Overcoming Isolation
Many organisations were developed in order to address general welfare issues and access to statutory services. The Afro-Caribbean Association and the Pakistani Welfare Association (formed by East Pakistanis/Bangladeshis) were two early post-war welfare organisations that were active in Birmingham.
The Chinese Community Centre another organisation that was established in 1977 to promote the well-being of Chinese people living in the West Midlands through activities focused on education, health, the relief of poverty, and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare. Chinese post-war migrants encountered particular difficulties in settling in Britain as a result of working in the catering trade. In order to survive financially, restaurants were spread out across the city however this meant that the Chinese community became dispersed and as a result many Chinese people experienced occupational and social isolation.
Due to the Sparkbrook Advice Centre being overwhelmed with enquiries from Chinese people living in Braithwaite Road, the Inner City Partnership agreed to fund a centre to meet their needs. The Chinese Community Centre was created to confront the barriers facing the city's Chinese community which were mainly limited opportunities to learn English, participate in social activities and access statutory support. Workers at the centre provided advice on immigration, health, housing, domestic affairs, benefits, education and employment. Translating materials and interpreting were important aspects of its work and workers would accompany people to statutory agencies and assist with interviews [LF 21.8 9th Annual Report 1986-87]. In addition Saturday English and maths supplementary classes were provided for children from 1981 to enable them to meet other children in similar circumstances.
The annual reports of the Chinese Community Centre can be found in Local Studies, Central Library at LF21.8. Documents associated with the Birmingham Chinese School (founded in 1987) and annual reports and newsletters from the Birmingham Chinese Youth Project can be found at the same location.
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Directions for Further Learning
To read more about some of the politically based organisations in the archives, read the pages on 20th Century Campaigns for Social Justice.
Birmingham has been host to many migrant/minority ethnic women's projects and organisations however material about them in the archives is limited. Why did these organisations develop and why do they still exist? What can you find out about them and the women who were involved?
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Author: Sarah Dar
Main Image: Photograph by Terry Lo [City Archives: MS 2512]
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