“I was a teenager in London when Rock Against Racism was formed. I had heard about it and really wanted to go on the first big march and concert in Victoria Park, but my Dad wouldn’t let me.

My Dad wouldn’t let me because every day we saw stories on the news of the National Front spewing hatred at us, we heard about Fascist youth smashing our windows, we heard of biased police not even interested in pursuing those who hurt, maimed or even killed us. He did not want me to go because he was scared I would be hurt or even killed.

I told him I was going shopping instead and left the house. Of course I headed for Hackney and arrived at the park just as the march was arriving. I stood there amongst thousands of people wide-eyed with my mouth open and and my brain buzzing . Could all these people be here because they supported us, because they believed in a British society that was not being torn apart by Racism and Prejudice?

It was a day that changed my life.

Here were people of all backgrounds who had come out and supported a vision of a different society to what we were seeing on the news, a more tolerant society than the right wing racists were encouraging, a society that supported all of us, no matter who we are, to hold our heads up and contribute to making Britain the brilliant diverse, secular, society it is.

My relationship with the British goes back 400 years, ever since British settlers arrived in India. My ancestors and I are part of the fabric of this country now and I love Britain, it is a country that inspires me, feeds me and help me create films that people around the world enjoy.

We cannot lose the gains made in the last 30 years against the right wing. We cannot stand back and let people be killed because of their skin colour. We cannot allow a younger generation to feel scared that they cannot stand up, protest and be counted. It is all our responsibility to fight and protect our Britain, a Britain for all of us.

I would urge everyone to get involved with LMHR and UAF, and use their voice and be counted.“

–
Gurinder Chadha
Bend it Films
Ealing, London

More info on Gurinder Chada’s life and work here , and on her films here