Letter to the Independent regarding World War II Commemoration Controversy

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This letter to the editor of The Independent, dated January 12, 1995, criticizes the exclusion of Caribbean and African representatives from World War II commemorations in Britain. It highlights the significant but often overlooked contributions of Black soldiers, sailors, and airmen in the war effort and challenges the ongoing racism surrounding their recognition. The letter calls for official acknowledgement of their sacrifices and the material support provided by colonial populations during the war.

Key points:
– The World War II Commemoration Team decided not to include Caribbean or East and West African representatives in the 1995 celebrations.
– Over 374,000 East and West African troops and 10,000 Caribbean men and women served during the war, many fighting and dying in Europe and North Africa.
– Colonial subjects also contributed materially, with Trinidad donating $2.8 million by 1943 despite widespread poverty.
– Racism persisted during and after the war, exemplified by the color bar at recreation clubs and the closure of the British Colonies Club in 1952.
– The letter honors Squadron Leader P. Ulric Cross, a decorated Trinidadian RAF pilot, noting a lack of formal British recognition for such heroes.

This letter reflects the ongoing struggle within Black British political history to secure recognition for the contributions of Black and colonial peoples during World War II. It illustrates themes of fighting racism and the need for reparations and acknowledgement within British public memory, concerns central to Bernie Grant’s activism and broader Black British anti-racist and internationalist campaigns. The letter also touches on historical local government and community efforts to resist racial discrimination.

Source note: The transcribed text is largely clear and coherent, with minimal OCR errors. Any minor uncertainties do not affect the overall interpretation of the letter’s content and message.