The old colonies gained independence but did colonialism merely carry on as before by relocating ‘back-home’ the power base and the previous subjects – re-labelled as immigrants, who came to help rebuild the post-war mother country?
We know the British Empire has ended but what of its legacy? What of the philosophies which have informed the education system which educated the current generation of the powerful men and women who run institutions in diverse towns and cities in Britain? With the global ‘BRIC’ development as a backdrop and the developing discourse of super-diversity, what is the relevance of the old concepts of discrimination and equality in our colour blind world?
The aim is to use Birmingham Diaspora as a case study to explore the issues. More than a half of the city’s school population is of ‘minority’ origin with a quarter already of Pakistani heritage, many of whom do not achieve the benchmark qualifications. According to official predictions, the City is likely to become the first Muslim city in Europe. Drawing on the theories of Gramsci (Subaltern Studies) and Said (Orientalism), the particular situation of the Pakistani Diaspora in the City will be discussed. Given their large presence, their future is intertwined with that of the City.
Abstract for conference: Race, Migration and Citizenship- postcolonial and decolonial perspectives . Stream: Diaspora, Colonialism & Postcolonialism