Monday, 16 March 2009

Some Truths About Birmingham's History



There you have the BNP's take upon the history of Birmingham. May I just say r'tards!

They have a seriously selective historiographical memory.

Here's a few facts so you can make up your own mind about the history of this great 'Anglo-Irish' city:

17th Century, The Huguenots; Protestant refugees from France, revolutionise industrial production in Birmingham*.

-1740, the UK has a non white population of over 40,000*. Over 400 persons of ethnic minority origin live in Birmingham pop. 14,000 (3.5%)*.

-1880 onwards, tens of thousands of Jews make Birmingham their home*. They are welcomed for their skills and granted asylum to escape persecution.

-1900-1940, Over 15,000 Italians make their way to Birmingham*.

-1923, The first Mosque is founded in Mosley Birmingham. Happy 86th birthday organised Islamic community:)!*

1931, Ghandi is welcomed by the cities flourishing Indian community.

-1934, Birmingham has 3 registered Sikh doctors*.

-1948, Skilled labour from the Commonwealth comes to rebuild Birmingham, they are welcomed*.

-1972, Birmingham is again rejuvenated by the arrival of highly skilled immigrants from Uganda*.

-1990s, Birmingham recognised as a beacon of integration by authorities world wide.

-2000s, Tourist office begins specifically promoting Birmingham's long settled immigrant communities; e.g. Balti Triangle*.

-2009 BNP release a hilarious video that is taken the piss out of by everyone who knows and loves Birmingham.

Sources:

*Robert Winder-Bloody Foreigners 2004

*Don Dick-Birmingham a City and Her People 2005

*Pav Singh-Ethnic Minorities in Birmingham 1934-1995 1997

*Birmingham Council Tourist Literature circa. 2009

*50 Years On-Trevor Philips 1998

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