The stories revealed in the new archive will help everyone understand how Britain has come to have one of the most racially, ethnically and culturally diverse populations in the world – reflecting a shared history of colonialism and migration.
They can be studied by historians, but also present an inspiring message to a wider public about what previous generations of migrants have achieved and have contributed to the British economy, culture and public life.
For South Asian people, understanding this history is vital to their sense of identity, and to better appreciate their unique place in the multicultural tapestry
of contemporary Britain.
Better appreciation of the achievements of previous generations will also demonstrate what today’s young British Asian people can do, if they believe in themselves.
“I think it’s important that we inspire the next generation to have people to look up to and think, okay, they’ve done it, I can do it; the glass ceiling has been shattered.”
Probably, people of, like, future generations to recognise the sacrifices and difficulties that we went through in this country. Because I feel like future generations will be used to just being born here. Or this will be the norm for them.
Because we’re British, we are members of this society, and our background, our culture, has an equal right in this country; it’s not second rate. We bring the richness, and if we’re going to bring the richness, then we have to tell our stories. And our stories are powerful stories.
I really, really believe, even though I was born here, I really, really believe we need to keep our heritage.
I mean, often we are seen as the others in this country that we don’t belong, etc. But to us, it’s home as well. And to our children, who are born here, they know nothing else. This is their home.
