How History Shapes Today: The Legacy of Racism in the UK

As a Black woman, I often reflect on how history has shaped the reality I live in. Growing up, I rarely saw stories of people who looked like me in the history books. The contributions of Black women, the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade, and the enduring impact of colonialism were either glossed over or erased altogether. This erasure isn’t just an oversight—it’s a deliberate act that allows systemic racism to persist unchallenged.

Why is this important? Because we cannot tackle inequality without understanding its roots. When we look at the legacy of slavery, the British Empire, and colonialism, we begin to see how these systems created wealth for some while oppressing others. We see how stereotypes and systemic barriers were built, and we understand why they still exist.

This article isn’t about dwelling on the past for its own sake. It’s about connecting the dots between history and today. It’s about showing that the injustices of the past are not gone—they’ve just evolved. And it’s about ensuring that the voices and contributions of Black people, especially Black women, are no longer ignored.

By going back into history, we can uncover the origins of inequality, challenge the systems that uphold it, and work toward a fairer future. This isn’t just important for Black communities—it’s important for everyone. After all, a society built on fairness, equity, and justice benefits us all.

How History Shapes Today: The Legacy of Racism in the UK

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” These words by William Faulkner remind us that history’s shadows are long. In the UK, racial inequalities today are deeply rooted in centuries of colonialism, slavery, and systemic racism. These injustices did not disappear with the abolition of slavery or the end of empire—they evolved into new forms of discrimination that shape the lives of millions. From the economic and cultural impacts of slavery to the erasure of Black women’s contributions, understanding history is crucial for dismantling racism.

In this post, we’ll examine how Britain’s role in slavery shaped its present-day institutions, the unique challenges faced by women of colour, and why addressing these legacies is essential to building a fairer society.

 

The Legacy of the British Empire, Colonialism, and Slavery

At its height, the British Empire controlled a quarter of the world’s land and people, consolidating wealth and power through the exploitation of colonies across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Central to this imperial system was Britain’s active participation in the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly transported over 12 million Africans to the Americas. Enslaved Africans endured unimaginable suffering, working under brutal conditions to produce sugar, tobacco, and cotton—commodities that became cornerstones of Britain’s economy.

The economic benefits of slavery extended far beyond plantations. British banks, insurance companies, and investors grew wealthy from the trade. Cities like Liverpool, Bristol, and London became hubs for the shipping of enslaved Africans, and their economies flourished as a result. Families like the Gladstones, who later produced a British prime minister, were directly enriched by owning enslaved people.

Even after the abolition of slavery in 1833, Britain’s commitment to justice was questionable. The government compensated slaveowners £20 million (equivalent to £17 billion today) for their “loss of property,” while formerly enslaved people received nothing. Shockingly, this debt was paid off by British taxpayers in 2015, meaning many descendants of enslaved Africans unknowingly contributed to reparations for their ancestors' oppressors.

This unequal distribution of wealth entrenched economic disparities that persist today. Black Britons, many of whom trace their ancestry to colonies exploited by the Empire, are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and housing inequality. The racial wealth gap is a direct consequence of Britain’s historical exploitation and systemic refusal to repair these injustices.

The Role of Women in the Legacy of Slavery

Women’s experiences during slavery reveal a dual burden of racism and sexism. Enslaved women were forced into gruelling labour while also enduring systemic sexual violence. For enslavers, controlling women’s bodies was a tool of economic and social dominance. Women were often raped to produce more enslaved children, who would also be treated as property. This commodification of Black women’s bodies created a dehumanising narrative that continues to impact perceptions of Black women today.

In Britain, the voices of enslaved women like Mary Prince provide vital insights into the horrors of slavery. Prince, whose autobiography was the first account of an enslaved Black woman published in Britain, detailed the physical and emotional abuse she suffered. Her powerful testimony mobilised the abolitionist movement, yet her name remains absent from most UK school curricula.

Today, the legacy of slavery’s racial and gendered violence is evident in the challenges faced by Black women. The idea that Black women are “strong” and therefore capable of withstanding abuse continues to shape attitudes in healthcare, where Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth compared to white women. This disparity is not due to genetics but to systemic neglect and racial bias within the healthcare system.

Black women are also underrepresented in leadership roles across politics, media, and business. Despite their historical contributions—from figures like Claudia Jones, who founded The West Indian Gazette in the 1950s, to contemporary activists—they remain sidelined in conversations about racial justice.

Slavery’s Continued Impact on Social and Cultural Narratives

The dehumanisation of Black people during slavery created enduring stereotypes that still shape cultural narratives. During the slavery era, Africans were depicted as inferior, uncivilised, and incapable of self-governance to justify their exploitation. These ideas were not confined to plantations—they permeated British society through literature, art, and media.

Even today, these stereotypes influence how Black people are perceived and treated. The stereotype of the “angry Black woman” diminishes Black women’s voices in professional and personal spaces, while the portrayal of Black men as inherently aggressive or criminal leads to racial profiling in policing. Black Britons are disproportionately stopped and searched by the police, with Black people being seven times more likely to be stopped than their white counterparts.

The media plays a significant role in perpetuating these harmful narratives. Tabloids often demonise Black communities, focusing disproportionately on crime and poverty while ignoring stories of resilience and success. Positive representation is crucial to dismantling these biases, yet Black Britons remain underrepresented in British media, film, and television.

 

The Windrush Scandal: A Modern Example of Racism’s Enduring Legacy

The Windrush scandal highlights how colonial attitudes continue to shape immigration policies and racial inequality in the UK. Between 1948 and 1971, thousands of Caribbean migrants were invited to Britain to help rebuild the country after World War II. These individuals, known as the Windrush generation, became nurses, factory workers, and civil servants—key contributors to Britain’s post-war recovery.

Yet in the 2010s, many were wrongly classified as illegal immigrants under the government’s “hostile environment” policy. They were denied access to healthcare, housing, and employment, with some even detained or deported. This injustice revealed how deeply ingrained colonial attitudes still are in British institutions, treating Black Britons as perpetual outsiders.

Women from the Windrush generation were particularly affected. Many worked in healthcare and social care roles, industries vital to the nation’s well-being, yet they were some of the most marginalised during the scandal. Their experiences illustrate the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in systemic injustices.

The Ongoing Struggle for Racial Justice

The legacy of slavery and racism in the UK is not a relic of the past—it is a present reality that shapes the lives of millions. To address these injustices, we must take meaningful action:

1. Inclusive Education: Teach a more honest account of British history in schools, including the slave trade, abolition, and the contributions of Black Britons. Figures like Mary Prince, Olaudah Equiano, and Claudia Jones should be household names.
2. Reparative Justice: Reparations are not just about financial compensation but about investing in communities affected by historical injustices. This includes addressing the racial wealth gap and providing equal opportunities in education, employment, and housing.
3. Healthcare Reform: Systemic racism in healthcare must be addressed to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve outcomes for Black patients.
4. Media Representation: Black Britons deserve to see themselves represented accurately and positively in media and culture. This requires investment in diverse storytelling and accountability for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
5. Policy Change: From ending racial profiling in policing to reforming immigration policies, systemic change is necessary to dismantle institutional racism.

 

References and Further Reading

• Mary Prince, The History of Mary Prince (1831)
• Olusoga, David. Black and British: A Forgotten History
• Eddo-Lodge, Reni. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
• The Windrush Scandal (Parliamentary report, 2019)
• The Runnymede Trust: Reports on Race and Racism in the UK
• UK National Archives: Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 Compensation Records
• Campaigns by Birthrights and Five X More (on Black maternal health)