The Shoulders We Stand On: How Black and Brown people fought for change in the United Kingdom

by Preeti Dhillon

The UK is grappling with big questions about belonging, equality, and the legacies of Empire and Colonialism. We've been here before. Embracing a broader history that encompasses all British people, The Shoulders We Stand On is fundamental to a better understanding of the past and gives many more people who fought for our future a voice in the present.

Have you heard of the Indian Workers' Association? The Grunwick Strike? The Brixton Black Women's Group? The Battle of Brick Lane? If the answer is no, you're not alone. The Shoulders We Stand On tells the stories of ten remarkable movements, campaigns and organisations led by Black and Brown people across Britain from the sixties to the eighties that fought against racism and capitalism and impacted the way we live now.

Researcher and historian Preeti Dhillon wants us to reclaim the history that has been kept from us, and use these vital movements and inspirational moments to better understand the UK we live in today and how change happens.

There is a long and deep history of activism by Black and Brown people spanning the UK. Their stories can inspire all of us to make a difference, just as they did. The Shoulders We Stand On is a book of hope. Hope that together we can make a difference, that together we are powerful, and that we don't have to tackle society's challenges alone.

We're not alone, we've been here before and this is the book we all need now.

Filled with inspiring narratives, Preeti Dhillon uncovers crucial moments from our history. If you loved the books Natives and Brit(ish), the TV series Small Axe or the film Pride, don't miss The Shoulders We Stand On.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2023

Reviews

[Alwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Britain's motto should be 'I'm not racist but...' "

Both devastating and uplifting, this is a well-researched, fluid account of the Black and Brown communities that gathered together to oppose the scourge of racism in its many guises. It’s also a timely reminder of the importance of solidarity, of setting aside political differences to unite against rising far-right forces and discriminatory institutional policies. Preeti Dhillon’s lucid, accessible book ranges from an examination of police brutality from low-level street harassment to deaths in custody to an overview of the long history of political parties spreading false narratives about immigration and migrant communities. She reflects on the rise in far-right violence during the fifties, sixties and seventies: in the fifties spearheaded by groups like the White Defence League; in the Seventies the hyperaggressive National Front which slowly morphed into the British National Party with its street-fighting counterpart Combat 18 – 1 for Adolph, 8 for Hitler.

Alongside the obvious forces promoting racist attacks and overtly racist ideologies were the far-too-many, institutional manifestations of discrimination and prejudice. In education, for example, the young Black children spuriously classified as “educationally sub-normal” and diverted out of mainstream education; the often-undisclosed quotas that saw Black and Brown children bussed out of their school catchment areas, often travelling for over two hours a day, in order to ensure that British schools weren’t “overrun.” – a practice that continued for over twenty years right up until the late 1980s. Then there were the British companies who operated unofficial colour bars, the landlords who refused to accept Black or Brown tenants. The numerous instances and periods in which the spectre of racism loomed over every aspect of everyday life.

But, ultimately, this isn’t a lament but a celebration of the ordinary people who came together to expose injustice and fight against prejudice including: the ad hoc groups who organised the Bristol bus boycott; the Black Education Movement that highlighted exclusionary educational policies and practices, often setting up supplementary schooling for its communities; the creation of community bookshops and indie publishing houses; the Asian youth movement; the courageous Asian women whose strike at the exploitative Grunwick plant was said to have changed the face of the British trade union movement; organisations like the Brixton Black Women’s Group with its various ties to support networks including late-night lifts for any/all women in the area in need of a safe ride home. Overall, an incredibly informative, moving and deeply inspiring piece.

[Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (and, by extension, all the events it discusses) deserves so much more attention. Preeti Dhillon highlights ten major antiracist uprisings in the UK between the 1960s-80s that you’ve probably never heard of: it’s something of a primer on the recent history of racism and antiracism in the UK, and a springboard to go and learn more about each of the events mentioned.

This book is essential in showing how the UK has found itself at the point where it is today, and how everything we are seeing now has been building steadily for decades, if not longer. In some ways it’s horrifying to see how much is still the same as it was then - especially in terms of media coverage of resistance actions, state repression of activists, and police brutality and collusion with far-right racist groups. But it’s also hugely empowering to see so many examples of resistance and solidarity laid out so systematically.

The section I found most powerful was in fact the conclusion, where Dhillon draws together the key themes from each event discussed, and really emphasises the power of collective action and building sustainable movements. I already want to go and reread and annotate the whole thing, but I know I’ll be coming back to the last chapter especially.

The book itself is incredibly thoroughly researched and referenced, but the writing style is really chatty and accessible so it reads easily. My one minor complaint is that the structure can occasionally be slightly confusing: because the book is structured by uprising instead of chronologically, it jumps around a bit in time and it can be tricky to keep track of who was doing what when. Dhillon is generally good at making connections between chapters and reminding you where certain individuals/groups/laws/etc have come up before, but it could have been useful to have a bit of a timeline to bring everything together.

CW: racism, violence, racial slurs (statements from the time are quoted uncensored)

From the courtroom to the workplace and from school to the street, Black and Brown people showed that they were to be taken seriously and would fight for what was right.

Collective action is magic. Groups of people working towards the same ends are hard to ignore… Withholding labour, changing our consumer behaviour, demonstrating, uprising, consistently disrupting the status quo in as many ways as possible are the most powerful ways to get the attention of those who would have you be seen and not heard, and preferably not seen either. We've had the tools all along, we have just been lacking examples of how they have been used by people who look like us.

[Amber Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. It’s really insightful and gives a real sense as to what life was like during the 60s-80s in Britain for Black and Brown people by outlining some of the lesser-known movements. Most of it is quite shocking to read and the stories really hit home when you realise most of the key players are still alive today and it’s all taken place within living memory. The movements are really interesting; I definitely learned a lot. The book finishes with a really uplifting but realistic chapter about building on these movements, encouraging collective action. It’s a great read - would definitely recommend.

[Nicole Römer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful and important read. The author’s accessible writing style made it feel like sitting down with a historian friend and having a conversation about 60s - 80s Britain. This definitely helped me retain more - I’ve learned so much from this book and will be returning to it again in the future for sure.

[Becky Cann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so important and moving. I felt incredibly proud to live St. Paul's and understand its cultural impact in this country for black and brown people!
Amazing, truthful and harrowing - this book hits where it needs to, and i feel much more educated. Go and read it!!

[Amardeep Dhillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based around 10 important events (and briefly diving into others) this book is eye opening and quite frankly shocking to read. Well researched and referenced throughout it leaves little doubt as to veracity as well.

There were points I was shaking with rage or my eyes were tearing up with sadness.

The book is a primer of sorts to some of the history. I think if it is lacking anything is maybe a spiders Web style diagram showing the cooperation and coordination of various groups. It kept being mentioned but it was hard to keep track of it all.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lot of people need to read this (my old history teacher who taught us about the black panthers as part of a terrorism unit)

[Naomi Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very uncomfortable but important read. SO informative and challenging

[JANANI · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book to read to understand one ( of the many) aspects of British history.

[Ajunee Dhillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible in uncovering the tough facts and stories of what happened in the UK in the 60's - 80's. I've learnt more in this book than in my Sociology degree! Preeti Dhillon writes in such accessible language where you can hear her voice and personality come through, which makes the book more welcoming to read, despite the difficult issues brought up. I absolutely love this book, thank you Preeti Dhillon!

[Lucy Fulford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important book shining a light onto corner's of Britain's history that are severely overlooked. We hear about the US civil rights movement – but what about the UK? Beautifully written, delicately explored and passionately argued.

[Filja · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘the demonstrators clogged the arteries of the city; curdling its blood, stopping its heart, they brought the capital to a stunned standstill’

hello yes please solidarity now solidarity foreverrr.