Windrush
by the Revd Hannah Cartwright
This week marked the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush ship as it docked for the first time in Essex on the 22nd June 1948 carrying passengers from Caribbean countries. Arriving on that first ship, were just some of those who have come to be known as the Windrush Generation; who came at the invitation of the British government to fill labour shortages in the UK post-World War II and to offer their skills in the NHS, armed forces and across British industry.
Those who disembarked brought with them new skills, experience, art and culture which have continued to shape the UK to this day and to enrich the lives of all its citizens. The incredible contribution of the Windrush Generation makes it even more stark to consider the scandals which many have faced in fighting to have their citizenship status recognised through the ‘Windrush Scandal’ (for which many still await compensation).
Immigration, in its may expressions, remains one of the most high-profile issues in our news today. And many people who travel to build their life here in the UK face perilous conditions enroute and continue to be confronted by great prejudice and systems which prevent them from being able to work when they arrive. There are endless debates and deliberations in the halls of government and in the court of public opinion around policy and approach, so how might Scripture begin to inform our thinking?
The Bible it seems has a remarkably consistent approach: we are taught, irrespective of our context or circumstance, to recognise all people as made in the image of God, to love our neighbour as ourself and, as Leviticus (echoing Exodus and Deuteronomy) decrees:
“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’
Each and every person in this world is a gift from God and should be welcomed as such; not only for the gifts, skills and experiences they bring, but for the gift that they individually are as fellow children of God. On this 75th Anniversary, as at all times, for the gift of the Windrush Generation, and for the gift of our beautiful and diverse humanity – thanks be to God.
