Title: | R1188_10 Track 10_Avtar Singh Jouhl |
---|---|
Description: |
This is an oral history interview with Avtar Singh Jouhl, recorded between October 1991 - February 1992, as part of the Birmingham Black Oral History Project (BBOHP), discussing his life in India and the UK. Avtar lived in Punjab, India until 1958 when he left college and travelled to England hoping to continue his studies. He worked in foundries in Birmingham and joined the Indian Workers Association after experiencing inequalities in the workplace. He talks about his upbringing in rural Punjab, India, his involvement with Trade Unions and politics and his work and family life in Birmingham. These recordings include racially explicit content, including discussions of racism, prejudice and violence; and language and phrasing that we would not use today. Some of this content might be unsuitable for younger listeners or triggering for People of Colour. We recommend reading the description for each track before choosing to listen. R1188 Track 01 Indian Workers Association Prepare Memorandum on the Immigration Bill Avtar recalls how the IWA prepared a memorandum, sent to 630 MPs, to argue against the proposed Immigration Bill of 1961 Track 02 IWA Campaign to Lobby Parliament Avtar talks about how the IWA prepared copies of the Memorandum and about the process of lobbying parliament Track 03 Delegates from IWA Meet Home Office and Indian High Commission Representatives Avtar talks about when the IWA met with government officials to discuss immigration control and racisim Track 04 IWA Support the Labour Party in 1964 General Election, Racist Slogans Avtar talks about how the IWA supported the Labour Party’s pledge to repeal the Immigration Act and the racist slogans that appeared in Smethwick during the 1964 General Election campaign Track 05 Immigration Act Not Repealed but IWA Continue to Protest Avtar talks about how the Immigration Act was not repealed after the General Election and how the IWA continued to protest against it Track 06 IWA Campaign Against the National Front / Racist Immigration Policies Avtar talks about how the IWA helped to reduced the National front vote and about how the Immigation Act resulted in two types of passport Track 07 IWA Continue to Protest Racist Policies in 1970s Avtar Talks about how the IWA continued to protest against racist policies in the 1970s Track 08 IWA Demonstrations and Losing a Comrade Avtar talks about how the IWA organised demonstrations against the Nationality Act and how emotional stress caused a comrade to lose his life Track 09 IWA Campaign for Anti-Discrimination Laws / Passport and Visa Rules Explained Avatar talks about how pleased he is to say that over 30 years the IWA have helped to change opinions of political parties and trade unions to support anti-racist immigration policies. He also explains passport and visa rules after the 1948 Immigration Act. Track 10 IWA and the Trade Union Movement Avtar talks about the role of the Indian Workers Association in the Trade Union Movement in the United Kingdom |
Keywords: |
Birmingham Museums Trust/Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, India, Birmingham history, Sound Archive/ Oral History, Social history/ Black History, Social history/ BBOHP, South Asia |
Usage Rights: | CC BY-NC 3.0 - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 You are free to share & adapt this material. Credit: © Birmingham Museums Trust |