It honours the thousands of people who, at the invitation of the British Government, travelled from the Caribbean to help rebuild the country after the devastation of the Second World War.

The first large group of these migrants arrived aboard the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948. While contemporary reports cited 492 passengers, the ship’s records show there were 1,027 people on board. Many of them had high hopes for opportunity and welcome, having answered a call from the King’s government, but they were soon met with systemic racism, discrimination, and exclusion.

The Windrush generation faced hostility in their daily lives: denied access to housing and jobs and barred from many public places simply because of the colour of their skin. Yet despite the injustices, they played a crucial role in rebuilding and shaping modern Britain — not only through their labour but through rich cultural, social, and political contributions that continue to influence the country today.

In 2018, the UK Government established Windrush Day to acknowledge this legacy and to ensure that these stories are recognised as part of our collective history. As we mark the 77th anniversary this year, it remains vital to reflect on both the triumphs and the struggles of the Windrush generation — and to honour their role in shaping a more inclusive Britain.

For more information on Race Equality work at the University of Sussex, you can access our Race Equality Application and Action plan.

You can also read our Anti-Racist Pledge.

The University’s Ethnic Minority Staff Network is for all staff who define themselves as belonging to a minority ethnic group. The network re-launched in early in 2022 and meets termly. If you would like to be a part of the network, please email EMSN-staff@sussex.ac.uk to sign up.

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