British black immigrants

1948, shortly after the end of World War II, a ship transported the black soldiers recruited by Britain in the Caribbean to London. At that time, the British were struggling to survive in the ruins after the bombing, and the arrogance of colonial countries had not been dispelled by the affirmative movement. Black people stay in London and suffer from supercilious look and ostracism. 1958 There were a series of attacks against blacks, and by the end of August, the conflict had spread to Notting Hill in west London.

This situation makes Claudia Jones, the founder and editor-in-chief of the West India Gazette, very sad. She said, "We need something to get rid of the smell of Notting Hill." Some people say it's better to hold a carnival, and everyone laughs. It sounds funny to hold a carnival in cold London. But Jones doesn't think so. 1959 65438+1On October 30th, the first Caribbean Carnival in London kicked off in the Civic Center. At that time, the title of the commemorative handbook was: "The art of a nation is the origin of their freedom."

Colorful peacock feathers, flashing breastplates, red fireworks in the sky, what does all this have to do with freedom? Things have changed so dramatically. In 1950s, the contribution of black culture to Britain was controversial, but today, it is everywhere. Today, the number of people attending Notting Hill Carnival has reached millions. Caribbean music is no longer regarded as inferior music by Europeans. Carnival subverts the European elite tradition and turns it into popular culture.

Notting Hill Carnival, which originated from 1964, is the largest street culture and art festival in Europe. It has now evolved into a grand multi-cultural festival, second only to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival in Brazil, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world every year and becoming one of the popular tourist projects in London.

Most of the black residents in Notting Hill are not from Africa, but from the Caribbean or other parts of Latin America (one saying: initiated by Trinidad immigrants). It is the immigrant culture in Notting Hill that gave birth to Notting Hill Carnival. In 1960s, West Indian immigrants living in Notting Hill held a carnival because of homesickness. At that time, only a small group of people were walking up and down the street wearing national costumes and banging on steel drums. Later, whites and other ethnic minorities also actively participated, gradually making carnival one of the symbols of British multiculturalism.

Notting Hill Street Carnival lasts two days. On the first day, the protagonist of the carnival is innocent children, and on the second day, an adult carnival is held.