Chair: Prof. Tariq Modood, Speaker: Sunder Katwala
June 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush, which has become recognised as the symbolic starting point for post-war Commonwealth migration to the UK and our modern multi-ethnic society. The anniversary comes at a time when ethnic minorities have more presence, voice and profile in British public life than ever before, and yet where debates about identity and race seem to be fraught.
The seminar launches his new book, ‘How to be a patriot: why love of country can end our very British culture war’ The book reflects on how growing up with parents who came to Britain from Ireland and India shaped his personal perspective on British history and identity before exploring the many identity crises of what seems an increasingly disunited Kingdom – from polarised arguments about immigration and multiculturalism; the deep divides of Brexit; the resurgence of online racism and culture wars over what our history means today. The book seeks to explore what unites and divides and makes the case that national identity can play a crucial role in helping a diverse society to navigate change and strengthen a sense of the common ground. In this seminar, Sunder will be in conversation with Professor Tariq Modood to discuss his book and what the history of multi-ethnic Britain means for current and future challenges.
Speaker's bio: Sunder Katwala is the director of British Future, a non-partisan think tank working on issues of migration, integration, race and identity. He has previously worked as a journalist, as leader writer and internet editor at the Observer. He was also general secretary of the Fabian Society from 2003 to 2011, research director of the Foreign Policy Centre; and commissioning editor for politics and economics at the publisher Macmillan.
