Racism, resistance and addressing offending behaviour within a changing political climate

This chapter outlines the historical and social contexts that have influenced life on the estate, providing an overview rather than a detailed analysis of the issues. The text considers how some of the first post war migrants to the UK settled in Brixton, and the surrounding estates, making the area one of the most diverse places in the country. However, the racism experienced by first and second generation migrants from the Caribbean led to a hybrid Jamaican/London resistance culture emerging. This culture was labelled anti British and associated with rising crime rates. The account explores how despite statistics to the contrary, the association of Black youth culture with criminality, which Gilroy (1982) aptly termed the myth of Black criminality, remains.

The chapter will then outline how shifts in government policy have changed how youth criminality is addressed, including the structural investment approach by New Labour and the more recent child first and public health approaches adopted by public bodies. These latter developments have seen a focus move away from criminal acts and onto the risk factors such as ACEs that increase the likelihood of a young person getting involved in criminality.

Historical context of migration, deprivation and racism

The estate is about a 15-minute walk from Brixton Station in the London Borough of Lambeth. Like many poor neighbourhoods, the estate continues to be the first port of call for many migrant groups resulting in a rich multicultural history; however, one marred by racism, inequality and oppression.

Before the late 1940s, the area was mainly a mix of white British and Irish families. This all changed with the arrival of the Windrush Generation. When the first group of new Caribbean migrants came over, Britain had over full employment and struggled to keep pace with the necessary post-war rebuilding. The invitation to come to the UK seemed to offer the chance to leave behind Jamaica’s growing social issues, including a failing economy and increasing unemployment and crime rates (Heathcott, 2003), and make a new life in the motherland. Unfortunately, those who came to the UK entered a racist environment, lived in the poorest, crime-ridden neighbourhoods and often had to do jobs they were overqualified for.