?We All Black Innit??: Analysing Relations between African and African-Caribbean Groups in Britain

Abstract

‘We all Black innit?’ examines relationships between African and African-Caribbean communities in Britain. Historically, these groups have formed coalitions, especially in times of difficulty, for example in resistances against racism. Yet media coverage and academic research studies have highlighted ‘tensions’ between African and Caribbean migrants, especially those arriving from the latter stages of World War 2 and during the 1960s (Mwakigale 2007, Benson 1981). However, this research is limited and focuses specifically on the views and experiences of that particular generation. Very little, if any academic research considers the views and perceptions of second and third generation British born people of African and African-Caribbean descent, although plays, books and, more recently films have begun to explore this issue (see for example, Femi Oguns, Torn (2008) and Bola Agbaje's Gone Too Far (2013). Therefore, the following research draws on interviews with second and third generation British African and African Caribbean people to assess whether tensions still exist between the two groups, and if so, the potential causes, and if they replicate those of previous generations. Conversely it may be that there has been reconcilement between them, and establishment of new ‘race based coalitions’ (Rogers 2004). Again, the research considers the factors which may have contributed to this.